[Sazexa]

So I replaced the clutch slave cylinder today! I bought a replacement one from FCPEuro. Audi wanted $160, but FCP had one in stock, OEM Sachs part, for $30, with a lifetime warranty. I picked up a bottle of Pentosin D.O.T. 4 "Super" brake fluid to top off my reservoir as well. The repair was relatively painless, took about an hour. I also added on wheel spacers today, 15mm in the front and 20mm in the rear. Next step is new tires, and maybe a dyno test to see what she makes for power. Then a carbon cleaning, new injectors, plugs, and coils, and a second dyno test to see the improvement. As well as adding a catch can to help minimize carbon build up.

Once all that is done, I'll maybe do a fluid flush for all the other fluids, a tune, and go from there.

 

[Sazexa]

Soon to come:
More exhaust work. As much as I love it, it's a bit too loud for a daily vehicle. And it sounds way faster than it is. lol First change will be an X-Pipe, for better flow/power, but also because they can lower volume a noticeable bit as well. If it's still loud, I'll look into mufflers.

Next up is the emissions recall going around for '08-'11 4.2L V8's. The dealership I used to work at will perform the service, at the same time I'll be having a friend and mechanic install a new clutch kit. I'm going with the JHM R-Series "3R" clutch kit, and a lightweight flywheel from JHM as well. Maybe a tune when the new cats are installed as well.

The wheel spacers are on the car. And look great. Waiting to install my H&R sport springs for warmer weather! I've noticed a small coolant leak, not sure from where but the coolant has a very slow leak somewhere. New tires are needed, so, I'll be shopping around for those as well. Always something! lol

 

[PhantomA5]

Soon to come:
More exhaust work. As much as I love it, it's a bit too loud for a daily vehicle. And it sounds way faster than it is. lol First change will be an X-Pipe, for better flow/power, but also because they can lower volume a noticeable bit as well. If it's still loud, I'll look into mufflers.

Next up is the emissions recall going around for '08-'11 4.2L V8's. The dealership I used to work at will perform the service, at the same time I'll be having a friend and mechanic install a new clutch kit. I'm going with the JHM R-Series "3R" clutch kit, and a lightweight flywheel from JHM as well. Maybe a tune when the new cats are installed as well.

The wheel spacers are on the car. And look great. Waiting to install my H&R sport springs for warmer weather! I've noticed a small coolant leak, not sure from where but the coolant has a very slow leak somewhere. New tires are needed, so, I'll be shopping around for those as well. Always something! lol

I too have a small coolant leak, expansion tank replaced but still not fixed. Mines in next week to fix.


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[Sazexa]

I too have a small coolant leak, expansion tank replaced but still not fixed. Mines in next week to fix.


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I suspect mine is likely from the expansion tank. I know they "go bad" after some time, and seeing as my car had an over-heating issue for a while that doesn't help. I might buy one and go from there.

 

[Sazexa]

Small update: Coolant leak fixed, had to replace some small nuisances here and there. Nothing major. Between constantly going back and forth between my "daily" driver (2015 FR-S), and the S5, I'm growing a bit tired of the slop in the S5's shifter feel and it's throw distance comparatively. The FR-S is, obviously, significantly slower but the shifts just always FEEL so amazing. So, I've ordered some parts to help remedy this. I've also ordered a suspension piece to complement my H&R Sport Springs, for when I put them on in another month or so.

- JHM "Solid" short throw shifter
- JHM "Solid" shifter linkage
- 034MotorSport aluminum transmission mount insert
- 034MotorSport transmission mount
- 034MotorSport solid rear adjustable sway-bar

I'll likely be adding tints to the car soon as well. In talks with a couple shops for tuning purposes at the moment.

 

[Sazexa]

So, so far I've installed the 034MotorSport billet aluminum transmission insert and the transmission mount, as well as JHM's solid shifter linkage kit. I'll give a quick review of the products so far.

The 034MotorSport billet aluminum insert and transmission mounts are a MUST have for the B8 platform. The new mount is made of rubber that is approximately double the stiffness of a stock/brand new transmission mount. After installing these two products I don't feel as if my car is "thinking" about accelerating, or slowing down in response to my throttle inputs. The car just does it. The spot-on good shifts are so rewarding now. Judging by the good ol' "butt-dyno," I wouldn't say it's really any faster. It just feels better over all. It feels smoother, too. Contrary to what one would think. I'm still in the break in period for the transmission mount, which is about 200 miles. I would say the only perceived added NVH to the cabin is some incredibly subtle transmission whine. (I had to keep my ear basically as close to the center console as possible while still seeing the road, with the music off, to hear it.) As well as perhaps some slight added vibration at under 1,500 RPM. Other than that, for the price, it's really, really worth it. Installation was very easy, and took about half an hour.

