Hey, im planning on buying a a4 b5. i was looking though performance parts for a4's but i was only able to find them for the 1.8 liter and not the 2.8. I was wonderin why i couldnt find any parts for the 2.8 because that is what i hope to purchase because of its bigger engine. Is the 1.8 the preffered choice to mod, or am i just looking at the wrong places? I dont really plan on doing anything hardcore like getting a turbo/supercharger. Just a new ecu chip, exhaust, downpipe, suspension and maybe a body kit. Can you guys give me some tips? Thanks.

 

when it comes to the 1.8 compared to the 2.8, the 1.8 has way more available mods. this is because it is a turbo engine. the 2.8 doesnt have many mods because its not forced injection. a supercharger is really the only thing for the 2.8 if you want to see real gains. as for the 1.8 its probably one of the most modifyable euro engines on the market.

you want performance get the 1.8t

 

Thanks, im ganna try to look for a 1.8. As a matter of fact, there is a 1.8 for sale about half a mile away, i guess ill have to check that out. Is there a particular year i should get, or anything else? Are there any problems i should look for when i find a car?

What manufacturer should i get parts from? (any specific parts) (Exhaust, ecu, suspension, strut bars, downpipe)

Thanks

 

Sandman is right, the forced induction 1.8T is definitely the more moddible engine. Spend $500 to chip a 1.8T, and you'll be flying.

Now, you can still do all the mods you mentioned above with the 2.8 (chip, suspension, exhuast, etc.)...just don't expect anywhere near the same benefits when chipping a 2.8, many of us 2.8ers opt not to get a chip because it only adds a little HP, mostly just smooths out the acceleration curve and whatnot. Exhaust, suspension, body kits...you can do all that with a 2.8 as well.

I sing the praises of a 2.8 because it's more reliable. Just a smoother overall ride, but the 1.8 is definitely more fun if you want to drive it hard. The 2.8 still has a good amount of power (maybe slightly undersized for our heavy-*** cars) but it's by no means a slouch. But then again, that's what I own, so perhaps I'm biased :-) Since it's gonna be another 4 years before I have this thing paid off, I want it to last well above 150,000 miles without having to pay for blown turbos.

This thread contains a list of some common A4 problems (B5 = 1996-2001 A4 models) http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...threadid=40427

This site shows some of the various changes from year to year across the B5 platform: http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/a4/diff/diff.html

The purists will advise you to get a 1999.5. This model has the upgraded body options, but the engine is still drive-by-cable instead of drive-by-wire (2000 and 20001 are DBW)...you can search around to get more info on this, but basically DBC is more responsive and easier to mod.

Last bit of advice...if you're buying any Audi with more than 70,000 miles, make sure to ask about the timing belt. They are notorious for breaking and need to be replaced every 60-70K miles (you can wait until about 90K miles for an '01). It's a somewhat expensive part to replace, but if it breaks on you, you're looking at major engine damage (several thousand dollars).

Hope that helps...Good luck!

 

+1 totally agree with Jazz, but I'm N/A biased anyways.

 

I drove a 98 Passat with the 1.8 before I bought my A4. I'm not into upgrading engines right now, and probably won't be. Stock for stock, the 2.8 is the winner, but just a little money spent on the 1.8 and you'll blow the doors off a 2.8.

The 1.8 gets good fuel mileage. I have observed 24 or so with my A4 in the short time I've had it.

So, if you want to upgrade the car, go with a 1.8, if not get a 2.8

 

all good opinons, wont bother putting in my two cents because it would just be the same as the last few.. just trying to be a post *****.. buy a 1.8t mod the heck out of it..

 

Wow...you guys really know ur stuff. Thanks for the advice. last question, will have i have to keep an eye the turbo for the 1.8 to make sure it is working well.

 

what year are looking at?

 

Same as above get the 1.8 to mod. However be prepared to do some wrenching the 1.8 has more moving parts hence more likely for something (the turbo) to break. These snails are notorious for boost leaks and with very high mileage they break, eventually.