So I bought my A4 like 3 weeks ago and don't get me wrong I love it and it has some get up and go but it doesn't seem to pull at all. Now the one thing I'm struggling with is finding someone who can tell me what the turbo spool SHOULD sound like and not so much what it shouldn't. Turbo was replaced about 10K ago and it sounds a little off to me. I've heard plenty of turbos spool but this one is different. Lastly when I hear the turbo start to spool at like 3500 rpm it doesn't feel like its really pulling at all....Please Help!

 

Welcome to your new addiction!
Do you have a boost gauge? If not, get one or we'll kill you. Seriously. Get one. ECS Tuning. Just get it.

We don't have the usual "vroooooom, skurrrcshhhh" sound- we have Diverter Valves which puts air back into the system. You could install a blowoff valve but it's stupid and Audi, a multibillion dollar company, thought it was stupid so you should as well.

There's a couple different ways you can check for a vacuum leak. When I purchased my A4, there was 5 of them. Tears in one of the 4,000,000 hoses in the engine bay. ECS has a kit to replace them all (I think?) but I used comparable stuff from the local hardware store without issues.

I was a bit disappointed in the speed of our car as well, so I got a chip. There's a couple big companies you can get with even more smaller guys. I went with APR, but people have different preferences.

Here's your new christmas list, let me know if you have any questions

B5 A4 New Member Guide/FAQ! Answers to the most commonly asked questions!

 

Welcome.

In my opinion "sound" is not the best way to determine turbocharger performance. Installation of a boost gauge would be a better bet as that will directly show you the turbo's performance.

EDIT: looks like swimbikerunrun beat me!

 

Another vote for a boost gauge. It will tell you a lot about the car.

Here is the most common kit used in our cars: Audi B5 A4 Quattro 1.8T Search SiteSearch Boost Gauge - VD0BGKT - Boost Gauge Kit - 52mm - ES#4673

 

I've had this Glow Shift boost gauge for 5 years and haven't had any problems:


$43 shipped

http://www.ebay.com/itm/52mm-Black-7-Color-30-PSI-Boost-Vacuum-Gauge-GS-C701-/370597031604?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56494deeb4&vxp=mtr

You'll also need a 52mm pod:

$12-$15 shipped-Here's a dash style like I have:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/52mm-Universal-Single-Gauge-Console-Dash-Pod-GS-U01D-/350605932075?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a1bdf62b&vxp=mtr


Like I said, I haven't had any problems for 5+ years with this setup, and price is right IMO

 

Then get Vag-com lol... 3rd party or real deal... it's a must have.

 

You're not going to hear our turbo spool stock. That's how you know it's working.

+100000 on boost gauge. Just make sure you get an analog gauge, not a "middle-man" gauge (as I call them).

Until then, keep wondering.

Here's what I did:





Keep us posted.

 

Haha First of all I would like to know what you mean by a middle man gauge. Digital or analog doesn't really matter all that much to me as long as it serves the purpose of showing me her boost/vacuum lol. My biggest problem with the gauge setup up is I don't want to clutter up the dash on top so the vent is the only setup the makes sense to me. $179 on ecs is a bit steep though....

 

That's why you just cut the vent yourself like all of us have done. It's not very hard I just did it 2 weeks ago. I'd get a vent from the junkyard to practice on first if you're unsure at first how to do it. The gauge I posted comes with everything you need and the reason it is so popular is because it matches the cars very very well.

 

Yes, I mean digital. There is no debating the fact that a direct connection from the gauge to the vacuum source is more accurate and more dependable than a vacuum - to digital converter - to gauge (aka digital) setup (not to knock digital gauges, but it's the truth).