Beware Purists: LSX-Swapped Audi A5 is Wicked Drift Missile
While the body work says DTM racer, this fire-breathing Audi A5 is designed to go sideways.
In the automotive hobby, there are people who are purists, and people who are happy to throw convention out the window. And the fact that I love this wild, LSX-swapped Audi A5 should tell you which one I am. Because while I do think there’s something to keeping things in the family, like we recently saw with this killer 1972 Audi Coupe S restomod, I don’t care what anyone says. If you want skull-melting power in that’s packaged well and dead reliable? An LS-based engine is the way to go.
You can spare me the arguments about refinement and tech — “but pushrods!” — because sophisticated doesn’t always mean complex. For example, there’s nothing particularly complicated about making a martini. But it’s still civilization in a glass.
That said, the maniacs at Span Racing Technology built this monster to compete in Formula D Japan, and even on video, when it fires up, it sounds like it wants to tear civilization down to the studs. Heyman Robbie from GT Channel just got a chance to take it for a sideways spin around the south course of the Ebisu Circuit, and wow, is this baby wicked. Even if there’s not a lot of Audi mechanical bits left here, the level of craftsmanship Four Rings fans will find the effort which went into this build impressive.
Under the hood is a 7.4-liter LSX 454R engine, and while there’s not a definite figure on what it’s pumping out, it’s estimated to be around 800 horsepower. As anyone over on LS1Tech will tell you? That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to performance potential when it comes to these mills, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see this baby in the triple digits sometime soon. Given the drifting is all about corners, there’s also a dry sump oil system, and the massive mill is mated to a Albins sequential transmission. Suspension wise, the Bilstein coilovers are mounted to a fully custom set up, and while the Audi grille has been retained, the radiator is actually at the back.
Now, the footage of this weaponized A5 on the track is great. But at least to me, the best part of the video is the intro, where we get to see how the hood and the doors come off, and get a full rundown of everything that went into this build. So make sure to check out the clip below! It’s a little on the long side, but there’s tons of awesome info!
Photos: YouTube