Schwiz’s B8.5 Build Thread

[schwiz23]

I've got a B8.5 with 56k miles on it that I've owned since last February. I love the car and it's fun to drive, but I have a natural inclination to mod it. Being that this isn't my daily driver, starting in fall after my motorcycle racing season is over, I plan to go stage 2.

The only thing I've done to the car is put in R8 coils.

My budget is $2,500 for everything: HFC, CC, tune, intercooler, etc. With that said, if you had 2.5k to spend on stage 2, what would you get? Spend my money down to the last cent! :)

Here's what I put together:

• ECS high flow cat and downpipe - $441
• IE stage 2 tune and powerlink - $649
• REV9 black intercooler - $350
• ECS baffled catch can kit - $412
• ECS turbo inlet hose - $60
• RS grille and license plate holder - $140

Total: $2,052

Anything I'm missing here? Anything you'd do differently based on personal experience? ...I'm not going to run a CAI, so don't add it to my list. :)

[old guy]

Save $400 and skip the catch can. Replace your PCV combination valve with the latest revision AK.

[colorado.a4]

ECS oversized charge pipes, 2.5” vs 2.0” OEM, hard instead of silicone.

[schwiz23]

Save $400 and skip the catch can. Replace your PCV combination valve with the latest revision AK.

Would you recommend an OE one?

ECS oversized charge pipes, 2.5” vs 2.0” OEM, hard instead of silicone.

Cool, thanks for the suggestion, I'll probably go with this intercooler instead then.

[old guy]

Would you recommend an OE one?

For sure. A failed PCV combination valve has the potential to damage your crank seals. It is worth spending a few extra $$ to avoid potential damage.

[19birel]

I'd also do a brake upgrade, front calipers and rotors from a C7 A6/A7 3.0T are a direct bolt on. Upgrades you from the stock single piston caliper & 320mm rotor to dual piston 356mm. Hit up Ebay or Autohaas for the calipers and snag rotors and pads from wherever you like. Should be able to grab all that under $500.

That was one of my first performance mods and remains one of my favorite to this day, outside of being able to drive a little more spiritedly they have saved me a couple times when I was just cruising home and had a deer jump into the road. They also look pretty sweet too haha

[schwiz23]

Update: got most everything on my list ordered already, so this is coming sooner than I thought.

I do have this itch on the back of my neck though. I've been building race motorcycles for 10 years, but have never added any bolt on upgrades to my cars. My '15 A4 isn't my daily, but I do enjoy driving it decent distances (60-120 miles). How many people @ stage 2 are using their cars for their daily driver? Yes I want to tinker, mod and increase performance, but I also don't want to make this thing an unreliable hunk of metal... that's where the itch is coming from. I guess you could say I'm a bit nervous, haha. Can someone talk me off the ledge? lol.

[snaky69]

Update: got most everything on my list ordered already, so this is coming sooner than I thought.

I do have this itch on the back of my neck though. I've been building race motorcycles for 10 years, but have never added any bolt on upgrades to my cars. My '15 A4 isn't my daily, but I do enjoy driving it decent distances (60-120 miles). How many people @ stage 2 are using their cars for their daily driver? Yes I want to tinker, mod and increase performance, but I also don't want to make this thing an unreliable hunk of metal... that's where the itch is coming from. I guess you could say I'm a bit nervous, haha. Can someone talk me off the ledge? lol.

I've been dailying mine for the past 2 years at stage 2. Nothing of note to say about it. It likely lead to the early demise of my clutch, apart from that it's been smooth sailing.

[Jason11213]

Update: got most everything on my list ordered already, so this is coming sooner than I thought.

I do have this itch on the back of my neck though. I've been building race motorcycles for 10 years, but have never added any bolt on upgrades to my cars. My '15 A4 isn't my daily, but I do enjoy driving it decent distances (60-120 miles). How many people @ stage 2 are using their cars for their daily driver? Yes I want to tinker, mod and increase performance, but I also don't want to make this thing an unreliable hunk of metal... that's where the itch is coming from. I guess you could say I'm a bit nervous, haha. Can someone talk me off the ledge? lol.

