Audi S3 APR Stage 2 to APR DTR6054 Turbo Upgrade Question

[nexus024]

I currently have APR's stage 2 ECU/TCU tune with their downpipe that is now discontinued. I also have the APR intercooler. My car has around 110K miles on her now so she is getting old and not sure how much longer the stock turbo will last. I am wondering if it is worth the investment to upgrade to the DTR6054 turbo. The local dealer quoted around $3K which includes adding forged pistons and rods along with new chains, and guides. Curious to hear the community thoughts on if this upgrade is worth it.

[jbain2]

I don’t know this platform but for $3k the work you detailed would be a steal on any platform. Especially dealer pricing. Call me skeptical.


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[nexus024]

Probably 3-4K after everything. Wasn't an exact quote.

[MikTip]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...acement-System

[ReggieNoble]

Just do the turbo, why bother with rods and pistons?

[MikTip]

Just do the turbo, why bother with rods and pistons?

Cause the piston rings go bad....

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post14873623

[ReggieNoble]

Cause the piston rings go bad....

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post14873623

Yeah and so do window regulators, should I go and replace them for no reason? He didn't mention anything about blow-by or low compression, so for just replacing the turbo with a dtr would not require rings lol

[nexus024]

Just do the turbo, why bother with rods and pistons?

The local shop that is an APR authorized dealer informed me that with the power output and the car being over 100K miles it would be highly recommended if not needed to address the "weak points". I am more curious if it is worth going to this upgraded turbo if I am already at stage 2.

[ReggieNoble]

The local shop that is an APR authorized dealer informed me that with the power output and the car being over 100K miles it would be highly recommended if not needed to address the "weak points". I am more curious if it is worth going to this upgraded turbo if I am already at stage 2.

I would do a compression and leak down test and if it's in spec, I would consider finding a different shop because it sounds like they are going to take you down the money pit. If you decide to build it, I'd be looking into a slightly larger turbo then to make it worth it imo

[ReggieNoble]

Fwiw I'm also on the dtr6054, I have over 100k miles. If my engine fails any time soon, I'll get back on here and post it. Also I didn't stage 3 my B5S4 until 220k it now has 360k and running strong.

[MikTip]

Fwiw I'm also on the dtr6054, I have over 100k miles. If my engine fails any time soon, I'll get back on here and post it. Also I didn't stage 3 my B5S4 until 220k it now has 360k and running strong.

A the 22 year old B5 S4 V6 motor is a totally different motor than the E888.3...

[MikTip]

Its a known issue with E888 piston rings...so much so VW/Audi updated them....

Listen to what he says at 19.35 on...

[ReggieNoble]

A the 22 year old B5 S4 V6 motor is a totally different motor than the E888.3...

Haha I knew you were going to say that, but I'd like to compare it to the water pump failures they had that would snap the timing belt, when it came down to it, it was luck of the draw and don't even get me started on the early 1.8t's... Although they may have changed the design now, of the literally millions of E888's out there the failure rate is still very low. If there happens to be a failure at 100k+ miles , then I would still consider that a reasonable life span, but that sure doesn't guarantee it will happen either.

[MikTip]

Haha I knew you were going to say that, but I'd like to compare it to the water pump failures they had that would snap the timing belt, when it came down to it, it was luck of the draw and don't even get me started on the early 1.8t's... Although they may have changed the design now, of the literally millions of E888's out there the failure rate is still very low. If there happens to be a failure at 100k+ miles , then I would still consider that a reasonable life span, but that sure doesn't guarantee it will happen either.

Watch the video

[ReggieNoble]

Watch the video

I guess , if YouTube says so. The interwebs are never wrong

[MikTip]

OH Shit! Here someone else showing the same issue!

[CXSnail]

Just an outsider's question here while we are on the topic. If the car isn't burning oil now. What necessitates the rebuild? An extra 40hp shouldn't make or break this, considering the efficiency of this turbo is greater than the IS38 (drive pressures, etc).

Miktip, how much oil does your '15 consume at 170k miles? How long have you been tuned?

[DumpsterRatz]

I currently have APR's stage 2 ECU/TCU tune with their downpipe that is now discontinued. I also have the APR intercooler. My car has around 110K miles on her now so she is getting old and not sure how much longer the stock turbo will last. I am wondering if it is worth the investment to upgrade to the DTR6054 turbo. The local dealer quoted around $3K which includes adding forged pistons and rods along with new chains, and guides. Curious to hear the community thoughts on if this upgrade is worth it.

if that $3k includes the parts and all that labor to install pistons, rings and chains I would do it in a heart beat, that is the best deal I have ever heard of. that said you don't need it, even the most Maxxed out form of the tuning available from APR (e85 with multi port injection) doesn't need fortified internals and can be run on stock internals even if there's a disclaimer.

I have 180k. on the s3 on stock turbo, running stage 2+ also for over 45k miles, no issues with turbo. I think the apr DTR turbo kit is an amazing deal as well..im unaware of another ball bearing turbo that costs that low since you are getting the software also for 3k.

I would not buy the APR kit just as preventative maintenance, your stock turbo has plenty of life left in it. I also wouldn't bother replacing anything internally unless you have a problem.that said, for 3k and APR's reputation for reliable software , I would do it for fun if you can.

[MikTip]

Miktip, how much oil does your '15 consume at 170k miles? How long have you been tuned?

If I drive the car and stay out of boost...very little...

If I full boost it it will smoke out the exhaust and will burn 1/3 a quart in a single drive.

Its been tuned since 2018. Had injectors replaced. Has IE intercooler. New JHJ IS38 last year.

In nexus024 situation I can see the logic in upgraded pistons recommended by the shop.

Cause NO ONE leaves the motor at stock power levels with the APR DTR6054 thats capable of allot more power.

So he either builds it now and its 'ready' for additional power...or builds it later.

The shop seeing they would get blamed if anything goes wrong says to build it now. CYA

I am pointing out a known issue with the engines pistons. 1+1=2.

Once I remove my engine I will be able to examine its internals and see exactly why its consuming oil.

Installing new upgraded pistons is no big deal to an engine builder. Its no big deal to me. BTDT!

Knowing the engine has better pistons...now gives me the means and confidence to push more power/boost from the engine.

[nexus024]

if that $3k includes the parts and all that labor to install pistons, rings and chains I would do it in a heart beat, that is the best deal I have ever heard of. that said you don't need it, even the most Maxxed out form of the tuning available from APR (e85 with multi port injection) doesn't need fortified internals and can be run on stock internals even if there's a disclaimer.

I have 180k. on the s3 on stock turbo, running stage 2+ also for over 45k miles, no issues with turbo. I think the apr DTR turbo kit is an amazing deal as well..im unaware of another ball bearing turbo that costs that low since you are getting the software also for 3k.

I would not buy the APR kit just as preventative maintenance, your stock turbo has plenty of life left in it. I also wouldn't bother replacing anything internally unless you have a problem.that said, for 3k and APR's reputation for reliable software , I would do it for fun if you can.

This is good to know. I was told these is38 turbos go out by 150K.

[MikTip]

This is good to know. I was told these is38 turbos go out by 150K.

Lol. The is38 has a weakness...its not miles...its sustained high boost.

The hot side bearing seizes and the turbine shaft breaks sending the exhaust blades into the converter...

The IHI and JHJ are a Japanese designed and built turbos.

https://www.ihi-turbo.com/

HPA sells one with a 2mm thicker shaft.



APRs bearing turbo is even better design.