View Full Version : more Tip questions...
4ringAR
05-20-2007, 03:01 PM
well until we get a tip section, I am going to post this tip related question.
i saw this (http://www.levelten.com/) on Audiforums for tips, so i was just curious about it.
what does it do? which kit should i get-- if i were to get one?
AuDIDAS4
05-21-2007, 08:55 AM
Honestly, you should run and hide from Levelten (L10). What you're looking at is a torque converter and valve bodies upgrade that they offer for cars that are pushing more power (Stage 2, Stage 3). A while back, they were the "go-to" place for upgrading these "weak" stock parts (there has been much debate and an infinite number of posts on this topic so won't get into it here). But lately, people (myself included) have had problems with them and are looking at other options; namely IPT, 3zero3Motorsports (which is local for you if you're in Denver), and 2Bennett Racing. But, unless you're planning on power upgrades, you're money is probably better spent elsewhere. Just my 2 cents.
FrimmelNoJerz
05-21-2007, 09:03 AM
yea not only are you close to a better shop than level10...if you arent stage 2+ or more than it isnt worth the effort of having your car on a lift for so long just to upgrade a few parts that will never go bad. once i went stage three my car arrived on august 21st in florida and somewhere in the middle of december i got the torque converter code. and as much as i say i control myself behind the wheel, not only did i visit the track a few times, but i beat on the car pretty hard occassionally. i never had a problem with the transmission before very recently though.
anyway im pretty sure the person with the best knowledge of this is cole(yet again). im not going to speak for him but im pretty sure his upgrades include a valve body and torque converter and he doesnt seem to be having any problems except for traction[up]. personally im going with the whole shabangabang from IPT but im excessive.
AuDIDAS4
05-21-2007, 09:21 AM
The one thing you can do for "free" though is recode your TCU to 00032. I know you can do that on the S4s anyway, but not real positive on your '99 A4. If you can, this essentially keeps your car in a "sport" mode and you can hold 1st to redline, which is a nice feature. For about $400, you can get a GIAC Tip-chip, which gives crisper shifting and is a nice Tip upgrade for a reasonable cost.
4ringAR
05-22-2007, 02:53 PM
The one thing you can do for "free" though is recode your TCU to 00032. I know you can do that on the S4s anyway, but not real positive on your '99 A4. If you can, this essentially keeps your car in a "sport" mode and you can hold 1st to redline, which is a nice feature. For about $400, you can get a GIAC Tip-chip, which gives crisper shifting and is a nice Tip upgrade for a reasonable cost.
yeah, i think i remember reading somewhere that the 1999 a4's are already like this. i think it has something to do with making it less automatic in tip-mode, but im not totally sure.
4ringAR
05-22-2007, 09:15 PM
so i read somewhere that tips cant handle much more than 300 hp on a4's, yet the rs6 had 450, and there are plenty of stage 3 s4 tips. what gives? did the a4's get a weak tranny?
That is the problem we have been facing. People saying things and spreading rumors that have never been proven. 99% of what you are seeing with those comments are simply macho ill informed BS at this point.
The TIP in the A4 is a 5HP19FLA, The TIP in the s4 is a 5HP19FLA the difference is that the S4 has a different final drive ratio.
FWIW BMW, Porsche and Mercedes us a version of the 5HP19 also. Depending on the application it will be a rear drive unit or a mid/rear engine unit just not AWD.
The RS6 uses a 5HP24FLA. (its bigger)
DoubleNutz
05-27-2007, 06:36 PM
so i read somewhere that tips cant handle much more than 300 hp on a4's, yet the rs6 had 450, and there are plenty of stage 3 s4 tips. what gives? did the a4's get a weak tranny?
Same TIP as in the Porsche 996 Twin Turbo (or a version just like it) and it is capable of over 450HP in those vehicles,,, you have been hoodwinked, bamboozled... by list lawyers who think they have the answers to everything but really only know nothing.[:(]
The S4 and A4 Tips are exceptionally good and very strong transmissions.[drive]