I need advice
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5
I need advice
I have a 1999 Audi A4 1.8T with 151k miles excellent running condtion is it even worth upgrading to a K04 Turbo and chip it with GIAC flashloader? or should i just leave the car stock lower it and put some racing rims on it
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,973
From: Costa Mesa, SoCal
In general is your car worth an upgraded turbo? Yes, IMO.
But you'll want to make sure your engine is ready for it, and you're up on maintenance. Little problems like worn wheel bearings, driveshafts, etc. can creep up when you increase your engine's power output.
For starters I'd suggest you check your compression. My car with ~138,000 miles had 165-171 psi compression across all 4 cylinders (factory spec is ~180 psi). Audi specs something like 140-145 psi as the low end, I think, but if you're lower than 155 psi I don't think you should consider upgrading the turbo without first doing an engine rebuild.
Things like O2 sensors, spark plugs, coil packs (if necessary), timing belt/tensioner/waterpump, air filter, etc. should all be reasonably new as well to ensure the car is worth the effort.
As for whether or not a K04 is worth it; that's a decision you'll have to make. I personally don't think it is, because at best you'll be seeing ~210whp. And that power level is after upgrading your entire exhaust, exhaust manifold, intercooler, ECU, injectors, FPR, etc. Not a big enough power gain for that kind of money IMO.
I opted for the FrankenTurbo kit, and after I get an appropriate tune (ECU is on the way), I'm expecting ~240whp for a similar amount of money as would be spent on a K04 upgrade. Keep in mind I upgraded all the things listed in the previous paragraph, and when all is said and done it's a good chunk of money spent.
One last choice: if your K03 is failing and you simply need to replace, by all means go for the K04. You can spend a limited amount of money on a lesser aggressive K04 tune (like GIAC's 5bar K04 tune) and run pretty much all stock components. You won't gain a huge amount of power over a K03 "chipped" tune, though.
But you'll want to make sure your engine is ready for it, and you're up on maintenance. Little problems like worn wheel bearings, driveshafts, etc. can creep up when you increase your engine's power output.
For starters I'd suggest you check your compression. My car with ~138,000 miles had 165-171 psi compression across all 4 cylinders (factory spec is ~180 psi). Audi specs something like 140-145 psi as the low end, I think, but if you're lower than 155 psi I don't think you should consider upgrading the turbo without first doing an engine rebuild.
Things like O2 sensors, spark plugs, coil packs (if necessary), timing belt/tensioner/waterpump, air filter, etc. should all be reasonably new as well to ensure the car is worth the effort.
As for whether or not a K04 is worth it; that's a decision you'll have to make. I personally don't think it is, because at best you'll be seeing ~210whp. And that power level is after upgrading your entire exhaust, exhaust manifold, intercooler, ECU, injectors, FPR, etc. Not a big enough power gain for that kind of money IMO.
I opted for the FrankenTurbo kit, and after I get an appropriate tune (ECU is on the way), I'm expecting ~240whp for a similar amount of money as would be spent on a K04 upgrade. Keep in mind I upgraded all the things listed in the previous paragraph, and when all is said and done it's a good chunk of money spent.
One last choice: if your K03 is failing and you simply need to replace, by all means go for the K04. You can spend a limited amount of money on a lesser aggressive K04 tune (like GIAC's 5bar K04 tune) and run pretty much all stock components. You won't gain a huge amount of power over a K03 "chipped" tune, though.
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