Full review of the MTM Stage III kit from Hoppen (rediculously long)...
02-23-2004, 04:28 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Full review of the MTM Stage III kit from Hoppen (rediculously long)...
Here is the promised write-up of the MTM Stage III kit for our B6 automobiles. First, please allow a small bit of background on Joe Hoppen Motorsport and their family. Joe Hoppen has worked with Audi since the 1960s. He was the special vehicle's manager for Audi in Europe during the winning of LeMans. If you are lucky enough to find an original "Lord of the Rings" print, you will find Joe Hoppens autograph on it next to the driver and other important folks. It appears to be luck that Joe Hoppen decided Sarasota, Florida as his retirement spot (as I live only an hour away). It is in Sarasota that Joe Hoppen, along with his son's Mike and Ken started up Hoppen Motorsports, the only authorized US importer of MTM equipment. MTM has close ties with Audi and is responsible for numerous racing titles including the One Lap of America and the SCCA World Challenge. All MTM products must pass rigorous testing in Europe before they are placed on civilian vehicles. They are TUV certified. Oh, and they're really really expensive, but more on that later.
I arrived at the approved installer for Joe Hoppen Motorsport at 8am on Monday, February 16th. Panache True Performance is run by Dave and Chris. Dave does the shop work along with three of his mechanics. They have worked with MTM for several years, but just recently purchased their own tuning shop. Dave began disassemble of the bumper and turbo area immediately. I was appreciative that they allowed me minor participation in the project without even charging me extra for helping. I'm sure I was annoying to both of them, but thanks to their help I am more confident in attacking major work to the Audi. With the bumper off, the airbox, exhaust manifold, and old turbo were removed (along with a bunch of the associated turbo, oil, coolant, and vacuum hoses).
Next, the K03 fittings were swapped onto the new K04 turbo and the new turbo and new ported manifold were installed in place of the old. There is a new downpipe that is included with this kit that replaces the catalytic converter and the old exhaust downpipe. The new downpipe includes a sport catalytic converter that is routed under the car. This does several things. It removes the backpressure away from the turbo and it allows the turbo to run slightly cooler. As the installation was proceeding, Mike Hoppen and the lovely Hoppen office manager, Ashley arrived to pick up my ECU and take it back to their office for the software upgrade. Mike is able to perform software upgrades and injector installs at his own shop. Since my car was already equipped with the upgraded injectors (MTM Stage II setup), we skipped that step. Total install for the MTM Stage III kit is quoted to be seven hours.
While at Panache, Dave installed my second intercooler and H-Sport swaybars. The second intercooler is not included in the kit and MTM does not necessarily recommend it. I, however, thought it was a swell idea and went ahead and had it installed. The H-Sport swaybars are substantial units. They measure 35mm front and 22mm in the rear. No welding is required in order to properly install.
With all these goodies installed, it was time for a test drive. I must admit that prior to having the kit installed I was trying to be realistic about what to expect from the kit. I have always been pleased with MTM products and knew there would be no problems with the software, but I was also aware that a K04 turbo is not going to produce staggering horsepower over a car that is already chipped by one of the industries best chips and tuners. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Stage III kit produced gains in horsepower that were immediately apparent to my a$$ in the seat of the car. The a$$ test has always been my true test of power. It usually takes a bump in at least 20 horsepower to notice it by driving alone. The car now revs even quicker to redline (now at 7100rpm) and has considerable pull to 6500rpm. The car pulls through first gear like lightening, and second gear goes by almost as quick. You can hit 60mph in second gear, thus keeping the revs nice and high for a fun time with third gear as well. The power delivery is extremely linear with a small feel of boost onset at around 3400rpms. MTM reports that peak torque occurs at 3200rpm. This is an improvement over their stage II, which must wait until 3600rpms before truly getting it on. Here's the numbers...250hp and 255lb/ft or torque. Those of you who are familiar with MTM are also familiar with how conservative they are with their numbers. There is no question in my mind that these numbers represent the base Stage III kit on the hottest of days and on the worst of its runs. As Mike Hoppen said the first time I met him, "MTM would never want some one to find out their kit isn't making the advertised numbers...so they don't let it happen".
