A few ramblings about APR's stage III. (Long).
01-31-2005, 08:41 AM
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A few ramblings about APR's stage III. (Long).
Since I have not yet made it to a dyno, I thought I would post some seat of the pants impressions of the 01' APR stage III and how I got to this point.
Back in early 03' I got the stage III bug. I wanted it to "finish" the modification process of my A4. However due to software and DBW issues, I felt it better to wait until everything was well sorted out before traveling a path littered with uncertainty. Then, in March of 04' I made my way to the APR BBQ. As much fun as I had, the experience had become a trial of my ever troubled nerves. All of a sudden there were talks of the stage III+ kit, which would render purchasing the stage III kit a poor financial decision.
Weeks and months go by, and I was tired of sitting on the proverbial "Do I buy the stage III, wait for stage III+ or just get a new car" fence. The routine was getting old, the "two weeks" timeframe was getting old, and the new offerings from Japan were beginning to take hold of my vehicular obsessions. At this point I decided, to get an Evo. It just seemed like a better idea at the time for a multitude of reasons not worth rehashing again. But as time marched on, lack of decent Midwest availability became an issue, and poorly managed warranty issues by Mitsubishi flared up, I decided to leave well enough alone and find something else to do with my time.
Well I can say that lasted for all of two minutes my friends, because here I am, back into the fray with my spanking new stage III kit. And I'll just say that without a doubt I made the right decision. As much as I love the Evo and the STi, I cannot find peace with the decision to purchase one. Would both of those cars dispatch my A4 with extreme prejudice? Yes. Does it matter to me? No, not really, because what has mattered the most to me along the path I chose was the good people I met here on Audiworld, and the newly found pleasure I have in my daily commute in the rat race.
Now onto the point.
Here is a basic list of the modifications that are relevant to this discussion:
APR stage III
APR exhaust
APR Snub
Febi 2.8 / S4 motor mounts
SPP Z Flow intercooler
N75 J
My first impression was that of the install. It was tidy and directly to the point. I was greeted by an amalgamation of impressive quality-built components hidden beneath the surface of an unassuming little motor. I closed up the hood and started the car. It was idling a bit more aggressively. "That works" I remember saying to myself. I eased onto the road and putted along until the temps came up. On my three mile drive back to the highway I simply cruised along trying to get a read on the drivability. Turned out everything was status quo off boost. "That works" I said to myself again, turning onto the onramp to the highway. Then I got into the boost. The second to third up shift came with the welcoming supply of what? That's right, more boost. Forth gear came up and yes, I do believe that's called even more boost. Everything is smooth in this car. Everything is effortless. What you imagine it to be, it is. What you can't get your mind around until you drive one is the significant supply of power all the way to the rev limiter. It's definatly intoxicating the first time you drive it. Watching the road unravel at a faster pace than necessary has always been fun. The next step for me is weight reduction, as I've recently acquired a new company car, and "practicality" is no longer a keyword with this car. This is getting really long, So, I'll just post the dyno info when I get it done. If you are on the fence here, just do it.
Back in early 03' I got the stage III bug. I wanted it to "finish" the modification process of my A4. However due to software and DBW issues, I felt it better to wait until everything was well sorted out before traveling a path littered with uncertainty. Then, in March of 04' I made my way to the APR BBQ. As much fun as I had, the experience had become a trial of my ever troubled nerves. All of a sudden there were talks of the stage III+ kit, which would render purchasing the stage III kit a poor financial decision.
Weeks and months go by, and I was tired of sitting on the proverbial "Do I buy the stage III, wait for stage III+ or just get a new car" fence. The routine was getting old, the "two weeks" timeframe was getting old, and the new offerings from Japan were beginning to take hold of my vehicular obsessions. At this point I decided, to get an Evo. It just seemed like a better idea at the time for a multitude of reasons not worth rehashing again. But as time marched on, lack of decent Midwest availability became an issue, and poorly managed warranty issues by Mitsubishi flared up, I decided to leave well enough alone and find something else to do with my time.
Well I can say that lasted for all of two minutes my friends, because here I am, back into the fray with my spanking new stage III kit. And I'll just say that without a doubt I made the right decision. As much as I love the Evo and the STi, I cannot find peace with the decision to purchase one. Would both of those cars dispatch my A4 with extreme prejudice? Yes. Does it matter to me? No, not really, because what has mattered the most to me along the path I chose was the good people I met here on Audiworld, and the newly found pleasure I have in my daily commute in the rat race.
Now onto the point.
Here is a basic list of the modifications that are relevant to this discussion:
APR stage III
APR exhaust
APR Snub
Febi 2.8 / S4 motor mounts
SPP Z Flow intercooler
N75 J
My first impression was that of the install. It was tidy and directly to the point. I was greeted by an amalgamation of impressive quality-built components hidden beneath the surface of an unassuming little motor. I closed up the hood and started the car. It was idling a bit more aggressively. "That works" I remember saying to myself. I eased onto the road and putted along until the temps came up. On my three mile drive back to the highway I simply cruised along trying to get a read on the drivability. Turned out everything was status quo off boost. "That works" I said to myself again, turning onto the onramp to the highway. Then I got into the boost. The second to third up shift came with the welcoming supply of what? That's right, more boost. Forth gear came up and yes, I do believe that's called even more boost. Everything is smooth in this car. Everything is effortless. What you imagine it to be, it is. What you can't get your mind around until you drive one is the significant supply of power all the way to the rev limiter. It's definatly intoxicating the first time you drive it. Watching the road unravel at a faster pace than necessary has always been fun. The next step for me is weight reduction, as I've recently acquired a new company car, and "practicality" is no longer a keyword with this car. This is getting really long, So, I'll just post the dyno info when I get it done. If you are on the fence here, just do it.
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01-31-2005, 09:38 AM
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sure...
i'll be going back to NJ and get my digicam back from my bro. Then I'll take some pics.
You want the EBC location? wiring? LMK.
I have the EBC taped vertically on the side with double sided tape from radio shack.
You want the EBC location? wiring? LMK.
I have the EBC taped vertically on the side with double sided tape from radio shack.
01-31-2005, 10:13 AM
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hmm...i got the thick heavy duty tape...
<center><img src="http://images8.fotki.com/v156/photos/1/191182/702788/ebc-vi.jpg"></center><p>and now i can't even take it off! =)
this was my old setup, the new setup is in red.
this was my old setup, the new setup is in red.