FMIC PLUGS etc etc

[afozzie40]

I'm about to do a APR 1+ or revo tune and was hearing a lot about going to a cooler spark plug range and how it essential to run turbo-back exhaust and how you will NEED a FMIC. Is all of this the case in COLORADO? is this all necessary considering our climate? Who do you guys trust around here and which tune seems to hold up better HERE? Do you all have the same problems running lean and blowing coils all the time? I just don't want to turn my car into a money pit by doing a basic tune.

[LampyB]

i had a coil pack blow for the first time 100 miles after i went GIAC 1+ (from stock). replaced them all to be safe for about $30/pack from Autobahn Premiere Service. 3zero3 sells them for like $42/coil pack BTW, way high. i actually went a step colder on my plugs and now my idle is much rougher, so i plan on going back to the NGK BKR6E (instead of 7E). they're only $8 total and i swap them out at each oil change, no big deal.

you won't need an upgraded intercooler until summer comes, and even then it's fine with a 1+ setup to wait on the upgrade. i had mad heatsoak even while stock in the summer, and it isn't any different now with software. we have terrible heatsoak in general at this altitude, it's kind of ridiculous how bad it is.

i don't run lean with my software, and i'd recommend going GIAC or REVO out here...both 3Zero3 Motorsports (REVO) & Autobahn Premier (GIAC) are awesome shops that will provide you all of the support you need and then some. you won't need an exhaust for a 1+ setup either, it will just help out once you do get it.

[SchnellB5]

I would recommend Eurodyne software for the altitude, had problems with giac(used to sell giac) in the past and apr seems weak from the cars i've seen locally, and my jetta had a revo chip in it and it didn't do anything. shoot me a pm if you want a good deal on software.

[Cobrajetguy]

You don't really need any of that extra stuff, obviously it would be nice to have a full exhaust or FMIC but the car will run fine. I would go for the stage 1+ in a heartbeat if I had a B6 but I have a B5 so I am stuck at stage 1 for now :(

Peter

[GO-GOTEKNO]

change coils,go +1,and dont look back

[DenverNoob]

one could argue a couple of different ways about FMIC/DSMIC up here at this elevation. for a 1+ setup I went quite some time without any intercooling upgrade. I feel pretty strongly about doing something over stock. You will find as things cool off here that there is avast improvement in performance...meaning come spring you will want to have done something to make sure you are running optimally come summer. If your modding plans see you moving past a k04 turbo upgrade, I would recommend you do something in the intercooling department like an FMIC. If a k03 or k04 is as far as you plan to go, DSMIC will be ok (but they still dont perform quite as well as an FMIC because of placement and airflow characteristics. Keep in mind that little turbos already taxed at sea level like a k03/04 are working even harder up here, making more heat, and enduring more stress. It is imperative to keep IATs at a minimum to maximize both power and efficiency.

I have used Autobahn for almost as long as I have owned my 1.8t a4. They have given sound advice, and more recently built a big turbo motor for me, from top to bottom. The quality of there work is great. They are the only shop I would personally recommend. (303) 935-9065. Tell them Ted told you to call.