I just bought my A4 99 z28 Ls1 two months ago and all the mods on my signature were already on it. I dont know about the amount of hp I put out or the next mod I'm going to do. I was thinking about either dropping in some 4.10 gears or LT's. I'm not interested in a shift Kit. Or should I try a torque converter? Please help. The mod can be about $400 to $600.

 

4:10s are a little low for an auto i'd say 3:73's

lt's would be good too... converter i would say equally good if you get a good one... doesn't actually add any power... but makes a BIG difference

 

skip the 4.10s they're flat out too low for an automatic that sees street duty.


you'll see the biggest gains from the converter but only if you pair it with a set of sticky tires. it will make up to a HALF SECOND difference in your ET if you can get traction. if you don't have the tire however, the stall speed and torque multiplication from the converter will just barbecue your street radials.


the longtubes are another HUGE mod on an LS1. with an off-road y-pipe, lonngtubes will usually get you 15-25 RWHP or more and cut off anywhere from 2-5 tenths of a second.

i went through both of these upgrades. personally i picked up 6 tenths of a second from the converter (3400 stall, 2.5 STR) and a set of drag radials, as well as another 6 tenths from the longtubes and y-pipe combo.

 

You really need to think about where you want to go with your mods, what's your goal? Adding parts winds up being expensive and counterproductive at times. Once you have you goal and you develop a plan to get there, what to add when becomes more clear and the parts work together.

That said, for 400 to 600 your best bet right now is probably a set a 3.73s or 3.42s.

LTs are a good upgrade but you'll need to spend more than 400 to 600 if you want a good set with a catted Y. You will probably also want to get a tune and may wind up throwing codes which are going to take some time and money to figure out. You will want to do headers when you are ready to add a cam.

The converter will depend on which cam you get so you may want ot wait on that.

The cam will depend on what your goals are....so you see you're back to planning your mods and setting your goal.

 

Ditch the hypertech tune, good for more HP down the road, especially after headers.

 

You also have to remember about install, unless you are doing things yourself. Gears for the parts and install and perf are the way to go w/ the amount of $$. You do want the car to inhail and exhail the best it can though, no matter what the plans are for the car! Just keep that in mind, headers are part of EVERY plan for a build up(eventhough I dont have mine YET).

 

i believe coated pacesetters are going for 400 and change now. with y-pipe and installation (unless you do the work yourself of course) you WILL go over 600 bucks but the money is most DEFINITELY worth it.

i have the OLDER design ones which were supposed to have minor fitment issues (and don't in my car anyway) and i can't say enough positive things about them. the coating is very high quality, the construction is great and as i said i got over half a second out of just the headers and y-pipe.

 

If you ever drive on the freeway, you'll hate yourself for getting 4:10's.

 

A converter w/stock gears will wake your A4 up more than gears will with the stock converter.

As said before, they don't add power but do have a torque multiplication effect.

Most LS1 A4 guys I've talked to recommend getting a 3000-3500 stall. They've all droppped at least .5 sec off their ET and have had no drivability issues. Personally, I'd still get a trans cooler for added insurance(~$45).

Unfortunately, if you can't do the TC yourself, it'll probably be on the high end or over the budget you listed above. Cost is ~$500 for the TC alone.

Personally with the budget you set, I'd get some subframe connectors first. Then either work more on suspension or work to finish out the intake and exhaust mods.

Also checkout ls2.com and ls1tech.com