eisman.s4

I'm still a newb and trying to plan out my mods. I've dropped the APR chip and starting over with a Borla Exhaust. My cat flange is all effed up so I'll probably just replace it with a HFC or ecode test pipe too. I am trying to figure out which turbo/chip/injector setup to choose.

I still have a stock non-sport suspension, and stock brakes. I'll upgrade them both but would rather not put a FMIC in. I am also looking at putting in a trans from a 2.8 for the taller gears.

I drive this car to work about 100mi/day (90% highway) and don't want to over upgrade. I am looking for ride comfort, mpg, reliability and enough power to get myself in speeding ticket hell if I wanted to.

I'll probably keep this car for 4 years, and upgrade to an S4 (paying for the wife's new Explorer right now). I am torn. I know I can't live with 150hp, but also can't drop $7-8k on mods. Suggestions from you folks is needed!

Mr. Head

Why did you drop the chip?

eisman.s4

Plus, if the answer to my question is go K04, or some BT that needs a diff chip, I'll have a stock ECU to chip.

Mr. Head

You said that you had APR, if/when you upgrade ot STG III/III+ the installed emcs chip is the same as what that BT would use.

As for a turbo upgrade for a daily driver, if you are going to be keeping this car for 4 years, why spend the majority of that 4 years at 150 hp? I think just a chip is enough to get yourself into ticket territory.

I think one of the best things to do is to improve yourself as a driver by Autox's and such. upgrade suspension, brakes, and exhaust, as well as yourself. Once all those are tapped out, then upgrade to BT.

pointby

Pick up a good suspension like the Vogtland or Konis with H&R. A little searching will yield a plethora of info on suspensions.

Most stage III guys swear those are very streetable too.

If you aren't tracking the car the stock brakes are fine.

eisman.s4

Stg3 isn't outside the driveability range?

kofoured1.8

Not at all, theres usable torque down low just like stock.

mAd1(gt3071r)

Other than that, my car is great for even city driving. Heck, I just drove through NYC while she and her sister ran into shops. And I didn't stall once

BJC::wokka wokka

id probably upgrade to the pc16 file or j31 depending on what year you were. Yes that does mean new injectors, fpr, upgraded SMIC or FMIC and that is a solid $1500, just guessing right now..

If you want to stay in your pice range i would get a set of vogtland and koni's, GIAC chip, and a new DV ASAP!! then if you decided to go with a k04 you can just buy a k04 its self for something around $750-800 then get your GIAC reflashed the pc16 and then add on the FMIC, injectors, fpr and what not. Then i would spend the rest all on maitenance stuff.

I believe with the proper maitenance care of the car, the k04 set up would be just as drivable as the APR S3/S3+ or PES T28 kit. Just ask mmart in a few weeks, he had the j31 set up for quite sometime and is now running S3+.

Justin517

you mentioned you dont want to spent 7-8k on mods...stage 3 plus suspension and decent wheels and other little things will bring you to that much $ and beyond.
first and foremost get suspension, nice shocks and springs and atleast a rear swaybar $900-$2300
then sell your APR chp and get the AWE K04 kit (not because APR is a bad company but because they dont have K04 programing) $1700
Then later on or right away add a FMIC, adj. FPR and bigger injectors and get the PC-16 file for another 20 hp and 40 ft/lbs or so.
youll have minimal (basiclay none at all) lag with strong allround perfomance.
Later on add some 17" or 18" wheels with some good tires and better brake pads.