Found out why my steering was sticky after new Febi control arm kit install
Upper rears ball joint unreal stiff. bought TRW from my local worldpac and guess what- it pivots easily by hand and rotates easily with pliers. Disappointing ECS febi complete kit.

 

Alright.....here it goes....

I finally received my Stage 3 Speedtuning ECU/ECM. Now for those who don't know, Speedtuning's Stage 3 software is actually for a K04 Setup, but mine was customized for a mild K04 at about 20 boost and stock injectors vs the more aggressive 24 or whatever boost levels, also was programmed with no injectors since I'm still using standard ones. My 2001 AWM still has the stock K03 with 245K, yea I know....**** ton of miles.

I originally upgraded to the Speedtuning Stage 1 about 5 years ago with 140K I believe, yes I drive alot. The Speedtuning Stage 1 tun would spike around 20 at most, and hold around 15 in most gears, so not much different with the new K04 tune I just received, yet the power difference is night and day. Up until about 1 week ago, I only had a new OEM N75 valve, TT225 diverter valve, and test pipe with oem downpipe and muffler.

Right before I sent the ECU to Speedtuning for the Stage 3 setup, I installed a full 2.5" XS Power exhaust (sounds bad-*** IMO). The only problem I've had so far is the clutch slipping in 4th/5th gear acceleration from 3K on, only sometimes. However, this was actually happening about 2 months before the K04 tune, so I knew it was having some issues (more so with the cold weather in MN right now).....real F'n cold. The problem seemed to get much better on the occasional days when it was 30+ degrees, but I'm referring to the -30 to 10 degree stuff mostly.

The clutch I currently have was installed around 180K, and I only had a Luk OEM standard clutch put in as the replacement, so my issues are pretty much expected. I'm looking to upgrade to a Stage 2 most likely since I'm done modifying at this time, but maybe a FMIC before summer here...

Overall with the new K04 tune, the car seriously feels 110% more powerful, crazy to be honest! I didn't think the tune would be that much more impressive from the Stage 1 with performance exhaust, test pipe, and upgraded diverter valve, but damn if it isn't much much better! I can't believe how much more power it added.....now lets see how long the turbo will hold on!? Like I said, it's a mild K04 tune that was programmed for stock injectors and only 20 Boost at most, and so far that's what my gauge is showing (20-21 tops) at spike and/or brief holds in the right gear/rpm band, but in other gears/bands it's holding 15-18 or so....happy as hell right now!

 

Just hit the 180,000 miles stone! Audina is aging like fine wine as i am taking care of her, the best i can, when i can and when funds allows for it.


Here's to hoping i hit the next 190,000 miles!

 

100K last Friday. Drives great now. New Combo switch- cruise works now.
Snagged yakima racks from the previous owner.

 

my cruise control doesn't work either, what did you do to fix it?

 

Combo switch is the turn signal switch on the steering column.

 

MT is right on. I used a scanner- rosstech would work, don't recall the block#, but I verified the switch was intermittent before replacing. Another reason I wanted to have the switch working is to select the APR tune level, & I see lots of peeps headlights fail. I always drive with mine on cause it's easier for me to see the dash.

Next on my list - xemodex cluster repair, bottom seat cover.

 

Changed the thermostat since my car wasn't getting up to operating temp. Works great now.

Also not what I did but the mechanic:
Timing belt
Water pump
Oil change
4 tires

 

Finished installing all my new **** (034 silicone pcv, frankenturbo, mani, tip, air filter, ecu, etc.) still waiting on my freakin injectors because ups can't deliver anything on time

 

Figured out the PCV stuff huh?