I have a stage 2+ with CTS K04 turbo and it's my daily driver. No issues besides having to replace the intake manifold which are notorious for failures so I wouldn't count that against the mods. Other than that it has been a great car and I was so close to going to an S4 but this has brought a new level of enjoyment to the car that I don't think I'll be switching anytime soon. I have 48k miles on mine and my one piece of advice would be to upgrade the brakes. You will notice with the extra power that the stock brakes do not bite like they should. I'm not sure which route I'll go (new rotors/pads or actually switch to a new caliper set) but I would say that should be up on your list.

[Nano909]

CTS K04 + tune + test pipe + ECS intercooler = ~$2500

You'll get a much better driving experience. Stage 2 is okay, I daily'd that for yeeeears. Once I went K04 I kicked myself in the head for not doing it from the start.

[elscotto80]

Dont waste your money on a CC. I've been running stage II since 70kish miles, now about to crest 140k, runs excellent.

Make sure the basics are up to date - timing chain, water pump and oil consumption issues.

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[dalmation53]

OP what bike you got?

[schwiz23]

Thanks everyone! This is going to be fun!

OP what bike you got?

CRA/CCS Supersport legal 2012 Yamaha R6. Built the motor 2 seasons ago. I'm @ ~127hp on Costco 92.

[schwiz23]

ECS is on major back order right now, but I have most of my parts ordered.

- IE Stage II and IE HFC/Downpipe - July 10
- ECS intercooler with charge pipes - October 2

I just finished installing my grill, painted crash bar (I took it off to paint it unlike some of you lazy's), and turbo inlet hose. I'm planning to convert to the A6 brake package with steel lines in the near future! Also entertaining new engine mounts.

Question: Living in Minnesota, do you guys think I'll have issues going to IE Stage II before I install my intercooler since it won't be at my door for a few months?

Thanks!

[dalmation53]

Save $400 and skip the catch can. Replace your PCV combination valve with the latest revision AK.

latest revision is AH

[dalmation53]

I'd also do a brake upgrade, front calipers and rotors from a C7 A6/A7 3.0T are a direct bolt on. Upgrades you from the stock single piston caliper & 320mm rotor to dual piston 356mm. Hit up Ebay or Autohaas for the calipers and snag rotors and pads from wherever you like. Should be able to grab all that under $500.

That was one of my first performance mods and remains one of my favorite to this day, outside of being able to drive a little more spiritedly they have saved me a couple times when I was just cruising home and had a deer jump into the road. They also look pretty sweet too haha

So I finally got my question answered that do they fit. Bro Please post some pics of the brakes on your car i'm looking to do this mod by 2 weeks time.

[old guy]

latest revision is AH

His is a B8.5 so the latest revision is a white top AK.

[Chillaxin]

latest revision is AH

There are two different versions for the B8, AH is the latest rev for motors that haven't been through oil consumption fixes (black tops) AK is for motors that have been through oil consumption stage 1. I believe all B8.5s, like the OP has, are white tops and the latest rev is AK.

[dalmation53]

His is a B8.5 so the latest revision is a white top AK.

Oh yes correct. did not cought that.

[dalmation53]

Thanks everyone! This is going to be fun!



CRA/CCS Supersport legal 2012 Yamaha R6. Built the motor 2 seasons ago. I'm @ ~127hp on Costco 92.

have 121WHP on my ZX6R. ECU tune, upgraded, k&n filter, and runner flap delete IMG_20200212_133335_539.jpgIMG_20200205_231144_164.jpeg

[19birel]

So I finally got my question answered that do they fit. Bro Please post some pics of the brakes on your car i'm looking to do this mod by 2 weeks time.

Pics are with 19" wheels for reference, and I painted the calipers and added the S logo for a more finished look

[dalmation53]

Bro they look amazing on the B8 chassis so the braking is greatly improved over stock? you really recommend this mod? also i know i need calipers/carriers, 356mm rotors from an A6 and pads and the brake lines work with this all plug and play?

