B7 GT Turbo Kit build at A.W.E. Tuning

[Alex/AWE]

Hello there,

Hot on the heels of our last GT28-71R Turbo Kit Install we have another avant owner who brought his car in for the ultimate power upgrade for the B7 platform.

When the car arrived it was equipped with:

Power adders:
A.W.E. Tuning FMIC
A.W.E. Tuning Exhaust System
G.I.A.C. Software
Aftermarket High Flow Cat
Custom Intake

Suspension:
H&R Coilovers
Aftermarket swaybars and snub mount

Interior/Exterior:
A.W.E. Tuning Vent Mounted Boost Gauge
Aftermarket short shifter
Votex Side Skirts
RS4 grille
Clear corners
Some other additional items

All in all a great setup for a street car, but when has great ever been enough? It was time to get started.

We wanted to supply proper before and after dyno charts so the car was promptly strapped down.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_15.jpg

Once we had a proper baseline our technician jumped right into the engine bay and got started.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_01.jpg

Before long the new manifold, turbo and cat section are in place. Designed of special exotic alloys, our exhaust manifold and turbocharger are truly works of art. Click here to read more about what makes them so special: http://www.awe-tuning.com/pages/info/content_window.cfm?content=74

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_17.jpg

Next comes removing the intake manifold to install the fueling portion of the kit.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_18.jpg

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_02.jpg

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_03.jpg

Once the manifold is removed, the stock injectors are removed, all gaskets are replaced and our proprietary injectors are installed in the engine block.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_07.jpg

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_08.jpg

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_04.jpg

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_06.jpg

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_09.jpg

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_10.jpg

After the car has been reassembled its time for our proprietary G.I.A.C. Software to be loaded onto the car’s DME.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_13.jpg

Now it’s back to the dyno for the Moment of Truth….

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_14.jpg

Here are Dan’s before and after graphs. Peak gains were 67 horsepower and 19lb ft of torque at the wheels.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/dan_gt2871r_kit_before_after.jpg

Complete, tested and ready to go home.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_16.jpg

I’ve asked Dan to gather his impressions of the kit and jump in here with his thoughts when he gets a chance.

If you’re interested in reading more about our B7 GT Turbo Kit, please visit our website section: http://www.awe-tuning.com/pages/shared/part_detail.cfm?PMaI=1&PMoI=35&PEI=25&PP=b7_a4_20t_drivetrain.cfm&PPT=Drivetrain&IL=b7gt28-71r

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. I’d love to tell you more about our kit.

Cheers!

[Jake39454]

How much boost are you running on the baseline and the GT dyno?

[Matt@EuropaParts]

Nice Dan, congrats!

Make it up to Bridgewater this week so I can bum a ride :-)

[agkellyboy]

How much boost are you running on the baseline and the GT dyno?

Going in the door I was at 25 on the K03, and it looks GIAC keeps at 20 on the GT

[akasch]

wow thats a clean avant!

[Alex/AWE]

How much boost are you running on the baseline and the GT dyno?

We didn't log boost levels for the baseline graph, but our GT kit gets to 20psi as agkellyboy said.

[colt45]

damn another awesome Avant getting this kit.

[Loud_Greg]

Have you guys tried to do a K04 kit for the 2.0T? This looks completely badass and I'd love to upgrade my turbo, but I don't want to sacrifice as much power in the lower revs. I see APR and STaSIS have kits. Just curious about your stance.

Also, that's a hell of a nice car, and I bet it's stupid fast. An AWD wagon with 300 wheel horse... I bet that surprises a lot of folks.

[porkchops!]

very very very nice. i want. i want so badly.

[Glassnpowder98]

You finally pulled the trigger almost a year after we got to drive the AWE car! Congrats! I wish I could be in your shoes but instead my car has been sitting in front of my house waiting for the insurance adjuster to come out and appraise it. Somehow water leaked through the firewall at the ecu jacked up a bunch of stuff. Hope you enjoy the new turbo and maybe I'll see you at the track, dusting me on the straights!

[2PUTT]

Sweeeeeet!! AWEsome Dan!

[Sly Raskal]

Thank you for reminding me how badly I want upgrades for my Avant. None of which I can buy because I'm broke. lol

Avant FTW!

[RightonRed]

Congrats!! That be one fast wagon....

Red

[2PUTT]

Have you guys tried to do a K04 kit for the 2.0T? This looks completely badass and I'd love to upgrade my turbo, but I don't want to sacrifice as much power in the lower revs. I see APR and STaSIS have kits. Just curious about your stance.

Also, that's a hell of a nice car, and I bet it's stupid fast. An AWD wagon with 300 wheel horse... I bet that surprises a lot of folks.

Believe it or not, this kit is very linear. Do a quick search for EuroA4's review from a few months ago. To sum it all up, you have enough power when you need it. This is a well designed kit.

[EuroA4]

Believe it or not, this kit is very linear. Do a quick search for EuroA4's review from a few months ago. To sum it all up, you have enough power when you need it. This is a well designed kit.

