Hey guys and girls,

Just about 2-3 days ago I had the chance to get a 2001 a6 2.7T Tiptronic for only 12,000 with 46k miles on it... Obviously with this price I am looking to mod as quick as I can. I have been looking into the great battle of APR vs. GIAC... I am willing to drop 700-1500 for my first mod. Please post ideas and help a new a6 2.7T tiptronic owner out [8D]

APR CHIP 93 octane + DVs + TBB
VAST Tip Chip
H sport Sway bars
Shocks and Springs
Wheels
SS Brake lines
Newsouth or VAST Intake powergaskets/spacers
RS6 lip spoiler
Debadge, tint, front grille
SS brake lines and pads
etc...

save that $$$ for a stage 3 kit.

I agree with gigi but put piggie pipes after the tip chip

a stage three kit is liek 10 grand all said and done that a big diff over 2500$ which gigis plan would cost

hey gigi whats the deal with the sways ... never understood the mod? wanna learn about it

Hey,

WOW! after a night of taking the car out nothing could be better than seeing how i can help the performance of the car.
GIGI would that fall into the 1500 price range? Aswell I think i have my eye on the APR ECU upgrade with the EMCS unit. The only real question I have is how is installation, and is it really worth getting more than 1 or 2 settings with the EMCS unit. http://www.goapr.com/Audi/products/ecu_upgrade_a627t.html
I understand that the stage 3 would be great, but i am looking to do that within the next 6-8 months. I am just looking for a quick way to boost the cars power and quickness.


Thanks again for all the help!
P.S. I have to beat my friends 1998 bmw m3 (300ish HP) (3000 pounds) Vs. 2001 a6 2.7T (current 250 Hp stock) (4000 pounds)



ORIGINAL: formulagigi

APR CHIP 93 octane + DVs + TBB
VAST Tip Chip
H sport Sway bars
Shocks and Springs
Wheels
SS Brake lines
Newsouth or VAST Intake powergaskets/spacers
RS6 lip spoiler
Debadge, tint, front grille
SS brake lines and pads
etc...

nooo that all doesnt fall into the 1500 price range. figure this...

700 for an APR 93 octance setting with intsallation, add money for optional programs
80-350 for diverter valves which are needed
600 for VAST piggie pipes installed
400 or so for the VAST TCU program

That already is over your budget. Parts and labor arnt very cheap for your 2.7T. And as far as you going full stage 3 in "6-8 months," i find it highly unlikley, unless you have endless money.

Beating your friends e36 m3 shouldnt be too difficult depending on his mods. My buddy has one with dinan software, intake, exhaust, short throw, and i beat him with the mods in my sig.

not it'd be more but I would do those in stages if I were you.

I did forget the piggies for $350 plus install. after the chip, TBB and DVs...

APR CHIP 93 octane + DVs + TBB about 750+
Piggies $350
VAST Tip Chip $350
H sport Sway bars $399
Shocks and Springs $700- 850 new depending on set up
Wheels Varies plsu tires
SS Brake lines 130
Newsouth or VAST Intake powergaskets/spacers $70
RS6 lip spoiler $300
Debadge, tint, FREE
front grille 80 to 299
HAWKSpads forgot..

Again, if you are really going to do a Stage 3 in 6-8 months don't get APR now. APR does not offer a Stage 3 kit for tiptronics. Talk to people from VAST or AWE. A stage 3 kit is only 5500 plus installation. Get a stage 3 kit.



ORIGINAL: wammy18

Hey,

WOW! after a night of taking the car out nothing could be better than seeing how i can help the performance of the car.
GIGI would that fall into the 1500 price range? Aswell I think i have my eye on the APR ECU upgrade with the EMCS unit. The only real question I have is how is installation, and is it really worth getting more than 1 or 2 settings with the EMCS unit. http://www.goapr.com/Audi/products/ecu_upgrade_a627t.html
I understand that the stage 3 would be great, but i am looking to do that within the next 6-8 months. I am just looking for a quick way to boost the cars power and quickness.


