I just bought a 2002 Audi A6 with the v8 4.2 engine in it. It has just over 75,000 miles on it. I already love this car and I have started thinking about mods I could do to it. It doesn't accelerate that fast for the first 20 yards or so, but then it takes off. I was thinking about a chip, but I was not sure what affect that would have on performance. If I get a chip I want one that will improve performance without jeopardizing the longevity of the car. Any suggestions?

 

0-60 in your vehicle should be about 6.2 seconds, which is not bad at all.

If you are looking for performance issues, what is the service history of the vehicle?

1) Wires and Plugs, last time done? Replacing can free up lost power
2) Gas - only use 91 Octane, self explanatory if you know the engine - enough has been covered on this site to say why you don't use less
3) Go and pay a audi dealer $30 and get the vag codes pulled.

Codes will give you an idea what you might have to fix.

cover the basics first then you can look at perforamance stuff later

 

A tune will not give you a whole lot for a NA car. If you really want the big bang, then PES supercharger will do you good. It is not cheap.

 

There are a few things worth checking if the car is not accelerating as it should. One item is a problem with a number of 4.2 cars and was a problem with mine…..The intake manifold has two flaps internally which change air flow through the plenum for different RPM ranges. These flaps are controlled by two vacuum diaphragms at the front of the intake manifold. The flaps can over time seize. Remove the plastic cover over the intake manifold and check a couple of things. First are the plastic arms that connect the diaphragms to the arms intact? They do break. Gruven parts have billet replacements for $75. Second when you start the car do the diaphragms move the arms? As you rev the engine the diaphragms should relax and contract alternately. One or both may be seized. If they are seized let me know and I can give you your options and resources I have found and used.
Be careful on what upgrades you consider as the weak link is not the engine itself, rather the transmission.
Cheers!