JHM Tune...on a stock B7 S4

**Thruxton900** · 03-13-2014 02:48 PM

Well I got the JHM tune yesterday, for more reasons than just the performance upgrade.

The only thing that my S4 has done to it, that isn't stock, is a K&N panel filter dropped in. Other than that, maybe some clogged up cats ; )

I will say this, there is a difference, for certain. Years ago I had a B6 and I got the GIAC Tune...thhhhhhbbbbbbbbb. For those of you that aren't aware, that was a fart sound.

I remember feeling pretty stupid for spending the money on it. Not this though. I am more than satisfied.

There is, in my humble opinion, a good deal of work put towards the throttle positioning. Which right away is going to make you think the car has more power. But that's not it.

I can feel it pull harder at nearly every point in the power band. I have to say, Bravo. It's hard to pull more HP out of naturally aspirated motors, especially this one. I even hear an easily noticeable difference in my exhaust note. Unless that's the shit in my cats about to come blowing out the back end. To which I did hear a big "whoooosh" when I was getting on it yesterday and I looked in my rear view mirror to see a cloudy puff of smoke behind me ; )

Well, this is only to be enjoyed for a short while longer because I will be getting rid of my beloved S4. I have the dreaded timing chain service coming, rear main seal to repair and a seal at the front that needs to be fixed. All in, I'm looking at around $7k to $8k. I love my girl but I can't say it's worth it to spend that kind of money on any car.

I also think I will be heading out of the AUDI circle as well. There is an outside chance that I might pick up a used GTI Autobahn or Driver's Edition, however I think it's time to give the 'Merican's another try. There are some slightly used 5.0s out there that need a new owner.

I'll let you all know which way I go. I do appreciate everyone's help in the last month or so.

CYA

**Jake@JHM** · 03-13-2014 02:54 PM

Clad you are enjoying it! I am also sad to hear the you may be getting rid of her. Maybe look at the B7 A4 2.0T, as you will still be able to get JHM support!

Jake

**auxnbus** · 03-13-2014 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Thruxton900

Well I got the JHM tune yesterday, for more reasons than just the performance upgrade.

......

Well, this is only to be enjoyed for a short while longer because I will be getting rid of my beloved S4. I have the dreaded timing chain service coming, rear main seal to repair and a seal at the front that needs to be fixed. All in, I'm looking at around $7k to $8k. I love my girl but I can't say it's worth it to spend that kind of money on any car.

I also think I will be heading out of the AUDI circle as well. There is an outside chance that I might pick up a used GTI Autobahn or Driver's Edition, however I think it's time to give the 'Merican's another try. There are some slightly used 5.0s out there that need a new owner.

I'll let you all know which way I go. I do appreciate everyone's help in the last month or so.

CYA

Can I ask why you spent the cash on the tune knowing you were ditching the car soon...?

**Thruxton900** · 03-13-2014 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by auxnbus

Can I ask why you spent the cash on the tune knowing you were ditching the car soon...?

Sure...PM me and I'll tell you why. Don't wanna broadcast it.

**mistral cytz** · 03-13-2014 04:19 PM

Whats the mileage like on your car? Just curios as to when those seals usually need replacing?

Thanks.

**Thruxton900** · 03-13-2014 04:54 PM

Right now I have 98000 miles on it. My techs told me that my rear main was bad about 15000 miles ago. The seal up front has been bad for about 3000 miles now. My timing chain rattles for one second on cold starts. My cats went bad less than a 1000 miles ago. That was partly brought on by me...they probably had another 5000 miles to go before they took a crap.

It's not the car for the faint hearted, that's for sure. Great car to have up to 80k miles.

**laundromatt** · 03-13-2014 05:19 PM

Sorry to hear that. I don't like reading these kinds of threads, if only because they make me more and more nervous about what could happen. Surely there's got to be people out there with over 100K without major problems?? Or are we all just doomed?

**BCsniper** · 03-13-2014 05:23 PM

....still can be a good buy for somebody. The car is probably almost due for a new clutch which would be a good time to do the rear seal. Then use the front seal as an excuse to get the LWCP. Then I would let the chains go until they really seem to be an issue or JHM comes out with their rebuild kits (...whichever comes first)

**Thruxton900** · 03-13-2014 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by laundromatt

Sorry to hear that. I don't like reading these kinds of threads, if only because they make me more and more nervous about what could happen. Surely there's got to be people out there with over 100K without major problems?? Or are we all just doomed?

Unfortunately it's just a matter of time. Some folks will have the timing chain assembly go bad long before they hit 100k..some not until 125k. It's not a question of if, it's a question of when.

Any tech worth their salt, that knows german cars in general, will tell you the same things you're reading on these threads.

Buy them new and enjoy them for a LONG time. Or buy them slightly used and enjoy them for a LONG time. If you buy them with considerable miles on them, and you want to keep the car - be prepared to ante up.

**Thruxton900** · 03-20-2014 10:24 AM

Well, it's done...I said I was looking at trading in the good ole' S4 and I did.

Like I had mentioned above, I simply could not justify spending upwards of $9k on a car that's worth about $9k.

And like I had mentioned above, I was looking at going back 'Merican and I did.