Thanks again for all the help!
P.S. I have to beat my friends 1998 bmw m3 (300ish HP) (3000 pounds) Vs. 2001 a6 2.7T (current 250 Hp stock) (4000 pounds)



ORIGINAL: formulagigi

APR CHIP 93 octane + DVs + TBB
VAST Tip Chip
H sport Sway bars
Shocks and Springs
Wheels
SS Brake lines
Newsouth or VAST Intake powergaskets/spacers
RS6 lip spoiler
Debadge, tint, front grille
SS brake lines and pads
etc...

Get the GIAC chip then and then upbgrade to their Stage 3 programmming

GIGI how did you get the tints for free? How much would a good tint job cost? on average

I also have to agree with GIGI except for the ECU chip talk to the guys at vast they currently have the 2 fastest daily driven tip A6 2.7T's and they also have the fastest tip S4. At this time I don't think AWE (Giac) even have a stage 3 chip for the A6. I know vast dose and they are still working on more than tuning for Stage 3 they are working on a stage 4 and possibly a GT A6

GIAC has teh stage 3 + tuning ... I did all my k04 research through awe and they have an awesome kit that has everything monifolds downpipes exhaust included ... also the other stuff that you need to keep the car reliable with the k04s
u can find the link here http://www.awe-tuning.com/pages/shared/part_detail.cfm?PMaI=1&PMoI=4&PEI=6&PP=s4_27t_driv etrain.cfm&PPT=Drivetrain&IL=rsk04

I don't think the kit comes with the downpipes (may be wrong), but if you were to go stage 3 would piggies be fine?

yes i talked to awe when i was thinking about the kit and they said the piggies would be fine ... most of these aftermarket parts are modeled after stock parts anyway so that why vasts piggies are great because you dont have to pay 1000 bucks for downpipes they just take the stock ones and hollow them out and they are just as good

an exhaust is 100% MANDATORY though ... so the kit would come with the manifold you would have the vast piggies and then go with a catback which unfortunately is a ton of money ... i got myine for about 800 bucks but the milteks and such are over a grand!

I really want a tip driver to go stage 3+ and let everyone know how it is and maybe get a 1/4 mile time aswell! Just not the right time for me but itsa dream to have something like the rs6!

ORIGINAL: trapped

I don't think the kit comes with the downpipes (may be wrong), but if you were to go stage 3 would piggies be fine?

I talked with a couple guys today and with the kit you do get downpipes and all of that. They told me it was more than worthless to waste money on the downpipes if you are sure you are going stage 3. The only thing you would have to worry about until you went stage 3 would be your diverter valve. Theyhave been a great help and look forward to what they can do on my car.

WAMMY AWE's kit comes with DP's?? Is that who you talked to?

I checked their site and it says that yu need DP and exhaust but nowhere does it say they come with the kit. They don't and are not even on the pic.

APR has it in the kit... sorry for the late post , I talked to 1 guy in Cali and 1 guy in Virginia both from APR. Both giving me the same information.

Ok, Nice I thought you were talking about the AWE package.

In less than 1-2 weeks i will be going to the APR shop to get the stage 1 going. I will keep yall posted on how it goes :)

Yeah makes sure you get the Dv's because they have a noticable diffrence. I might get the vast TBB because its cheaper, but does anyone have ths one?

i just got the samco yesterday and threw it on ... seems pretty sturdy no experience with the vast tho

ORIGINAL: joetm

i just got the samco yesterday and threw it on ... seems pretty sturdy no experience with the vast tho

How hard do you drive your car? jw
I am looking into the samco vs vast for the same part... lemme know :p

I dont beat it everytime i drive it but i have a manual boost controller and its cranked up pretty high when im fooling around lol ... the old TBB was starting to crack i noticed when i removed it. im not sure vasts is any different then samco ... id assume that they model after each other because it is a stock part ... let me know how you like the vast if you get it

today on my up to N Va i had a chance to visit the APR guys.. I would have to say so far I am in the middle on the upgrade. I am still unsure after a full day of driving about the upgrade. Although i would have to say i was driving fairly high speeds. I would notice the torque/power but saw around 3/4 rpm the car almost I wouldn't say slips but catches for the extra power. I don't know if this is common or if i should visit the APR guys on the way back. Aswell what type of boost controller do you have? How high can you set it ? ect.

