I have a 2000 Z28 a4 with Lid(wk&n), Flowmaster and thats it. I just replaced the water pump and I know the next 2 mods are TC 3500 stall and 3.73s... but after that Im debating.

What would you do?

Intake Manifold W/ TB
UD Pulley
LT Headers
True Duals (w/ hiflowcats) Not dumped W/ Muff)
Tune
Cam (probably 224/224/114)
Suspension (springs,Tq-arm, Sub frame c)

I am more concerned about it being fun to drive rather than HP or 1/4 Time.
So what do you think??

 

IMO, if that means anything...

1) True duals
2) LT Headers
3) Intake manifold w TB
4) UD Pulley & Cam @ same time
5) Suspension
6) Tune.....

I would personally tune as I go with the mods, just so that you know where you stand with the bling you are putting into the motor.

 

I certainly hope those 3.73s are coming with a 12 bolt, or you can say goodbye to your drivetrain.

After that I would definitely spring for LT's. Just those alone and slicks will put you into the low 12s, perhaps high 11s. Make sure you get a tranny cooler with that stall; a 24k ought to do it.

You could keep your flowmaster if you want to, true duals are very overrated and expensive. However i would recommmend perhaps switching to a better flowing catback. Hooker mufflers are great with LT's with ORYs, Magnaflow is pretty good also, although a little more raspy.

After you've got your exhaust the way you want it, I would get a heads/cam package and a tune. You'll be officially fast after that.

 

If I were to do it over again, I'd skip the UD pulley and the TB. Neither did anything for me - but plenty of folks claim success. But if you choose a cam, might as well install the UD pulley while you're there if money isn't a concern...but if it isn't a concern, then put in a ported oil pump, and a new timing chain, and a 2-piece front cover, and ... it can get out of control

If you want general purpose suspension upgrades without making it real stiff or causing ground clearance issues with headers/exhaust tubing, stick with the stock springs or the 1LE springs, quality aftermarket shocks (Bilstein or Koni) and a slightly bigger front sway bar (32-35mm). If the front end pushes too much, get a slightly bigger rear bar (21-22mm) to balance it out. I prefer to make one change at a time on suspension so things are easier to isolate.

I tend to think safety equipment (brakes & suspension) should be up to par before any power upgrades are installed.

Tuning after each change is time consuming and consequently more expensive (whether it's your time or your money). That's your prerogative if you need to see what each change netted you to validate the money spent. If you have problems down the line, however, it can be more difficult to isolate any issues which arise. But money can be saved by installing everything at once and/or only tuning once and putting up with any driveability issues until then.

Unless you get heads, there's no real reason to go with more than the LS6 intake. I'd get the intake and exhaust opened up as much as you can before going into the engine. The true duals will keep the driveability (save for the dB level) whereas the cam may not.

1) Suspension (shocks and sway bar(s))
2) Intake Manifold (skip TB)
3) LT Headers
4) True Duals (w/ hiflowcats) Not dumped W/ Muff)
5) Cam (probably 224/224/114)
6) Tune
- UD Pulley (skip)

*tosses in a nickel*

 

first off i'd make it more fun....SUSPENSION

for power after that

1 headers - needed for any further mods
2 true duals - kindda part of the headers, but the FM will sufice for a little while
3 intake - but forget about a TB, unless you're just gonna port the stocker
4 cam
5 tune - as part of the cam really

 

Thanks for the opinions, keep them coming....

One question every time I see a mod Id like to do I find theres more than just the part I need to buy to complete it. like with a cam I would also get new springs,rocker, etc...and I guess I need a Install kit. you know what I mean??

 

for the cam all you will need, besides gaskets, is new springs.

you can reuse the stock pushrods, rockers, locks and retainers etc...

the thing is, while the engine is apart you may as well upgrade things like the timing chain and things like that