Just ReModed from S4-Hsports to RS4-Hsports. 4-Words "Def. Now on Rails"

[Eddie Man]

Well anyways, from day one, I installed my HSport S4 Swaybar set from my B6/3.0 and it was awesome...
Now after a couple years, I decided to pull the trigger on the HSport RS4 Rear Bar (BTW, the front bar is the same for both the S4 & RS4 set up)...
The bar diameter went from 24mm to a massive 29mm.

The install was very smooth and really very simple...
It took me 45 minutes w/some down time in between.

In a nut shell, the car is now f*ckin awesome...
It's a brand new experience with great prowness on straights and turns.
The handling has transformed to a real taught machine. I love it :)

Well anyways, here are some pics:

Up on Rino Ramps in teh Garage


Comparos (S4 vs RS4 bars)




And a Def. Must on the endlinks
BTW, I my new RS4 Bar is set on the inner setting, "aggressive" baby !!!

[S4J]

Eddie,
Do you think the weight difference from the Avant to the sedan would make much difference? I'm running the S4 H Sports too, but feel the RS4 bar might be a bit too stiff. I already noticed a world of difference from stock to my current setup. Also, what settings you running on your suspension (I'm running 4 all around)? And as always, thanks for sharing.
Steve

[mbgt72]

I'm really thinking about doing this same mod on my B7 S4. I'm a newer member and haven't had my car all that long, but I've heard this is an awesome mod for the money (can't afford c.o. yet and want to do something). Just wondering, I think I've heard a couple people pushing the idea of only doing the rear and leaving the front stock, but on h-sport's website they're pretty adamant that you should do the set and not just the rear. Can anyone confirm or debunk this? I also really like the idea of just doing the rear b/c I like having a car that's a little rear end happy which is what I've heard ya get doing it this way (I've always had rwd cars and still getting used to the AWD, but thankfully I got into the B7 2005.5 manual model, so I've got the 40/60 split from what I understand).

Thanks

[channad]

I'm really thinking about doing this same mod on my B7 S4. I'm a newer member and haven't had my car all that long, but I've heard this is an awesome mod for the money (can't afford c.o. yet and want to do something). Just wondering, I think I've heard a couple people pushing the idea of only doing the rear and leaving the front stock, but on h-sport's website they're pretty adamant that you should do the set and not just the rear. Can anyone confirm or debunk this? I also really like the idea of just doing the rear b/c I like having a car that's a little rear end happy which is what I've heard ya get doing it this way (I've always had rwd cars and still getting used to the AWD, but thankfully I got into the B7 2005.5 manual model, so I've got the 40/60 split from what I understand).

Thanks

first, I think the MY 2006 got the 40/60 quattro split, but I could be wrong.

secondly, I hear getting just the rear bar allows for less understear, and on the aggressive setting, you can throw the back out.

thirdly, I hear having both dials the understear back in, however, it gives a neutral body roll in turns.

[Cargo8]

2005.5 still had 50/50 split.

makes sense that only having rear would produce more oversteer, but i cant give confirmation.

[Stevelev]

Great to read about the upgrade from S4 to RS4 H-sports. Since my car came with the OEM RS4 rear (2007 MY), I purchased the RS4 H-sports. They'll be installed shortly. I did have the kit on my B6 A4 (front and rear). A couple of points to make ...

1) I believe the 40/60 split of power happened in the 2007 MY
2) The front bar will provide better turn-in but does adds back a bit of understeer
3) Full details of the different H-sports are:

RS4 H-sports
35mmF and 29mm rear
Front 60% stiffer/ Rear +235%, and +305% stiffer than OEM
90% stiffer than S4 H-sport rear

S4 H-Sports
35mm front and 24mm rear
Front 60% stiffer/ Rear +145% & 215% stiffer than pre-2007 OEM (2007+ come with RS4 rear)
30% stiffer than A4 H-sport rear

A4 H-sports
35 mm front and 22 mm rear
Front: +60% stiffer/ Rear: +120% & +150% stiffer than OEM

[mbgt72]

Ok, thanks a lot. Sorry, I really didn't mean to jack the thread with my questions. I am looking at doing this though and have heard only great things! I'm glad to see it's such an easy swap out, and will probably try to go ahead and order the same part for my car next week, then I'll finally be done for a while, hehe, I'm sure we've all said that one before.


