mkasperzak's SQ5 "The Bird" build thread

[mkasperzak]

Picked up a 2014 Brilliant Black SQ5 P+ last June with 33k miles and have been meaning to start a thread since. It is my third (and favorite) Audi to date, I was coming from a b8 A4 6MT and prior to that a b7 A4 (pics below). Thought I was going allroad, but ended up going with the SQ primarily b/c of the 3.0T. I was struggling getting back into a stock 2.0T coming from a stg 2+ and I welcomed the extra room. Found a great deal on a local SQ that had everything I was looking for P+, Tech, Carbon Inlays, 21s, Black/Brown Nappa, BangOlf, Side Assist, Xpel and I jumped on it (thought I wanted BO, but the contrast with black has grown on me). Modding started immediately, I swapped a number of parts from the b8 her first night at home and put in an order with team supreme to get her where I wanted. I took a nice break after the initial group of mods then did a "winter phase" and will do my second big phase here in the next month or so.

My buddies and I call it the "The Bird", stems from referring to Helicopters as birds (ski culture lingo ). With the Nokian snow tire setup, it literally does fly up to the mtns in any conditions. Tough to find a more suitable/fun car for a mtn weekend trip. Now on to the mod list and photos....

Powertrain:
GIAC Dual Pulley Tune (3.18 PR)
AWE SC Pulley (57.55mm)
FluidAmpr Crank Pulley w/ iAbed 183mm oversized ring
AWE Touring Exhaust + Valve Sims
034 Heat Exchanger
Roc-Euro Intake
R8 Oil Cap

Wheels:
21x10.5 BC Forged EH-173, ET25 F ET20 R on Michelin PS4S 295/35 (coming spring 2020)
20x10.5 BBS CH-R ET25 on Nokian Hakka R2s 255/45 with 3mm Supreme Power spacer in rear for effective ET22 (winter setup)


Suspension:
Bilstein PSS10
034 X Brace
034 Adj RSB
034 Trans mount insert
034 Rear Diff carrier inserts
Moog End links (rear)
Apikol Rear Diff insert (red)

Brakes:
Akebono Ceramic pads (rear)
Akebono Coated rotors (rear)

Exterior:
Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra (@ Steve at Colorado Detail - highly recommended)
Llumar Platinum PPF - Full Hood, Fender, Bumper, Side Mirror Caps & Window Pillars (@ Colorado Detail)
Window Trim wrapped in Satin Black (@ Colorado Detail)
Roof Rails & Rear Valence painted Satin Black (@ Emmel's Enamels - highly recommended)
OEM E-Codes (non-AFS)
OEM Black Optics Grille
OEM Black Optics Lower Fog Grilles
CarbonDesignz Mirror Caps
Phillips Xtreme Vision D3S
Philips 6000K Xtreme Ultinon Fogs
DeAuto LED front signals
DeAuto LED reverse bulbs
Thule Aeroblade Edge Crossbars
Thule Flow 606
Kuat Trio bike racks - Black
De-Badged

Interior:
AutoTecknic Carbon Fiber Comp shift levers
Ziza LED interior Kit
Passport 9500xi
Silenced Rear Cargo Cover
Vag Mods: Disable DRL wink, Enable remote windows/sun, Enable video in motion, Disable seatbelt chime, enable footwell lighting, disable NAV/Phone warnings, Enable Gear selection in DIS, Enable Lap timer, Disable Auto upshift, Enable Rear LED DRL
Dragy

Future Plans:
CarbnLab Rear Diffuser
BBK - when front rotors/pads are done

Past Mods:
21x10 BBS LM-R ET35 on Conti DWS06 295/35/21 with 15mm F / 18mm R adapters for effective ET20/18
21x10 Vorsteiner VFF-109 ET30 on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 295/35/21
21x10.5 Strasse Forged SM5R Deep Concave Monoblock in Brushed Titanium, F ET30, R ET35
KW HAS
034 Intake Hose
034 rear end links
AWE S-Flo 3.0T Filter
H&R Spacers 15mm/20mm on OEM 21s
CQuartz Professional Ceramic Coating

