BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

The old bank account is almost high enough to do some serious mods so I need help deciding.

Heads, Cam, Intake, or a built transmission with converter and cooler?

At first I wanted to do the engine but I think it would be better to the trans and stall first, and wait until all these new head castings are out in full force (Dart, Patriot, etc) before I make any decisions.

Is this a good idea?

CBX

Trans and stall for sure. That way, when you do eventually go with H/C or whatever, you will be ready and not hurting anything.

Transmission cooler in any case. Cheap insurance.

darrensls1

I agree. The trans and stall should be first. That way you can still have fun without breaking anything. I think it's best to start with lid and exhaust, then torque converter and tranny, then suspension and sticky tires and finally the big power adders. At some point you may need a 12 bolt but with an A4 you can probably push it a long time before it breaks.

Good luck.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

I am with those guys. You will benefit more with a good converter on a near stock setup more than on H/C w/o their full potential through your drivetrain.

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

Yep, converter and tranny first Seems like I recall already suggesting this to someone recently

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

A couple of us did the other day.

aux_fast_cam

I think everyone is in agreement on this one do the converter and tranny first. I broke my stock A4 with minor mods. I think they are only rated at 370ftlbs of torque.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

yeah, you can easily lay the *** beating on a stock drivetrain like that.

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

Yup those are already done so it seems the trans should be the next center of attention. Been looking at the FLP Level 4 w/Yank SS3800 for a while now. Not sure what flexplate to go with but that would be more of a Automatic Transmission forum topic.

Basically I realized that a lot of progress is being made in the LSX Cylinder Head industry so it's best to wait until a few companies have their products out and results are in before I make any final decisions under the hood.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Personally, I would skip the built trans and go with converter, tuning, and a Transgo shiftkit. You might be one of those guys who gets lucky and has the stock trans last for a long time. Plus the fact that there are plenty of accounts of guys burning up one built trans after another. Save the money, strengthen what you have - "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

BlackHawk T/A

iTrader: (3)

But if I don't break it, I can sell it...

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

and you should sell it to get some cash for the build up.