Modification questions from an auto illiterate person.

[ahhhudi]

Hello,

Even though this is my second S4 (previously B5, now B6), I'm fairly clueless when it comes to working on cars so the following questions seem pretty simple, which is why I had a hard time finding the answers when I did the search route.

My plan is to add a few performance components to my B6 S4 over the coming 6-7 months. My concerns are whether they are the right components and whether there is a problem in the way that I (actually, the person I'd be helping) install them in the following order:

1) Air filter (actually K&N web site didn't have any recommendations when I tried to search for the 2005 Audi S4, so it there a specific one, or generic K&N or any other type of filter).

2) Exhaust (either Milltek Sport Catback or APR). I've done some research and these two appear to be what I'm looking for. Any personal opinion on either of these is most welcome.

3) Intake (no clue as to which brand because I haven't decided on it yet, suggestions welcome)

4) Mod chip (Unitronic, Revo, APR or Neuspeed. I've been having a hard time distinguishing between these which one is better because there aren't really too many objective reviews, so again, personal input is most welcome).

Would this order of adding components to the car be appropriate or do some of them have to be installed at the same time? Is there something else that I'm missing that would need to be installed with these parts? Does there need to be some sort of a 'tune up' or 'tuning' that needs to be performed after each part is installed or does that only need to happen with the mod chip install?

I certainly wouldn't be doing this alone because a more car savvy person would be the one doing it with me just helping until I learn myself. I could just ask someone at a local shop but I do like asking knowledgeable people here and having some cross references and other points to go off on.

Thank you all for your comments and posts.

[dextrek]

As for the exhaust, LaBrees are pretty bad ass for S4's.

[Mokes]

1.) K&N drop in filter. Part Number: K33332209 MFR#: 332209

2.) From your 2 choices I'd go with the Milltek. I'm running non-res version myself.

3.) READ #1, stock air-box w/ K&N drop in works best. Stock air box is a true CAI, you're only gonna get hot air with the aftermarket stuff. (especially CARBONIO!) should've listened to all of you guys. I got suckered in with the CF cover, that turned gold and warped!

4.) Running GIAC myself, but probably go with APR cause you can change programs through cruise control stalk.

hope this helps.

[VVG]

Exhaust: how loud do you want it? If you want a near stock sound but just more aggressive, go with Milltek resonated. If money is no object, go with MTM. If you want loud, very aggressive, go with APR non-resonated.

Any of the major tuners will give you an ECU mod that will provide reliable power gains, but in order to achieve those gains on the S4's 4.2 V8, you need to have chip, downpipes and exhaust. Without all the components, you are wasting your money in terms of real power gain.

Intake is a total waste of time and money unless you are doing it for cosmetic reasons, but it could actually cause you to lose a few hp.

[ahhhudi]

Thank you all for your comments thus far.

I've gathered that intake may not be the best use of money and it would be better served allocated toward something else.

As far as the exhaust, Milltek resonated sounds perfect the way that VVG described

[B18b1ex]

Didn't we make a sticky for this type of question?


Yep here it is:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70975

Labree resonated is my vote, sounds nice aggressive but not too loud.

[fitzS4]

go with coilovers save your money on chip and intake and get a nice set of coilovers or sway bars....

[RAudi Driver]

Don't do the K$N filter. It's like putting dirt into your engine.

[joeycuccaro]

Thank you all for your comments thus far.

I've gathered that intake may not be the best use of money and it would be better served allocated toward something else.

As far as the exhaust, Milltek resonated sounds perfect the way that VVG described

If your looking for a sound enhancement Milltek resonated is a waste of money. It is little if at all louder than stock.

[iamproph]

F.I hands down the best, amazing quality and amazing sound. I got the K&N filter and was happy until my MAF broke, but you might be luckier. I have the chip from APR and you should spend your money on something other than a chip.

[TonyD]

You got PM!

[Meradin]

Chips are really only worth it if you do a full exhaust with down pipes. Without them all the chips for the s4 do very little. As for the order, that is correct.

[B18b1ex]

F.I hands down the best, amazing quality and amazing sound. I got the K&N filter and was happy until my MAF broke, but you might be luckier. I have the chip from APR and you should spend your money on something other than a chip.

Everyone is entitled to a wrong opinion, the H pipe version which was basically a Labree sounded great, the the new version is not as refined and the non res version is just loud. I have heard many of these exhausts and quite a few sound very good but it depends on the whole setup. Example the Miltek res with down pipes sounds great, the Labree res alone sounds great, the MTM with DP's sounds good, Straight pipes with stock dp's sounds insane but not livable for me. The bottom line is it is difficult to make the car not sound good, but it comes down to what you can drive around in everyday and live with. For me it was the Labree.

Here is a video I made that has a few in control location with same conditions for comparison, so may have already seen this but you are new.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjRijARL0oA

[A4A4A4]

If I were you I'd save your money on things like a chip and intake. Go for a nice set of coil overs and a good exhaust and then I'd say you'd pretty well be set.

[joeycuccaro]

Everyone is entitled to a wrong opinion, the H pipe version which was basically a Labree sounded great, the the new version is not as refined and the non res version is just loud. I have heard many of these exhausts and quite a few sound very good but it depends on the whole setup. Example the Miltek res with down pipes sounds great, the Labree res alone sounds great, the MTM with DP's sounds good, Straight pipes with stock dp's sounds insane but not livable for me. The bottom line is it is difficult to make the car not sound good, but it comes down to what you can drive around in everyday and live with. For me it was the Labree.

Here is a video I made that has a few in control location with same conditions for comparison, so may have already seen this but you are new.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjRijARL0oA

for labree