quote:

ORIGINAL: RedShoeRider

Out of the box, the 4.2 is faster (higher hp and torque, though it is a bit heavier. Great fender flares, too!). Modded, the 2.7T is faster. Of course, modding it isn't that expensive or complicated, so given the price differential, you'd likely end up with a faster, cheaper car with the 2.7T. However (always a but...) the 4.2 is rock-stable, the 2.7T's block sure is, but you eventually will get into turbo replacement with them. There's another thread floating around here about roughly when that replacement is. Then you can go nuts and go with the K04 turbos (from the RS-series cars), yada, yada....but that's a whole 'nuther story.

The biggest problem we have as A6 drivers is weight. Sure, we make a bunch of power. But with all the hardware for the quattro (not to mention that there's plenty of body metal), we're lugging around an extra 400-800lbs compared to other cars in the same class. What we gain in stability from quattro we loose in absolute acceleration due to the weight.


2.8 = great engine, great car, great for driving around, not so great for playing around.
2.7T = for fun. Can mod to the heavens. The most tunable of the family.
4.2 = for raw refined power. Nothing says low-end grunt like a V-8. Bulletproof engine.

Pricing? Around here (North Jersey), for an 01 2.7T you're talking 12-15k, for a 01 4.2 it's something like 14-20k. That's really, really ballpark. MT6 might cost you more, as they can be harder to find.

quote:

ORIGINAL: formulagigi

GKB, no offense at al but why would you expect to beat a Maxima when your car weighs more and has less power. In addition, their engine is one of the best 6 in the market, aside from BMW 6ers. The midrange torque is awesome, very efficient motor if a little unrefined compared to Bimmer for example.
You may have bought a "better" car tha your friend's as an overall packkage, certainly from an interior standpoint and looks... and it's even all relative... but it doesn't mean you bought a FASTER car.
I had a 2.8 myself and it seems everything short of my Jeep Wrangler is faster :) From a mod standpoint, I wouldn't waster my $ if I were you. As for engine swapping, you are better off selling the 2.8 and getting a 2.7T or 4.2.
As for your question, which is faster of the 2.7t and 4.2... although most say the 4.2 is.... I found that in spite of the HP advantage, the 4.2 is not always faster. If you get a 6spd 2.7t, you'd be right on par with a 4.2 Auto and might have a lsight edge in some situation from what I read and was told when I first bought mine.
I can tell you that my 2.7t TIPtronic with just a chip was faster than a stock 4.2, including the newer model. I raced a few, especially that one on the way to Atlanta and it could not keep up.
Now the 4.2 I heard is a rock from an engine standpoint, but the 2.7 block is a tough mama too. As for the stock turbos, I have seen 2.7T's with well over 100k and no issues. it is all a matter of "taking care of it"... There is a thread in this A6 forum about what to do to keep your "baby" in shape... VERY basic things will keep your 2.7T running problem free:
- RELIGIOUS maintenance... Don't follow the service book directions with 10,000 miles intervals b/w services. I would suggest every 5,000 miles using only top premium synthetic oil. I personally use the Castrol synthec made in germany. Some use Mobil1, or penzoil.
- ALWAYS ALWAYS let your car warm up (175 +) before you gun it, before that I stay within 3,000rpm, which has more than enough power for every day driving.
- ALWAYS ALWAYS let your car cool down a bit before turning off the engine after spirited driving. Either drive the last few miles to your house at low RPM's or let the car cool down 30 seconds, maybr 45 is you really dogged it!
- Check the known weak parts at service times (search A6 forum)
- Upgrade the DV's to the N710 from the TT or spend $ on R1, Hyperboost... fancier DVs'.
- Upgrade to a SAMCO TBB or if you have $ the APR Bipipe.
- Do the TB&WP service early, 60k if modded, or 70k.
- Get a chip :) and and and... PIGGY pipes for reliability and performance. They decrease temp behind the turbos and wil probably give you an extra 20hp and 30 lbs TQ.
- if/when you do your auxiliary water pump under the intake, replace the gaskets with NEWSOUTH Powergaskets, some call them spacers. They will decrease operating temperature and also give you a little xtra OOMPH.
- Oh and brakes are not great in the A6, so i would upgrade to SS brake lines and better pads.

There's more, you'll find plenty of threads....
The 4.2 has one of the sexiest butt in the family sedan world :) and the 2.7 is highly tunable!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kevin


I agree with Redshoe, out of the box the stock 4.2 will take the stock 2.7t.  Once you start mods it all depends on the mods.

quote:

ORIGINAL: dmrdennie

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kevin


I agree with Redshoe, out of the box the stock 4.2 will take the stock 2.7t.  Once you start mods it all depends on the mods.

The specs have the stock 2.7 a hair quicker because the 4.2 is heavier. If the 2.7 is modded, the 4.2 won't stand a chance. Gigi above kinda nailed it, plus I've had too many 2.7's beat my 4.2 since it was new. My own 2.7 beats my 4.2. Not by much but, it will beat it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: NH_USA

I almost forgot -- there is a difference between quick and fast. Likewise there is a difference between fast for a few miles and fast for a long trip.

