so i just bought a 2003 audi a4 1.8t and it was awesome fore the first couple weeks. now i need to get more power out of it. i have heard that this engine leaves the most room for improvement. i was wondering what kinds of upgrades i could make to the car to get more horsepower. i was thinking about putting an exhaust and intake system on it and getting a chip for the engine. after that thou i was wondering if mayb i could change the piston heads and injectors.
the car has 130000 miles on it so if im doing to much somebody please let me know. i dont want to put all this stuff in and then blow a header or tear up the gears or something.
im an engineer on commercial sailing vessels so im not new to tearing down engines or anything. any advice would be awesome.

 

I just picked up an '05 1.8tq, I was in the same boat, I wanted more...

I started out with a Forge diverter valve, and my car is getting a stage 1 Revo tune (currently on sale for $100 off). Only catch is the sale ends on the 31st, so you need to try and find a place that can get you in b4 then or you have to prepay and have it done with in a 2 week window. From what I was reading this tune will give you 35-50bhp, depending upon specs of your car.

This is just a suggestion from a fellow newb.

 

Test pipe or high flow cat, tune, upgraded turbo(elim doesn't need internals done) or bt/bat(full bodied needs at least rods) both need upgraded injectors and other supporting mods


If you guys are automatics don't waste the money on anything more than a tune

 

yea lol i couldnt get this car in automatic its too much fun to drive manual. thanks for the suggestions by the way. i dont know about the test pipe just cause im from new york and they are pretty strict about the environmental junk in cars. i'm definitely gonna put in a new exhaust and an upgraded turbo. would an intake give me any kind of power gains, or is it not worth the money. ive heard a cold air intake only give about an extra 5hp

 

Not worth it

 

I don't want to be a downer but with what you've mentioned I'd be concerned about reliability with 130K and a large increase in HP. I mean, it's worth asking how long ago the timing/ water pump service has been done, and what other maintenance issues have been taken care of. I'm sure you know as an engineer, once you upgrade 1 old part than another 3 normally go bad.
As a 'for instance' I bought an APR stage 1 package at 88k miles and figured out real quick that I had to get a new diverter valve, which was either on its way out already or blew out because of the extra power.
Unless you're looking for 400hp and a boatload (forgive the pun) of other items like a new clutch, diff, etc. from the get go, I'd stay away from internals and work in stages. Mine is a daily driver so I am extremely happy with just a software upgrade, K&N filter, and new spark plugs, but you may want to look at some new injectors too for a Stage 1+.
Long post but I'm bored as F at work, hope it gave some ideas.

 

I have 144,xxx on my motor upgraded my turbo at 130xxx. You will want/need a new upgraded clutch. Upgrade inner cooler. I mean you gotta be smart about it but just cause you add power doesn't mean **** will break. You should have been told by the rep you bought your tune from to get a new dv. Or searched/researched to see you were going to need it

 

very first thing I was told to get was a DV. Every single one of my VW buddies said this is a must if you have plans on adding ANY power. I went with Forge because it comes with the different springs for different boost ranges, and it was on sale from ecstuning

I am also doing things in stages, with no plans on going over a stage 2+ since I have a tiptronic and 180k miles on the clock. Luckily the turbo had been rebuilt by Audi 20k miles ago

 

ok so far ive got a diverter valve, an exhaust system, and an ecu upgrade. do any of you kno any good brands or specific models that are for the 2003 a4.

 

Of what? Turbos? Suspension? Intakes? Hair-nets? Bras? Jeans?