RFredR32 Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 As the subject says im in a bit of a dilemma, this is a long term dilemma not an immediate one i hasten to add. My R32 as we speak is going and sounding very well, although handling could be improved slightly. Problem is i would like a few extra horses under my right foot. This i must stress is for my own satisfaction, not a case of whos car is quicker. I had phoned AMD to speak to them about the possibility of a supercharger, which they advised me they were no longer doing and put me in touch with somebody that was, this company also offers a turbo option or two by HPA 360, 400, and a nuts 450 bhp I must admit I have never driven a Supercharged car but have driven plenty of Turbos, and love the torque which is available. Does anybody have any experience of either of these options on there R32? Would be great to hear your feedback So my dilema is do i spend some money that is due to me on, seriously modding my R32 with possibly a 400bhp turbo kit, some Porsche brakes, KW coilovers, and my own personal petrol station . Or do i wait a year or two sell the R (hopefully still getting decent money) and put it, and the mods money towards a decent second hand RS4. Although the RS4 would then have to get the milltek treatment So in a couple of years time am i sitting with a seriously quick R32 with no doubt some possible reliability issues. Or a car that was meant to handle 400+ bhp all day long. Its 11am am i still dreaming (nice thoughts mind you) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 I would worry about reliability, but people in the know about these issues will put you straight i am sure. If it were me, i think i would be holding out for the rs4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted June 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 For the serious petrol heads amongst us the FT400smic option is tried and tested at 400bhp, and uses a side mounted intercooler placed in passenger side wheelarch, have to do away with Carbonio. Also replaces the milltek manifolds. Conversion includes all necessary hoses etc. etc. and uses a garrett ball bearing turbo which i believe is one of the best out there. Company ran a indigo blue demonstrator with this kit on it for 18k miles as a everyday driver, apparently very little turbo lag and lots of low down torque, with no reliability issues on standard running gear,(they would tell you that anyway) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted June 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Yeh reliability would be my worry. As your signature says maxyboy, i think an RS4 is the next natural progression from an R32. Although serious difference on the readies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Yeh, a big difference money wise, and performance i guess, they now seem to be hovering around the £47k mark which is out of my league at the minute. A 400bhp r32 would be pretty special i am sure and would be a great stealth car. Decisions decisions!?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted June 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Yeh thankfully though its not a decision im having to make at the moment. You are right R32 with 400bhp would be stealth, and definately put the wind up a few boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattchaps Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 I have to be honest and say I would keep the R32 and get the 400bhp turbo, as this is what I hope to be able to do in a year or 2 myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenny Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Honestly.... I would hold out for the RS4... You will never get your money back on the turbo conversion r32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Or have a look at a CSL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I have to be honest and say I would keep the R32 and get the 400bhp turbo, as this is what I hope to be able to do in a year or 2 myself [/ QUOTE ] Anyone can go out and buy an RS4, but how many people have a 400bhp R32? I'd do the conversion as well, I love to have something "different" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted June 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Good to see that there is two sides to the arguement with everyone. Agree with lenny will never get the money back on turbo conversion, but also agree with shark, anyone can go out and buy an RS4 but how many people have 400 bhp R32. RS4 sitting anything between £43 and £47k at the moment well out of my league but who knows what they will be worth in 2 years time, ?????? £30 to £35k ??????? Should be getting commision for this but anyone interested in the details of the turbo conversion, or wants to read up on it and give me there opinion www.vagtech.co.uk I must say stealth and different is swaying the arguement at the moment, but when it comes down to parting with the cash who knows depends whether i have sensible head on or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogdan Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Hi guys, I have an 2006 R32 and already ordered the HPA FT400 kit. Please believe me that I 've made this choice after many long nights, a lot of searching and a few FT powered cars drive.My best friend just bought a new RS4.The car is great, a lot of power and very good looking. But.....also very very expensive. You can get the same if not more satisfactions with a cheaper car. My choice was to go turbo with my R32 and I am not at all disappointed. There are at least 10 new RS4 s in my town, but no turbo R32 yet. And I pretty sure that I will ruin my friend's days when the car is finished. And if you are worried about reliability, don't. HPA is one of the most reliable turbo kit for R32 out there, just thing about their colaboration with VW for SEMA with the bi-turbo Jetta. Why do you think VW has choosen them? Of course there may be a few problems down the road, but believe me, there also can be reliability problems with a new RS4 (unfortunately a few guys already had problems), not to speak about a second hand one. Because the RS4 engine is so powerfull and so pushed to its limits (and also new), a very important thing is the break-in period when the car is brand new. You will never know with a second hand car about the break-in period drive.Don't get me wrong, I hope I will buy an RS4 a few years later,when it's engine will prove it's reliability in time, like the vr6 engine did, and like the HPA turbo R32 did in the past 4 years, but I am pretty sure that I will only buy it if I can afford it new, not second hand. So, my advice, why wait 2 years when you can have a car that will smoke RS4 now, and worry about money later. You only live once.Good luck your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted June 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Cheers bogdan for your insight some very valid points, run in period is definately one to watch. Also why wait two years when you can have a potential RS4 beater now. Your right live for today, life is to short. Keep us posted on the FT400 kit for your car. Im sure it will go like stink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 R32 with turbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowie Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 Yeah, with Oli. R32 turbo. No doubt. With regards the reliability, I've done a few cross breeding engine swaps and tight ones at that. Yes, a few issues, the odd breakdown, but all things I should have seen had I spent more time doing things. HPA, on the other hand, will have developed this kit and as you've said, have run a car for a while with no major probs. How much is the kit and how much to install ? Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryccf Posted June 3, 2007 Report Share Posted June 3, 2007 i've got a R32 with HPA FT360 and love it, while they advertise 360hp most have dyno'd on AWD dynos in the 374- 380hp range, torque in the 319-323 range - i went with the 360 as it left the under hood looking nearly stock, i just didn't like the over the engine look of the 3" blue air hose performance is outstanding, if you don't get on the "go" pedal, you don't know it's there - it drives like it left the factory, and the integration of the kit's software with the vehicle is seamless, again as if VW had engineered the fact that VW had selected HPA to build their 3 cars for SEMA last year (500 - 650HP jetta, passat and toureg) made the final decision for me - it meant VW had had to share their software coding with them - i recently test drove an RS4 and was actually disappointed - it is anemic under 4000 rpm, and above, while it's quick, no where as quick as my R32 the fact that my insurance company would go bonkers with the RS4, the lack of expected power and the fact that my r32 is a rarity, with HPA offering upgrade kits to FT400 & FT450 hp levels (and actually beyond) made my decision for me) now, learning HPA has a middle ground upgrade kit coming out for the FT360, a modular cast aluminum manifold with a set of schrick cams, means i can take my FT360 into FT400 range and still keep that stealthy stock look check over on VWvortex board in the US and read the reviews - HPA has sold quite a few kits and there have been no reports of any major issues - a couple of really small ones, but that is the extent - and those have been corrected i've had my kit now for 2 years so if there were major issues, i'd know about it - have driven it from florida in 106 - 110 F temps to Montreal in below 0F temps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molar Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 I dont know what the costs involved on the r32 are but depending on those you will have a few pennies left over vs the rs4 route. I have recently bought a new rs4 and love the car. In 04 i had a mk 4 r32 from new and loved it and the rs4 reminds me of it. The only thing id be worried about is the warranty issue, if a mk5 engine goes pop you are looking at some serious money unless you can get it covered and any ancillary items going doo lally will almost certainly be blamed come claim time. They have stopped production of the rs4 now so values should firm up a tad although some dealers bought in numbers to cover production ceasing. Which ever one you went for you would be assured that there were very few on the roads. I have had my car for just over a month but have only seen one other on the road since purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogdan Posted June 5, 2007 Report Share Posted June 5, 2007 I will definetely keep you up to date. The turbo should be on my car and running one month from now.I am bussy now installing the MTM BBK, Haldex controller and waitting for a new set of 19'' OZ Ultras to clear the 365 mm 8 piston caliper brakes. I have now a set of 19'' BBS RS-GT which unfortunatelly don't clear the brakes, so I must sell them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyNet Posted June 5, 2007 Report Share Posted June 5, 2007 Hi Bogdan! So you go for the HPA-Turbo, You will smoke that RS4 anytime! I can see that you have the Full Milltek systems, did´t you have problems with looses of torque?? Let us see your beast!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogdan Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 Hi SkyNet, My car in her present state is in the gallery http://www.tyresmoke.net/gallery/album426, without the new wheels and brakes. When I first installed the Milltek cat-back, I did definetely feel an improvment in throtle response, but after the cats and manifolds, I think I lost something, I don't know for sure, since I didn't test my car on a dyno.The sound is amazing know, almost V8 sound, but..... Anyway, I will take the manifolds off since the turbo comes with special manifolds. I will loose the excellent noise, but the turbo sound will sure compensate.When the car is ready with everything on (hopefully in one month from now), I will post a few more pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattchaps Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 Ok, so last night I had a dream that I got the HPA FT400 turbo conversion on my .:R Now I'm thinking of stupid ideas to come up with the money for it I want a 400BHP R32 NOW!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogdan Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 You are so lucky that you have VAGTECH there in your country! At least if you get the money, you are almost home, with someone capable to install the kit for you. I might come to England too for install, if VAGTECH gives me a proper price for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted June 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 Sorry Mattchaps, I have also been thinking overtime, how can i get it. If you have any ludacris ideas let me know. 400BHP would be awesome. downside for me would also have to spend another small fortune on coilovers and brakes. However would end up with a special car. Are you looking at VAGTECH doing the work for you? They have been slow in getting me the info unfortunately. Did they confirm a price for you ? PM me if they did. Keep me posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFredR32 Posted June 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 Just spoke to VAGTECH reference information, they are currently putting a pack together to email anybody who is interested in turbo conversions, explaining the whole process warranty etc. Mention me(Ross)or TSN when you contact them, shamless plug looking for commision, maybe if enough of you get the turbo done i might get mine for nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasT Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 My only concern is that most kits are for the LHD cars. Is there a readily available kit for RHD? And wouldn't it be best buying direct from HPA in $$$ and getting a UK company to fit? Surely that'd save a fair few quid. I'm very keen on a turbo kit, but can't afford the estimated £8k cost of one. Anyway, RFR32, turbo R32 would be my choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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