K04 Stage 3 @ 114k miles - crazy ? ? ?

[robpenn]

Two questions:

1. Is it crazy to K04 my 2005 Allroad ... at 114,000 miles?
2. If done well (rods/bearings/etc), might I get another 100k miles from my car?

About the car: 2005 2.7T 6-speed manual with BEL motor. Trouble-free apart from the usual (valve covers, SAI, bags which I've replaced), and the K03s are still chugging along no problem. I baby the car most of the time despite its being chipped (GIAC)... I've also put a lot into the car:


new timing belt this week
replaced stock air-ride w/ Air Lift Performance bags & Ride-Tech air management (2x5gal tanks))
Hotchkis sway bars front/rear
310mm rear Stop-Tech rotors + A8/B3 rear-brake caliper
Evolution Racewerks SMIC (huge)
spherical bearing sway-bar end-links front/rear
Okada Plasma Direct ignition coils
ARD bi-pipes, Phenalic spacers, water pump relocation kit, aux oil cooler
light weigh pulley set with FluiDampr crank pulley
complete '03 RS6 seats front/rear (white)
JHM short-shifter, cross-rod upgrade
Thor skid plate


About the driver (me): I'm not against selling the AR and moving on. PRO: fewer headaches CON: most cars cost much more than I have to spend, AND don't do much for me emotionally. ...but spending approximately ~8,000 to upgrade a 12yr-old car with $114,000 miles just seems crazy... Is it?

Thanks for consulting ! ! ! :-)

[V1nny]

few items on your list look unnecessary, like phenolic spacers and fancy coils, but most likely your BEL engine could double amount of miles with regular stage 3 tune with original internals.
if you really want to make sure your engine can handle it, look for any signs of oil consumption, and measure the compression, if both good, no need for rods or bearings, invest into best clutch you can afford instead.
with proper K04 fueling and tune, you will need a proper clutch to handle up too 500 lbs/ft of torque.

[robpenn]

Got it. OK, I'll check those and decide from there. Thank you!

[rmv6]

I just did a manual conversion and stage 3 build on a 2002 allroad with 130,000 miles...the car is incredible. The 130K never crossed my mind. I've known a few 2.7Ts to make it well over 270K with stock internals and K04s. Don't let it run out of oil and don't break a timing belt.

You already have a manual...don't get rid of it.

[robpenn]

OK. Yep, timing belt replacements have been timely and any oil usage has been from a leaky valve cover (driver-side, re-sealed 2x now). Otherwise all good.

Great to know. Thanks!

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/504/IMG_2624.JPG

[chris86vw]

few items on your list look unnecessary, like phenolic spacers and fancy coils, but most likely your BEL engine could double amount of miles with regular stage 3 tune with original internals.
if you really want to make sure your engine can handle it, look for any signs of oil consumption, and measure the compression, if both good, no need for rods or bearings, invest into best clutch you can afford instead.
with proper K04 fueling and tune, you will need a proper clutch to handle up too 500 lbs/ft of torque.


Agreed, no reason to crack it open and create more problems than you solve. It will hold up to k04 power as is.

[Audiudo]

That color combo looks sharp!

[cu52]

Just did my 04 MT6 from what started out as a clutch replacement at 111K (last week completed) Still breaking in the new clutch before I do tuning/fueling install. Drove the car for the first time since owning last Tuesday. I say DO IT.

[BlackOnBlackA6]

Upgraded mine to stage 3 at 110k. Now I'm at 194k with the same setup except sparks are NGK instead of the Bosch side fires originally installed at the time I upgraded. Running strong on my 2003 BEL engine. Compression check and oil consumption is key (although mine ate oil and I still went forward with the upgrade) 😳

[V1nny]

Upgraded mine to stage 3 at 110k. Now I'm at 194k with the same setup except sparks are NGK instead of the Bosch side fires originally installed at the time I upgraded. Running strong on my 2003 BEL engine. Compression check and oil consumption is key (although mine ate oil and I still went forward with the upgrade) 😳

how is the oil, still adding about same, or got worse with more miles on the motor?

[robpenn]

That color combo looks sharp!

Thank you!


Just did my 04 MT6 ... I say DO IT.

Awesome! Enjoy it!


Upgraded mine to stage 3 at 110k. Now I'm at 194k ... on my 2003 BEL

The smile on my face is spreading even wider.

Thanks for the feedback, guys!


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[BlackOnBlackA6]

Actually got better...(stop laughing!!).... no, seriously. I've recently used shell's T6 Synthetic twice as a detergent and I'm adding less over a months time. I'm back to Mobil 1 now. Actually I checked the levels over a couple months before having to add anything. I haven't had a leak in 4 years (Where's the wood!! "Knock knock!"). Prior to using the Rotella T6, I was topping off a bit every month. Not so much now. Can't explain it. Wife's 2.8 is another story...

[V1nny]

Actually got better...(stop laughing!!).... no, seriously. I've recently used shell's T6 Synthetic twice as a detergent and I'm adding less over a months time. I'm back to Mobil 1 now. Actually I checked the levels over a couple months before having to add anything. I haven't had a leak in 4 years (Where's the wood!! "Knock knock!"). Prior to using the Rotella T6, I was topping off a bit every month. Not so much now. Can't explain it. Wife's 2.8 is another story...

It makes sense t6 reduced consumption, I saw it in my old 160K motor too. Actually Mobil 1 does not mean much. 0W40 european formula is entirely different oil from same brand 5W30 ans 10W30 (different base stock, different additives)

[robpenn]

Good stuff.


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[suppressed]

How would you feel about a 164K mile 2000 A6 6MT going to K04s or even just getting a chip tune? Don't think it consumes oil.

[chris86vw]

How would you feel about a 164K mile 2000 A6 6MT going to K04s or even just getting a chip tune? Don't think it consumes oil.

I put k04s on mine at 178k or however many miles I have.. I wouldn't worry about doing k04s. A chip could spell the end of the turbos if they are original. Both will show flaws you didn't know existed...

[Robsa6]

I went stage 3 at 145k and have parted the car at 255k. This mileage was put on the car in 2 years! I drove it back and forth from my to Charlotte and back for almost a year. Went stage 3 in Jersey during a blizzard and got run out of the shop I was using (long story) in the middle of it and finished putting the car together in a hotel parking lot so anything could have gone wrong and the damn thing was reliable as anything I could have afforded at the time. Mileage isint a good indicator to reliability rather maintenance

[robpenn]

I went stage 3 at 145k and have parted the car at 255k. ...

OK, thanks! Great to have some successful examples!


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[GroupBquattro]

After coilovers, it could be K04 for my 00 6speed. But I would like to know from those who made the change, is the power delivery still down low ? I mean, is the torque still coming in strong below 2k rpm ? Or it has more lag than the K03 ?

[robpenn]

After coilovers, it could be K04 for my 00 6speed. ... is the power delivery still down low ? I mean, is the torque still coming in strong below 2k rpm ? Or it has more lag than the K03 ?

I will let you know, GroupB. Timing chain broke (my fault, neglect), and I’ve bitten the bullet to do K04s + 034 Motorsport’s “Stage 3 minus” tune, i.e. no fueling.

I’m doing “minus” for longevity as it is a daily driver and I’m a middle-aged Dad with family hauling duties.

I fully expect some lag, which I’m OK with. I can always do the fueling later ... maybe at 91oct this keep it tame.

Will update once the work is done. Thanks for writing!


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