You can't get the MBC to work with the APR there are only 2 companys who's tuning will allow you to run the MBC

VAST
GIAC
the other tuners have less agressive tunes and the car will go into limp mode

i have a giac chip
i got the MBC from vast and i put a boost gauge in and looked at stock levels and then it was pretty much trial and error from there ... i dont know what you mean about slips and then catches power?

Hey guys, i had the chance while going on vacation to get the APR chip put in my car. The car isn't agressive but still has the power :). I really like how the torque is right around the same level and the horse power is still great. I got 2 diverters aswell which are making my turbos hit amazing. I didn't go for the APR diverter because i heard they are a tiny bit shaky. I was wondering guys... What is next? KO4? What other mods can I had for that extra HP! Please help me!!




*** 320 current horsepower isn't enough!

The Vast Tip Chip won't add power, but will make it shift faster and feel faster. You can add an intake, but a drop in filter should do about the same and wont be too noticable. If you do a full exhaust you could add a few hp as well. Yes the Ko4 + Fueling will the next big step, but you need exhaust to run it.

I just bought basically the same car as Wammy, a 2000 A6 2.7T Tip, with 89K miles on it.
Problem is I live in California, and every 2 years I need to get the car smogged.
What mods can I implement to gain performance, and yet pass the darn smog test?

Tons! The sky is the limit.... For example suspension, you can lower it put sways and new shocks and get a very sporty ride, You can do the tip chip, put on a lip spoiler, wheels, hella taillights. Thoes will not even mess with the engine at all. Then you can start on the engine,you could chip it... APR or GIAC chips are most popular and will get you about 318 hp. APR lets you switch back to stock or even valet and limit the speed making the smog test easier. (I use stock when i get emissons tested so the insurance i less... :) woops.) Then you can update diverter valves, new tbb, then get a K&N filter, but keep the stock one to drop in when you get it tested. Thoes are just a few basic mods that have been talked about and beaten to death on this forum....Now that you have a basic picture search the crap out of the fourm and you'll know everying you need!

Thx Trapped! My car already has the lip spoiler from the PO.
The DVs and TBB are a given since they won't affect the smog test. I have researched the APR and GIAC chips, but the question I have is: do I NEED to modify the exhaust to benefit from the chip? CA is such a pain when it comes to EPA rules and many exhaust mods will have one fail the smog test.
Also my best option for octane here is 91 (no 93 or higher...:().

no "need" to but i put an exhaust on mine and i have the giac file and it feels a little bit healthier ... pressure is the main issue but you should be fine with stock ... the exhaust i got doesnt even sound that much louder except for when i really punch it and im up at 4000+ rpm

ORIGINAL: zippy_gg

Thx Trapped! My car already has the lip spoiler from the PO.
The DVs and TBB are a given since they won't affect the smog test. I have researched the APR and GIAC chips, but the question I have is: do I NEED to modify the exhaust to benefit from the chip? CA is such a pain when it comes to EPA rules and many exhaust mods will have one fail the smog test.
Also my best option for octane here is 91 (no 93 or higher...:().

I just got the APR chip ($599) done and i would have to say it is pretty amazing.... while using the tiptronic you can feel the old 250 HP at 3-4.5 Rpms.. and a new toy from there ;)... I would hold off on the exhaust right now and go for diverters(two = $ 250 - 320 pending on quality)!!!!... This is a big part inthe protection of the ko3's. Don't worry about the TBB for now aswell, that is a part that you watch over time.I have been asking around and you should really just get the RSko4's around3k(which support 250Hp PER TURBO!!) and exhaust (1,300)at the same time. That way you will get the perfect exhaust for the perfrect turbos. Currently i am changing some belts / intercooler and some other minor things to get that extra horse power (around $500). Hopefully within the next month i will be sitting at 350-360 HP. I am a 20 year old with a big boys toy ;) hope this helps

aswell you can request that your boost is turned up. They will have to ask APR about it :-X! I am waiting for an answer currently. Is there any other way to change the boost lvl?

