My SQ5 does it all, build thread

**elijahallen** · 02-21-2019 01:29 PM

Hey guys, I should have started this a long time ago. I’m a long time Audi enthusiast and have always had one fun Audi (URS4/6’s, B5 S4’s, AAN converted coupe Quattro, B8 S4, etc.) and another car that a use for work (Allroads, Cayenne S, Q5 tdi, etc.). This year I decided to do something different and sell my TDI and my B8 S4 and take the money and buy and mod a 2016 Audi sq5. I picked one up with 32k on it, waited till the 35k mile service and then went dual pulley with supporting mods. To my surprise the car has been very fun and I use it to haul family, pull my work trailer when needed, and this spring plan to road course it. Here are some pictures of past cars and some of current. I will be updating as I add things and also add videos of some of my experiences with this car.
These are the cars I sold to buy the SQ5 IMG_1384.JPG
The SQ5 the day I bought it.
IMG_1374.JPG
The mod bug began with an apr dual pulley 187/57 and an apr cold front. and auto tech HPFP IMG_1382.jpg
Next came 75mm TB and ported blower.
IMG_1383.JPG
IMG_1377.jpg
IMG_1378.JPG
And a set of test pipes
IMG_1375.JPG
Tuning was done by giac and is still in progress to get the most of what I have. Here is a video of before and after dual pulley pulls.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5BPcKnZYos8
Here is a video of before and after test pipes with otherwise stock exhaust.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ARHdhceHhbY

More to come :)

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**JD S4** · 02-21-2019 01:56 PM

This is a great, high quality build. Excited to see what unfolds.

Sent from my

**bajan01** · 02-21-2019 02:20 PM

Are you running the factory exhaust with test pipes? The only reason I ask is that I have heard a Milltek with test pipes and it is much louder than that...unbearably loud...almost.

Regardless, fun times for sure.

**elijahallen** · 02-21-2019 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by bajan01

Are you running the factory exhaust with test pipes? The only reason I ask is that I have heard a Milltek with test pipes and it is much louder than that...unbearably loud...almost.

Regardless, fun times for sure.

Yea this is my daily driver so I need it quiet. The factory exhaust flows very well so there is very little gain in going cat back other than sound.

**elijahallen** · 02-21-2019 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by JD S4

This is a great, high quality build. Excited to see what unfolds.

Sent from my

Thanks JD, it’s gonna be fun!

**rusq5** · 02-21-2019 03:19 PM

Glad you finally made a build thread!

Excited to see the cars progress and how the track events go this spring/summer.

**elijahallen** · 02-21-2019 03:26 PM

Speaking of track, here is the wheel tire setup. I can’t find r-compounds in this size but we’ll see how it does with these.
IMG_1379.jpg

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**ellwood** · 02-22-2019 08:39 AM

awesome build man, looking forward to the pics with those wheels mounted up

did you do the HPFP as a precautionary upgrade or were you seeing a lack of fueling in the logs?

**MSq5** · 02-22-2019 09:33 AM

The comparison pull video is showing that even after the tune and test pipes the upshifts are at stock 6,400 rpm. Have you raised that in your ZF8 TCU tune? If so, did that help with acceleration times?

I assume the illuminated CEL light on the dash is because of the test pipes. Can that be coded out with VCDS or otherwise eliminated. I'm in a state with no emission testing, so I'm considering the test pipe route and higher pulley ratio after I first upgrade cooling when my warranty expires.

**bajan01** · 02-22-2019 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by MSq5

I assume the illuminated CEL light on the dash is because of the test pipes...

Oxygen sensor spacers should take care of that.

**elijahallen** · 02-22-2019 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by ellwood

awesome build man, looking forward to the pics with those wheels mounted up

did you do the HPFP as a precautionary upgrade or were you seeing a lack of fueling in the logs?

Yea I did the Autotech HPFP at the same time as the dual pulley, I will update that info, thanks

**elijahallen** · 02-22-2019 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by MSq5

The comparison pull video is showing that even after the tune and test pipes the upshifts are at stock 6,400 rpm. Have you raised that in your ZF8 TCU tune? If so, did that help with acceleration times?