One question on install: Did you have any real issue's getting the bushings to fit over or any other fitament issues (I take it they provide a set of new bushings and all other hardware needed pretty much)? I just remember reading somewhere about people having some issues installing a rear sway, but they might of just been doing the H&R or RS4 of somebody's (going from the stock 20mm to the RS4's 22mm sway and just using their current hardware).


Yea, I've never heard for sure what the exact time frame was that they changed the power split up, I've just always heard it was in the B7 model. I have a 2005.5 manual (I know that the auto is still 50/50) and had kinda hoped that it meant since mine was a B7 that it would have the change up in the power split. I really didn't want to have to do the stasis center diff mod, but it may look more appealing later on down the road if mine is a true 50/50 split.


Thanks for the write up, great looking car btw! I want to do the RS4 wheels in gunmetal 19" at some point later on down the road.

[Louis J.]

If anyone wants to sell their 22mm or 24mm rear sway, I've got paypal ready to go...PM me.

[Stevelev]

If anyone wants to sell their 22mm or 24mm rear sway, I've got paypal ready to go...PM me.

If you're unsuccessful finding one (I'll keep mine for demodding down the road), the H-sports are available from Tire Rack and ECS has OEM ones.

[Louis J.]

Thanks Steve.

[Stevelev]

Thanks Steve.

No problem. BTW, PureMS also sells the single rear h-sports.

[Louis J.]

No problem. BTW, PureMS also sells the single rear h-sports.

Good to know. I'd love to go more agressive but with all the rain we get here, I think I'm better off with a 22 or 24mm rear sway only. I'd prefer to buy from an AZer if someone has a spare one.

[channad]

According to the guys at STaSIS...if you are running the Ohlins SLs, they recommend the H-Sport S4 rear sway, not the RS4 version.

I'm not sure why, but I guess with the higher spring rates, you don't need something as thick in the rear.

[S-Fore]

Eddieman, Don't you have PSS9's too?

[channad]

^^^^^ I'm pretty sure he does.

[SuperAvant]

I think 40/60 split happened in the later half of 2005....

Never mind 2007.

[S-Fore]

I have the same set-up. I get a lot (meaning more than I think that I should with a reputable CO) of lean in the corners and my alignment is set fairly agressive. I am @ 3F and 5R, but no matter what, the springs on the PSS9's are just too soft. Eddie, do you feel the same?
I looked into replacing the springs, and what a task. Only available through Eibach Europe(Eibach makes the springs for Bilstien's kits), and around $750+ to my door. Most of the domestic springs are 60mm ID and the PSS9's are 70mm ID.

[gpxluke]

NICE...I would love to have a ride on your car man...I have the H-Sport S4 sway bar kit on my B7 A4, those things are so amazing that transform our car into a different kind of handling performance...I really love them...I am sure the RS4 ones would perform much much better, really nice choice

[Eddie Man]

Eddie, Do you think the weight difference from the Avant to the sedan would make much difference? I'm running the S4 H Sports too, but feel the RS4 bar might be a bit too stiff. I already noticed a world of difference from stock to my current setup. Also, what settings you running on your suspension (I'm running 4 all around)? And as always, thanks for sharing.
Steve

Make a difference? Well I know the Audi Model Guide actually rates the curb weights as the same but common sense tell me that indeed the Avant would be heavier in the rear. That being said, I'd say the driving dynamics that one would feel or sense is the differences within the same car w/different setups. So, w/my observations, I believe your experience would be that much greater. I believe if you pull the trigger, you will have the same great experience as I have.

