Great updates on this. LW mods are a big win and your so right. The rotational weight especially rims and rotors make a noticeable difference.
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I knew there were (3) different versions of seats offered in the RS5 from the factory:
Comfort Cooled (USA)
Super Sport (USA) what I had
Wingback (Rest of World)
There were also Recaro Sportster CS seats that really looked nice and were similar to the Wingbacks. I was aware that the further you went down the list, the lighter the seats became.
Having a Suzuka, Black, Carbon, Red theme already I knew I wanted to stick with that and was hoping to find some form of red accented seats. I started the hunt by finding a local car guy who had wingbacks in his White A4 Avant. He let me sit in them and they were snug but doable for a 6’3" 200+lb bridge-troll like myself. Perfect! That model is an option.
Next I found a Nissan Dealership selling a Nismo 370Z on the showroom floor and slid into the red bordered, Sportster CS seats to compare. They were not nearly as comfortable or supportive. They felt more like I was sitting in a box than being hugged by the seats. I threw those out as an option. They are beautiful seats though…
The hunt began for a set of wingbacks…
Give us the deets on the wingbacks!
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I searched for a set of Recaro Wingbacks and was willing to entertain a few different styles and designs so long as they said “RS5” on the headrest. After finding, buying and shortly thereafter “Unbuying” a set due to a feeling of unease immediately after the transaction, I had to start over…
After looking for 18 months I finally found a full interior in Germany that REALLY caught my eye; They were an “Exclusive” set of black and red Wingbacks with all red stitching and included red stitched door panels, arm rest and back seats. I used Google Translate and struck up a deal with the company that had them. I actually paid for them while at Disney World. For a few minutes, it truly was the “Happiest Place on Earth”.
I didn’t want to take chances so I hired a Customs Broker to handle any paperwork and possible issues. Shipping was definitely expensive to begin with and then the crate was sent to the wrong airport. I had it for Milwaukee and it went to Midway in Chicago. I had to pay to have it shipped up to me. Good times!
A crate the size of a live tiger showed up and I opened it up…Perfect condition and a great overall protection job.
Oh man they look beautiful love the red in them think you pulled it off and got yourself some beauties wow !!!
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Have you actually ever run the car to see that 12.8 seconds ET @ 109 mph?
I ran a buddy’s 2013 RS5 with a AWE catback exhaust years ago and ran a 12.50 et @ 110 mph. There is a video if you want me to find it.
Yes, I ran the car. Those numbers are from 2017. I went back in 2018 with a few mods but got skunked by a poorly run “event” that day and didn’t get to run once in 3 hours. I’ll be back at the track this summer (2020).
Beautiful ! Jealous of your seats.
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Couple questions for G’Brew . Have you Draggy your lightened car yet and do you plan or have you done the JHM stage 2 yet? I’s so curious! I will most likely get the Stage 2 this year.
Thanks
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Vancmann, I have not Draggy’d it yet nor has it been back to the track other than that one time. Soon though if all this VIRUS stuff goes away. As far as the Stage 2 JHM goes, yes…I would love to have that and foresee it going in down the road. If I could pick one mod i’d like to do next it would 100% without a question be the RMR crash bar and trans cooler. Fixing the weak links seems like a good idea before adding more power.
If? I surely hope the virus stuff goes away. I think you are Exactly right and good control in keeping the priorities that way. I’m for the instant grat so if I chip it first, I won’t overly push or track it till I get the RMR crash bar. If you get a draggy, would be cool to see the before and after.
I have similar philosophy in that if I reduce the weight, all performance areas of the car will naturally be improved.
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Before and after will be a little hard as a lot of mods are done now and I am just getting them into this thread. There are so many additional options for dropping weight. I can’t wait to see how light this thing can get without sacrificing relative comfort and aesthetics.
What’s the next big item? I keep having dreams of purchasing a 3D metal printer which can print using magnesium alloys and create lightweight suspension components (control arms, uppers and what not…) then I wake up.
Can’t wait to see what’s next though!
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Ask him for his progress pics on the rear delete. It’s coming along very nice!
Post progress pics or die! I kid I kid. Photos would be lovely though.
My bad I didn’t clarify. I meant Draggy before and after just for Stage 2. I’m curious how that extra 40/50 hp will change the acceleration on the lightened version of the RS5 compared to the standard weight that most have.
I posted this on Audizine, but thought this would be a good place given your question on weight reduction + stage 2. I didn’t notice much with the rear seats removed on stage 1(~100lbs), however, stage 2 with 93 octane map, big difference:
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I almost got a record tonight all motor. A bit of a reach, but let me explain.
I’ll start by saying my tires are super cooked for any sort of launch. Car launches, RPMs shoot up to 8000+, spins like crazy, then bigs hard (4/32 tread left, Pirelli P-Zeros). Car is fine in other conditions.
My best 0-60 has been a 4.03 on heavy rotor wheels, last year at a DA of 1400, Stage 1 and 91 octane stage 1 tune. If I could match what JHM and Ben got for a 0-60, I believe I would have set a record tonight. I’m running the 93 tune now (which is much more aggressive than the 91) on Husky 94 octane and we’ve had really good DA, 400 tonight so almost at sea level.
My numbers, while not impressive, don’t tell the whole story. I just ran an 111.53mph @ 13 seconds flat (my highest trap yet) with a terrible 2.15second 60 foot and a TERRIBLE 5.02 0-60. Like, wow.
If I use Ben and JHMs conservative 3.75 0-60 (1.27 seconds faster than my run) that puts my time around 11.73 (not sure trap speed), with the full JHM setup, and no lightweight flywheel yet. Note, I do have my rear seats removed and lighter wheels on the 93 octane.
Eitherway, the car is an absolute rocket right now, the fastest it’s ever been. Pulls EXTREMELY hard in all gears, especially 2nd gear (throws me back into my seat), traction control light on all the time, crazy fishtails through corners. The 93 octane map is the real deal. So. Much. Torque.
Will be getting Michelin 4S tires in 2 weeks
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Good to finally have you here BTW (buy the warranty). Pun intended
So yea, the lighter the car, the more the relative increase in power to weight on same model.
P.S it sucks. I get really excited if I ever see a DA below 4300 feet. 
Almost makes me want to drive down to Ape or J&M to install my upgrades. I see guys complaining that their da is 2000 feet. That’s a great problem to have imo.
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