Regarding the JHM Solid Shifter linkage, this is probably so far aside from my exhaust my favorite upgrade to the car. There's no more hunting for gears, or occasionally wondering what gear you're in. There's no more slop. It's smooth. It's tactile, and gives great feed back. It's not got some of the greatest shift feeling I've ever felt in a car, and I haven't even done my short throw shifter yet. The stock shifter linkage had an unbelievable amount of play comparatively. Installation was relatively straight forward, and took maybe an hour and a half or so. Fighting with old bolts and what not. Trying to reach over the transmission for the stabilizer arm was the worst part of it physically. Before adding this upgrade, I sometimes wondered if I should have just gotten an automatic/S-Tronic transmission. But after getting this, I am VERY happy that I got a manual and did upgrades to it. It's expensive, but, if you have a manual it doesn't get much more satisfying than this. It's a part you feel and operate with your hands every time you drive your car. This is a necessary upgrade.

This weekend I'll likely be adding in the sway bar, and probably will do my short throw as well. I'm keeping my eyes on the watch for some coil-overs too. More to come.

 

[Sazexa]

More updates! The JHM short throw has been installed, as well as the rear sway bar. Side note, I also replaced the worn factory start-stop button just because. And my SportShifters kit should be arriving in a week or two.

The JHM short throw is a nice addition, and really helped get rid of the extra remaining slop in the drive train. Honestly, though, I think their shifter linkage made a much bigger difference over all.

As far as that rear sway bar goes, WOW! I replaced the factory end links for new ones, and put the sway bar on it's stiffer setting. It truly feels like a different car now. Turn in confidence is much more improved. I know what my car is doing when it turns now, and I don't fight to keep up right nearly as often any more. There is still some body roll when really hammering in the corners, and that's okay.

Also, I recently picked up a set of ST Suspensions coil overs! Hoping to install those within the coming weeks, as well as replace the factory front strut mounts with 034's kit.

 

[julianwhitta]

Keep doing what you’re doing, Sazexa! This thread is rapidly turning into my favourite read.

 

[Sazexa]

So, I think I'm going to wrap the car in Suzuka Ice Grey. Maybe in a few months.

 

[Sazexa]

Finally got the kit in from Sportshifters.com! Absolutely stellar quality.

 

[Sazexa]

The car is FINALLY lowered, on ST Suspension coilovers (#90607). Crappy phone picture, but, here it is for reference. I believe it came to around 2.5" of drop.

 

[Sazexa]

Some proper photos of the coil overs. I think I dropped the car about 2.5" all around.

I'm changing my direction with the modding a bit, but, not hugely. I might try to make a custom strut tower brace, or, depending on how involved the labor would become I'll just get the CR-15.

I'm thinking about doing a JHM tune soon, after a carbon cleaning I've been putting off for months.

 

[Sazexa]

Obviously been some time since I posted! Lots of other nonsense in the way of life happening but here's the notable updates.

Replaced the rear emblem with a gloss-black one, had to buy new tires (Pirelli P-Zero All Season Plus 255/35).

In the summer someone hit the passenger side door. I ended up getting the door replaced and the body shop that replaced the door painted my mirrors, window trim, and factory front lip to black for me. Not long after that debacle, I ended up getting the windows tinted. I did 15% all-around sides and back, and 5% ceramic on the roof glass.

I ended up replacing the spark plugs as they were definitely showing signs of age. I also changed out my rear tail-lights to the Spyder Auto LED set with black bezels and clear housings.

Now for the fun part. A while ago if you read through the thread I replaced my slave cylinder. I found a cheaper, plastic replacement made by Sachs. The unit worked fine and probably would have if there was no underlying issue but it failed. The way in which it failed is that the plastic molding/cast along the slave cylinder split on the seam. I believe this happened from a worn throw out bearing or pressure plate causing interference. So, I replaced that part with an all metal one made by Febi/Bilstein. I put around 400 miles or so on the new unit before a new problem occurred. Just like with the other two slave cylinders, the pedal was sticking to the floor. Although this time I could see there was no fluid around the slave cylinder or leaking from the car. Turns out, it's either the throw out bearing or pressure plate that is the problem currently. So, that being said, it was an unfortunate expense but I guess as good an excuse as any to upgrade.

Currently on it's way in the mail is a JHM performance clutch kit. It basically uses an OE clutch disc (I don't often drive my car very aggressively or launch it, so this should be fine) with an improved pressure plate to hold more torque. I believe theoretically enough torque for their supercharger kit should I ever upgrade to it down the line. I also have the ECS Tuning lightweight flywheel coming in, which is around 38% lighter (18 pounds vs. 29 pounds.) That should make a pretty nice upgrade. I'll be installing a USP Motorsports braided clutch line replacement as well for the factory rubber hose when we do the clutch, and a transmission fluid flush. Because the car is currently at 104,000-ish miles and can use it.

Some pictures with the new look of the car as it is.

 

[Sazexa]

Recently added in the JHM performance clutch kit (stage 1) and ECS Tuning lightweight flywheel. I'm currently in the midst of breaking the clutch in, but I can already notice a difference with the fly wheel in very normal, non aggressive day to day driving.

 

[nevins1065]

Recently added in the JHM performance clutch kit (stage 1) and ECS Tuning lightweight flywheel. I'm currently in the midst of breaking the clutch in, but I can already notice a difference with the fly wheel in very normal, non aggressive day to day driving.

Is there more!? i’m waiting for tune and sc or dyno at least!!

 

[ApoK]

Is there more!? i’m waiting for tune and sc or dyno at least!!

Check his YT channel "Justin Bone"