Exactly...the boost comes on full around 3700rpm and continues to build to redline. There is not really that on/off feeling that you may be expecting...GIAC has done a great job of smoothing the boost to come on almost like a supercharger does. You do feel it, but it is not that slam you in your seat feel...it just pulls hard and keeps pulling until you are easily doing triple digit speeds. Make sure those brakes are fresh, and your lugs are tight :P

Keep in mind that you will always be giving up something when you trade to something bigger like the GT2871r. At first view of the dyno graphs it looks like you are giving up major torque/power down low...then you drive it and realize you've just shifted the curve to a higher rpm range. It took a few days to get used to the way this kit makes the car drive...feeling out the sweet spots, and learning the proper shift points. The K03 would fall on its face at anything over 4600rpm....so although you might have that quick dose of torque down low....you lose alot up high. But after two weeks of driving this daily I can say its in no way lacking power anywhere. You are always a downshift away from the boost at pretty much any time. One of the things I like is that when I am just cruising on the highway the car is in vacuum...which saves gas! I've been averaging 25-26 miles/gallon on my commutes. It could probably be even better...but I just can't stop dropping gears and ripping whenever I get the chance:)

The car hits 20-21 psi and holds there. There is room for growth with this kit too...internals and maybe meth...and we can crank up the boost for even more!

Thanks to Todd, Emmett, Mike, Ralph, John, Alex and all the staff at AWE for taking good care of me and my baby!!

[A4twin]

Hello there,

Hot on the heels of our last GT28-71R Turbo Kit Install we have another avant owner who brought his car in for the ultimate power upgrade for the B7 platform.
When the car arrived it was equipped with:
Power adders:
A.W.E. Tuning FMIC
A.W.E. Tuning Exhaust System
G.I.A.C. Software
Aftermarket High Flow Cat
Custom Intake
Now it’s back to the dyno for the Moment of Truth….
http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/b7a4avant_bt_14.jpg
Here are Dan’s before and after graphs. Peak gains were 67 horsepower and 19lb ft of torque at the wheels.
http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/misc/builds/jordan/dan_gt2871r_kit_before_after.jpg
If you’re interested in reading more about our B7 GT Turbo Kit, please visit our website section: http://www.awe-tuning.com/pages/shared/part_detail.cfm?PMaI=1&PMoI=35&PEI=25&PP=b7_a4_20t_drivetrain.cfm&PPT=Drivetrain&IL=b7gt28-71r
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. I’d love to tell you more about our kit.
Cheers!
I'm just curious, correct me if i'm wrong? on the dyno sheet it looks like it says torque: (before) 242 and (after) 262. HP: (before) 233 and (after) 300...
do you have any stock dynos vs after install dyno.

[EuroA4]

I never had a stock dyno done. From the data they recorded from their shop A4 it put down 177hp/178tq

[greg@dubaudi]

Dan congrats look sick.... Wish I got the chance to do this to my car before I sold it.

[pondside36]

A.W.E making in happen, congrats on an awesome set up from tip to tail.

[EuroA4]

Dan congrats look sick.... Wish I got the chance to do this to my car before I sold it.

Thanks Greg...let's see some pics of your sled!!

[rnp614]

Thanks Greg...let's see some pics of your sled!!

Your swaintech FMIC was actually the inspiration for me getting the entire AWE setup (and swaintech-ing my fmic). Glad you followed through with the turbo kit. Its definitely nice to drive though I miss the torque down low.

[agkellyboy]

Exactly...the boost comes on full around 3700rpm and continues to build to redline. There is not really that on/off feeling that you may be expecting...GIAC has done a great job of smoothing the boost to come on almost like a supercharger does. You do feel it, but it is not that slam you in your seat feel...it just pulls hard and keeps pulling until you are easily doing triple digit speeds. Make sure those brakes are fresh, and your lugs are tight :P

Keep in mind that you will always be giving up something when you trade to something bigger like the GT2871r. At first view of the dyno graphs it looks like you are giving up major torque/power down low...then you drive it and realize you've just shifted the curve to a higher rpm range. It took a few days to get used to the way this kit makes the car drive...feeling out the sweet spots, and learning the proper shift points. The K03 would fall on its face at anything over 4600rpm....so although you might have that quick dose of torque down low....you lose alot up high. But after two weeks of driving this daily I can say its in no way lacking power anywhere. You are always a downshift away from the boost at pretty much any time. One of the things I like is that when I am just cruising on the highway the car is in vacuum...which saves gas! I've been averaging 25-26 miles/gallon on my commutes. It could probably be even better...but I just can't stop dropping gears and ripping whenever I get the chance:)

The car hits 20-21 psi and holds there. There is room for growth with this kit too...internals and maybe meth...and we can crank up the boost for even more!

Thanks to Todd, Emmett, Mike, Ralph, John, Alex and all the staff at AWE for taking good care of me and my baby!!

