Hello board members! I've just sold my 99 Trans Am Firehawk (350hp/375lb) that my GF was driving mostly (I have an 06 dodge charger that my work bought me). She needs something that gets a bit better gas mileage, and is nicer to drive, and has a back seat as she drives clients around sometimes.

We where looking at either the 330i or and A4. I'm just about dead set on the A4 though.

Anyway, I have a few questions, and though I've owned hot rods in the past, I'm not much of a nut turner, so if you could add links to parts or suggestions that would be great (or use laymen terms as well).

So we are are looking at getting an 02-03. We are almost sure we want AWD (we live in Seattle) and I think that limits me to a 3.0? However, we could go for an 01 or whatever to get an AWD with a 1.8 if thats the better way to go for the type of driving we would concider that. We also want an Auto and from the sounds of it, the trip trans is the way to go for that? As much as we would like a manual, there's just too much stop and go here in Seattle for it as a daily driver (20 - 60 miles a day).

As far as the moter goes, we dont want to put to much into it, but coming from my Hawk, and my motorcycles, when I drive the car I dont want to be tapping on the stearing wheel waiting for something to happen. However, as a daily driver for Kim, she would rather have a smooth motor that works well in the mid range, but can get out of its own way if needed. The 1.8 sounds a bit to punchy for what we want, but it also seams like most of you get the 1.8 and get some great numbers out of them. Can you get the same proformence from a 3.0 with the same or less money put into the motor? It seams like the 3.0 will be a fuller range/smoother motor as aposed to the more on/off 1.8?

If we do go with the 3.0, what basic mods would you throw on it to give it a bit more punch, but still keep reliablity, and the daily driver status for around 1 - 1.5k, installed (or very easy even for an oil changer like myself).

Of course if I ever get the car (once Kim is done with it and it becomes a toy) I'd probably slap one of those superchargers on it... but thats along way down the road.

So, to sum this up:

Does the 02/03 3.0 Quat Trip fit my needs?
What basic mods would you do to the 3.0 to give it a bit more punch for around 1 -1.5k?
Can the 3.0 be modded just as easy/cost as a 1.8 and get the same if not better proformence?
I see most people have a 1.8 over a 3.0, why is this? (the awnser to the above might awnser this one)

In the motorcycle world that I come from (6 bikes in the last 4 years), there's no replacement for displacement, but when it comes to the Audi's, it might not be the same.

Thank you guys in advance, this seams like a very active and knowlagable group. I look foward to joining the ranks.

Ryan "Ghost Rider"
www.curveseekers.com

 

Only you can really decide whats best for ya man but sounds like its pretty good for ya, the 3.0 is not as easy to modd as the 1.8 and you will see alot more gains from the 1.8 .... theres not too much you can do to the 3.0 about the best thinkg is a SC and thats like 4g's i think i dont know for sure

 

If you want smooth, get the 3.0... it is an awesome motor to just drive it, and enjoy it. It isn't blisteringly fast though, by any means.
Tip transmissions are sort of crap, in my opinion... you WILL tap the steering wheel, and you WILL wait for something to happen. Almost a full second before it shifts. You can however get a GIAC "tip chip" which reduces the shift times to 0.2 seconds. It's almost 5 times faster.

 

very silly request, is a 1.8t cheaper to run than 3.0, go for a Mercedes mate its designed to impress (showmanship) not a drivers cars

 

I searched GIAC site, and I dont see a chip for the 3.0 or for the trip trans. I'm I missing something? Also, do you mean to say that a stock 1.8 is just as fast as a stock 3.0? Or that becuse you can mod the 1.8 with more its a better motor to get for speed/punch?

BadLuckAudi - Is there a differnt auto trans that is better (iyo) then the trip? I know manual would be best, but it just doesnt make sence for us as a daily driver. I hope there is a chip that makes the trip trans work better.

Avant80... I'm not even sure what your talking about. However, I'd assume a stock 1.8 gets better milage then a 3.0, but produces a few more service calls overall becuse of the turbo. PM's are probably about the same as well, but I really have no idea.

 

I have a 3.0 because - stock and under warranty, it is faster then the 1.8. I would rather have my warranty and not worry about any performance mods. I would suggest driving both to get an idea for yourself between the engines, I can tell a big difference between stock 1.8 and 3.0, however, I have never driven a modded 1.8.

 

A chipped 1.8T will nearly catch up to the 3.0 in terms of hp... Just a chip, that's it!
B6's though, you can go Stage 1+, which is a chip, and injectors... and by then I think you'd definately be faster than the heavier 3.0.

 

sounds like the 3.0 is the car you want. you'll have to call giac to get a quote for the tip chip, for some reason they don't list it on their website..the ecu chip is something like 400 bucks and will get you minimal gains (~10hp), so it's not really worth it...the tip chip is definitely worth it though, imo...the 1.8 is easier and cheaper to mod, but if you can afford the s/c i'd go that route. and since you don't plan on modding it any time soon, i'd get the 3.0

 

Thanks for all the posts guys!! So it sounds like I'm on the right track with the 3.0. I was hoping there was a bit more that could be done other then the $5k S/C. Whats involved with installing the Trip Chip? Is there an efective pipe and airbox mod avalible for the 3.0?

Thanks again for all the input guys!

 

Curve, did you get my PM?