Originally Posted by Goldwing
After you spend the $2k and have what could be the fastest Crossfire out there (other than the one with the V8 55SLK engine in Bahrain), please tell us how you did it. Your comments are for the most part accurate...we do have some airholes on the forum...but I've seen much the same on most forums. So, come back with pictures and specs when it's done. BTW, a K04 upgrade kit for my A6 2.7T (K03s are stock) is about $3500 plus $1-2k labor. So, $2k sounds kind of cheap for all the work. Plus, he had to get an SRT6 engine which is built heavier duty than the n/a engine. Adding it all up, it's a lot more than $2k. Caveat emptor.
I agree, there's no way $2k would happen while paying someone to do the fabrication and install. Here's my basic breakdown:
Turbo- $599 for a new precision turbo, less for a used one.
Oil lines/ fittings- $200-300 AN lines aren't cheap, even for pushlocks
Manifold, piping, flanges- probably could be pulled off for $300-500, a single turbo should fit somewhere behind the motor, or could be rear mounted to save the expense and space limitations of turbo manifolds. The exhaust needs to bolt to the hot side and the turbine will need to feed the intake manifold with aluminum tubing which should be TIG welded. Remember, the turbo's housings can be clocked to keep everything orientated properly... the can be mounted pretty much anywhere. The further back it is, the more expensive this aspect gets (as well as oil lines).
Electronics/ tuning- AEM's FIC-6 is $400-??? or so, and can be tuned with a laptop. It may be difficult to develop a baseline tune, but it can be done with some math. I'm sure $400 is a
very very low estimate, as this seems to be the most difficult part of the swap. As I mentioned, if the ECU can be converted to speed density that should solve that, but I have no idea what parameters are adjustable.
Intercooler- $400-600 for a decent one, a crap IC is like a cork in the system.
Silicone Couplings- <$100 or so, assuming a minimal amount of straight couplers are used, bends are expensive.
Total- $2000-2400+ for parts alone.
That will pretty much get a basic turbo system... There are definately more expenses that my list contains, but I'm just giving a basic breakdown of a basic turbo system.