The timing is different at cold start than when the car is warm. This is to run the car in such a way that it gets to temperature as soon as possible with the lowest possible emissions. As a result, the torque curve does end up shifted down and the car feels faster. Rest assured, it's not making more power, it's just producing it at a different RPM.

The cotton gauze filter CAN smoke the maf if it's overoiled. It's worth getting it for two reasons - one, it does sound better. Two, you'll never buy another air filter. Just wash it before install, dry it, and lightly reoil it. You'll be fine.

Impulse - yours must be a borderline car. The double din is a facelift feature. Yours somehow didn't get it.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, I was really curious as to how the car actually produces more power when cold

 

i also just got myself a 98 A4 1.8T Fwd...some interiors pieces needs to be replaced so off to ebay

 

99.5 is a half face lift. It has the single din with the Facelift everything else.

Chipping a 2.8 will yield little benefits but still kinda worth it.

A K&N will sound great and you will feel the engine breath a little better at high RPM's but power wise it's not really an upgrade. I have one with a heat shield and it was worth the $30 I spent to do it but that's it.

Want power? Get a supercharger, then you have 290hp. www.pes-tuning.com Want more power? Sell the car.

 

2.8's aren't so good for modding for more power, but they look damn sexy with 18" wheels, lowered, and with painted lowers. Wish I had the window trim....