In my younger days I wanted quick, later I wanted fast,  now I want fast and comfortable. 
In case your wondering I am talking about Audis - not women. OK OK both Audis and women 

quote:

ORIGINAL: RedShoeRider

Out of the box, the 4.2 is faster (higher hp and torque, though it is a bit heavier. Great fender flares, too!). Modded, the 2.7T is faster. Of course, modding it isn't that expensive or complicated, so given the price differential, you'd likely end up with a faster, cheaper car with the 2.7T. However (always a but...) the 4.2 is rock-stable, the 2.7T's block sure is, but you eventually will get into turbo replacement with them. There's another thread floating around here about roughly when that replacement is. Then you can go nuts and go with the K04 turbos (from the RS-series cars), yada, yada....but that's a whole 'nuther story.

The biggest problem we have as A6 drivers is weight. Sure, we make a bunch of power. But with all the hardware for the quattro (not to mention that there's plenty of body metal), we're lugging around an extra 400-800lbs compared to other cars in the same class. What we gain in stability from quattro we loose in absolute acceleration due to the weight.


2.8 = great engine, great car, great for driving around, not so great for playing around.
2.7T = for fun. Can mod to the heavens. The most tunable of the family.
4.2 = for raw refined power. Nothing says low-end grunt like a V-8. Bulletproof engine.

Pricing? Around here (North Jersey), for an 01 2.7T you're talking 12-15k, for a 01 4.2 it's something like 14-20k. That's really, really ballpark. MT6 might cost you more, as they can be harder to find.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tha Abbot

quote:

ORIGINAL: RedShoeRider

Out of the box, the 4.2 is faster (higher hp and torque, though it is a bit heavier. Great fender flares, too!). Modded, the 2.7T is faster. Of course, modding it isn't that expensive or complicated, so given the price differential, you'd likely end up with a faster, cheaper car with the 2.7T. However (always a but...) the 4.2 is rock-stable, the 2.7T's block sure is, but you eventually will get into turbo replacement with them. There's another thread floating around here about roughly when that replacement is. Then you can go nuts and go with the K04 turbos (from the RS-series cars), yada, yada....but that's a whole 'nuther story.

The biggest problem we have as A6 drivers is weight. Sure, we make a bunch of power. But with all the hardware for the quattro (not to mention that there's plenty of body metal), we're lugging around an extra 400-800lbs compared to other cars in the same class. What we gain in stability from quattro we loose in absolute acceleration due to the weight.


2.8 = great engine, great car, great for driving around, not so great for playing around.
2.7T = for fun. Can mod to the heavens. The most tunable of the family.
4.2 = for raw refined power. Nothing says low-end grunt like a V-8. Bulletproof engine.

Pricing? Around here (North Jersey), for an 01 2.7T you're talking 12-15k, for a 01 4.2 it's something like 14-20k. That's really, really ballpark. MT6 might cost you more, as they can be harder to find.

Not true, out the box the 2.7 is faster http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt1848.shtml

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kevin

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tha Abbot

quote:

ORIGINAL: RedShoeRider

Out of the box, the 4.2 is faster (higher hp and torque, though it is a bit heavier. Great fender flares, too!). Modded, the 2.7T is faster. Of course, modding it isn't that expensive or complicated, so given the price differential, you'd likely end up with a faster, cheaper car with the 2.7T. However (always a but...) the 4.2 is rock-stable, the 2.7T's block sure is, but you eventually will get into turbo replacement with them. There's another thread floating around here about roughly when that replacement is. Then you can go nuts and go with the K04 turbos (from the RS-series cars), yada, yada....but that's a whole 'nuther story.

The biggest problem we have as A6 drivers is weight. Sure, we make a bunch of power. But with all the hardware for the quattro (not to mention that there's plenty of body metal), we're lugging around an extra 400-800lbs compared to other cars in the same class. What we gain in stability from quattro we loose in absolute acceleration due to the weight.


2.8 = great engine, great car, great for driving around, not so great for playing around.
2.7T = for fun. Can mod to the heavens. The most tunable of the family.
4.2 = for raw refined power. Nothing says low-end grunt like a V-8. Bulletproof engine.

Pricing? Around here (North Jersey), for an 01 2.7T you're talking 12-15k, for a 01 4.2 it's something like 14-20k. That's really, really ballpark. MT6 might cost you more, as they can be harder to find.

Not true, out the box the 2.7 is faster http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt1848.shtml

Again it depends what you are comparing.  I am a highway guy, not a red light guy, and the article you linked actually shows that the 4.2 is faster, not quicker off the line, but clearly faster and quicker on the top end.  According to your own article, the 2.7t goes from 60 to 92 in 8.5 seconds, while the 4.2 goes from 60 to 92 in 7.7 seconds (the 4.2 goes from 60 to 94 mph in 8.2 seconds, or 1 mph in acceleration for every .24 seconds assuming linear acceleration, by reducing the 4.2's 94 mph 1/4 mile speed to the 2.7ts 1/4 mile speed of 92 mph, it is approximated that the 4.2 hits 92 mph .5 seconds before it hits 94 mph (2 mph times .24 seconds) or in approx. 15.0 seconds, since cars are not typically capable at linear acceleration over 60 mph it is likely that the 4.2's time from 60-92 is probably a couple of tenths of a second better than I am estimating).  So the 4.2 is nearly a second faster from 60 to 92.  In other words, while the 2.7T is winding down when it reaches the speed limit, the 4.2 is still pulling.  The only reason why the stock 2.7T was .5 seconds faster on the bottom end is that it had a MT.  So the 4.2 is clearly faster.  The 4.2 is also quicker on the top end.  The 2.7t's quickness is only useful if you are a boy racer who likes to pull away from traffic lights.