[orionredwing]

My gf recently picked up a very nice looking used 2002 Audi TT 225HP 6SP Quattro ALMS special edition (red). With the EVO/STI potential so dominant, I always looked down on the 180HP/225HP 1.8T turbos in the Audis, and a chip in her Beetle is as far as we've gone. With bolt ons & tune, probably only looking at 300HP (crank! not whp) max on the TT. Not worth the money!

Then I stumbled upon the world of BTs (Big Turbos). Holy crap, the Mk1 TTs (and early 2000 VWs) are very cheap to go BT because they don't have expensive modern systems, and have 10 years of aftermarket development. E.g. Upgraded fuel pump is only $200(!!). So I started researching and with a $6K kit, I can get a 400awhp, 200lbs lighter than 335i monster that is daily driveable and spools to peak HP at about 4500-5000 rpms (no huge turbo lag). I have selected the Garrett GT3071R turbo, 63 A/R. With an upgraded Stg 3 clutch/flywheel, and all the std bolt-ons (kit includes FMIC,DPs,injectors,manifolds,etc just add intake, exhaust) it will run me $10K installed ($12K w/ ALL maintenance done early cuz labor is covered, why not!).

So I've been struggling for awhile now on where to spend the next $10K in mods, as my 335i (see sig for mods) is at the point where it'll get expensive to go further. I'll do Meth/PROcede Rev II of course, but it gets expensive after that...

For the $8-10 on my 335i, I would do track suspension (w/ M3 bits, sways, already have LSD), and a big brake kit. Sorry not an exhaust person. The thing is, I think the sport suspension and brakes are not bad on the 335i (just upgrade rotors/pads). Case in point. Take a look at the Audi TT vs the 335i. I spend $8-10K in track suspension and big brake kit on the Audi TT and it will be an out of this world WOW factor, cuz stock 335i >> stock TT. So I always felt it wasn't 'worth it' going the next step for the 335i.

Compare the 2 scenarios above, and I'm really tempted to spend the money on the TT, but it's question of whether it's better to have 2 high HP cars in the garage, or one that's full track setup complete. Also, 400awhp vs my current 370whp(+meth). Oh, I'm a beginner to track so not like I can fully utilize everything, but I'm thinking long-term and in a few years I will be able to.

I look forward to everyone's input, because for many of you, the 335i is not your first modded car! I don't think this being a BMW forum will bias the thread because I already have all the no-brainer mods (see sig).

[SlicktopTTZ]

Just to let you know, that car WILL be laggy relative to the 335. With that said, AWD launches are awesome and you will love that turbo! If you want to learn a lot about turbo systems do the audi and be there when all the parts go on. Also, be prepared to break something, I learned that the hard way multiple times with my 300zx. But when you break something there is always something better to replace it, just gets a little expensive after a while.

[WilliamE92]

Go with the audi, at least it wont leave you stranded on the bad side of town.

[I335]

As soon as the TT is tuned up and running like a champ your GF will dump you and you'll have a pretty fast 335i that can't stop...

[SlicktopTTZ]

Love the positive comments guys!

[R1000K3]

Audi TT is a Hair Dresser's car, which by no means will withstand punishment, as 335's do.

[Muffnbluff]

I'd question the ability of a 3071 to make 400whp on pump gas in that little audi engine. The 3076 on a 2.5L STi engine makes around 400whp on pump.

Don't waste money on the TT. If it's too slow for any enjoyment a chip should make it tolerable.

[skate_E92]

my previous car was an audi (b7 s4) and my e92 335i is way more fun to drive! i mainly switched because i wanted a turbo rwd car. i would keep moding the 335 and later down the road turbo uprgrade! (hpf, ams, asr, etc..) just my 2 cents.

[ar design]

I love my MK1 TT. In the middle of doing a 72mm 2.1L stroker build on it

[GreenPlease]

^
Damn!

As soon as the TT is tuned up and running like a champ your GF will dump you and you'll have a pretty fast 335i that can't stop...

Haha. Nice.

To the OP: IMO, better to invest in your 335i. The TT with a big turbo WILL be laggy and I seriously doubt the ability of that particular engine to hold that sort of power for long. On your 335, upgrade your suspension bits, skip brakes, and hold onto some of that $$ for a turbo upgrade in the near future. Maybe consider investing in lightweighting your car (seats, exhaust, battery, maybe roof)

[A418t81]

YOur N54 will make power MUCH more easily than the 1.8T

You are going to spend $10k+ for 400 CRANK...because a 3071 isn't going to make 400 whp on pump on that engine...and it's going to be A LOT more laggier than you think based on your comments. $10k in an Evo would net you 500-600 whp in a car built to handle that kind of abuse, all while being much more fun to drive and running circles around anything with a 1.8T in it.

Prior big turbo 1.8T AND big turbo Evo owner right here.

[ar design]

Yeah, Evos are way way way easier to mod. But they are still Evos. I had one for a few months, and I LOVED it. handling was bannanas STOCK. But, I love how my TT looks.

I dont even want to begin to add up the amount of money I have in the TT. And it wont spool till 6500rpm or so... But hold on until about 11,000

[gian335]

Originally Posted by R1000K3

Audi TT is a Hair Dresser's car, which by no means will withstand punishment, as 335's do.

Hey, ima hairdresser..... Driving 08 335 fully moded....... Doesn't mean we gotta stick 2, sporty cars like TT, but I see where u comin from.......... I blast 2 work everymorning and give my staff a heart attack everytime they ask 4 a ride LOL

[ar design]

Originally Posted by R1000K3

Audi TT is a Hair Dresser's car, which by no means will withstand punishment, as 335's do.

On what are you basing that statement? Have you owned a 1.8T/TT? Modified one?

I made 404awhp with a GT30R on pump gas? Cut 1.7 60fts with bald street tires. Had a 2-step, launched the SNOT out of it. Ran great

[Ramos]

How about this "3rd scenario"

The TT is a nice car for the GF stock.. Leave it alone
Your 335 has all the mods you need, it will never be a real dedicated track car and I am not sure you want to turn it into one .. leave it alone

take your $10-12K and buy an E36 M3 with less then 60K miles, and call it a day.
No mods needed until you INVEST IN THE NUT BEHIND THE WHEEL
yes that's you ... spend your money on seat time instead of useless mods that you do not have the talent to exploit

My friend is faster than me both at Autocrosses and track days and I drive a modded 335 while he drives a $1000 E30 325 with 200K miles ... Seriously not even joking

[orionredwing]

Thanks everyone for your valuable input. I needed a 2nd opinion away from all the Audi/VW forums. I got a more realistic estimate of 300-350whp with that setup (300 for sure up to 350 w/ some aggressive tweaking on the Unitronics 630cc BT tune). The vendor said a 3076R and some engine work was needed to realize 420whp dyno'd on another car. For 350whp, only the connecting rods is a must. The 1.8T engine is pretty tough, especially on the HO 225HP version. Second opinions also mention the turbos can spool as late as 5000-5500rpm, not at 4500ish, even w/ a 63 A/R.

400whp, 200 lbs ligher than 335i excites me! But 350whp 200 lbs lighter on awd will only be a little faster than my 335i...so that's a lot of money to spend on an incremental kick-in-the-butt excitement. My expectation/BT goal for the TT was a daily driver w/ 400awhp making good torque down low, and not a laggy turbo maximizing peak HP. Looks like that's not possible, and I'll be putting more into the 335i. Coilovers next

I'll stick w/ a Stg 1 tune and intake for the TT. 260hp/257lb-ft, maybe add another +5-7 for intake is good enough for daily driving w/ a little oomph when needed.