I assume the illuminated CEL light on the dash is because of the test pipes. Can that be coded out with VCDS or otherwise eliminated. I'm in a state with no emission testing, so I'm considering the test pipe route and higher pulley ratio after I first upgrade cooling when my warranty expires.

Yea I had not done the TCU tune yet at that point. It is faster with snow tires than it was with summer tires after the TCU tune but I also ported the blower and added test pipes at the same time. Looking forward to doing pulls with the 295's mounted to see where it's at.

**Rocs** · 02-22-2019 03:36 PM

Those test pipes on the stock exhaust after you launched it sounded so nastyyyyyyyy. I wanna keep my sq5 stock for a little while if I can but I really want to just get a set of test pipes now.

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**elijahallen** · 02-22-2019 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by MSq5

The comparison pull video is showing that even after the tune and test pipes the upshifts are at stock 6,400 rpm. Have you raised that in your ZF8 TCU tune? If so, did that help with acceleration times?

I assume the illuminated CEL light on the dash is because of the test pipes. Can that be coded out with VCDS or otherwise eliminated. I'm in a state with no emission testing, so I'm considering the test pipe route and higher pulley ratio after I first upgrade cooling when my warranty expires.

BTW, that is traction control light not CEL, that video was before test pipes.

**Moalm** · 02-22-2019 04:08 PM

Car sounds great. How much effort to get those test pipes in?

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**bajan01** · 02-22-2019 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Moalm

Car sounds great. How much effort to get those test pipes in?

A billion efforts...find a shop to do it for you.

**Q5OnTheMove** · 02-22-2019 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by elijahallen

Yea this is my daily driver so I need it quiet. The factory exhaust flows very well so there is very little gain in going cat back other than sound.

Since you installed test pipes, are you smelling gas inside the cabin?

I had test pipes on my old G35 and had the smell of gas in the cabin

**elijahallen** · 02-23-2019 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by Moalm

Car sounds great. How much effort to get those test pipes in?

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It depends on the shop, my shop was able to get the job done in 3 hours. They had a special tool for the hidden bolt that gives people trouble.

**elijahallen** · 02-23-2019 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by Q5OnTheMove

Since you installed test pipes, are you smelling gas inside the cabin?

I had test pipes on my old G35 and had the smell of gas in the cabin

No smell in cabin, it does smell more outside though. I plan to do HFC's at some point but didn't want to ruin my stock cats so threw these in for now.

**1RAudiSQ5** · 02-23-2019 05:35 AM

Where did you source the 75mm throttle body?

**elijahallen** · 02-23-2019 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by WantaA4

Where did you source the 75mm throttle body?

https://www.euromodsperformance.com/...e-body-upgrade

**MSq5** · 02-25-2019 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by elijahallen

BTW, that is traction control light not CEL, that video was before test pipes.

Thanks for the clarification. That's good to know. Do the test pipes throw a code, and are you able to code it out?

**elijahallen** · 02-25-2019 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by MSq5

Thanks for the clarification. That's good to know. Do the test pipes throw a code, and are you able to code it out?

I am hoping I can have it coded out with a custom tune but I’m not having much luck with giac right now so looking into other tuners. I added offsets to the 02 sensors and those keep it from throwing any codes.

**MSq5** · 02-25-2019 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by elijahallen

I am hoping I can have it coded out with a custom tune but I’m not having much luck with giac right now so looking into other tuners. I added offsets to the 02 sensors and those keep it from throwing any codes.

Are those the right angle shaped extenders?

**elijahallen** · 02-25-2019 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by MSq5

Are those the right angle shaped extenders?

I just used straight extenders with gas flow restictor that came in different sizes. The middle size seems to be the one that works best. Here is a link. https://www.jegs.com/i/Vibrant-Perfo...BoCfGgQAvD_BwE

**rusq5** · 02-25-2019 11:44 AM

Maybe I missed it, but are you running stock suspension?

