I've finally decided on a daily driver. I'm buying an 02 A4 5spd 1.8T. How stout is the engine?

 

stout ?[&:]

 

In other words. How much horsepower can the engine take?

 

The 1.8t engine is sturdy. Use an engine oil the meets ACEA A3 or A5 to prevent sludge. Mine has 92K mi. and is running fine. Change the timing belt before 90K mi.

 

Would be wise to change the timing belt before 70K miles... that would be reflecting the general consensus on this forums anyways.

But yeah, the 1.8T can handle 300 hp easily... there are a4's out there with 400 hp, still using stock internals.

What did you have in mind, for mods?

 

The 1.8t engine is a very strong little engine. Lots of people have these engines above 250hp with no problem.

 

On a stoutness scale, I rate it about a 7/10. No one is making 900hp on stock internals, like a Supra or something, but our trannies and connecting rods aren't exploding like WRXs.

 

also the stock drivetrain, tranny, quattro, can handle 500hp.. i was told, i don't know if it's true?
any input?

 

Mean like bull.

 

Yeah, there's a guy making 434whp (550 chp) still using the stock tranny, diffs, driveshaft, and I think stock block bored out to 2.0 litres. Stout, in other words.