first off k04s to install properly and get the 100+ hp (not near 250hp) is like 6-8 grand in parts plus 30 hours labor

when you buy that kit for 6-8 grand ull get manifoldsfuel pump injectors turbos inlet pipes etc etc ... then u need downpipes and exhaust aswell as new hoses to support the boost ... its an expensive way to go but if u got about 8 grand get it done because when youre at that level youve pretty much done everything mod-wise

Ok, first No you shouldn't have to change any exhaust features to get the benifits. I am stock w/chip and the car is great. I'm sure with traffic the way it is in CA 318 hp should be plenty...

wammy yes, you can change the turbo levels through a MBC (Manual Boost Controller) I belive it plugs into the vag-com port and they are offerd by GIAC.

thanks trapped

mbc control is hooked up through hoses and done manually in respect to you constanlty checking the boost gauge

What do I get next? With the apr chip/diverters changed I am looking for my next upgrade/mod?

TBB isnt really needed ... how much money are you looking to spend ... youve pretty much completed the most cost effective mods ... id say call vast performance in MI and ship them your TCU and they can put 1 or 3 different files on it ... its a good mod bc it will allow your trans to manage the power youve gained from the chip

intresting

Yeah the tip chip is highly recomended, I might end up making a road trip up there over the summer to get piggies and the tip chip.

yah i don't know about the piggies but the tip chip def sounds good :p I lost to an STI by half a car and beat a lexus 460 (8 cyl) :p

vast piggies are a great piece for the price... they keep the exhaust temp down and you yield results from dropped turbo temps and that will also increase teh lifespan of your turbos ... id say do either one but the tip chip will give u the neck snapping results

after those two mods ... get a samco hose kit boost gauge and a MBC

Definitely go with the PIggies even before the tip chip! It is a great mod, and proven. YOu'll get 20-30lbs tq from it and more reliability, less heat behind the turbos.
MBC won't work wioth APR chip

I just got my stg3 tip chip from VAST (See my other thread about car in the shop) installed yesterday
It is not working, gotta remove it, throwing cell, tranny stuck in 4th and lost tiptronic.. I think it is in limp mode. Some settings were too aggressive it seems for the computer
So they shipped a stg2 chip that I need to install on the TCU as a temporary solution, he is custom tunning another stage 3 chip that my computer won't reject

so many problems with these chips!

gigi i still dont have mine done yet ... its been like a month and a half

I wonder if the Agressive Stage3 just won't work with the smooth APR chip

i got my stg2 on the TCU yesterday afternoon and no more limp mode :) just some weirdness in acceleration past 5000 rpms in 3rd for example, but then goes away after a few tries... like it is learning and adapting... been talking to VAST a lot...I think Kurt has found the issue on the stage3 and they are working on the fix... Just got an email from him yesterday...
I ahve confidence they'll make it work on my car....


So jOETM, do you have the stock chip now?

wow..... I have the same 'problem' when my car goes from 3000 to 4000 rpm. You can tell that is where they added the mod. After driving for a bit it just works its self out.

I talked with APR and they said sometimes that happens.... but i was looking into the APR exhaust / intake?? Please give me your comments if you have put this on your car? Did it help horsepower? Turbos hitting? How did it sound?

I have their exhaust. Revs better in high rpms, disappointing sound, barely more than stock

Yeah, I want a quality exhaust like APR's, but its too expensive. I might just get piggies and have a shop weld up some cheap cat-back for a few 100 bucks. Does anyone actually recomend taking out the resinators or will it sound like a ricer?

