Took my car to Lion Garage in Hay on Wye for EGR and DPF removal and mapping.
I got in contact with Darkside Developments and asked if the EGR pipe they offer for A3 or MK5 Golf 170 BKD engines would fit a BRD engine. They checked and came back to say although they'd never fitted one to an A4 BRD engine that manifolds were the same so there was no real reason for it not fitting. Took the plunge and they were happy to take it back if it didn't fit.
I was very keen to not go down the route of gutting the DPF and go for a complete replacement pipe fitted - it might be a bit iffy come MOT time but we will see. My opinion for what its worth is that a straight through pipe will be better for airflow than a empty space, having chatted with the chap from Darkside, he did say although it would help it's unlikely to make huge difference but it is what I wanted.
Dropped the car off and went for a cuppa (or several
)
Picked the car up in the afternoon and Steve had also changed the air filter as it looked like a small forest was growing on the original. And also changed the oil and filter. It was something I'd been meaning to do and had bought a filter ready to do the job.
Only comment regarding the EGR pipe was that a small oil feed pipe uses the recirculating pipe of the EGR as a support bracket so a new bracket will need to be made. There was also a worry that removing the EGR altogether might throw up a CEL that would be difficult to map out. So far, all is well and no CEL.
The map used was more for a driveable improvement over stock rather than out and out performance to be on the safe side considering the parts being used were relatively new on the B7 A4. Tweaks in the future would be not problem.
So the drive home? Because so much had been changed I didn't want to hammer the car on the way home but gave it a few beans here and there. The A40 from Abergavenny to Carmarthen is a cracking road IMO, the valley section has some tight bends and quite entertaining. The lag that is so apparent in 170s is reduced which means boost comes in quicker and makes the car easier to drive. With the power more available across the rev range it means you are far less likely to drop out of the power band. Now, I'm not about to say a diesel engine sounds good - nothing beats flat 4 unequal length manifolds - but the more apparent whistle from the turbo is kinda cool and it does seem to have more of a bass to the noise when pressing on. If it wasn't so horrifically expensive I'd be tempted to look at a stainless system for the car. According to the DIS I still managed 44MPGz
Very happy with the results and thanks to Steve for doing such a great job.
I got in contact with Darkside Developments and asked if the EGR pipe they offer for A3 or MK5 Golf 170 BKD engines would fit a BRD engine. They checked and came back to say although they'd never fitted one to an A4 BRD engine that manifolds were the same so there was no real reason for it not fitting. Took the plunge and they were happy to take it back if it didn't fit.
I was very keen to not go down the route of gutting the DPF and go for a complete replacement pipe fitted - it might be a bit iffy come MOT time but we will see. My opinion for what its worth is that a straight through pipe will be better for airflow than a empty space, having chatted with the chap from Darkside, he did say although it would help it's unlikely to make huge difference but it is what I wanted.
Dropped the car off and went for a cuppa (or several
) Picked the car up in the afternoon and Steve had also changed the air filter as it looked like a small forest was growing on the original. And also changed the oil and filter. It was something I'd been meaning to do and had bought a filter ready to do the job.
Only comment regarding the EGR pipe was that a small oil feed pipe uses the recirculating pipe of the EGR as a support bracket so a new bracket will need to be made. There was also a worry that removing the EGR altogether might throw up a CEL that would be difficult to map out. So far, all is well and no CEL.
The map used was more for a driveable improvement over stock rather than out and out performance to be on the safe side considering the parts being used were relatively new on the B7 A4. Tweaks in the future would be not problem.
So the drive home? Because so much had been changed I didn't want to hammer the car on the way home but gave it a few beans here and there. The A40 from Abergavenny to Carmarthen is a cracking road IMO, the valley section has some tight bends and quite entertaining. The lag that is so apparent in 170s is reduced which means boost comes in quicker and makes the car easier to drive. With the power more available across the rev range it means you are far less likely to drop out of the power band. Now, I'm not about to say a diesel engine sounds good - nothing beats flat 4 unequal length manifolds - but the more apparent whistle from the turbo is kinda cool and it does seem to have more of a bass to the noise when pressing on. If it wasn't so horrifically expensive I'd be tempted to look at a stainless system for the car. According to the DIS I still managed 44MPGz
Very happy with the results and thanks to Steve for doing such a great job.
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