Project A4

[Feersty]

Good luck Scotty and way to stick with it. I know I couldn't.

[ScottyB]

since I know exactly zip about turbos, a question, As you were saying Scotty about eventualy upgrading from the KKKs to the K04s (i think those are the RS4 ones), is that a relatively swap type affair. meaning, can you just swap the turbos and i'm guessing some piping and maybe a ecu reflash and be done with it or does it involve more than that?

there are variations of the K04 with slightly different internals but yes it's essentially 1 RS4 turbo (or TT 225 turbo, but RS4's are cooler). it is a direct bolt on -- a K04 kit involves just the turbo, bigger injectors, a different fuel pressure regulator and a proper engine computer reflash (random gaskets and bolts too). it bumps power to approx. 240 hp/270lb. ft. just dumped in there. if you compliment it with a suite of nice bolt-ons you're looking at anywhere from 20 to 30 on top of that for both figures, at the crank.

i am so tempted to go with this in the future because it will be a reasonable step up in power and wrenching complexity but not too much of either. on the other hand, many people are beginning to peice together turbo systems for only a little more that put out alot more power. however if i were to go that route i'd need to source alot of stuff and do some custom work which i don't think i have the mechanical talent or know-how to deal with.

or i could just do what 90% of A4 people innevitably do, and look to the dark *biturbo* side.....no. must resist more weight and complexity....

[ScottyB]

Good luck Scotty and way to stick with it. I know I couldn't.

thanks feersty. you gotta do what shizzles your nizzle.

i better be buried with this thing.

[Dave]

on the other hand, many people are beginning to peice together turbo systems for only a little more that put out alot more power. however if i were to go that route i'd need to source alot of stuff and do some custom work which i don't think i have the mechanical talent or know-how to deal with.

This is a double edged sword. It pushes you, as an artist :-D, to be creative and develop something that may fit your perfectly; sadly, it might end up like a broken frankenstein if it doesn't go right. Furthermore, it lets you customize a setup to fit your needs precisely and at the same time, allows you to grow as a mechanic, which can really end up paying off.
On the flip side though, why mess with such a good thing. You like yours like it is, and there is an option out there that is tried and true, inexpensive, and easy. If that will satisfy you, then why risk it with something else. On top of that, it sounds like you could do the turbo upgrade, and still have some room to grow. I'd go with the "slower" route personally, and focus more on driver development ;-). Let the car grow as you do, instead of jumping two feet end and risking walking away with something that doesn't really fit you.

[REED]

since I know exactly zip about turbos, a question, As you were saying Scotty about eventualy upgrading from the KKKs to the K04s (i think those are the RS4 ones), is that a relatively swap type affair. meaning, can you just swap the turbos and i'm guessing some piping and maybe a ecu reflash and be done with it or does it involve more than that?

there are variations of the K04 with slightly different internals but yes it's essentially 1 RS4 turbo (or TT 225 turbo, but RS4's are cooler). it is a direct bolt on -- a K04 kit involves just the turbo, bigger injectors, a different fuel pressure regulator and a proper engine computer reflash (random gaskets and bolts too). it bumps power to approx. 240 hp/270lb. ft. just dumped in there. if you compliment it with a suite of nice bolt-ons you're looking at anywhere from 20 to 30 on top of that for both figures, at the crank.

i am so tempted to go with this in the future because it will be a reasonable step up in power and wrenching complexity but not too much of either. on the other hand, many people are beginning to peice together turbo systems for only a little more that put out alot more power. however if i were to go that route i'd need to source alot of stuff and do some custom work which i don't think i have the mechanical talent or know-how to deal with.

or i could just do what 90% of A4 people innevitably do, and look to the dark *biturbo* side.....no. must resist more weight and complexity....

ahhh right, i forgot all that pesky fuel mumbo jumbo

I say go with the K04, it seems like a reasonable step up in performance without all the complexity and trouble a complete swap would bring

[Jeff]

Hell, I almost bought it. Seems like it would be a pretty good turbo for the metro, but I think I'm going to hold out for the World's Cheapest T25.

How does $25 grab you? The Mitus off the van (minimal shaft play) is for sale.

[CaptainHenreh]

ROFL. I'll think about it.

[.RJ]

For $20 I'll buy it as a desk ornament

[Jeff]

For $20 I'll buy it as a desk ornament

I'll consider it... If Rex buys the nicer mitu (looking for liek $60 for it) then I'll sell the one with shaft play for $23.50...

[ScottyB]

soooo close to putting this cursed thing up in the for sale section....


mechanic finally gets around to the final steps of assembly after 1/4 of a year waiting. i was so excited to get the car wednesday i couldn't wait.

old block stripped bare, everything transferred over to new block over 1 1/2 days time.

today the mechanic goes to mate engine to tranny, finds out the crank won't match up. i was sent an engine for an automatic car.

after email and phone contact specifying a 5 speed shortblock....and the engine being returned once, they sent me a motherfucking automatic engine.

now i'm furious, my mechanic wants to know who's paying for a day and a half of laboring, and the engine retailer wants all kinds of proof that i'm not making this up. and, if i don't have the car back by easter i can rent a car for a week again since Jen will be in VA for a week. oh yeah, i'm bleeding money like a seive....

:!: :x :evil:

[CaptainHenreh]

wait.

The *CRANK* is different from automatic to manual?

W-T-F. Something is not right here.

[ScottyB]

yup. the crank is different from autos to manuals where the crank mates up with the flywheel. audis are all kinds of screwed up.

[Andy]

My god, Scotty. That is the worst case of teh suck that I've ever heard of.

[CaptainHenreh]

yup. the crank is different from autos to manuals where the crank mates up with the flywheel. audis are all kinds of screwed up.

What's different?

[Dave]

My god, Scotty. That is the worst case of teh suck that I've ever heard of.

I couldn't have said it better.

Clearly, the company that f'ed up and sent you the wrong engine is paying for the labor, b/c they screwed up BAD there. That is rediculous!

[ScottyB]

What's different?

on the flywheel end -- the auto cranks aren't machined for throw out bearings, and don't have as pronounced a register sticking out (so as to clear the converter)

[ScottyB]

also....i take it you guys agree that the engine supplier should foot the bill for the labor? i don't know who else would but i'm concerned they'll balk at my claim that they should pay as saying the mechanic should have checked the engine over first.

[BLINGMW]

oh they'll definitely balk, wiggle and squirm! Good luck, it's likely you'll have a very hard time getting them to cover the labor. Unfortunately, they may really only be obligated to pay to get you a replacement, but man that would SUCK.

Wait, I mean, it DOES suck. Sorry!

[Beej]

What's different?

on the flywheel end -- the auto cranks aren't machined for throw out bearings, and don't have as pronounced a register sticking out (so as to clear the converter)

I'll trust you mean pilot bearing?

That's fucking retarded. Even on my 318, I just had to toss a pilot bearing into my "automatic crank" when I did the tranny swap.

[CaptainHenreh]

What's different?

on the flywheel end -- the auto cranks aren't machined for throw out bearings, and don't have as pronounced a register sticking out (so as to clear the converter)

I'll trust you mean pilot bearing?

That's fucking retarded. Even on my 318, I just had to toss a pilot bearing into my "automatic crank" when I did the tranny swap.

+1 I'll need to buy a pilot bearing for the M50 and Dave had to buy one for the 240...are you sure you can't add a pilot bearing?

And did you have to give up your old motor for a core?