German Car Zone

I'm thinking of doing some serious mods to my a4, has anyone on here had any experience with the 2.0T engine and quattro system and knows the limits for reliable horsepower and torque before you start breaking things? I've seen a number of 300-350bhp kits, but have also heard rumours certain stock parts will only take <300. I'd rather replace known limitations up front than after they fail.

Since this is my first post, heres a little background too.

I picked up my a4 new in 05 to carry the new baby around in, it's a great car but has always suffered from poor throttle response and feeling underpowered for its size. This year I got back into track racing and want a car for fast road and track use, so was looking at picking up a cheap rice-rocket as a second motor. However, I could spend the money on the a4 instead to create a great sleeper.

That's me in a nutshell, hope you guys can give me some good feedback.

I'm not the most experienced but here is some advice.

The first thing I'd do for performance upgrade without changing anything is a CAI and a new ECU/Reflash, whatever your flavor. Then, since you're tracking it, lower the car with shocks/springs, get a big brake kit and of course if you can, get steel brake lines.

That's probably the cheapest thing you can do and should give you around 40-50hp and make your car a better handler.

If you want hardcore then there is stage2, stage3 turbo kits with full on new manifolds, etc. But that is a LOT of cash.

Yes, well I'll be doing this instead of buying a second car, so that's an option. When you think a second car costs minimum £1000 a year to just insure and tax, the extra running costs post upgrade are bearable.

Stoopid question here, but is it a CVT car ?

Because usually... poor throttle response goes hand in hand with crappy CVT...

Not if it's a quattro; Multitronic (CVT) Audis are all FWD.

1st step is definitely an aftermarket ecu and get it tuned. You will be surprised by the conservative settings set by the manufacture. That will help with the throttle response

Hi mate, take it you are from the UK.

Firstly get a revo map on it, that will pump your power up to 255hp and 285lbft of torque. This alone completely transforms the car, which will cost 500 plus VAT but well worth it. then you can go for more power with further supporting mods for a cool 280hp or you can start on the chassis.

Lightweight alloys, coilovers, uprated mounts will get your car to fly. Id start with coilovers on fast road settings so its still good for everyday use and leave the alloys and mounts till a later date.

It all depends on how far you want go with things.

It's a 6 speed manual not CVT, and it was remapped last year. Not a Revo map, and throttle response is still terrible.

I'm now looking to go for new suspension all round, new calipers and discs and a stage 3 mod to roughly double the power output of the engine.

Usually engine components are deisnged with safety factor of 4, meaning they can take loads up to 4 times the design spec. But we do that to allow for tolerances etc. But not all forces within the engine increase linearly with power output, and it's a complex question to try and work out the running and shock loads for all the bits and pieces of the valvetrain, let alone pressures which gaskets and seals will be up against. Hence I was looking to see if anyone had practical experience of power limits.

I was looking at two options, ATP do this kit: 450HP Turbo Kit for B7 Audi A4 2.0T FSI : atpturbo.com

While Backdraft in Milton Keynes do this one:
2.0TFSI BDM 350 bhp Turbo Kit
and their website is gives alot more confidence in their development of the unit.

So stop right here.
You are dumping money on a bad/unfit car to make it perform correctly then racing it, instead of starting with a good day to day car and making it better for the track days.

Maybe it's a lemon, maybe it's not the good model.. maybe... maybe...
Might as well start with a good plateform.

Don't go sentimental. It's a car, it's a tool, no point in wasting time and money when you can sell it and go for something better.

While I don't agree with your comments, I'm always open to advice.
Any constructive suggestions as to what's better?
Estates and known safe and reliable cars under 5 years old only please, for less than £15k with average 10k/yr mileage.