NastyNate's Ibis White SQ5 "Build"

[NastyNate]

Hi all - I haven't been very active on AZ since I was building my B7. About two years ago I picked up my SQ5 and I've been loving it. Here's the list so far:

Euro SQ5 suspension
Stage 3 with the Magnusson S/C (yes, I was an early, non-researching adopter)
034 X Brace
034 Transmission Mount
Eurocode Rear Diff Mounts
"RSQ5" Front Grill
Tint on all exterior lighting.

So, while I've done some stuff and wasted a bit of cash (I'm looking at you, APR ), here's another reason for this thread:
As I mentioned above, I have the eBay RSQ5 front grill. It's Gloss Black with Chrome trim. I currently have Lamin-X Smoke tint on my headlights and foglights because amber makes be vomit. I'm unhappy with the setup due to flow issues, but I want to share in my mistakes so that we can grow together (AZ is therapy, right?). This was the dream:


Unfortunately, the shop that I used didn't do a great job with some of the tabs below the grill and now it's all I see. I will post a pic when I get a chance.

Going forward, here's my plan up front:
Ecode headlights (no tint needed anymore in front)
Back to stock SQ5 grill, but I'm planning to wrap the interior chrome on the grill a Satin Black color. I'm partially done with it. See pic:


So let's play a little game. Who has a look that they want to see that will be easy for me to do over the next two weeks? Here are the options:
1) Stock headlights tinted, "RSQ5" grill
2) Stock headlights, "RSQ5" grill
3) Ecode headlights, modified SQ5 grill

I think that's it, but let me know if you have other ideas. Since the Ecodes and the grill replacement require the front bumber to be removed, I'm going to lump together the overhaul for #3.

[SQ5LIFE]

Go for ecodes! Also I'm not sure if you want to go to stock grill. Im looking eventually to go to the RSQ5 grill. Also post some pictures of the car! How is the magnason supercharger?

[riceboy22]

LOL I was wondering if you were "real" because I saw you had posted items for sale but never saw your name on the Q forums. Props for taking one for the team as an early adopter for stage 3 on the SQ5! I also just realized you have work done on your car at RSW. I'm down in that area every few weeks to visit family in Westfield.

For your question, if amber makes you want to vomit, then absolutely go with ecodes. I think just tinting the corners isn't going to give you the look you want, especially since you don't have a dark colored car. In for a penny, in for a pound! There's a guy on here (who I'm sure will post lol) that is slinging Q5 ecodes on the corner.

I'd love to hear more about (or better yet experience in person) stage 3 on an SQ5.

[SQ5LIFE]

Yes once upon a time i was very interested in Stage 3 SQ5 but gave up because the money cost just wasn't anywhere close to the gains of HP. turns out Stage 2 to stage 3 was just a super small HP gain.

[NastyNate]

Go for ecodes! Also I'm not sure if you want to go to stock grill. Im looking eventually to go to the RSQ5 grill. Also post some pictures of the car! How is the magnason supercharger?

I have the ecodes in the garage waiting to be installed.

That first pic is actually the RSQ5 grill on my car. I will take some more pics in a couple of days when I get my car back from the shop.

The Magnusson is good. I skipped stage 2 so I can't really comment on differences. I did see a significant difference from stage 1. To be honest, the car is fast to begin with, so it was just faster. I can scare the crap out of virtually any passenger so that's enough for me.

[NastyNate]

Yeah I'm real. If you want to check out the Stage 3, let me know.

As I mentioned earlier, got the ecodes, just waiting for the install. I will post pics of the tinted front lighting. I didn't care about the reduced light output, I just had to mute that amber. I have tint on the rear lighting as well. The overall look is somewhat storm-trooped at the moment, but I'm not happy with the different finishes. Thankfully I am in a position to be able to try and fail and not worry too much.

[NastyNate]

Yes once upon a time i was very interested in Stage 3 SQ5 but gave up because the money cost just wasn't anywhere close to the gains of HP. turns out Stage 2 to stage 3 was just a super small HP gain.

I know. I am part of the pilot program. That may just be semantics from APR/Magnusson, but it gave me a free install and I've also gotten a brand new, updated S/C and numerous SW updates. They're working out the kinks, and I think that the latest iteration will help with cooling issues. I briefly tried to find a local AWD dyno, but haven't done it yet. We all deserve to see real numbers from this setup, so if anyone knows a place that's local (northern NJ), I'm up to get it done.

I personally think the car pulls great, but I have literally no data to back it up.

