newbie owner '97 A4 1.8T; need advice on upgrades!

[smokeweedeveryday]

Hi pplz,

This is my first post and I've read quite a few posts these past months on the A4, but still kinda clueless.

My question to you Pros out there is; what is best for the first couple of mods on my FWD AUTO 1.8T B5!!!! no quattros; not many manuals either available in HK! so had to go for an AUTO!
so what do I get? cos there aint much available here in terms of mods for AUDIs, but plenty of options for Riceboy cars.

Have already got a Reiger RS look kit fitted with 18" Sportec Rims; looks faster already, however I was thinking of the following for my first set of REAL upgrades:

APR or ABT ECU, which do I get? i've read many conflicting opinions so what I want to know is BHP, Torque and response! I want a really genuine opinion not just cut and paste of manufacturer claims.

Dump Valve: Stick with the newer OEM valve 710 N or something like D-BOV available from lltek? or any suggestions? cheaper the better.

Turbo: Stick with Stock K03 or upgrade to K04, would installing a K04 involving modding other parts? like gasket or intercooler?
I'm looking for best POWER/$$$
Best If I could mod stuff like Turbo without the pre-requisite of wholesale changes to the engine.

If I sound a little derrrr..... its cos I know very little about the mechanics.... I just know how to enjoy a drive!

Any other upgrade recommendations are most welcome, please remember HK isnt the easiest place to get specific mods for Euro cars, also modding in HK is highly illegal! but its worth the risk.

Thanks in advance.

[Talibangunner925]

I would chip for for now and go with apr you can get diffrent programs with it like make it stock settings lock mode (which meand if send you care to a mechanic he wont flash you ecu and make it stock again). And if you upgrade the turbo you will aso need to have a stiff hose like samco i heard was the beast. Bov are not good for the car eather if you want the sond and preformance go with a diverter valve instead (they also preforme better). Bov sets off codeds.

[Moser7]

yeah deffinaly go with the apr chip. i got one for my 2000 A4 1.8T Quattro and it made a big difference with just that...i also got the lock out mode so i can have it hidden from mechanics. i already did this once and it worked great!

[AudI_MaN]

Deffinetly go with apr. Ive also bought a BOV for my A4, its a hybrid from http://www.autospeed.com/shop/category_2202/browse.html (theyre on special at the moment), this bov diverts some air back in, eliminating any errors with codecs, while still giving a great sound. with the K04 swap, all you need to do is replace gaskets, and replace your stock 4bar Fuel pressure regulator with a 5 bar FPR + chip( when you buy your chip, youll need to state that you have a k04). Intercooler wise, u dont need to change the stock cooler with the k04 swap, but during multiple 1/4m runs or long drives while thrashing the car, you will see a difference if you install a FMIC.