Looking for advice - new 2019 S5 sportback, best mods to improve power

[saturnv]

Hi everyone - just bought a new S5 Sportback, and it's been a great drive so far. I'm writing because, unfortunately, I drove the RS5 first, and I'd love to push the S5's performance in that direction. I bought the S Sport package, and that helps in the turns, but the power is not quite there.

This is a shared car with my wife, so I'd like to avoid external or suspension modifications.

• What are the best mods for power? ECU? New intercooler? Intake?
• Can I install these mods myself? I'm an engineer by training, and I've overhauled brakes and replaced spark plugs, but no engine stuff. Are there YouTube tutorials?
• Are there non-power mods I should consider?
• How much should I be spending? I can afford the mods if they're "worth it" but I don't want to spend so much that I may as well have bought the RS5.
  

Let me know what you guys think - thanks a million!

[Stazi]

Are you ready to void your warranty already?

[saturnv]

Are you ready to void your warranty already?

Hey - there are trade-offs with everything! I'd like to at least understand the options before making a decision. Obviously, removable mods would be best :-D

[Zed 2.0]

^^Way to derail the dude's thread with the first post...

@OP: The ECU on these cars was cracked just a few months ago and tunes are starting to roll out. There are a few available now, but if you wait there will be tunes from established companies like GIAC and APR coming out. You can't do this yourself and the tuner or shop needs physical access to the ECU. Figure $1k-$2k for these tunes depending on the specifics. There is also a JB4 piggyback available for these cars. I've used JB products on other cars and been happy with them but am personally waiting for true ECU tunes for the S5--the people who seem to have the most luck with the JB4 on these cars are running high-ethanol blended gas, water injection, etc. that I don't want to hassle with.

The intercooler on these cars is undersized so you'll notice more consistent power if you upgrade, probably even with the stock tune but definitely with aftermarket tuning. This could be a DIY but probably would take you a full day and involves bumper removal. Doubtful that there are any real gains with an intake other than sound.

Folks also seem to like the bushings and sway bar options available from companies like 034 and ECS, as well as the K&W/ABT lowering springs made for our adjustable suspensions. Up to you to decide whether these upgrades are worth the tradeoffs in ride quality/NVH.

[Motown_Dub]

I would agree with pretty much everything that Zed had to say.

I personally went the JB4 route because it is available today and coupled with a FMIC it seemed like a good path forward. So far I can say it was worth the money and is plenty for me in my daily driver. Once I get a little time I will dyno the car to see what the actual power improvements are with pump gas. Like Zed, I have no desire to mess around with ethanol blends. Pump gas only for me

Other than adding my personal experience with the JB4, Zed has set you down a good path.

[Gryphon001]

Well, I can’t chime in too much yet. As my lowering springs are still en route... and that’s likely to be the first mods. All others are in the planning stages. from what I’ve heard from ppl running H&R springs and personal experience on my A3, its not a significant difference in ride quality. Going from 19” to 20” wheels probably would make the ride harsher than the springs. I’m getting the adjustable springs plus thinking some 034 Motorsport mount inserts.. maybe stabilizer bar, just to get the car with a bit more of a planted feel.

In terms of power, a tune and maybe down pipes are your best bet. On my A3 I had an intake, down pipe and stage 2 tune and it was almost 100hp over stock. These cars I heard may be more easily tuned so you may get more out of them.

As for warranty... If you look around there may be some dealerships that offer running options in the area which won’t void your warranty. In the Toronto area, PFAFF Tunning is a division of PFAFF Audi, and they offer the ABT piggyback tune which gets you to 420-ish hp. Being affiliated with the dealership, they honour the factory warranties. Maybe there is something like it wherever you are living.


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[SD Nardo]

I sprung on a holiday "deal" for the ABT piggy about a year ago for $2k. Problem is, it's tuned for 93 octane and in Cali I just get 91 octane. I have played a couple times with blending E85 but not the hassle I wanna deal with on a daily...I need gas when I need gas and E85 not available that many places.

ABT makes a difference, and the ABT unit is solid and has a history with Audi but way more pricey than JB4. I also got an APR intercooler (Installed at home in 4 hours) and while it benefits the car when driving hard for an extended time / higher temps it's not being utilized to full potential untill we push more boost. And in my case, I cannot tweak the ABT piggy like I would a JB4 even though stuck on 91 octane. Contemplating a pure turbo upgrade and switch to JB4...but at that point kinda thinking a used RS5 in a year. Problem is, I'd want to do intake, exhaust, and 034 goodies on that too so just a rabbit hole no matter what 😂

The AWE Touring exhaust and intake though.. love the soundtrack all day long!

[Hondaciviceg]

Hey I got my car few months ago, I’ve already dumped more than I wanted to into it and still got someway to go. For a daily I wasn’t thinking of spending so much as I already have a dedicated track car, but couldn’t resist, I went this route:

H&R springs, lowered the car nicely with no rubbing issues with stock 19inch wheels,no spacers currently, but thinking of going with 10mm front 15mm rear.

Then got CTS intake which gave me an amazing turbo spool sound

And a few days later CTS downpipes installed, that just completed the sound I wanted out of this car, it sounds just amazing and I wish I could post a video but the sound quality isn’t evident through the video.

That said now I have an engine light on due to the Catless downpipes, and need a tune which I have been told there are DME, which deals with a lot of exotic cars and my friend has it on his M5 and was recommending. (Gives the most power with stage 2), otherwise there are Dtuk, JB4 from what I know.
Now I hear people can disconnect the tune from the car in the JB4 case if they’re taking there car to the dealer, and it’s not detectable to them, but I hear they also can get access to the history of your car and find out that you’ve messed with it if you got a big warranty issue with the engine and stuff

Hope this will bring you up to speed of what I have learned about this car in the past few months.
Cheers


2019 Audi S5 Sportback