With a moderate to BIG cam,,,you will need a higher stall speed TC.
Could Use Some Mod Advice
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
Could Use Some Mod Advice
OK just recently bought a 98 Vert completely stock A4 with 38K miles. Looking to do a few mods but want to feel comfortable taking on long trips etc... I have already installed a Vararam CAI and Borla exhaust. Since I am not much of a tech person thought I would validate my thoughts with the forum for some advice. Here is what I was considering installing:
LS6 Intake
Mild Cam
UD Pulley
Possibly Headers
Any thoughts? I was thinking these mods would give me around 75-100 extra HP and I will still feel comfortable with hopping in and taking on vacation?? Thanks In Advance for any comments.
LS6 Intake
Mild Cam
UD Pulley
Possibly Headers
Any thoughts? I was thinking these mods would give me around 75-100 extra HP and I will still feel comfortable with hopping in and taking on vacation?? Thanks In Advance for any comments.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
All of the MODs that you listed are very good MODs. Heres some more food for thought. While doing those MODs, you need to expand your improvements to the items below:
Your going to need a Professional Tune. It will run with the mods that you intend to install but not well. The CAM will surley require a TUNE.
You should also consider the following add ons which will help you quest for HP.
- VARARAM or some other CAI
- Ported TB
- LS2 Timing Chain (reliability)
- ARP Damper Bolt (reliability
- Power Bond under drive damper (reliability)
- Hardened push rods (reliability)
- Patroit Performance Gold Springs (reliability) A must have for a cam install
- Professional Tune!!!!
BC
Your going to need a Professional Tune. It will run with the mods that you intend to install but not well. The CAM will surley require a TUNE.
You should also consider the following add ons which will help you quest for HP.
- VARARAM or some other CAI
- Ported TB
- LS2 Timing Chain (reliability)
- ARP Damper Bolt (reliability
- Power Bond under drive damper (reliability)
- Hardened push rods (reliability)
- Patroit Performance Gold Springs (reliability) A must have for a cam install
- Professional Tune!!!!
BC
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
You might want to think about getting a high stall torque converter. Say about a 2800-3000 rpm. This really wakes up automatic cars. Just be sure to add a good tranny fluid cooler as well. Your fuel mileage will drop a little around town but your 1/4 mile ET will also drop about a half second. I wouldn't bother with a ls6 intake unless your going to do a cam also. Headers are good as long as they are longtubes.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
If he doesn't race it, the trans will be fine. I have been running for 3 years with more power than that without a problem and I have drag raced it many times. A properly designed and implemented H/C package is very reliable.
Last edited by chaase; Nov 25, 2009 at 10:23 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
FWIW, there have been a number of threads on the subject of how well the stock A4 handles extra power and the general consensus is not too well. Not trying to tell the OP not to do a H/C but to be aware of other potential problems and costs so he is not unpleasantly surprised.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
^^Never said anything about the H/C package. Only that the stock tranny probably would not last too long with that kind of power increase.
FWIW, there have been a number of threads on the subject of how well the stock A4 handles extra power and the general consensus is not too well. Not trying to tell the OP not to do a H/C but to be aware of other potential problems and costs so he is not unpleasantly surprised.
FWIW, there have been a number of threads on the subject of how well the stock A4 handles extra power and the general consensus is not too well. Not trying to tell the OP not to do a H/C but to be aware of other potential problems and costs so he is not unpleasantly surprised.
With a "mild" cam, trani cooler, good tune and some COMMON(??) driving and shifting sense I think he can expect his trani to hold up pretty well.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
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From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
^^Never said anything about the H/C package. Only that the stock tranny probably would not last too long with that kind of power increase.
FWIW, there have been a number of threads on the subject of how well the stock A4 handles extra power and the general consensus is not too well. Not trying to tell the OP not to do a H/C but to be aware of other potential problems and costs so he is not unpleasantly surprised.
FWIW, there have been a number of threads on the subject of how well the stock A4 handles extra power and the general consensus is not too well. Not trying to tell the OP not to do a H/C but to be aware of other potential problems and costs so he is not unpleasantly surprised.
By now its a well known fact that the A4 is the weakest like in the power train, so your caution is correct. That being said, for the last 4 years I've had over 400 rwhp and rw lbft, road race the car every week, have 78000 miles on it, and have never had a trani related problem. Maybe I'm just lucky.
With a "mild" cam, trani cooler, good tune and some COMMON(??) driving and shifting sense I think he can expect his trani to hold up pretty well.
With a "mild" cam, trani cooler, good tune and some COMMON(??) driving and shifting sense I think he can expect his trani to hold up pretty well.
The addition of an transmission cooler will certainly help, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to torque, to much of it and the shell will blow.
After-market converter being suggested will also increase tranny tempertures, etc....
At 40K miles on tranny who knows what's left of it ???
Also what kind of rear gears do you have ??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
Want to thank everyone for all the advice so far. Much appreciated. With the car pretty much being stock I still have the 2:73 gears. Looks like I have a lot more to consider then I originally thought about. This is an excellent forum with a lot of knowledge.
Thanks Again
Thanks Again