banditoamigo

The in-laws were kind enough to feed my mod-cravings this Christmas, and I got everything installed a few weeks ago. Been meaning to post these as FYI to those considering. I got an AWE DTS (drive train stabilizer) and a ToyGuy short shifter.

<b>First, the DTS:</b>

The box came with everything you'd need to install, plus a bunch of extra parts for other models (threw me off w/ all the extra parts, but if you <a href="http://www.awe-tuning.com/pages/faq/awefaq_main.cfm?FAQ=42">review instructions</a> this particular setup works for B5 A4/S4s, allroads and C5 A6s). They even throw in a sucker to celebrate after you're done:
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadDTS-01.jpg">

The allroad isn't quite a "bolt on" installation... you actually need to cut off two "guards" for the flex-joints on the downpipes. Audi put these on allroads to protect the DPs from rocks during "rock crawling" (LOL!). Note that the instructions say only to cut off the driver's side guard, but I actually needed to cut off both sides for clearance. I also needed to go back and cut this side off MUCH closer to the pipe b/c I was getting some rubbing under heavy acceleration.
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadDTS-02.jpg">

Old vs. New -- the new one is much beefier and shinier of course, but the key improvement is the holes in the middle of the piece that allow you to connect the tranny to the subframe of the car.
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadDTS-03.jpg">

New bolted up: Note the ground downpipe guards on both sides, and the fact that they're ground all the way to the pipes.
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadDTS-04.jpg">

All finished up! The AWE piece exposes some holes on the sides -- I also filled these in to keep out moisture and prevent rust. I'm keeping this car until it rolls 500K after all
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadDTS-05.jpg">

<b>Now onto the ToyGuy SS.</b> It's essentially a stock shifter, which Craig (ToyGuy) has altered by changing the pivot points and pressing in better bearings/etc. (<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/1045768.phtml">Details here</a>). He does a quality job -- much better than just re-drilling the holes. And as a bonus, his (and other "stock refurbs") are the only way to keep your stock shift **** due to the "D" slot on allroad shift *****.

<a href="http://www.toyguy.o-f.com/ssi.html">His instructions are online</a>, but here's some additional pics to fill-in some of the questions I had after previewing his page:

First, grab the shifter cover at the base and lift straight up. It's just clipped down.
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadToyGuySS-01.jpg">

Next, pull up the whole assembly and undo the hose clamp holding the shift **** and boot onto the shifter.
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadToyGuySS-02.jpg">

Instructions are good from here, but this is what the shifter looks like assembled:
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadToyGuySS-03.jpg">

After you take off the insulation/etc. you can see the bolts (there's about 12 bolts/screws/fasteners total to remove):
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadToyGuySS-04.jpg">

The whole assembly comes out with some work:
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadToyGuySS-05.jpg">

And when you've got it all out it looks like this (so clean! German engineering):
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadToyGuySS-06.jpg">

Installation is the reverse of removal of course. Here's the old/new comparison -- original is on the left, ToyGuy is on the right.
<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/allroadToyGuySS-07.jpg">

And by the way -- the above mods make a HUGE difference in how the car drives -- feels like a sports car now, and the DTS really helps in getting the power down and smoothing out shifts (esp. the much-maligned "1-2 shift" on the short-geared allroad). The car feels MUCH faster, although it's probably just the illusion given from immediate power delivery vs. the little hesitation/lurch that the stock setup has.

And the SS is a huge improvement as well... so nice to be able to shift by just flicking my wrist -- 1-2 and 3-4 are now effortless.

arnick'02-6spd

Have you noticed over the past couple of weeks a slight degredation in the effect of the DTS? I noticed on day one, my 1-2 shift was like butta but by day seven it was not as smooth but still better than stock. And that some of the firmness in down shifts had gone away - still far far better than stock.

Six months later, there has been no further degredation. I assumed this was because the bushing broke in and softened up a bit. Did you have a similar exp?

banditoamigo

No degradation yet in DTS affect -- but it's chilly in MN so the rubber stays plenty cold :-)

Rally_nutcase_1982

One question, did your MT come with a "Stock" DTS? Looking at the pictures you've posted, it indicates this. Perhaps I may have to find somthing similar to keep the now manual tranny in place.....just don't want to miss any parts ;-)

banditoamigo

The piece you see in my pictures is pretty much a "sub-frame" connector -- no holes to connect to the tranny. There's been a few who have used the stock piece to fab up a DIY DTS however (by welding a tranny mount to the factory bar)... search "DIY DTS" and it should pop up in this forum.

Rally_nutcase_1982

Thanks !! Now I like to see your car on the track, must be a blast to drive !

banditoamigo

<center><img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/mnaudi-ar-2.jpg"></center><p>Like this? It's fantastic to drive. Wish I'd have had both mods when I went out in Sept. I was still passing modded S4's (and grannies driving 911 turbo's) however :-)

Someday I want the power of your beast! Next mod is the chip, then come bigger turbos and plumbing. Driving me crazy that someone in my local club is selling boxed K04s plus all the plumbing and fueling for @$3100 total (2 new snails, downpipes, fueling kit, exhaust, etc.). No cash unfortunately.

arnick'02-6spd

Kind of makes me want to weld the tranny to the frame.... ;-)

albe1

Did the Toy Guy first (about 2 years ago) and the DTS about a month ago.