All well said. My gauge has been reading 18-19, but as Dan said it just stays there all the way until you get scared of that nearing tree. I've been doing some tests with meth at various injection pressures and 2 different nozzles (D04 and D05). I didn't feel a significant increase in power as I did with the kit on the K03, and my boost gauge was reading lower with the meth by one or two psi. I think GIAC is probably keeping the GT28 pretty tame, so without a race tune I don't think it's worth it...for now.

[EuroA4]

All well said. My gauge has been reading 18-19, but as Dan said it just stays there all the way until you get scared of that nearing tree. I've been doing some tests with meth at various injection pressures and 2 different nozzles (D04 and D05). I didn't feel a significant increase in power as I did with the kit on the K03, and my boost gauge was reading lower with the meth by one or two psi. I think GIAC is probably keeping the GT28 pretty tame, so without a race tune I don't think it's worth it...for now.

After watching boost levels this morning very closely...I'm actually peaking at 22-23...but it holds steady at 21psi in nearly every gear. I think the next step is to get forged rods/pistons, clutch...and get the high boost file from GIAC. The weather up in PA/NJ has cooled overnight...around 55-60 this morning...and the car loves the cooler air...I need to get a radar detector :)

I'm excited to see if meth coupled with a higher boost file would make further increases...keep up the testing Andrew.

[vwnobby]

Looking good Dan! Congrats! You need to bring it the GTG so we can check it out :)

[Dangler]

OHHHH MANNNN!!! I didn't know you were doing this!...can't wait to see it in person. great stuff Dan!!!.

[CKYmike]

lookin good dan, its tough playing catch up mod-wise to your car lol

[EuroA4]

Thanks guys...no need to play catch-up.
Enjoy the progress you make...as soon as the next mod gets done, you always just want more!!

You guys should consider coming down to BW next week so we can hang!

[JRMSLINEA4]

Love seeing builds like this. [up]

[rnp614]

All well said. My gauge has been reading 18-19, but as Dan said it just stays there all the way until you get scared of that nearing tree. I've been doing some tests with meth at various injection pressures and 2 different nozzles (D04 and D05). I didn't feel a significant increase in power as I did with the kit on the K03, and my boost gauge was reading lower with the meth by one or two psi. I think GIAC is probably keeping the GT28 pretty tame, so without a race tune I don't think it's worth it...for now.

So at this point you're pretty underwhelmed with the kit?

[Q-Ball]

Amazing!

[agkellyboy]

So at this point you're pretty underwhelmed with the kit?

No, not at all. I just had to work out some kinks, but I'm loving the hell out of it! I'm back to 19-20psi, and it pulls like crazy. I'm still planning on taking it to the next level this winter with rods, pistons, and reinstalling the meth. It's perfectly acceptable for now though!

[chebyshev]

Damn that's a haulin' avant

[MSMITTY]

Exactly...the boost comes on full around 3700rpm and continues to build to redline. There is not really that on/off feeling that you may be expecting...GIAC has done a great job of smoothing the boost to come on almost like a supercharger does. You do feel it, but it is not that slam you in your seat feel...it just pulls hard and keeps pulling until you are easily doing triple digit speeds. Make sure those brakes are fresh, and your lugs are tight :P

Keep in mind that you will always be giving up something when you trade to something bigger like the GT2871r. At first view of the dyno graphs it looks like you are giving up major torque/power down low...then you drive it and realize you've just shifted the curve to a higher rpm range. It took a few days to get used to the way this kit makes the car drive...feeling out the sweet spots, and learning the proper shift points. The K03 would fall on its face at anything over 4600rpm....so although you might have that quick dose of torque down low....you lose alot up high. But after two weeks of driving this daily I can say its in no way lacking power anywhere. You are always a downshift away from the boost at pretty much any time. One of the things I like is that when I am just cruising on the highway the car is in vacuum...which saves gas! I've been averaging 25-26 miles/gallon on my commutes. It could probably be even better...but I just can't stop dropping gears and ripping whenever I get the chance:)

The car hits 20-21 psi and holds there. There is room for growth with this kit too...internals and maybe meth...and we can crank up the boost for even more!

Thanks to Todd, Emmett, Mike, Ralph, John, Alex and all the staff at AWE for taking good care of me and my baby!!

Good luck with the kit! I've had mine almost a year (got it when it first came out last year) now & no complaints whatsoever & i'm a daily driver as well & no idle searching in our NE winter weather either! You are right, the kit pulls right up to red line & can definitely get more out of it with internals....again good luck and enjoy!

Smitty.

[EuroA4]

Good luck with the kit! I've had mine almost a year (got it when it first came out last year) now & no complaints whatsoever & i'm a daily driver as well & no idle searching in our NE winter weather either! You are right, the kit pulls right up to red line & can definitely get more out of it with internals....again good luck and enjoy!
Smitty.

Thanks...a month in now and the car drives great. It's good to know after a full year of daily driving the kit is solid with no issues.
Agkellyboy is getting a little more out of it with the Vast meth injection...so I might be looking to do that soon too...then maybe next season drop in rods and crank up the boost more.