Performance/Racing Parts for the R8

[Black Eagle]

I'm looking for more info on "racing or Performance parts".
I have to say that the car is awesome, but is a pain to find people that make parts.I know that the car is very new, but I looks like vendors are more interested on making "look parts" like carbon fiber and others.
So far I know that I can get:

Springs: H&R - ?

Brake Pads: Pagid - Ferodos-Carbotech

Brake Kit : Brembo GT - Audi Ceramic

Chiptunning: APR - REVO Technick -PPi

Exhaust: Capristo - Milltek - APR - Sportwagen Herrmann -Pico - Kreissieg's -MTM - PPi

Supercharger: MTM - ?

Racing/Sport Seats: Rs4 Audi - ?

AirFilter : PPi (very expensive) -?

Harness Bar: ? (I need this one)

SeatBelts: ? (This one too)


.....Please add more to the list . It will be great to create a master list of accessories.
One last comment: Why in the hell the exhaust are so expensive? I can see the point of the valve, but 6k, 7K or 8K is insane.

[desperado]

MotherTucker, one of our members, has put a track harness in his car:

Take a look at the video in this post for a glimpse of his harness

Exhaust Comparison

He explains in this thread how he mounted it behind the seat

Camcorder Mount Recommendations?

[Black Eagle]

Yes, I saw that video and I was wondering how he did it.
I'm going to look into. It will be nice if MotherTucker can show some more picures.

Thanks

[MotherTucker]

Well, explaining and instructing how to install safety harnesses can be very problematic. I worked up a nice document detailing how I did it on my GTI, and I posted it on VWVortex, and man you cannot believe the backlash I got. So much so that I removed the document and any references to it. There were guys who specialize in safety systems railing on how unsafe it was, how it works against the 3-point / airbag system (which is timed to blow the bags based on exactly when the body reaches them when restrained by the factory 3-points), how the mounting points were not tested by VW or DOT approved, how the seat backs were not tested as strong enough to handle the forces, and more.

Then there's the whole liability thing. What happens if you install them, get in a wreck, and then sue me because I instructed you to install these and now you're a paraplegic.

So, DO NOT INSTALL THEM OR DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS. This is merely what I chose to do for me. They are not tested as safe by any safety body, and you should not trust your life and limb to any safety device other than what Audi installed and tested. Especially what some random dude named MotherTucker somewhere out there recommended.

Now, that being said, I can tell you what I did FOR ME ONLY. I chose harnesses that are intended to be installed in cars in addition to the existing 3-point system. Schroth makes a 4 point Rally belt that is meant to attach to existing 3-point connections (2 at the front seat and one in the back seat). The strength of the seat back becomes an issue if you attach the shoulder belts down at the back-seat restraint buckles. In the R8, I attached them to the frame member under the rear window, using big bolts and washers. You can buy hardware made for this. You have to remove the engine trim to get at the back side of the frame member under the rear window. So the strength of the seat back is not an issue because the shoulder harnesses pull straight back instead of down at a 45 degree angle. I attached the door side of the harness to the existing 3-point restraint bolt, which is how Schroth recommends to do it with this harness. The remaining inside (near the center console) attachment point was a bit tricky. The stock 3-point attaches to the seat rail (and moves with the seat). There is not enough room to attach the belt there to the exisiting bolt, so I drilled a new hole in the rail and bolted it very close to where the existing 3-point attaches. You have to remove the seat from the car to do this.

Again, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS. I AM NOT RECOMMENDING YOU DO IT, I AM RECOMMENDING YOU DO NOT DO IT. THE SAFETY OF IT IS NOT KNOWN. I hereby absolve myself of any liability if you attempt to modify your safety restraint sytem as described herein.

mt

[60 R8]

MT,
Thanks for the write up. I will not do it just like you said. I use a Schroth system in my RS6 that clips into the two (four for both sides) rear seat belt points and the front tie points. Tie points stay in the car, four point seat belt are snapped out between track events. I would hope for a snap out system in the R8. I had some months ago sent a note to the US Schroth importer asking if they in Europe had provieded any solutions. No answer...
TG

[MotherTucker]

The harnesses I used do have a clip built in to the back of the shoulder harness belt, the 3 connection points on it are steel loops meant to be bolted to the frame. When not in use, I do disconnect it there and leave the other 2 ends bolted in place (and the harness on the floor in back of the seat). The problem in the R8 is the very short distance from the seat backs to the frame member under the rear window. So I used a 3,000 lb test stainless steel link to work around that.

The reason I really wanted harnesses is that I use a HANS device. If you track your car a lot, you should get one of those. They can literally save your neck.

mt

[60 R8]

Hey MT,
Any chance you can take some photos for planning?
If you don't want to post them. Maybe you could upload them and PM me with the address.
Anything will be greatly appricated.
TG

[Craig@Rennstore.com]

mt has hit it dead on -

So controversial, and the internet is rife with half-witted comments against these things -

I wish I would be allowed to release and send an in-car video of a friend who destroyed his Corvette Z06 at 155 mph........the HANS (which I 'insisted' he purchase - after he had done a full cage and RaceTech seats - literally saved his life.

The brief and brutal head snaps were absolutely horrifying.

[Speeder]

I'm looking for more info on "racing or Performance parts".
I have to say that the car is awesome, but is a pain to find people that make parts.

I agree - based on what I see I think my company can produce a forced induction kit but we have no way of tuning it

[Bodhii]

Patience, Speeder, if you do own a R8,.... The high quality, safe, reliable, and affordable answer that you are looking for, is coming in the next couple of months.