What alignment specs do you plan on running? I went on a drive this weekend and am thinking about putting a few degrees more camber in the front to help with turn in. The x-brace really helps with under steer, but I'm thinking I can still make some improvements with a good alignment.

Also, FWIW, after 20-ish miles of really tight roads I was getting fade in the brakes.

**elijahallen** · 02-25-2019 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by rusq5

Maybe I missed it, but are you running stock suspension?

What alignment specs do you plan on running? I went on a drive this weekend and am thinking about putting a few degrees more camber in the front to help with turn in. The x-brace really helps with under steer, but I'm thinking I can still make some improvements with a good alignment.

Also, FWIW, after 20-ish miles of really tight roads I was getting fade in the brakes.

I haven’t decided on suspension yet. Maybe just euro springs. I really want to keep it stick feeling for daily driving. I have an 034 RSB to mount and will probably do the X brace as well. The brake fade you had is just the pads you are running. With a higher temp pad they should be fine on the road no matter how hard you push them, track I’m not sure yet but I have dedicated track pads to test the envelope.

**rusq5** · 02-25-2019 01:35 PM

I've got EBC redstuff on the fronts, which did a lot better than the OEM pads, but still had some fade. Dedicated track pads sounds like a good idea.

**buggravy** · 02-25-2019 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by elijahallen

I haven’t decided on suspension yet. Maybe just euro springs. I really want to keep it stick feeling for daily driving. I have an 034 RSB to mount and will probably do the X brace as well. The brake fade you had is just the pads you are running. With a higher temp pad they should be fine on the road no matter how hard you push them, track I’m not sure yet but I have dedicated track pads to test the envelope.

Just throwing this out there, I’m getting new springs/shock put on today, so my Euro/ROW kit will likely go up for sale in the next week or so. 15,000ish miles and will probably sell for roughly half of retail.

**elijahallen** · 02-25-2019 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by buggravy

Just throwing this out there, I’m getting new springs/shock put on today, so my Euro/ROW kit will likely go up for sale in the next week or so. 15,000ish miles and will probably sell for roughly half of retail.

PM'd you

**elijahallen** · 02-25-2019 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by rusq5

I've got EBC redstuff on the fronts, which did a lot better than the OEM pads, but still had some fade. Dedicated track pads sounds like a good idea.

The Reds are for street only, the yellow would be a better choice for spirited driving :-)

**rusq5** · 02-25-2019 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by elijahallen

The Reds are for street only, the yellow would be a better choice for spirited driving :-)

But...I was on the street! haha

I will also have a set of KW HAS for sale soon too, if you're interested in going that route.

**elijahallen** · 02-25-2019 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by rusq5

But...I was on the street! haha

I will also have a set of KW HAS for sale soon too, if you're interested in going that route.

PM'd

**MSq5** · 02-26-2019 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by elijahallen

I just used straight extenders with gas flow restictor that came in different sizes. The middle size seems to be the one that works best. Here is a link. https://www.jegs.com/i/Vibrant-Perfo...BoCfGgQAvD_BwE

Thank you, sir!

**elijahallen** · 02-27-2019 11:27 AM

Porterfield racing brake pads got here today. We’ll see how stock brakes hold up at the track with proper pads.
IMG_1433.JPG

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**AKIN187** · 02-27-2019 07:53 PM

How are the test pipes with just normal driving? Any cab drone?

**bajan01** · 02-27-2019 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by AKIN187

How are the test pipes with just normal driving? Any cab drone?

Lots...I drive around in D just to minimize the annoyance.

**JD S4** · 02-28-2019 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by bajan01

Lots...I drive around in D just to minimize the annoyance.

Take a look at the thread by Evil35r in S4 forum. He’s reduced rasp and drone by using header wrap. Might be worth a try

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**elijahallen** · 02-28-2019 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by AKIN187

How are the test pipes with just normal driving? Any cab drone?

You can't even tell they are there in normal driving if you keep the rest of the exhaust stock. Literally no change until you start to boost then they are louder but not bad.