Now, for the drawback; pricing for the Stage III kit is $6500. The kit includes the MTM software, injectors, exhaust, and sport cat/downpipe. The kit will only be sold as a complete kit and the reasoning is somewhat understandable. MTM does not want to have their kits fail on a customer and, therefore, they do not want their kits mismatched with performance parts from other manufacturers/tuners. I would recommend this kit without reservation to the high end buyer who has to have the best for their car. As always, an immense thanks to the Hoppen family (Joe, Mike, and Ken), Ashley, and Dave (of Panache True Performance) for a job well done. Cheers! Mike
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/k03k04comparo.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/stg3downpipe-1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/portedmanifold-3.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/frontnobump-1.jpg">
I arrived at the approved installer for Joe Hoppen Motorsport at 8am on Monday, February 16th. Panache True Performance is run by Dave and Chris. Dave does the shop work along with three of his mechanics. They have worked with MTM for several years, but just recently purchased their own tuning shop. Dave began disassemble of the bumper and turbo area immediately. I was appreciative that they allowed me minor participation in the project without even charging me extra for helping. I'm sure I was annoying to both of them, but thanks to their help I am more confident in attacking major work to the Audi. With the bumper off, the airbox, exhaust manifold, and old turbo were removed (along with a bunch of the associated turbo, oil, coolant, and vacuum hoses).
Next, the K03 fittings were swapped onto the new K04 turbo and the new turbo and new ported manifold were installed in place of the old. There is a new downpipe that is included with this kit that replaces the catalytic converter and the old exhaust downpipe. The new downpipe includes a sport catalytic converter that is routed under the car. This does several things. It removes the backpressure away from the turbo and it allows the turbo to run slightly cooler. As the installation was proceeding, Mike Hoppen and the lovely Hoppen office manager, Ashley arrived to pick up my ECU and take it back to their office for the software upgrade. Mike is able to perform software upgrades and injector installs at his own shop. Since my car was already equipped with the upgraded injectors (MTM Stage II setup), we skipped that step. Total install for the MTM Stage III kit is quoted to be seven hours.
While at Panache, Dave installed my second intercooler and H-Sport swaybars. The second intercooler is not included in the kit and MTM does not necessarily recommend it. I, however, thought it was a swell idea and went ahead and had it installed. The H-Sport swaybars are substantial units. They measure 35mm front and 22mm in the rear. No welding is required in order to properly install.
With all these goodies installed, it was time for a test drive. I must admit that prior to having the kit installed I was trying to be realistic about what to expect from the kit. I have always been pleased with MTM products and knew there would be no problems with the software, but I was also aware that a K04 turbo is not going to produce staggering horsepower over a car that is already chipped by one of the industries best chips and tuners. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Stage III kit produced gains in horsepower that were immediately apparent to my a$$ in the seat of the car. The a$$ test has always been my true test of power. It usually takes a bump in at least 20 horsepower to notice it by driving alone. The car now revs even quicker to redline (now at 7100rpm) and has considerable pull to 6500rpm. The car pulls through first gear like lightening, and second gear goes by almost as quick. You can hit 60mph in second gear, thus keeping the revs nice and high for a fun time with third gear as well. The power delivery is extremely linear with a small feel of boost onset at around 3400rpms. MTM reports that peak torque occurs at 3200rpm. This is an improvement over their stage II, which must wait until 3600rpms before truly getting it on. Here's the numbers...250hp and 255lb/ft or torque. Those of you who are familiar with MTM are also familiar with how conservative they are with their numbers. There is no question in my mind that these numbers represent the base Stage III kit on the hottest of days and on the worst of its runs. As Mike Hoppen said the first time I met him, "MTM would never want some one to find out their kit isn't making the advertised numbers...so they don't let it happen".
Now, for the drawback; pricing for the Stage III kit is $6500. The kit includes the MTM software, injectors, exhaust, and sport cat/downpipe. The kit will only be sold as a complete kit and the reasoning is somewhat understandable. MTM does not want to have their kits fail on a customer and, therefore, they do not want their kits mismatched with performance parts from other manufacturers/tuners. I would recommend this kit without reservation to the high end buyer who has to have the best for their car. As always, an immense thanks to the Hoppen family (Joe, Mike, and Ken), Ashley, and Dave (of Panache True Performance) for a job well done. Cheers! Mike
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/k03k04comparo.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/stg3downpipe-1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/portedmanifold-3.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57072/frontnobump-1.jpg">
02-23-2004, 04:35 PM
#3
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A few questions...
Since I already have Stage 2 what is the upgrade price? Who quoted you the Hp and torque numbers, MTM or Mike? Did you see the MTM dyno plot for this Stage 3 kit?
Thanks.
Thanks.
02-23-2004, 04:36 PM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
I'm all pissed off I live so close to work now :)
I find myself getting in the car and driving it up the street only to turn around after realizing I have nowhere in particular to be 
02-23-2004, 04:43 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
A few answers...
Numbers are quoted direct from MTM through the Hoppen family. They receive their info from MTM, Europe. I havent seen a dyno plot yet. The upgrade price would be $2900 over the MTM Stage II.
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02-23-2004, 05:08 PM
#9
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1/2 that cost is the entire exhaust system :o)
The kit is expensive, but considering how much of that is the exhaust, it's not too bad. And the numbers are pretty respectable. I still want a bigger turbo upgrade though.