Just back from the dealership



B8



B7



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phase 1 - Summer 2016 - I hit it with the Vagcom night one and drove it stock for a day and then immediately swapped some parts I kept from my A4 part out. I installed the 034 Tranny mount and apikol rear diff mount and also picked up a pair of Thule Aeroblade crossbars to fit my Rocky Mount bike racks. Also swapped my Phillips bulbs, LED interior bulbs, LED fogs and hardwired Passport my 9500xi. Shortly after my Mops/Supreme "SQ5 starter kit" arrived and i got everything except the RSB installed within a week or so. Shout out to Tam and Mops for the quick hook up. This got the ride exactly where I wanted it, tightened everything up, dropped it, and made it feel much more comparable to the full CO/Sway setup I was accustomed to. The pipes and intake hose added just the right amount of sound, I didn't go DP b/c I do a lot of highway driving and didn't want any drone (especially climbing I-70).


AWE


XBrace


034 Tranny


034 RSB & Links

Phase 1 Final Product


Booty

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phase 2 - November 2017 - I got her geared up for her first winter, I purchased the new Thule Flow box and a winter wheel setup from a local Denver AZ'r - thanks again Steve/mtbmaniac. Quattro + Nokian Rubber makes it truly a dream of a machine in the snow. Tons of traction and love the looks and functionality of the box. I also threw in the DeAuto LED Front signals and reverse lights and had a BO grille installed at BWPerformance in Denver. They will definitely be my go to spot now that I don't have a garage.


Bye Summers


Hello Winters


B0 Grille in CB Front

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phase 3 - April-Oct 2017 - Strasse Forged SM5R 21x10.5 setup. E-Codes from Arjun installed and GIAC Stg 2 April 2017 up at Apikol in Boulder.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phase 4 - #BBS365 - Oct 2017-present - I hit up Mops to inquire about a meatier winter setup, Martin's 20x10 Volk/Nokian setup had inspired me a bit and after getting accustomed to the summer setup I was struggling to go back to the 8.5" peelers. I've always loved the BBS CH-R and decided it was time. I transfered the same Nokian Hakka R2's over (255/45/20). At the same time Senior Mops planted a seed and gave me a heads up he was selling his LM-R's... why not make it two? I posted my Strasse wheel/tire combo and barrygold picked them up for his beautiful S8. Thanks again to Mops for making me a deal I couldn't pass up. Few other little things during this time, I painted the rear valence in Wurth Satin Black and had the window trim wrapped in Satin black. More outstanding work done by Colorado Detail. Absolutely loving it, not sure I'll part with either set until I part with the car. Playing with the idea of Bilstein's come spring and maybe Brembo's when my front rotors/pads are done.

[Turbavanttro]

Hotness! The Thule box "flows" perfect atop your SQ!

[freesole]

Beauty. Love the look of the peelers on your car. What do you have coming up next for wheels??

[mkasperzak]

Hotness! The Thule box "flows" perfect atop your SQ!

Appreciate it. I have been approached a few times randomly "Hey, Your box doesn't look like a Rocket ready for takeoff". Adjustable Thule bars FTW!

[mkasperzak]

Beauty. Love the look of the peelers on your car. What do you have coming up next for wheels??

I recently purchased a set of Strasse Forged SM5R Deep Concave Monoblock wheels from TSpoolin. 21x10.5 ET30 & ET35 custom built for his RS7. I will need to run spacers, likely going 285/35 PSS. I was actually just in Seattle, I should have hit you up... would have loved to come drool over the LM-Rs. Need to see in person...

[agautohaus]

happy to help bud!! You da man! love the whip, can't wait to see your next phase!

[Mops@Nemesis]

Looks fantastic Matt! Love black with the alu spec.

Glad to assist anytime 👍🏼

[VroomVroom]

The phase 1 "booty" shot is awesome. Nothing like a direct sunlight shot showing off the beautiful swirl-free finish. I need a minute over here, I just soiled myself.

[mkasperzak]

Looks fantastic Matt! Love black with the alu spec.

Glad to assist anytime 👍🏼

Glad to see you back on team LM. Will be reaching out for some spacers here soon.

[mkasperzak]

The phase 1 "booty" shot is awesome. Nothing like a direct sunlight shot showing off the beautiful swirl-free finish. I need a minute over here, I just soiled myself.

I've got to admit... it's a celly snap, that angle sure gets me going though. Finish is not looking like that right now, i'll be putting some serious elbow grease into her soon.

[mkasperzak]

Bye Amber. Finally found some time to throw the ecodes in. Was flying through the install until I got to putting the new housings back in, man it was trickier than the a4 but a little patience and voila. And she's finally the way she was always meant to be...

