Okay so I've been around the forums for about a year and a half and I've had my car as long. So far the only mod I've done is to get new wheels. (17" OZ Records).

FINALLY however my car has had all the service done and is in good working order (new clutch soon though but that's covered financially). So I'm ready to start modding.

I think I want to exhaust first just because it seems like of all the things that's one of the easiest and right now I can't afford to be without my car for more than a day or so (if I chipped it'd be a few days). I'm thinking the borla catback, I've heard sound clips and testaments but can anyone more specifically describe both the sound and power differences I'll feel? How easy is the Borla to do? Can I do it with a jack and some tools?

I'm also gonna do a short shifter and metal pedals as seen here: http://www.awetuning.com/pages/share...m&PPT=Interior

those seem pretty straightforward any comments? Any reason not to go with those? Is there better available for a similar price?

Next after those is the chip: I'm thinking GIAC because it seems to be teh better option if you want to go BT later down the road? Am I right? Can someone explain to me what I'd need if I wanted to put the chip in to get the 93 octane HP boost program and the stock program? Does that mean I need to by one chip, two programs, and a controller thing?

Next is the suspension? A lot of people talk about coilovers? Are they that much better? It seems like coilovers can be had for around $1000 and most shock/spring sets are $700-800 and from what I understand the coilovers are worth the extra few hundred dollars is this true? Can someone bottom line the differences?

How's this list looking? Is there anything you'd recommend doing before or in addition to any of the listed mods? Thanks and I'm sorry I didn't use the search function to gather all this info, for some reason the search bogs down my computer and the website times out.

Oh before I forget I have a 2001 manual 1.8t w/ sport and quattro.

Once I do these basic mods for some go I want to do some body/exterior mods! Both my front and rear bumpers are beat up (just got rear ended and the car came with some front end scars) I was thinking an RS4 front and rear and then painting the lowers on the sides will that work? Can someone point me in the right directior the best place to get those (good quality that won't crack). I seem to remember the name Reiger popping up....


Thanks!!!!!!

 

Youre on point for the first mods, good choices!

We cant describe the sound better than a soundclip, and the gains can be felt in the form of better throttle response and you'll growl through the rpm's, making you feel like you are going faster. Pretty easy to do, much easier to put in the borla than take out the stock, but you should be able to do it. ARe you getting a downpipe with it as well?

Nice pedals.

You've read enough on the chip to know the basics. GIAC does offer discounted upgrades for life. One chip, either soldered or flashed, 2 programs.

Coilovers are the way to go, adjustable is always better!

Reiger RS4 kit is nice.

 

Thanks for the help and pardon my ignorance but what's a down pipe?

 

bro those pedals are a bitch to put in. i put mine in like a few weeks ago. it took me all day and they say it takjes 1 hour. make sure u have a dremel with the drill on the wire or else you will have to take out your whole lower dash. just wanted tto let u know

 

the down pipe is the pipe that goes from the end of the dat or test pipe to the start of where most exhausts start

 

modding isnt a game

 

haha what? i hope there was supposed to be some humor in that...

 

So do I have to get a downpipe or is it just one more added mod? Can someone explain it more?

 

modding is life, kid....

 

I am new to the forum and have been trying to get a good idea of all implications surrounding chipping the engine by reading tons of threads. Can someone please explain the above quote to me? Why would chipping a car take it out of commission for a few days? I apologize for my ignorance on the subject but this is the first post I've read with such a comment. Thanks