Pics are with 19" wheels for reference, and I painted the calipers and added the S logo for a more finished look

[19birel]

Bro they look amazing on the B8 chassis so the braking is greatly improved over stock? you really recommend this mod? also i know i need calipers/carriers, 356mm rotors from an A6 and pads and the brake lines work with this all plug and play?

Thanks man!

You can use the stock B8 brake lines, and the calipers have the carriers built into them. Everything is plug and play. You’ll also want the dust shield that goes behind the rotors from the A6/7 (or you can just trim the stock ones).

The difference is night and day in braking performance, for me and how I use the car it was a 10/10 mod and remains one of my favorites that I have done thus far.


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[schwiz23]

Thanks man!

You can use the stock B8 brake lines, and the calipers have the carriers built into them. Everything is plug and play. You’ll also want the dust shield that goes behind the rotors from the A6/7 (or you can just trim the stock ones).

What year/generation of A6 will this work? Just trying to understand what to keep my eye open for.

Also, my question from earlier yesterday: Living in Minnesota, do you guys think I'll have issues going to IE Stage II before I install my intercooler since it won't be at my door for a few months?

[19birel]

What year/generation of A6 will this work? Just trying to understand what to keep my eye open for.

Also, my question from earlier yesterday: Living in Minnesota, do you guys think I'll have issues going to IE Stage II before I install my intercooler since it won't be at my door for a few months?

2012-2018 A6/A7 3.0T you can also search the part# 4G0615123E

As for the intercooler, you will be fine, but you will notice the car will seem a sluggish due to heatsoak, especially on hotter days.

[dalmation53]

Nah i will trim my stock dust shields. But yes i know even though i'm stock now i have noticed even going 100mph and then braking the car struggles a bit. and it has new rotors and pads from stoptech it stopa of cours but i feel like it needs more "bite" and those 2 pistons from A6 are huge they almost look like brembos. yes i saw they do come with carriers indeed.

Thanks man!

You can use the stock B8 brake lines, and the calipers have the carriers built into them. Everything is plug and play. You’ll also want the dust shield that goes behind the rotors from the A6/7 (or you can just trim the stock ones).

The difference is night and day in braking performance, for me and how I use the car it was a 10/10 mod and remains one of my favorites that I have done thus far.


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[schwiz23]

Got the IE hfc and down pipe installed this morning and flashed to stage II 91 crackle tune.

Getting the hfc out was a pain, but it eventually came out the engine bay. Where the IE down pipe connects to the axle back exhaust via the reducer was really tight. I can see the that axle back portion of the exhaust is now moved an inch further back, thus sticking further out the back of the car. Nothing really to worry about, just made for a really tight connection I suppose. The tune definitely helped the boost from 3k-6k and was overall 'peppier' than stock. The boost still trails off in the upper RPM range. I'm not overly impressed, but it's still better than stock. The crackle is okay on decel. Not my favorite thing, but maybe I'll get used to it or flash to the regular stage II 91 map. I could tell there was hesitation when getting on the throttle - I wonder if it has to do with the stock ic. My ECS ic with charge pipes is still on back order until Oct, so we'll see if that makes any difference in a few months.

[schwiz23]

You can see here how much longer the pipe is with the reducer. Maybe that’ll help put my last response into perspective a bit.


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[harryn]

Wow, looks better than stock, IMO. But let me guess on which bolt was the pain to get out from the cat connected to the turbo: the bottom left corner, between the cat and the engine block. Correct? That bolt gives me the heebee jeebees. Any tricks you can share?

[schwiz23]

Wow, looks better than stock, IMO. But let me guess on which bolt was the pain to get out from the cat connected to the turbo: the bottom left corner, between the cat and the engine block. Correct? That bolt gives me the heebee jeebees. Any tricks you can share?

It wasn’t horrid after a bit of swapping ratchets and sockets in and out. 1/2in drive breaker bar, large extension, and long 13mm socket did the trick. I put the socket and extension in by hand then insert the breaker bar through the engine bay towards the back of the engine, connected it to the extension and it was pretty easy. Hope that helps!