I picked up a slightly used (10k) 2013 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Premium with the Brembo Brake package, strut tower brace, 3.73 rear...6spd MT.

It was hard, trust me it was hard. I loved my S4 and I had just dumped about 5k into it. I could do no more.

Welcome to the 12's ; )

**Jake@JHM** · 03-20-2014 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Thruxton900

Well, it's done...I said I was looking at trading in the good ole' S4 and I did.

Like I had mentioned above, I simply could not justify spending upwards of $9k on a car that's worth about $9k.

And like I had mentioned above, I was looking at going back 'Merican and I did.

I picked up a slightly used (10k) 2013 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Premium with the Brembo Brake package, strut tower brace, 3.73 rear...6spd MT.

It was hard, trust me it was hard. I loved my S4 and I had just dumped about 5k into it. I could do no more.

Welcome to the 12's ; )

Sorry to hear shes gone, but at least you are happy! Pics of the new ride?

**Thruxton900** · 03-20-2014 10:34 AM

I'll get 'em up here for you. It's been snowing and rainy out my way. Let me clean her up real good and I will.

**jmcS4** · 03-20-2014 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Thruxton900

Well, it's done...I said I was looking at trading in the good ole' S4 and I did.

Like I had mentioned above, I simply could not justify spending upwards of $9k on a car that's worth about $9k.

And like I had mentioned above, I was looking at going back 'Merican and I did.

I picked up a slightly used (10k) 2013 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Premium with the Brembo Brake package, strut tower brace, 3.73 rear...6spd MT.

It was hard, trust me it was hard. I loved my S4 and I had just dumped about 5k into it. I could do no more.

Welcome to the 12's ; )

You'll love that car, my uncle has one with the track pack as well. He just installed GT500 mufflers and it sounds amazing. Enjoy!

**PNW Avant** · 03-20-2014 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by BCsniper

....still can be a good buy for somebody. The car is probably almost due for a new clutch which would be a good time to do the rear seal. Then use the front seal as an excuse to get the LWCP. Then I would let the chains go until they really seem to be an issue or JHM comes out with their rebuild kits (...whichever comes first)

Huh? I thought JHM already has these service kits out?

http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...4jlob6&x=0&y=0

**Jake@JHM** · 03-20-2014 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by PNW Avant

Huh? I thought JHM already has these service kits out?

http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...4jlob6&x=0&y=0

I believe he is referring to the JHM timing chain components. The kits we currently offer are updated OEM.

**BCsniper** · 03-20-2014 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Jake@JHM

I believe he is referring to the JHM timing chain components. The kits we currently offer are updated OEM.

....yupp, honestly reading that about a week ago gave me reason to start checking AudiRevolution.net again

if a low-cost timing rebuild kit becomes available then that will totally change the market for used B6/7 S4's. Finally people might not run for the hills when somebody mentions "timing chain"

**Jake@JHM** · 03-20-2014 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by BCsniper

....yupp, honestly reading that about a week ago gave me reason to start checking AudiRevolution.net again

if a low-cost timing rebuild kit becomes available then that will totally change the market for used B6/7 S4's. Finally people might not run for the hills when somebody mentions "timing chain"

Well, it is coming and it will happen

.

However, there is still the trouble of having to remove the engine first.

**Quadfreak** · 03-20-2014 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by Jake@JHM

Well, it is coming and it will happen

.

However, there is still the trouble of having to remove the engine first.

Yeah, but that is a lot easier to swallow when youre not spending 4k on timing components on top of labor..(assuming you do the full service and have a shop do it)

**FulhamFTW** · 03-21-2014 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jake@JHM

Well, it is coming and it will happen

.

However, there is still the trouble of having to remove the engine first.

Jake, any idea what the time frame looks like on this kit? I just crossed the 100k mark and I'm think a timing service might be in my future soon. A cheaper alternative would certainly make me more apt to keep this beast.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

**308slegs** · 03-21-2014 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jake@JHM

Well, it is coming and it will happen

.

However, there is still the trouble of having to remove the engine first.

That's the best news I 've heard all week!!!! Yay for us Audi owners!!! woo hoo!!!

**PNW Avant** · 03-21-2014 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by BCsniper

....yupp, honestly reading that about a week ago gave me reason to start checking AudiRevolution.net again

if a low-cost timing rebuild kit becomes available then that will totally change the market for used B6/7 S4's. Finally people might not run for the hills when somebody mentions "timing chain"

Totally agree. If i could get a steal on a S4, perform an inexpensive chain service right away, I'd be a happy guy.

**FulhamFTW** · 03-21-2014 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by BCsniper

....yupp, honestly reading that about a week ago gave me reason to start checking AudiRevolution.net again

if a low-cost timing rebuild kit becomes available then that will totally change the market for used B6/7 S4's. Finally people might not run for the hills when somebody mentions "timing chain"

Yeah, and it might even help with the resale values of them(wishful thinking, I know).

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

**dparm** · 03-21-2014 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Thruxton900

I also think I will be heading out of the AUDI circle as well. There is an outside chance that I might pick up a used GTI Autobahn or Driver's Edition, however I think it's time to give the 'Merican's another try. There are some slightly used 5.0s out there that need a new owner.

I think those would feel like a move down. I suggest a move up into an M3.

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