what is the best cam i can get with an A4(2.73). i don't plan on getting a higher stall converter(running stock). by the time i get the cam, i will have cai, headers, slp 2otl. i want something to give me a little more up top, but still be able to cruise around town without any problems. i'll probable just get a pcmforless tune.

Oh yes... money is an issue, so the cheaper the better.

 

I would suggest a HOT cam and a tune. The HOT cam has many good qualities and really like nitrous on top of it. If you do decide to get a stall make it a 2800 later. Dont go PCMFORLESS... try madwolf of madz28.com. He does an excellent job from his reputation.

 

meangreen: thanks for telling me about the tuning.

i forgot to mention that i like a choppy idle. i think that sounds bad@ss. i don't know if this makes a difference, just thought i would add on to what i said before.

 

hotcam, cc305, or one of the small XE grinds. but i'll tell you right now that i wouldn't even consider a larger cam unless i planned on getting different gears or a higher convertor.

 

I agree 100%. You're going to run into drivability problems with those 2.73s and the stock converter if you go for a cam at this point. My recommendation: either do it all at once or get the converter and gears first, then start looking at cams. You'll notice a world of difference with just gears alone, and even more with a higher stall converter. Change those two first and you'll probably be content until you have the money for a cam swap.

Regarding the "cheaper is better" comment...if you go the cheap route, you're not going to be happy. While you're in there doing the cam, replace your springs, lifters, and rockers. It's easier to do it all at once and it's good insurance too...stock lifters and springs won't hold up for long against the stock cam, much less a bigger aftermarket cam.

 

so which would be better? a higher stall or gears. or both? can a car with a higher stall still be easy to drive around town? would 3.23s be high enough for bigger cam?

 

Right now I'm running a 3000 stall and 3.42 gears in my A4. "Streetable" converter means different things to different people...sure, you won't get as many miles out of a tank with a high stall converter, but in my opinion it's more "streetable" because it doesn't grab so much when you go from a stop. With the stock converter, you can feel the car pulling if you let off the brakes just a tiny bit. With a higher stall converter, you won't feel that. I guess I'm trying to say that it seems easier (to me, anyways) to have a higher stall for everyday driving. Gas mileage may suffer a bit, but you can't have something for nothing.

I started out where you're at now...with a stock converter and 2.73s. I went to 3.42s with a 2400 stall converter (stock on the S10) and it felt sooooo much better than stock. I went to the 3000 stall because the cam I'm running requires a 3000+ stall. I believe them because you could really feel the cam surging with the 2400 stall.

Anyways...start with the gears. You don't need brand spankin' new ones...your A4 is easier on your rear end than a 6 speed would be. See if you can find a complete rear end that will just bolt on from the junkyard or one of the members here to make things easier. It's fairly easy to do it yourself and that way you don't have to worry about paying a fortune for a gear install. I bought my 3.42 rear end from a guy off of here for $250. 3.23s would be (marginally) OK, but all of the guys I know that have them want more after running them for a while. In all honesty, I wouldn't mind having 3.73s, but I'm not going to worry about that until I get around to building a 9 bolt rear, and the 3.42s are good enough for now.

Do your torque converter next...you'll definately feel the results of that too. It's better to go big the first time than to stick a low stall in there and then decide later on that you don't like it (or that you want a cam that requires a higher stall). It's going to cost you some cash...you may want to wait until your tranny craps out before you do this (trust me...it will).