I'm still running 9 (soft) on all 4 corners coming off winter. Will prolly stiffen up some soon though.

Did you have any real issue's getting the bushings to fit over or any other fitament issues (I take it they provide a set of new bushings and all other hardware needed pretty much)? I just remember reading somewhere about people having some issues installing a rear sway, but they might of just been doing the H&R or RS4 of somebody's (going from the stock 20mm to the RS4's 22mm sway and just using their current hardware).

Thanks for the write up, great looking car btw! I want to do the RS4 wheels in gunmetal 19" at some point later on down the road.

No install issues...
The RS4 Hsport Setup comes w/new RS4 appropriate hardware (bushing brackets, bushings & washers). All the existing bolts carryover.
Thanks for the props :)

Eddieman, Don't you have PSS9's too?

Yes I do.

I have the same set-up. I get a lot (meaning more than I think that I should with a reputable CO) of lean in the corners and my alignment is set fairly agressive. I am @ 3F and 5R, but no matter what, the springs on the PSS9's are just too soft. Eddie, do you feel the same?
I looked into replacing the springs, and what a task. Only available through Eibach Europe(Eibach makes the springs for Bilstien's kits), and around $750+ to my door. Most of the domestic springs are 60mm ID and the PSS9's are 70mm ID.

A lot of lean???
That puzzles me. Do you have the stock OEM Sways? or the Hsport Setup?
Even w/OEM sways, you should not have lean. Perhaps faulty shocks?

Soft springs? Yes, I would have to agree. When I set my PSS9s at the firmest Setting "1" on all fours, the ride is extremely bouncy to the point of being garbage. A much firmer spring is more well suit for that "1" setting.
For me, anywhere from 6-9 setting suits me just fine, w/o having that sickening bounce.
Adjustable rebound/compression COs must have springs compromising enough to fulfill the range of the adjustment. IMHO, the PSS9s just comes a tad short on the firmer setting. Oh well, I'm still good w/it.
Now when I had my H&R COs, the were brick solid if not bordering on harsh, but the springs were matched dead-nuts (as they should for a quality non adjustable CO).

Lastly, if you really want to improve your PSS9 setup, I would probably go Stasis Ohlins or maybe to the Stasis Motorsport COs. These are more suited for the high end suspension guros that want uncompromised setups.

NICE...I would love to have a ride on your car man...I have the H-Sport S4 sway bar kit on my B7 A4, those things are so amazing that transform our car into a different kind of handling performance...I really love them...I am sure the RS4 ones would perform much much better, really nice choice

Thanks for the props and I truly welcome ANYONE to take a ride in my car. I love it and would be willing to allow others to sample it.

[vinny.dtw]

You have pm on mca eddie. :)

[Shonobi]

Eddieman...quick question....eventhough the RS4 Sway bar fit as an upgrade....don't you have to take into consideration the weaklinks it may create. by that I mean the connections its being attached to. If the rear sways are so much larger then stock and H-sport...wouldn't it creat more tension on this link in the system and may come loose or worse yet break off?

thank for the feedback on the RS4 sways
Shonobi

[oatzel]

i just swapped in my rs4 rear h-sport last week. agree with eddieman's comments. love it. i'm currently on the soft setting. can't wait to get the car back to the track.

[oatzel]

I'm really thinking about doing this same mod on my B7 S4. I'm a newer member and haven't had my car all that long, but I've heard this is an awesome mod for the money (can't afford c.o. yet and want to do something). Just wondering, I think I've heard a couple people pushing the idea of only doing the rear and leaving the front stock, but on h-sport's website they're pretty adamant that you should do the set and not just the rear. Can anyone confirm or debunk this? I also really like the idea of just doing the rear b/c I like having a car that's a little rear end happy which is what I've heard ya get doing it this way (I've always had rwd cars and still getting used to the AWD, but thankfully I got into the B7 2005.5 manual model, so I've got the 40/60 split from what I understand).