ORIGINAL: formulagigi

I have their exhaust. Revs better in high rpms, disappointing sound, barely more than stock

Well... that is kinda what i was hoping for... no copsand keeps it a sleeper :)... does it have more torque high end jw?

in 1-2 weeks I will be adding:

APR - A6/allroad 2.7T APR Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust

APR - A6 2.7T APR Cat and Downpipe Replacement System

APR - Intake

This will make my 2001 a6 2.7T a stage 2+ ($4,500).....

I will keep you posted on the APR products and how everything runs with the stage 2 upgrades aswell with the stage 2 ecu upgrade :P

Are the piggies easy to install? i.e. if I can install a catback, could i just as easily install the piggies?

EDIT: Gigi, could you post a sound/video clip of the exhaust? or do you know a site that has one (couldnt find on youtube)?

Id like to hear the apr on a A6 before i make a choice as to which one I want.

there is nothing easy about the piggie install haha it is a 6-8 hour job

i have a remus cat back and it sounds pretty much like stock but when u have the car wide open u can hear it ... it was like 800 bucks or a little bit over 800 i forget

ORIGINAL: Slurm

Are the piggies easy to install? i.e. if I can install a catback, could i just as easily install the piggies?

EDIT: Gigi, could you post a sound/video clip of the exhaust? or do you know a site that has one (couldnt find on youtube)?

Id like to hear the apr on a A6 before i make a choice as to which one I want.

Sorry no sound clip, I'll see if I can make one, but with 5 kids and the job I have, free time is at a premium :)

Piggies are not easy on our cars, especially with the TIP cars, where yuo have to drop the subframe a bit. My shop charged me 3 1/2 or 4h I think but spent 6 on it I think.

It pretty much sounds like stock but looks better and revs better at high RPMs.

ORIGINAL: wammy18

in 1-2 weeks I will be adding:

APR - A6/allroad 2.7T APR Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust

APR - A6 2.7T APR Cat and Downpipe Replacement System

APR - Intake

This will make my 2001 a6 2.7T a stage 2+ ($4,500).....

I will keep you posted on the APR products and how everything runs with the stage 2 upgrades aswell with the stage 2 ecu upgrade :P




Not to shut you down or be mean, more to help you, I think that although it is great to go Stage 2+, you are spending too much $$$ on it. I only speak from experience and it is merely my opinion
1- To be stage 2+, you’ll need the chip, which is 80% of it really. It is not on your list but you may already have it.
2- The A6 APR exhaust is the one I have and at 1200$ I think it is a waste of $$, way overpriced for what it is (see below).
3- It is too quiet, I did not want a ricer as my family rides in the car and it is DD but still some sound benefit for $1200.
4- The performance gain is minimum form a catback in general. Adding the APR exhaust on my car did not add much OOMPH. Can’t really tell the difference and I don’t track so no way of telling you if I shaved a tenth ;)
5- Two, it may take weeks to get it built unless you’re lucky
6- The APR DownPipes are absolutely OUTREAGOUS in price! So are Milteks! I think they used to be $1600!!!!! Piggy pipes will yield 95% of the result ofr less than ¼ of the cost!
7- Lastly, If you mean “Air” Intake, then don’t waste your $$$, save the $250 and get another mod or put the $$ towards the install of other mods. You’ll see no gains and maybe even lose a few ponies.

So my suggestion is:
APR Chip - $600
Custom Exhaust at local shop – $300-700 maybe (VS. 1200 for the APR)
VAST Piggy Pipes $350 (Vs $1600 for APR DPs)
Skip Air Intake ($250)

Now I saved you over 2 Gs, so send me 10% J ah ah!

anyone know if Vast does installs? they are about 3 hours from me

how much needs to come apart to get the piggie placed (i honestly have no idea, havnt looked that close yet)

i understand about little free time gigi,....but MAN! 5 kids??? i stopped at 2 hehe

EDIT: forgot to mention, it IS a TIP

I'm almost certian that vast does installs. The guys at vast are great and If you call ahead and set up a time I'm sure that they will work you in. They are great. I have done a lot of searching about piggies and no one has ever said anything negative.

Haha I see why GIGI has done all the mods. He can get all the kids to their destination ASAP and he is going so fast they are quiet in the back... haha