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[harryn]

It wasn’t horrid after a bit of swapping ratchets and sockets in and out. 1/2in drive breaker bar, large extension, and long 13mm socket did the trick. I put the socket and extension in by hand then insert the breaker bar through the engine bay towards the back of the engine, connected it to the extension and it was pretty easy. Hope that helps!


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Thanks bud, it's actually does! Did you use a swivel extension or straight through? I think my problem was the swivel joint may have been eating the torque when trying to loosen the nut.

[schwiz23]

Thanks bud, it's actually does! Did you use a swivel extension or straight through? I think my problem was the swivel joint may have been eating the torque when trying to loosen the nut.

No swivel. I tried it and it didn’t work well at all. If your extension and socket are long enough you can get at it from the back the of the engine bay.

Also, it really helped to remove the intake. It’s probably not required but it sure gave me a bunch more working room.


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[wongster413]

I'd also do a brake upgrade, front calipers and rotors from a C7 A6/A7 3.0T are a direct bolt on. Upgrades you from the stock single piston caliper & 320mm rotor to dual piston 356mm. Hit up Ebay or Autohaas for the calipers and snag rotors and pads from wherever you like. Should be able to grab all that under $500.

That was one of my first performance mods and remains one of my favorite to this day, outside of being able to drive a little more spiritedly they have saved me a couple times when I was just cruising home and had a deer jump into the road. They also look pretty sweet too haha

I didn’t know that was an option. Ended up getting the Q5 front calipers from a wrecking yard


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[harryn]

No swivel. I tried it and it didn’t work well at all. If your extension and socket are long enough you can get at it from the back the of the engine bay.

Also, it really helped to remove the intake. It’s probably not required but it sure gave me a bunch more working room.


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Huh, makes sense. Removing the intake will give gobs more room to work more comfortably! Thanks man!!! 🙂👍

As far as the brakes upgrade with the C7 A6/A7 3.0T, do the rear calipers from those cars bolt up as well? Or is there no need because they are the same as the B8/8.5 A4? Or is that question for someone else?

Thanks!

[J.kaseno]

Huh, makes sense. Removing the intake will give gobs more room to work more comfortably! Thanks man!!! 🙂👍

As far as the brakes upgrade with the C7 A6/A7 3.0T, do the rear calipers from those cars bolt up as well? Or is there no need because they are the same as the B8/8.5 A4? Or is that question for someone else?



Thanks!

A deep socket with an extension is definitely the way to go. Seat the socket over the bolt head and then attach ratchet to back of extension. Its not too bad! I think you'll find it harder to remove the cat from the top of the engine bay once both sides are freed up.

[Spawne32]

I stopped reading after "crackle tune".

[eurojunkjon]

I stopped reading after "crackle tune".

[TimeTomorrow]

What spark plugs are you running?

NGK BKR8EIX spark plugs gapped to 0.024" ±0.002" is what apr recomends with higher boost and people have had good luck with i believe.

[TheNader]

Funny enough, I just removed & re-installed this bolt to move the cat out of the way to get the wastegate actuator rod out. I tried for several hours to get to the bolt from below, no joy. Went out the next day after a heavy rain, and because I didn't feel like laying in the puddle under the car, I was forced to attempt removing the bolt from the top. Took me 15 minutes to figure out the right combo & order of socket drive extensions, then a total of 5 minutes to remove once I'd figured it out. Here's what did it for me:

That's (in order) a deep-socket 15mm in 3/8" drive, a universal drive, an 8" 3/8" extension, a 3/8" --> 1/2" adapter, and a breaker bar.

1) I found that the 3/8" drive setup was necessary because a 1/2" drive won't fit between the cat and transmission housing, which makes it a bitch to get into position.
2) It was easiest to put the socket on the bolt by going under the cat with my left hand, then pointing the end of the extension upwards once the socket was set. Then I reached over the engine and dropped the breaker bar in behind the block to find the extension bar.

Seriously, it took me hours to fail to make it work from under the car, but now I know I can get that bolt off in 5 min the next time I need to.

[schwiz23]

I stopped reading after "crackle tune".

My consensus is that I don't like it... if that makes you feel any better.

Not sure if I can pick a different stage II tune from their list for no charge, or if I have to buy another. Will probably check it out this week.