2002 Audi A4 3.0 Modifications

[ToddJerad]

Hey guys, I am new to this forum and a fairly new Audi owner. I love purchased my 2002 A4 3.0 used with 17000 miles and am looking to make some modifications. I heard a chip is a great place to start, but i would like to know what the best chips are and what exactly they do. I heard you lose gas mileage bun not sure if this was a rumor. I would like to add maybe 20 to 30 hp, but do not know much about cars. A new exhaust system is kind of expensive but maybe some mufflers can help performance as well. I also was hoping maybe some people had some suggestions on whether sway bars were a good purchase as well (at least worth the money). Finally if anyone knows a good place to get a chrome grill or custom painted grill that would be really helpfull. I have a dolphin grey color and thought maybe a matching grey grill would look cool. Sorry for all the questions just do not know were to start. Thanks for reading.

[bhb399mm]

The 3.0 is a beautiful engine, but there really arnt that many options around for tuning...not to say there arnt any, but its much easier to find..

Chip Companies
Powerchip --> +15hp
Neuspeed --> +5-6hp
H&S --> +22hp
Wetterauer --> +15hp

Most chips actually improve fuel economy, however, if you have a heavy foot, your economy will suffer.

You could sqeeze ~3hp out of a K&N intake filter for not too much $, or get an intake system for +~8hp (but like $300)

Hope that gets you started. By the way.. 6Speed or Tiptronic?

[ToddJerad]

it is tiptronic. I live in la so i didn't want stick. As far as the chips go is one better than the other because i am sure there are a lot more things than hp. Also I need something that is hard to detect so waranty will not void. Also what else is an intake good for. Is that better than getting a new exhaust. I know the money is more for the exhaust though. Thanks so much for your help I really appreciate it.

[bhb399mm]

well, usually the better chip will give you the most hp. In a turbo car, its important to look for other things, such as PSI increase from the turbo, etc, but since youre in a V6, i'd go for the one with the most hp gain. The problem is, usually, the more hp, the higher the price of the chip.

An intake allows your engine to breath better which gives you a bit more HP. in theory, an intake will boost your economy, but not notably.

As far as the warrantee, depending on your dealer, a chip installed by them wont void your warrantee.

Which dealer did you buy at?

Where in LA do you live? i'm on the west side... wilshire @ comstock

[ToddJerad]

Wow, I live by 26th and San Vicente actually but know multiple people that live on comstock actually. Maybe you could give me the names of some places i could buy the chip then. I am wondering how much this will cost me. I am looking to spend around a grand but no more since money is somewhat tight. If you could let me know total cost for the chip and intake or an estimate in your opinion that would be great. Also I really wanted to get the grill either painted dolphin grey or chrome dipped or replaced or something. I think it would look much more luxurious than the black grill. Any suggestions. Thanks again for your help what do you do by the way.

[bhb399mm]

if you have a grand to work with, you're better off than most

I've done all my chip tuning myself, but i know of a few places who have good reputations...

Wett is in West LA, (310) 268-0388,Greedspeed in Thousand Oaks and Hartmann in irvine are all good shops...

Greenspeed has the Neuspeed 3.0 Chip for ~$200

Call Hartmann Motorsport in irvine @ (949) 475-2500 and tell them you're interested in installing a chip. Usually, you can order the chip direct from the company, and have them intsall it. Insall is ~$100

Retail on the Powerchip model is $490 and the Watterauer chip is $400.

As far as an intake goes... you really dont have many options. in all honesty, invest in a K&N intake filter, and leave the stock airbox alone.


My final sugestion:
Chip: ~$400
K&N Filter: ~$50
Install: ~$150
---------------
= $600

take that $600 and get some sport springs to lower your car, then find a grill that you really like. Save up and get some rims and exhaust

Originally posted by ToddJerad@Nov 29 2004, 10:15 PM
what do you do by the way.

Quoted post

i'm a student

[bhb399mm]

Grill:

i really like the OETTINGER grills. Remember, very few kit companies have pre-painted grills... you'll have to get it painted by someone who has access to audi stock paint

Heres the OETTINGER grill on a very nice dolpin grey A4:

[attachmentid=126]

[ToddJerad]

Hey thanks a lot. That really helps. Is the chip really hard to install or is it worth the hundred bucks for someone to do it. Also in your opinion which chip will be best for my car. I would rather spend a little more money for a better product. I am not to versed on cars, but the intake filter vs. a new intake system, how exactly will that boost performance on my audi. Is an intake worth getting before an exhaust and will that make my car sound or run differently. Plus I have the sport package on the car is it still worth it to get the sport springs or will that make the car to low to the ground. I already hit the front bumper a lot of times. I thought sway bars may help for control and turning, but that is just what I heard. Sorry for the amounts of questions just want to obtain the knowledge before I actually change the car. That grill is nice that you sent me is there stores where I can look at the grills cause i am sort of skeptical how silver or chrome will look on my grey audi. Thanks again for taking the time to help me.

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by ToddJerad+Nov 30 2004, 10:57 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ToddJerad @ Nov 30 2004, 10:57 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>is it worth the hundred bucks for someone to do it.

Quoted post

[/b]

yes... its worth your time (and money) to have someone do it

Originally posted by ToddJerad@Nov 30 2004, 10:57 AM
Also in your opinion which chip will be best for my car?

Quoted post

probably the Watterauer chip for $400+install

Originally posted by ToddJerad@Nov 30 2004, 10:57 AM
filter vs. a new intake system, how exactly will that boost performance on my audi

Quoted post

either option alows your car to breath better, giving better proformance and economy. Because there are not very options for intakes - and the options there are are $$$... just get an K&N filter which will give you maybe 2 less HP than an intake, but for like $200 less.

Originally posted by ToddJerad@Nov 30 2004, 10:57 AM
I have the sport package

Quoted post

Keep your setup unless you want your car lower

Originally posted by ToddJerad@Nov 30 2004, 10:57 AM
I already hit the front bumper a lot of times

Quoted post

Slow down over speedbumps :P

<!--QuoteBegin-ToddJerad@Nov 30 2004, 10:57 AM
sway bars

Quoted post

[/quote]

they would but you're not taking your car to the track.... so its not worth the $$

[ToddJerad]

okay i will go with that chip that you recommended, should i purchase that online or just call around performance shops to see if it is available. I am not sure what the situation is. Also do most places have the intake as well or is that a rare filter that will have to be ordered online or by the performance place. Plus what about the noise factor of the intake will it change and will this void my warranty at all. I still have 2 years left. I bought the car from santa monica audi and don't want them hassling me. Also does an exhaust tip do much or just looks. Thanks your the man.