‘11 A6 Wagon…Stage 2.5 Update

Change of plans…

While at the tuner he informed me I was running out of fuel, like at 38psi on pump gas. That was before meth, so adding meth helped a little (back to 42psi). Time to bite the dreaded bullet and step up my fuel game before heads and cam. Decided on Fore Stage 2 from Mont Motorsports. Not upgrading pumps and lines for E cause I’m not going to run E for lack of availability. Getting FIC 1300’s, a NW 103 and 9.1 lower from them as well. Sending the blower and snout to Kong for the X port as well. The reason for this change of plans is that I became curious as to what the dyno machine will reveal for basically what is Full bolt on’s before cam and heads. I know there will be some who question this logic, but this is where my budget is at and will allow me to focus on what to do with cam and heads. For the record, I’m in to Mont $4k and Kong $2k. It was either this option or heads/cam for the same coin, less the necessary fueling requirements. See ya in a few weeks with results!

Update 7.17.2022
Since last tune:
gutted cats per tuners recommendation
QTP cut outs installed
2.45/9.25 pulley
1300 injector- ready for E85
NW 103 tb
Kong 5” intake
Kong X port
Fore fuel system
Results:
~620 whp, very little timing (12 degrees) 18 psi boost and climbing?
Opened cutouts to see if boost would drop; it did not.

This is telling me we are at the point of New Cam!

The intent thus far was to see what whp could be achieved with max bolt ons, leaving stock cam, heads, blower. The results confirm the stock cam becomes a major restriction, indicated by the high boost number. Not convinced there is much to gain by porting heads as I believe gm has a good design within the stock parameters, but why leave power on the table when there are documented gains.

Next steps are send core heads off to be ported and cam selection.
Open to suggestions here…
It looks like the trajectory of the parts installed could easily hit 750 with E and meth. That’s plenty for my needs at this point.

Update May 2023

New Member: 700+ Club!

Stage 4 Mods, performed by Carb Conn- Circle D- Tony Mamo ~$23,500
Circle D Stage 5 6L90 and 2800 stall billet converter, billet flex plate ($9k)
Mamo-AFR heads
Mamo cam
Yella terra 1.8 rockers
ARH Full drag exhaust system
Mamo Oil pump, gear, chain, push rods ($8k)
FIC 1200 injectors ($1200)
New GM coil-injector harness, both sides ($350)
Installation and tuning ($4500)

782…pump gas. Not bad I must say! Pretty shocked to see that but I’ll take it. Tuner expects~850 with meth and full e90. That’s probably punching it with SBE but if it goes, I’m prepared. Might just get the dyno number and plan on built short block before I grenade the heads.

Circle D6L90 transmission and billet flex plate and 2800 stall torque converter is fantastic. Not sure how to describe it other than the shift points are more “peppy”. It likes to hover around 2k rpm right at the beginning of the power band, and tends to stay in gear longer in Manual mode, but very tame at around 1800 in Drive mode.

Did add a new ARH Full Drag exhaust and man I got to say, that is what blew me away the most! Has a soft, subtle sound much similar to the stock mufflers connected to headers, but just a little more bass. Does not drone, quiet with windows up, but sounds amazing when you get on it. Definitely accentuates the cam chop too! Glad I went with this and I would advise anyone to spend the money on a good exhaust syste; your wasting your money on the “cheaper” alternatives.

Of course I have to give a Huge shout out to Tony Mamo for working me through the heads-cam design. He is no joke-great guy to talk to and super knowledgeable about LS platform. Could talk to him for hours. I forgot to mention though that this was the second most expensive part of this phase, let’s call it “Stage 4”. Also the most important and gratifying. The cam is rather large, lots of lift with 1.8 rockers. He wasn’t joking when he said this thing will make some power! Well the results are in and he wasn’t lying.

Although my tuner is going on a well deserved vacation with his family for the next two weeks, we have to wait until he gets back to dig into the e90 - methanol tune. FWIW, we ditched the AEM meth controller and went with an Alky controller purchased through one of the forum members (thank Rick!) This set up needs more than 1 reference point (boost) that the AEM is limited to. The Akly set up uses 2, boost and either maf or fuel pressure. We will use maf.

While it took over 8 weeks to get this thing back together due to some unforeseen issues and minor parts changes, I’m happy to have my wagon back, just in time for Spring.

pitchas and dyno results coming as soon as tuner gets back in town!