Is the knocking something I would be able to feel? Not sure if this has anything to do with that, but every once in a while when I'm using the tiptronic, my car will start jerking for a few seconds when i get close to 7000 rpms before I switch gears (or before it forces me to). This only happens when going from 1st to 2nd though. Is that bad?

 

knocking should just be something you hear in the engine, like a ticking or metallic pinging noise.

if the car is jerking, are you hitting the rev limiter? are you getting out of the power range for first gear?

 

Knocking on these cars would most likely only be heard by the knock sensor, not your ears. It only takes a little knock with cheaper gas to pull lots of power. The pull would be linear so might even knotice you have 20 hp less than you should.

Always run premiunm gas and only run 93 if you have a 93 program etc...

Again the Ebay test pipe with a stage 2 tune will be your best money spent or a high flow Cat if emmitions are big near you. That Miltek will only sound pretty and not help you go faster.

 

I filled up on premium a few days ago and surprisingly can feel a difference in the power, I dont know if this is just in my mind but it definitely seems different.

This weekend I'm checking out a Milltek exhaust for sale in my area for $700 with only 1000 miles on it, which seems to be a great deal. I also want to get a high flow cat as you mentioned, but will I be able to pass smog with one? I live in Ca and emissions are pretty strict.

 

It depends on the cat. If it triggers the CEL for the O2 sensor, you will fail unless you get a tune that masks it (e.g., APR stage 2).

 

Ive been looking at the 034 hfc, but until I get stage 2 a new 02 sensor will do the job right?

 

yeah right, kid.

 

Only the stage 2 tune will prevent the engine light. I would suggest you call APR and ask them what they recommend for california emmitions. They are happy to answer questions.

I still say that Miltek money is better spent elsewhere but your call. Enjoy.

 

I think if his car had a timing pull from cheap gas, he could have gotton back to normal specs. Probably not a huge gain by any means. Always run PREMIUM on a turbo car.