Mods - what impacts?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
Mods - what impacts?
My C6 A4 is bone stock under the hood. What are the downsides to modifying the car with Air intake, cam, heads, tuning? By this question I mean impact on gas mileage, maintenance such as tune-ups (what happens when it's time to change plugs), anything else you guys know about?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
A well tuned car will actually go longer between tune-ups and get better gas mileage. I got 30mpg after a head cam change. Gears will affect it negatively but is a 'best' mod.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,131
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From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by SpinMonster
A well tuned car will actually go longer between tune-ups and get better gas mileage. I got 30mpg after a head cam change. Gears will affect it negatively but is a 'best' mod.
Affter my header, intake and tune. My mileage went up by 1.4mpg on the road. 
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 579
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From: Biggest Valley in the World, CA
the downside? that you will not find anyone that can tune it right, despite their claims to the contrary....that new, little problems will pop up that you may never be able to track down and solve
it all depends upon: 1) the thoroughness of the design quality of the new equipment, and 2) the REAL ability of your tuner to make it all work right.....
it can be a slippery slope away from perfection......you will end up with more power, but very possibly with less than a factory level of sophistication to your tune
it all depends upon: 1) the thoroughness of the design quality of the new equipment, and 2) the REAL ability of your tuner to make it all work right.....
it can be a slippery slope away from perfection......you will end up with more power, but very possibly with less than a factory level of sophistication to your tune
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by Lee6
the downside? that you will not find anyone that can tune it right, despite their claims to the contrary....that new, little problems will pop up that you may never be able to track down and solve
it all depends upon: 1) the thoroughness of the design quality of the new equipment, and 2) the REAL ability of your tuner to make it all work right.....
it can be a slippery slope away from perfection......you will end up with more power, but very possibly with less than a factory level of sophistication to your tune
it all depends upon: 1) the thoroughness of the design quality of the new equipment, and 2) the REAL ability of your tuner to make it all work right.....
it can be a slippery slope away from perfection......you will end up with more power, but very possibly with less than a factory level of sophistication to your tune
The tuning side of it can be a real tough issue to deal with. If you are fortunate enough to live near a competent tuner who can handle your new modifications, then that is a huge advantage.
Guys like that are worth their weight in gold. Problem is that depending upon where you live they can be extremely difficult to locate and expensive when you do locate them.
It is not out of the question to have a car shipped or driven to one of the nationally known tuning shops and having a "package" installed in an effort to have it done right. Not cheap, but maybe worth it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I tuned my own C5 after heavy mods...see my sig...and it ran awesome and idled like stock. I mean perfect.
I used the same cam and heads on the C6 and as soon as HPtuners sends me the cable to tune the C6 will be the same.
I got 441 to the wheels with the C5 and the C6 also has 1.8's, FAST intake and is a bigger displacement. I'm hoping for 470.
I used the same cam and heads on the C6 and as soon as HPtuners sends me the cable to tune the C6 will be the same.
I got 441 to the wheels with the C5 and the C6 also has 1.8's, FAST intake and is a bigger displacement. I'm hoping for 470.
Last edited by SpinMonster; Nov 27, 2005 at 05:25 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 465
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From: Conroe TX
So who are some of the most competent tuners? I am also toying with a cam and converter for mine and am not sure who to take the car to.
And I definitely want to keep the smooth sophistication of my baby. That's what it's all about.
And I definitely want to keep the smooth sophistication of my baby. That's what it's all about.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 81
From: Whidbey Island WA
If your going to mod you should be prepared for the possibility that you may have to be your own warranty station. Not saying your going to have a problem, most do not especially with light modding. Just that you should be aware that the possibility exists.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,935
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From: Anderson, SC
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by ToSlowForU
So who are some of the most competent tuners? I am also toying with a cam and converter for mine and am not sure who to take the car to.
And I definitely want to keep the smooth sophistication of my baby. That's what it's all about.
And I definitely want to keep the smooth sophistication of my baby. That's what it's all about.
MTI on Dairy Ashford just South of Westhiemer.
One of the best
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 81
From: Whidbey Island WA
Originally Posted by 54greg
Does anyone know of competent tuners in So Cal? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
You might want to consider the traction issues first. Our cars are very close to their traction limits with the stock tires. If you look at the 1/4 mile challenge (in the tech secion) where all of us are running the stock tires you will quickly notice the with one exception all of us are running in the twelve second range. FLC6 is running Nitrous with a cold air intake and has run 11s.
Unless you upgrade the tires, your mods may give you a whole lot of horsepower but no traction........ and maybe a slower car
Unless you upgrade the tires, your mods may give you a whole lot of horsepower but no traction........ and maybe a slower car
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Tommy D
You might want to consider the traction issues first. Our cars are very close to their traction limits with the stock tires. If you look at the 1/4 mile challenge (in the tech secion) where all of us are running the stock tires you will quickly notice the with one exception all of us are running in the twelve second range. FLC6 is running Nitrous with a cold air intake and has run 11s.
Unless you upgrade the tires, your mods may give you a whole lot of horsepower but no traction........ and maybe a slower car
Unless you upgrade the tires, your mods may give you a whole lot of horsepower but no traction........ and maybe a slower car
Road course is a different type of racing that does not require drag strip traction.
I have found mountain runs and country roads where 2nd 3rd and 4th gear between 2500 rpms and 5000 rpms is great driving. You really don't need super traction for this type of driving but having super performance is a whole new world.
There are sponsered road rallies in the Napa Valley California area that are designed for this type of driving. Good times and great driving.
my 2 cents
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,810
Likes: 416
From: FL
Originally Posted by Fredo
There are different ways to enjoy high performance other than 0 to 60 and quarter mile runs. Traction limits are not required in all types of driving.
Road course is a different type of racing that does not require drag strip traction...............
Road course is a different type of racing that does not require drag strip traction...............