[SQ5LIFE]

I know. I am part of the pilot program. That may just be semantics from APR/Magnusson, but it gave me a free install and I've also gotten a brand new, updated S/C and numerous SW updates. They're working out the kinks, and I think that the latest iteration will help with cooling issues. I briefly tried to find a local AWD dyno, but haven't done it yet. We all deserve to see real numbers from this setup, so if anyone knows a place that's local (northern NJ), I'm up to get it done.

I personally think the car pulls great, but I have literally no data to back it up.

Looking forward to seeing your numbers. My goal with the supercharger was to use it as a stepping stone to try and push the car to 500-600hp if possible with other upgrades like intercooler, injectors and things like that, that have yet to come out for our cars. But looking forward to seeing how your numbers compare to stage 2.

[NastyNate]

Sneak preview:

[rault18]

Quick Question. Looking into going the honeycomb way...My question is all these ebay stores cant guarantee fitment for the sensors. Did yours fit alright?

[Saleen S7 TT]

Updates?

[tcm glx]

Sneak preview:

Love this box!!

[NastyNate]

Hey guys, i know I haven't been very active. Just busy with other stuff. I will snap a few pics but I'll answer the questions that have been posted.


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[NastyNate]

Quick Question. Looking into going the honeycomb way...My question is all these ebay stores cant guarantee fitment for the sensors. Did yours fit alright?

This was a bit of a yes and no. The first shop that did the swap didn't line things up correctly and I actually lost the ACC function for a while. (I think that sensor is in the right fog grill- go figure) The parking sensors always worked fine.

I then ended up hitting a baby deer and had to have some work done on the front end. The shop that did the work this time did a great job with everything and now everything works again.

Net net- as long as you know what you're doing, everything should line up just fine.


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[NastyNate]

Love this box!!

Thanks! I will post up some pics of the finished product. It all went together great. I have some other goodies I'm getting ready for spring so more pics to come.



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[NastyNate]

Looking forward to seeing your numbers. My goal with the supercharger was to use it as a stepping stone to try and push the car to 500-600hp if possible with other upgrades like intercooler, injectors and things like that, that have yet to come out for our cars. But looking forward to seeing how your numbers compare to stage 2.

If anyone can recommend a dyno in NJ or NYC, I will get the car on it. I have looked around a little and I haven't found anyone that's willing to dyno my car.


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[jpsjr]

Nasty Nate, I guess your in North Jersey? If that's the case call Dion at Drive Auto Works, he has someone that does it for them. They are right in Clifton.


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[NastyNate]

Nasty Nate, I guess your in North Jersey? If that's the case call Dion at Drive Auto Works, he has someone that does it for them. They are right in Clifton.


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Thanks Jose. Dion's guys built that sub box. I will give him a call.


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[chuthis]

Any pics of the tinted headlights? Curious how they look on a white Q...

[NastyNate]

Any pics of the tinted headlights? Curious how they look on a white Q...

I'll have to dig through pics. The tint was on the stock headlights, mostly to hide the orange. Now that I have the ecodes on, I don't have to worry about that.

EDIT: Found a pic.

[chuthis]

Thanks! I've been debating if tinting the headlights would hold me over from getting ecodes or maybe trying to open up the OEM headlights.... hmmm lol.

[NastyNate]

Thanks! I've been debating if tinting the headlights would hold me over from getting ecodes or maybe trying to open up the OEM headlights.... hmmm lol.

I might just have a pair of OEMs that I could sell you if you want to experiment.


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[chuthis]

I might just have a pair of OEMs that I could sell you if you want to experiment.


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Haha thanks I'll keep it in mind for sure

[Mops@Nemesis]

Looking good! I really like the 20" RS4 wheel. Reminds me of the jos4audi Q5 from many years ago. The CF's look great too.

[NastyNate]

Looking good! I really like the 20" RS4 wheel. Reminds me of the jos4audi Q5 from many years ago. The CF's look great too.

Thanks Mops! I just got the CF's refinished so I will be mounting them once winter is done once and for all. We're getting our second snow for the year here in NJ today.

I'm also doing brakes and rotors shortly so my wheel situation is about to change significantly.


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[tcm glx]

Find any pics of the sub setup finished up?

[NastyNate]

Find any pics of the sub setup finished up?

I took a couple yesterday. Pics from my phone...



Amp hidden in drivers side panel in the trunk:


Sub volume control next to driver's knee up front.



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[tcm glx]

That looks great!