Help on choosing mods
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 129
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Help on choosing mods
Hello! I am the owner of 2003 A4 c5 that is bone stock and I want to get into modding the car. I’ve already invested in a 3.42 differential from a 6 speed to slap in my car since I had the 2.73 gear and from my own experience and from what I’ve seen from everyone else who owns 2.73 gear, they sort of suck. I’d like some direction as to what I should do next to get the most out of my car performance wise. I was thinking that I’d might get a cold air intake and install it with a dyno tune but I’ve heard of other people going in all sorts of different directions with their builds and I’d like some advice.I do have the urge to get a new axel back because I want my car to sound beefy and loud but from my understanding axel backs don’t necessarily add much to the performance. I daily my car and take it to the canyons quite regularly, I don’t want to add any forced induction or cam shaft…. Yet
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 689
From: Pingree Grove IL
Add a 3,000-3200 stall, preferably a good brand, Yank, Vigilante, Circle D. Add headers if you want a beefy sound, add high Flo catalytic converters too please, otherwise it’s obnoxious. You choose your own axle back if you want one, Corsa, borla, B&B. Start there and see how you like it. You must have it tuned after headers.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 643
Likes: 345
From: San Jose CA
Let's talk about goals and budget
If you're doing canyon runs, suspension is going to give you more bang for the buck than 'power'.
Assuming the suspension is worn-out 20+ year old 2003, I'd start with good replacement shocks, and a front swayber. Assuming you don't have FX3 suspension, it's really hard to beat the bang/buck radio of a set of DRM valved Bilstiens https://www.dougrippie.com/drm-valve...tein-shocks-c5
It'll be the best $625 you'll ever spend on the car.
Add in a Strano 1 5/16 front sway bar (33.3mm)
https://www.stranoparts.com/partdeta...=31&ModelID=11
AND a good set of tires.
You'll be shocked how much fun the car is.
If you're doing canyon runs, suspension is going to give you more bang for the buck than 'power'.
Assuming the suspension is worn-out 20+ year old 2003, I'd start with good replacement shocks, and a front swayber. Assuming you don't have FX3 suspension, it's really hard to beat the bang/buck radio of a set of DRM valved Bilstiens https://www.dougrippie.com/drm-valve...tein-shocks-c5
It'll be the best $625 you'll ever spend on the car.
Add in a Strano 1 5/16 front sway bar (33.3mm)
https://www.stranoparts.com/partdeta...=31&ModelID=11
AND a good set of tires.
You'll be shocked how much fun the car is.
