paradigm_shift

This thought has bothered me for a while now so please bear with me incase I sound like an idiot.

For almost the past year I have been looking into buying an s5 the only thing stopping me is should I get an n/a or a TII. Basically the car is going to be used as a daily driver and on the weekends have some fun on canyon roads and abandoned parking lots. So with the N/A and TII there are going to be some pros and cons:

N/A pros
no turbo lag
lighter
cheaper
n/a= better handling on corners

cons:
N/A!
40 hp or so slower

TII pros
turbo
faster
cooler
more performance upgrades

cons:
hard to find
less reliable
overpriced

heres where it ties into being in the performance section:
If I do go out and buy an s5 N/A how would I get it modded and tuned to get to around 250 rwhp.
I know if I get a TII it would be alot less hassle to get to around 250rwhp
Keep in mind I also want to keep the car street legal so could I even get an N/A to 250rwhp without getting a compltely new exaust system and street porting which would ruin any chances of me passing smog in the car.

kenn_chan

if you have to worry about smog, then go with the turbo, a bridge port, or perry will get yo the horsepower you crave, but the chances of them passing a smog test are very, very slim. Not to mention to get the power out of them it requires a very free flowing exhaust (like as in a straightpipe) now 220 or so with a sideport is doable, with a reasonable muffler, and might, and I stress the word MIGHT pass smog. better off to talk with some of the guys there in cali though to find out. the turbo, while expensive is a better investment, and its no more prone to breaking than the NA, do your maintenance, and pms and it will live (under similiar driving) the same amount if not longer, its just your foot that makes it less reliable. if yo are constantly in the throttle, and boosing 24/7 then it will not last as long.

cheers