New project DD in!

[cculos]

Hey guys - fairly new to the forums, but I just picked up my 98.5 Audi a4 1.8t 5spd for the pricely sum of $5500, The interior is immaculate and it's ready to be a daily driver.

But the power(?) oh god, the power, it's just not there (coming from a 325i and a 323ic).

That being said - I've got a few plans for the car, I want to know what you guys think...

-Replaced turbocharger
-FMIC
-Larger injectors
-Tune
-Reworked intake/exhaust

With the turbocharger, i'm torn between two different models, I've narrowed it down to either a k04 or a gt28r. The reason I'd rather go for the k04 is because of the earlier spooling time, and the reason I'd rather go for the gt28r is because of the greater horsepower capability. That being said - during the summer the traffic here (nj shore) is pretty crazy, so I want something that I don't necessary have to rev to like 3500 rpm just to get anywhere. What should I do? How much power, with this setup, should I be seeing with the k04? GT28r?

Thanks in advance, and will post up a "new car" with pictures thread soon! :)

[Poopie]

i had a gt3071r and it as perfectly drivable. go with a gt28rs and you'll be pretty happy.

[VTAudiA4]

Well now with gas skyrocketing you might just want to stay with a KO4

[Poopie]

i got the same gas mileage with the larger turbo...actually maybe even better since i'm not at full boost at 2,000 rpm

[njm23]

you live in my town.. is your car silver? I have seen a couple b5's the past couple days around me. I would go with the gt28r, you wont even notice any lag issues

[turbo kraut]

http://www.audiforums.com/m_816714/tm.htm
http://www.audiforums.com/m_700266/tm.htm

[t1demont1]

A 28rs will spoool plenty quick and have a lot more top end over a k04. That makes is a more streetable turbo sicne the k04 is a quick jolt and the 28rs is a constant pull. Its up to you, i havent seen many people choose the k04 route and not wish they had more power after a little bit.

[aaronamerica]

i got the same gas mileage with the larger turbo...actually maybe even better since i'm not at full boost at 2,000 rpm

x2 and go with the gt28 you will love it

[VTECCURED]

GT3071R....

Boostfactory.net

[njm23]

yeah cause he obviously said he wanted to build his engine.... go with the gt28r, thats the best option for you

[fred2ka4]

gt28rs - You won't regret it, and it will make you do this .............

[cculos]

Thanks for the responses guys, and wow, that was almost unanimous! Looks like my plans are going to include a GT28r. Since that decision was made - how much power do you guys think i'd be capable of putting to the wheels with that setup and a proper tune?

[AudiRacerS4]

Thanks for the responses guys, and wow, that was almost unanimous! Looks like my plans are going to include a GT28r. Since that decision was made - how much power do you guys think i'd be capable of putting to the wheels with that setup and a proper tune?

250-300whp

[cculos]

Awesome. That's almost exactly where I would want to be! Keeping in mind that I want to do it all in one shot and not look back, and just keep it as a daily driver just the way it is (280-300awhp) would the engine internals need to be touched? Also, what are some exhaust recommendations that you guys have for me? I'm only a recent VAG guy and I dont know much about brand name exhaust (coming from two previous BMW's, so)

Thanks in advance for the info guys! you've been a big help so far!

Oh actually (edit) what about suspension upgrades too? I don't want anything coilover, too much work for me. i just want one ride height that's palatable for daily driving in any conditions. And brakes, slotted/drilled a safe bet? I Had drilled on my 325 and it made a big difference - but then again, so did the pads...

[njm23]

Suspension, are you sport? If so just get some springs, I ride H&R race and have no problems whatsoever around town.. Brakes, get a good set of pads or go with the a8 brake upgrade for the front, TT carriers-a8 rotors.

[cculos]

I was wondering if they'd have a set shock and spring package. I want to lower the car about an inch and a half or so. What would be a good site to get them from?

[HotSauce]

www.ecstuning.com
www.goapr.com
www.awe-tuning.com
etc.

[cculos]

Thanks for the responses guys. I now have a good idea of what I'm going to do with the car!! I think I'll start with an awe ecu reflash for now. Not bad for 400 bucks!!

[cculos]

just a quick bump for an added question: for those of you with a k04 setup, what kind of gas mileage were you seeing? improved over stock? what about a gt28?

[MikeWasHere05]

just a quick bump for an added question: for those of you with a k04 setup, what kind of gas mileage were you seeing? improved over stock? what about a gt28?

I have an aggressive K04 setup (PC-16 package, more advanced timing) and in town (when it was running good, diagnosing boost leaks now) I would average ~20/21mpg. On a highway road trip 32mpg was the norm.

Also, speaking as a K04 owner I would go with the 28rs. I'd love to, but I was able to piece together my entire setup for under the cost of some new turbos. I'm happy with the power that I have, but if I had a little bit of a bigger budget there'd be a garret in my car :)

[cculos]

Awesome, thanks! That also brings up another point - I'm not sure how big of a budget i want to allot to this project, seeing as I only spent 5500 on it, it wouldn't be easy to justify spending that much redoing the engine with a bigger turbo, etc. So something on the cheap that would be a good reliable DD with decent power and good mileage? I figure a complete K04 kit, from intake/exhaust to FMIC, would run me about $2200 after everything is said and done, then i'd have to work on the suspension :)

Considering the GT28rs is like a $1400 turbo that sounds like it may be a bit out of reach...