just got my Hotchkis sway bar kit today. I'm pretty stoked as it'll take care of the suspension side until my DRC decides to pack it in. So that has me thinking about the overall picture of where I want the car to end up, and if I can get some advice and answers on the benefits of each step...?

The car came with a Eurocharged ECU and MTM TCU, so that's good. A nice touch was the Level 10 valve body upgrade, and the K40 integrated radar detection is very nice; I've never seen a radar detection system integrate so seamlessly into a car's instruments.

I'll break it down into sections - there are threads for all this scattered about but I'm trying to organize everything into stages:

suspension:
- start with Hotchkis roll bars.
- H&R lowering springs, if you have complete faith in the DRC, or
- wait and do coilovers (which I'll do - I like being able to fine-tune ride height and set corner weighting)

exhaust and intake:
the stock SE exhaust is good, for stock. I want more rumble though :P
- Milltek non-resonated cat-back, then get an ECU remap..?
- Milltek or comparable bespoke downpipes, then remap again
- no way I'm touching that carbon fiber airbox! Is it worth getting aftermarket air filters?

interior:
- K40 already installed
- Dension iPod adapter just installed, and I finally figured out how to work it. While I've always done fairly involved stereos in my cars, usually running about 800 watts, the Bose is good enough to make spending the time and effort to chop up the dash and the labor involved in adding subs a case of diminished returns.
- I've decided to add a Stack boost gauge, just next to the A-pillar. Should be unobtrusive and not too ricey.
- I'd like LED indicators installed somewhere to indicate if a meth system is flowing correctly or not. Probably in the unused switches next to the ESP switch.
- I'm going to throw some darker tint on the windows - the 50% that's already on the car is excellent tint quality, but I'm going with 20% on all side windows, 35% on the rear, and maybe 70% on the windshield, although...is it my imagination or is there some kind of reflective film/treatment on the windshield already?

ECU and power tuning:
- since the car came with a Eurocharged map, I'll work with them with maps as I alter the breathing of the engine in stages - first with a catback, then the downpipes.
- unless my intercoolers start leaking, I won't go with Wagners. They might have twice the flow capacity, but I'm of the school that intercoolers must be matched to the turbos - bigger isn't better. As long as it's a quality bar and plate construction, that's good enough. Too big and during the winter you'll start getting throttle lag as the intercoolers have to fill and pressurize. Unless it's a known fact that Audi used undersized intercoolers? Did they??
And the other reason is...
- meth injection. I'll start shopping for a system, but since I did a water injection system in my Skyline, I'm familiar with the different brands. One thing - everyone seems to use the term "meth", but are people using 100% methanol injection?? If so, a remap is required to run properly. In any event, an intake charge cooling system, whether it's water, ethanol, methanol, or...windshield washer fluid god forbid, serves the same purpose as a larger intercooler.

wheels:
- I'm doing what Elevens did: OZ 19" wheels, 275/30R19 tires. I used OZ on my Skyline and was pleased with them, and I think they'll also go well on the RS6.

exterior:
- the RS6 shape is just about perfect, and I can't think of a single thing to change, except to change the rear taillights to LED units and get rid of the amber insert in the headlights.
- I'm planning something else I haven't seen on an RS6 yet, but won't spill the beans until I get it done

brakes:
- the system had been flushed recently, but I will get around to flushing it again and putting in my favored brake fluid, Castrol SRF.
- my pads are also new, so it'll be awhile before I start shopping for new ones.
- otherwise, I'm sticking with stock. No need to spend big money on fixed rear calipers, and the fronts are...well, who really NEEDS more than an 8-pot Brembo caliper???
- I don't know if my brake lines have been upgraded; I'm going to take a look this weekend, and if they're stock, they won't be for long.

questions:
- with a full exhaust and meth injection, properly mapped, will I be over the 550bhp mark? How close to 600bhp can I get to without messing with anything else?
- I've tried (halfheartedly, I can't bring myself to give lots of throttle with the brakes applied) the duck-rat-foot launch, and I can't get the car to rev over 2000rpm. Will MTM or someone else program in the ability to hit 2500rpm when stopped and revving up the engine, without having to rev three times? I know it's a protection mechanism, but I do like to think I have enough sense to not press both pedals at the same time unless I am going to launch the car. And if I'm going to launch the car, I would like to be able to do so on the spot!