Thanks

i'll add, the main reason that i upgraded to the rs4 bar is because I had a huge amount of understeer at my last track event, running the h-sport S4 kit. I debated either pulling the front h-sport bar off, or upgrading the rear bar to the h-sport rs4 bar. so far, I'm really happy with the upgraded rear bar. turn in and tracking seem to be much approved.

I don't really push my car hard enough on the street to determine the full extent of the upgrade at the limits, but initial impressions are very positive.

fwiw, i haven't noticed the ride being any different from the s4 h-sport set up

[mbgt72]

Thanks for the info!

[Eddie Man]

Eddieman...quick question....eventhough the RS4 Sway bar fit as an upgrade....don't you have to take into consideration the weaklinks it may create. by that I mean the connections its being attached to. If the rear sways are so much larger then stock and H-sport...wouldn't it creat more tension on this link in the system and may come loose or worse yet break off?

thank for the feedback on the RS4 sways
Shonobi

Those are good questions and I'm sure that the Hotchkis Design Team probably had the same questions.
My take is that they did their homework through engineering. Also field testing to prove that the exisiting links and bolt hardware were adequate during those tests and most probably getting feedback from their customers if there are issues.

This is a typical process of a quality outfit and from their reputation, I would have to believe they've done their fair share to limit their liability and to put it into production.

[snopyro]

Anyone know how the RS4 H-sports would be on a 2005 S4 Avant with OEM suspension? What's the best setting to get understeer-to-neutral handling? (soft setting or stiff?) I'm not sure how many settings the H-sport front and rear sways have... Thanks for the info!

[Stevelev]

Only rear bar has 2 settings. Go with stiff and call it a day.

[whitevdub]

hey Eddie Man, i'm loving the stance of the car. would you consider selling those BBS ch that are on your wall in the garage in the pic?

[Eddie Man]

hey Eddie Man, i'm loving the stance of the car. would you consider selling those BBS ch that are on your wall in the garage in the pic?

Thanks for the props...
Sorry man, those wheels are my Winter Setup.

[johntesi]

I've got these too. They absolutely rock, very noticeable improvement in terms of "lean" (if you want to call it that) and at-the-limit adhesion. Well worth the money, especially if you already have your suspension sorted out.

[akitamike]

Bringin back an old thread after some searching. A question: for a 2004 S4, if I just want some more neutral and flatter handling for twisty road driving (not necessarily track or AX - no time) would upgrading to just the rear S4 H-Sport 24mm rear bar, without upgrading the front OEM S4 bar be the best best bet? Hotchkis seems to say that their larger RS4 front/rear kit (35mm/29mm) is for track or autocross. I just wonder if that setup would be too stiff for daily driving on the street. I guess you could put on the 29mm rear and go with the softer of the two settings, which is still 235% stiffer, and leave the OEM front alone.

[bhvrdr]

Bringin back an old thread after some searching. A question: for a 2004 S4, if I just want some more neutral and flatter handling for twisty road driving (not necessarily track or AX - no time) would upgrading to just the rear S4 H-Sport 24mm rear bar, without upgrading the front OEM S4 bar be the best best bet? Hotchkis seems to say that their larger RS4 front/rear kit (35mm/29mm) is for track or autocross. I just wonder if that setup would be too stiff for daily driving on the street. I guess you could put on the 29mm rear and go with the softer of the two settings, which is still 235% stiffer, and leave the OEM front alone.

I still prefer the RS4 setup on the sways. I really havent lost anything in terms of driving comfort and the car will not become oversteer prone without having to add a lot more then these swaybars. cheers! mike

[Stevelev]

^ X2

I just recently put the RS4 H-sports on my "daily driver" and the ride is still very compliant with the added benefits of better turn-in, flatter cornering and reduced understeer.