Thanks again Arjun, best dude around. Now the summers and some time for some proper pics.




Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[BG SQ5]

Great build! Nothing beats a clean BB. You'll absolutely love the tune...its a whole new beast.

[Mops@Nemesis]

They look fantastic. Congrats!

[DocTJ]

all of it looks great man

[mkasperzak]

Great build! Nothing beats a clean BB. You'll absolutely love the tune...its a whole new beast.

Can't wait, I have been talking to Apikol up in Boulder all day. Bringing her in to Audi on 4/7 to have some recall work done and plan on shooting up for the GIAC Tune/AWE SC pulley that afternoon. Talking to them about the Dual Pulley setup they just released as well, not something I plan on doing immediately but maybe down the road. GIAC claimed to have a dual-pulley file available for one of the Q-models with an ECU part number ending in "J". He said they will be adding more soon.

They look fantastic. Congrats!

all of it looks great man

Appreciate it, can't stop looking back at the ECodes. First trip to the bike park Saturday and up to Copper on Sunday (notice the dirt lot, not snow)

[mtbmaniac]

Matt,

SQ5 looks great, especially with the Thule box. I'm going to buy one this weekend with my REI 20% discount coupon. Glad the wheels and tires served you well this winter driving up I-70 for skiing. I like my Pirelli Scorpion winter replacements overall, but they're not as good as the Nokian Hakka R's in the mountains and on ice. I'd like to hook up and check out your ride once you get the tune and pully. Hit me up when it's complete.

Can't wait, I have been talking to Apikol up in Boulder all day. Bringing her in to Audi on 4/7 to have some recall work done and plan on shooting up for the GIAC Tune/AWE SC pulley that afternoon. Talking to them about the Dual Pulley setup they just released as well, not something I plan on doing immediately but maybe down the road. GIAC claimed to have a dual-pulley file available for one of the Q-models with an ECU part number ending in "J". He said they will be adding more soon.





Appreciate it, can't stop looking back at the ECodes. First trip to the bike park Saturday and up to Copper on Sunday (notice the dirt lot, not snow)

[mkasperzak]

Matt,

SQ5 looks great, especially with the Thule box. I'm going to buy one this weekend with my REI 20% discount coupon. Glad the wheels and tires served you well this winter driving up I-70 for skiing. I like my Pirelli Scorpion winter replacements overall, but they're not as good as the Nokian Hakka R's in the mountains and on ice. I'd like to hook up and check out your ride once you get the tune and pully. Hit me up when it's complete.

Thanks Steve. Yea I would highly recommend the Thule Flow, fits the Q extremely well. Long enough for big pow skis and low pro to fit in any garage.

I will shoot you a text when the pulley and tune are in. Should be around the week of 4/17 after I wrap up a few weeks of business travel.



Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[DannyDeez]

Nice build! Didn't read every post, but have you considered blacking out the fog grilles?

[buggravy]

Thanks Steve. Yea I would highly recommend the Thule Flow, fits the Q extremely well. Long enough for big pow skis and low pro to fit in any garage.

I will shoot you a text when the pulley and tune are in. Should be around the week of 4/17 after I wrap up a few weeks of business travel.



Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Any idea if the box clears the hatch using the factory bars? I think this is the box I want, but for some reason ($) I'm resisting doing the Thule blades as well. Thule doesn't list this box as a match for the Q, and I'm wondering if it's because the hatch doesn't clear in the factory position. Car looks great, BTW.

[SQive]

Nice build! Didn't read every post, but have you considered blacking out the fog grilles?

Yeah, but I would black the bars and leave the rings bright.

Just my opinion, but I think it would look good.

[mkasperzak]

Nice build! Didn't read every post, but have you considered blacking out the fog grilles?

I hadn't really, I do like the way the the chrome accents in the fog grilles tie in with the chrome in the headlights, Rings, Alu mirrors, chrome window surrounds, rails, and silver wheels. I really prefer the BO look on most colors, but I'm not a huge fan of the fully blacked out look on black paint. That being said I think blacking out just the fog grilles would look mean.

Yeah, but I would black the bars and leave the rings bright.
Just my opinion, but I think it would look good.

Now this is something I would more seriously consider, would have the same look as the fog grilles on my b8 a4 where just the circle was chrome. would tie in well with the chrome rings.

