Im done with visual mods as of now and im really looking for more power but nothing over the top, id like to do all the work my self and i have rebuilt a few old chevy 350s for wooden boats and have access to a lift, anyways id like a list of things to start building up the mod fund for, cheap first so i can hold the feeling off until i get some more $$ anyways i have a bone stock 1998 corvette c5 a4 thanks!

 

Unfortunetly there is no cheap power gains to increase rwhp, all
mods cost money. Your best bet is to come up with a plan that
will bundle several mods. Like heads, cam, and headers. Save
your money and then install then tune. Tunes can be 4or 5 hundred
and you don't want to put headers on-- tune, install a cam then
tune --you get the picture.HAVE FUN..........

 

I agree 100% with the above, with the exception of the intake. An LS6 intake manifold is fairly cheap and good for a few ponies, and a Vararam or similar CAI will give you a few more as well. After that, it gets expensive quick with headers, heads, cam, cubes, blowers, turbos....none of which are cheap.

 

Bingo just simple stuff like a cai and intake manifold, haven't really priced out throats bodies but what's a good used one running? And the ls6 stuff can directly swap onto a ls1? And I got a buddy in Indy who will port stuff for me so would anything need to be ported?

 

Start with the freebies (or very cheap), The TB bypass is a controversial but theoretically good mod. Plus is makes taking the TB off to do other work allot less messy.

If you have a drill or dremel and some sand paper, an at home Port and Polish of the TB is good for a few ponies and throttle response.

You can buy a coupler to replace the accordion style baffles between the air bridge and TB. I'm Not sure of the dimensions, but it could be found at a Lowes or home depot maybe.

Spark plugs and wires are maintenance items that you can do without feeling guilty. Get some good NGK's or Denso's and some MSD or GMPP wires. This will make the car run and feel better as it will bring back lost power, plus some with the better parts.

Unrelated to the engine, you can lower the car on the stock suspension if you haven't already.

There are plenty of small projects that can be done for free or cheap that will all add up to the overall performance of the vehicle.

 

The best bang for the buck performance piece u can do for an A4 is a stall.

 

For a 98 A4 i would start with the follwing:
1.ANY cold air intake $150-$350 8-12 RWHP
2. ANY cat-back exhaust $ 250-450 8-10 RWHP
3.LS6 intake $375 12-14 RWHP
4. REAL tune (EFILIVE or HP) $150-450 14-17 RWHP (bolt on type engine)
these wuld be the 1st wave of mods and cheapest
2ndly
better camshaft $375 35-40 RWHP
OR
1.8 rockers $350 15-20 RWHP (less labor)
The BEST mod period you can get for any A4 would be a stall converter !!
Engine stays the sane but usable TQ and power are tripled downstairs Recc. a 3000 stall
$450-900
More expensive mods that would make power would be of course
bigger and better heads $950-$2400 HP varies
long tube headers $900-$1200 20-30 RWHP
A re-tune would be needed when doing major mods like hds/cam/hdrs

Things i would NOT reccomend on a stock cubed engine
never mess with the MAF
leave the stock throttle body alone ( or have it profesionally ported only)
bigger manifold ie. Fast 90
removing cats ( race only)
larger injectors not needed on a 98 unless you go over 450 RWHP
MSD coils---( just for appearances) not HP increase)

 

That's a pretty good list, but no one mentioned better gears in the differential. No more HP, but much improved performance.

I'm not a fan of nitrous myself, but it's hard to argue that it's not the best bang for the buck. 150 hp for less than a grand.

 

I would not do gears until you finalize your build and goals. Right now am stepping down to 3.15s because of the nature of where am going with mine from 3.42s.

 

I completely disagree. So your saying that there is no performance gain by changing the gears without modding the engine? The two are completely unrelated and significant performance gains will be had with a gear change only.

 

I respectfully disagree on the gears. 3.42 are good even with a blower running 135 in the 1/4 mile. I'm at 5900 rpm @ 125 mph with mine, and honestly it would be quicker with 3.73 gears.

This however is outside what the OP is looking for.

Hi Wayne,

Intake, headers, Axle Back will do nicely. To keep it cheapest, buy used stuff. I did 80% of my mods shopping the parts section here. You have to be a little careful, but most of the folks here are very honest. I had no real issues.

The converter and gears although a bit spendy, will really put the power to use. It will make you grin! And, with patience, and a can do attitude, you can DIY.

Here is a great budget build by forum buddy Mitch.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ets-on-hp.html

Ron

 

Thanks for all the input guys u really got the gears turning!! Hopefully will run into some cash soon so I can get started! I am excited to tear into this ls1!

 

Drink more beer.

the more beer you drink the more RWHP your car has.



Just kidding

a great dyno tune is one of the best ways.

 

i myself got my 01 A4 about 4 moths ago stock with the z51 package so it came with 3:15 gears stock and aftermarket borla stingers

i put a vararam intake with a high flow air bridge and bought a profesionally ported TB: around 400 bucks for all that,
just swaped the differential to a 3rib 3:42 gears $550
and now setting an appointment for a tune another $500

my car is basically done for a wile but i am planning on stalling it in the future and its nice when my shop does free re-tunes for bolt-ons.

after that im still contemplating to go blown or cam/heads but for now my set up should be quite lively!

 

Thanks, so right now im thinking cai, ported trottle body (ls6?) and a good cat back set up and a good tune. Any other things i should consider with this wave of mods? maybe a ls6 intake manifold?

 

Cant go wrong with a CIA, LS6 intake manifold, and whatever exhaust. Porting the TB is good too. It doesn't have the be the LS6 throttle body. A LS1 TB can be ported as well.

 

So would you suggest a home port, or you can get pre ported ones pretty cheap and just sell mine?

 

I believe the LS1 and LS6 throttle bodies are the same so don't waste your money.

I'm fully modded without getting into nitrous or fi, and I would say the biggest bang for buck was the vararam. And I'm sure most with one on here will agree, after that install, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment. LOL!

 

Yes, you can send yours to various vendors and have is ported, or just buy a ported one ans sell yours. Or if you think you know how to do it yourself without over-porting you can save money that way.
Obviously a professional job will be the best bet. But I am happy with my home port job.

 

When you tune the car, make sure you go to someone that knows how to tune the A4 transmission as well as the engine. Reason: I've been through this with my wife's car. She road raced an A4 for a couple years. You can do some cool things with where and how hard the computer shifts the car. Also, there is a torque management feature which robs some power which you can turn off without damage to the car (wife is still driving the A4 and it works very well). The other advice here is good, of course... Just pay attention to the trans when you get your tune. Good luck!