Hi Guys. I'm new to the forum. I've recently bought the above car and love it. When I first got it the turbo was noticible when it kicked in but now I can't really tell if it's working or not. 1st and 2nd gear pull well but are generally over too quick to tell if the turbo is working. 3rd is where it's most noticible. There doesn't seem to be the normal kick and it seems very flat when i put my foot down almost struggling to accelerate where before it would pull well right up through the revs.
This seems to have come about since I was wiring an amp in using the rear stock amp wiring and blew the radio fuse and wondered if this could have had any effect although I doubt it! Can anyone give me any ideas as to what it could be? Is there an easy way to test the turbo's output or am I just used to the way it drives now?? I was under the impression if a turbo went fully there would be tell tale signs and the car may not even drive.
Any suggestions appreciated.

 

u might have jsut gotten used to it honestly

 

a boost gauge will tell you how your turbo is performing

 

^ +1 I know it probably sounds annoying, and you get it a lot but it was a super good investment for me. I threw a VDO from 42 Draft Designs into my vent and now I dont have to worry. (and worry I did). I got used to it after a month or so, I was able to easily tell myself I couldn't feel boost, or I felt shudders that weren't there or I heard my turbine imploding. Anything bad really. Get a gauge, it'll put your mind at ease.

 

yes, phil is correct on this... you are in store for a chip tune - if you dont know what that is then you have not read the stickies on the b5 a4 forum home screen

i recommend speedtuning - they are inexpensive and offer a great tune which keeps up with giac and others $200

 

It's not really a fast car so indeed you might be used to it. You haven't been upshifting too early, have you? Measuring the boost is a good idea. No check engine light? Does the turbo make notable noise, particularly when turning the car on/off? I bought mine with a blown turbo and it drove but it made an awful racket.

 

I think you've gotten used to your car... +1 for gauge and tune. I am really happy with my boost gauge, it definitely puts your mind at ease.... I bought one from Podi, it fits like an OEM piece (some like it, some don't). Here is the link if you're interested (they have the one I bought still on sale, $76 + shipping, and they are having a 15% off everything sale) check it out :http://podi.ca/Packages.aspx?CarID=6

 

I ordered my gauge and pod from this site too. All together it was $91.00 including shipping. They are running a deal until the end of the month I think.
On my car I felt the same feeling of getting use to it and then it felt like it was lacking in power. Then I got a chip and it turned it into a new car again. I recommend the Unitronic stage 1+ chip it was $550 and worth every penny imo.

 

Your BPV could have blown which would cause the car to feel flat. Even if the turbo fails the engine is just going to run as a NA engine, its just going to make way less power then it did with the turbo.


You can try to find out if there is a local person with a Vagcom, have them log block 115 to see how much boost the turbo is making.

 

Boost gauge then chip homie! best way to go on a stock car