Any idea if the box clears the hatch using the factory bars? I think this is the box I want, but for some reason ($) I'm resisting doing the Thule blades as well. Thule doesn't list this box as a match for the Q, and I'm wondering if it's because the hatch doesn't clear in the factory position. Car looks great, BTW.

Appreciate it! I don't think it would clear mounted to the Factory bars. My Thule blades are probably mounted 4 inches in front of the factory mounting locations and the spoiler is extremely close to the back of the box when the hatch is open. Almost positive you would need to get the Thule blades as well or you'd have to program the hatch to only open about 75%. I've thought about buying the Wider Thule Edge blades instead of the Flush ones so I can run my box and my RM pitchforks at the same time. If I decide to go that route and sell the Flush Edge bars, I'll let you know.

[mkasperzak]

3mm/10mm Spacers looking Crème fraîche



Final night for pillow talk, mounting up tomorrow

[Mops@Nemesis]

Fantastic spacer snap!

You know I love wheels in the bedroom

[mkasperzak]

Mounted up the new Summers:

Strasse Forged SM5R Deep Concave Monoblock in Brushed Titanium. 21x10.5 Front ET 30, Rear ET35 running 3/10mm spacers for effective ET27/25. MPSS 285/35/21





Cell snaps in the garage, need to get her cleaned up for some real pics.




Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Cobra Commander]

Great looking vehicle!

[mkasperzak]

Finally got a hand wash in






Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[jaboki]

Finally got a hand wash in






Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

This looks really good! I love this setup.

[mkasperzak]

Finally lugged around the camera last weekend. Got a shot in the basement of REI Denver and an alleyway shot behind my buddies garage.

Update on spacers - my friend was driving behind me on the way to some trails and noticed a very slight wobble in my driver's side rear wheel. I took off the rears when I got home and noticed the 10mm H&R spacer wasn't fully flush even though it appeared to be. When I took it off you could see the contact/grease from the hub was only about 75%. Super Sketch, I had torqued and retorqued to 105ft/lbs twice. Super Glad he saw it, I switched the rear to 15mm H&R and all is well, crisis avoided. Slight poke now with the 10.5 with an effective ET20 in the rear, but I'm digging it.

[staticuxo]

looks so good! i like the poke you have going on there

[riceboy22]

Great looking setup. Love the wheels!

[mkasperzak]

looks so good! i like the poke you have going on there

Thanks, definitely sticking with the 15mm spacers out back.

Great looking setup. Love the wheels!

Now for some proper winters, going to be impossible to go back to the peelers

[riceboy22]

Now for some proper winters, going to be impossible to go back to the peelers

Haha I just sold my forged winter wheels. I'm feeling some pangs of regret.

[mkasperzak]

Haha I just sold my forged winter wheels. I'm feeling some pangs of regret.

Yea I looked at them, was too soon though. Might be looking at something japanese myself

[BG SQ5]

I keep looking at your pics and can't decide if I'm happy I had my barrels done in black or not. I never expected it to be such a difference between the two looks.

[mkasperzak]

I keep looking at your pics and can't decide if I'm happy I had my barrels done in black or not. I never expected it to be such a difference between the two looks.

Yea it definitely changes the look, big difference in depth perception.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Cobra Commander]

Been watching this thread for some time. Nicely done! What's your offset up front now that I see an et20 can work in the rear. I have some 20s from my D3 S8 that look like they will fit my sisters Q5.... hmmm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mkasperzak]

Been watching this thread for some time. Nicely done! What's your offset up front now that I see an et20 can work in the rear. I have some 20s from my D3 S8 that look like they will fit my sisters Q5.... hmmm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks man, Offset up front is 27mm on the 10.5 width. Number of others are running ET25 up front on 20"setups.

[mkasperzak]

Trip this weekend to Moab has me itching to add a truck to the mix, lots of 4x4 time in my buddies Sierra. Trophy Truckesque driving is rather fun. Moab has got to be the Rig Porn capital of the world, so many crazy rides.






Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[SQ5IVE]

Nice! Great looking SQ!


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[mkasperzak]

Nice! Great looking SQ!


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Thanks. I was just checking out your thread as well, she is a beaut. Jealous of the GT's. You going to be swapping back and forth with the BLK's and 103's or are you parting ways with the Vors?