KRUPNATION

you have got to be kidding me......... $8K for the kit (no exhaust)?

do I need new glasses?

http://shop.achtuning.com/aprt310000...oraudi27t.aspx

anyone have this installed?

paulroad

for a kit with everything prepackaged, that's normal. You can source all the parts yourself and save some money but its still going to cost.

KRUPNATION

wow - I am a little worried that if I spent that much money something else will break since this is my daily driver. now I am thinking of taking that 8K and getting an older RS4.

are most guys just doing a chip and exhaust?

paulroad

the basic start of the mod trail is:

H-sport sway bars
A chip/flash
brakes

if you have a stick, then a drive train stabilizer bar from AWE make a world of difference in the feel and launch of the ar.

save you $$ because then suspension with the oem airsprings get alder and more likly they will start to leak. Arrnot has solutions for this.


Find an allroader near you who has a chip and go fo a ride. for a daily driver its great. KO4 or RS4 hardware is wonderful, but it is a costly trail and you will still need suspension in time.

ar-Rings

http://www.addictmotorsport.com/

I am with Paul - H-sports should be the ar's first mod

AR 4 S.S.S.

What is stage III, stage II etc. I know its some sort of ranking where would I go to find out more about the different stages and what defines a stage?

thejulex

Roughly:

Stage "1" - just chip
Stage "2" - cat back exhaust
Stage "2+" - downpipes
Stage "3-" - K04 turbos, inlets
Stage "3" - full fueling kit, upgraded intercoolers (advisable at earlier stages already), meth injection
Stage "3+" - Big Turbo (RS6, GT turbo, ETC)

Each stage contains mods from previous stages already. I might be slightly off on 2, 2+ but it should give you the general idea.

There is a caveat here. Even though not listed, certain stages require additional not-so-obvious mods like upgraded clutch, fuel pump, new engine/tranny mounts, better wheels, brake upgrades etc.

So yes, it gets expensive.

KRUPNATION

yes, very pricy...the more I dive into the mod side of my allroad, the more I find I most likely can't afford it.

What are some indy's charging for upgrades? (chip / exhaust) I don't have any tools or a garage right now.

thejulex

On the flip side upgrading to stage 3 actually gives you twice as much of a car. It is fairly easy to reach 500hp crank, which is 300s/400hp on wheels with the mods listed above - without doing engine overhauls or crazy sized turbos.

Try that with any other car and you will find it impossible without VERY major changes to the car or insurmountable obstacles.

Funny part is I paid $6250 for my 20001 6speed AR last summer (130k miles) and spent just about this much for stage 3 parts, installed all myself. Was it worth it? Yes, the car is just plain mean... shocked WRX driver's face this morning was priceless.

LeadToRome

'04 ar w\ tip, I'm finally out of warranty and extended warranty (w\ new free front airbags, thanks Audi!) and did the H-sport back when I bought it new, I'm finally going to chip it and I know I could research on here for hours but instead somebody point me at the best chip (please!)