What's up everyone? I'm new Audis, and new to turbos, too. I picked up my 2000 A4 1.8t QM about a month ago, and so far i installed a boost gauge. Other than that, it's red, and bone stock.

So what i am looking for, is opinions on my plans, because i've researched, but there seems to be quite a bit that goes into turbos and stuff.. I'm eager to learn, but it'll take time, trial and error.

my boost gauge spikes to 9 psi, then settles around 7psi, which from what i can tell, is normal. That makes me think my turbo(factory k03) is good to go.
So what i am thinking, is 710N diverter valve, and a test pipe from ECS tuning, until i save up money for a tune. I'll probably go with an APR stage 1 tune because there is a shop relatively close to where i am.

What i'm unsure of, can i do the test pipe and DV before i tune? or is it gonna mess something up..? i mean, i know the test pipe can throw a CEL, but it can't really damage anything, right? Any input is welcome, i'm just trying to learn.

 

Both should be fine to do prior to the tune.

You should also look into SpeedTuning which offers flashing/chipping pretty cheap.

 

Alright, thanks. I checked out SpeedTuning's website, but they're about 4 and a half hours away from me, while there is a place 20 miles east that has APR, so I'll have to see what my options are when I'm closer to being ready for the tune.

 

I'd do all the maintanance first. You don't have to have this thing modded and broken...

 

^This. When was the timing belt done last? Along with the readings from the boost gauge, I'd pull off your turbo inlet and check for oil and shaft play in the compressor housing. If all that checks out and your timing service is up-to-date, I'd say go for it.

You also want to make sure you have some emergency backup plan, be it a stash of money that you don't use for mods or an emergency credit card. Assuming this is going to be your DD, you're going to hate your life when you drop $600 on that new APR tune and a week later you frag a CV joint and have no money to fix it.

 

Timing belt, water pump, joints and all that service was done around 85k, and it now has 101k. boost spikes to 8-9 then settles around 7 psi, and i just got a 710N on it yesterday. I'll check the turbo for shaft play but everything seems to be legit and in order. Also, it came with all the service records so...

 

Good! I'd say give it hell then

 

haha okay! one quick question though...just because i'm not entirely sure, what is the best way to go about checking my turbo for shaft play... everything looks/sounds/feels good when driving, but i just never really gave that a thought, and this is my first real experience with a turbo.

 

The only issue I experienced with test pipe was increased acceleration! Also did the trick that moves the o2 sensor further out to fix the cel.