My review of the AWE Tuning B8 A4 2.0T Exhaust - finally!

[Anthony]

Review: AWE Tuning's B8 A4 2.0T Exhaust

Of all the cars I've owned, and all of the aftermarket exhausts I've put on those cars, I believe this is my first one made by AWE Tuning. Pretty surprising really, since the company has been around longer than I've been owning and modifying Audis. In fact, I remember them quite well from the research I did back in my B5 A4 days. They've always stood for high quality, well designed, expertly crafted go-fast parts. Since they were one of the very first US-based tuners to offer an exhaust for the B8 A4 2.0T, I didn't balk at the chance to run their system. I knew that both myself, and the car, would be in good hands.

Being one of the initial testers of this new AWE downpipe-back system, I was tapped for my feedback. Visually, my first impression was that the parts were top notch. The fit and finish, both brand new out of the box as well as all this time later, was and still is extremely good. It rates at the top echelon amongst all of the previous exhausts I've ran. The pieces fit together perfectly and as intended. It's a very modular system, and highly adjustable. I especially like that even the tips can be placed to allow for your own personal preference of visual appearance from the backside. Straight aligned or staggered. Recessed or more pronounced. It's your call. None of the exhausts I've owned prior have offered this level of adjustability.



I decided to go for 'the full monty', dual mufflers with two tips each. IE: quad tips. There is of course another option for those wanting to be a tad more subtle - half the mufflers and therefore half the tips. The later option will work with all 2.0T sedans, while the route I went with requires both an S line rear bumper and S4 valence. Other rear bumper and valence options are available though so it's not too terribly difficult to achieve the look you want with your B8 sedan or Avant.

Huge kudos go to the good folks at my local shop, Streetwerke, for their knowledge, expertise, and lift. They made the testing of the AWE exhaust all the more easy, and their help was invaluable. Darren and Aaron, shop owner and wrench god respectively, aided in several installs through the test phase of the exhaust, getting measurements and feedback to Todd and the team at AWE. I'd like to think that we lent at least a small hand in what turned out to be a great all-around exhaust upgrade for the A4.



Something we discovered to be quite unique to the new B8 platform, is what I affectionately call the "drone-zone". This zone falls between 2,800 and 3,000 RPM and seems to be most apparent on the automatic (Tiptronic). This is where, under load, the engine loves to grunt out loud like a constipated banshee. The noise doesn't seem to be as bad the manual because that RPM range isn't one you want to stay in. The engine really comes alive after 3,000 RPM so one will typically row right past it. For fuel conservation purposes, the standard automatic mode in the 6-speed Tiptronic stays in that lower RPM range, which is why I like to keep the Tip in "S" (AKA: Sport) mode.

The most current production version of the AWE exhaust takes this into account, and has a mid-resonator tuned to eliminate drone as much as possible - certainly much more than the first few systems we tried. In my opinion though, this is an aftermarket sport exhaust. We don't upgrade from the stock system for a quiet inaudible sound. Added noise comes with the territory, and with that comes increased horsepower. I'm not paying money for an aftermarket exhaust system that looks this aggressive if it doesn't scare the stockings off of old ladies as I drive by! Drone-zone aside, this exhaust really comes alive at the top of the power band and in-between WOT shifts. As a great aftermarket exhaust on a turbocharged Audi A4 should, this baby doesn't sound like a 4-banger! She's now reserved when you want her to be, and a beast when the time's right.



I unfortunately did not dyno the car in complete stock form, but will be doing some pulls in the coming weeks with the AWE exhaust in place, both with and without an upgraded software tune. I will update this article with dyno graphs once I have them.

Please enjoy the wealth of photos taken from my recent photo shoot. Here you can see the AWE quad tip exhaust system at all angles, shown with a color-matched Ibis White S4 rear valence.

Here also is video which includes both interior driving footage as well as launches from outside the vehicle...



If you have any additional questions about my personal experience with the system just let me know as I'd be happy to answer them. If you have technical related questions, I'll do my best to answer those as well, but I'm sure AWE would be happy to help as well. They were always very responsive to me during the testing phase and still now after the fact, so send them an email or give them a call.

AWE Tuning
2385-C Maryland Rd.
Willow Grove, PA 19090
sales@awe-tuning.com
1 (888) 565-2257

Happy tuning, fellow enthusiasts!

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[B6JoeS4]

so do you get it for free?

[aznpxdd]

Let me share a couple shots of the exhaust on my car if ya don't mind, Anthony.

[Anthony]

Let me share a couple shots of the exhaust on my car if ya don't mind, Anthony.

Don't mind at all, especially considering the close-up shot is one I didn't get! Love that top one.

[MiracleWhips]

Nice writeup Anthony.

I agree with your assessment that the AWE system is not 100% drone free, but probably as close as any Tiptronic B8 exhaust system will ever be while retaining the performance aspect. The improvement of the exhaust note versus stock is very noticeable, but still very classy.

Being one of AWE's other initial customers with this product, I can say that a lot of time and attention was put into this product to make it right. While the road to the final production system may have been frustrating a times, I never felt "stonewalled" by Todd and his crew.

The fit and finish of this system received nothing but high marks from my local tuner shop as well.

[Blake P]

Great review and pics, Anthony. I lub my A.W.E. exhaust. Tips=cylinders FTW!

[aznpxdd]

Great review and pics, Anthony. I lub my A.W.E. exhaust. Tips=cylinders FTW!

Quad Gang :D

[Kay15]

Would you say you had some gains in hp/tq from this setup? Seems like you put a lot of time into this write up and could give us an honest opinion of if the butt dyno felt any changes?

[ThePiombino]

Great write-up, Anthony! And big ups to you and Blake for pretty much being the guinea pigs on this one. You guys did all the hard work and once you both pretty much agreed that the system was about as good as it was going to get I went ahead and pulled the trigger. Didn't go quad, but did go duel, single-tip. Haven't looked back since! Thanks, guys!

[Okan509]

Nice write up! I learned a few things, thanks

[Anthony]

Would you say you had some gains in hp/tq from this setup? Seems like you put a lot of time into this write up and could give us an honest opinion of if the butt dyno felt any changes?

There are absolutely gains with a higher flowing aftermarket exhaust over stock, but typically not enough to be physically felt. Power gains are generally no more than 5-10 HP/TQ.

Performance exhausts are always more of an emotional thing, based off of the audible improvements and enhancements to the engine. Pair that with a proper ECU tune though, and you have a match made in heaven, one you'll both hear and feel.

[MiracleWhips]

And big ups to you and Blake for pretty much being the guinea pigs on this one. You guys did all the hard work and once you both pretty much agreed that the system was about as good as it was going to get I went ahead and pulled the trigger.

There were actually three guinea pigs to my knowledge......

[Anthony]

There were actually three guinea pigs to my knowledge......

Guinea pigs or overeager mod-hounds!?

[Anthony]

Video is done!

[aznpxdd]

Nice vid!

[Anthony]

Thanks, Jeff. While my new boom mic cuts down on the wind noise and distortion, I do need to figure how to turn the sensitivity up, or increase the sound levels when exporting the video.

[Ryan_T]

That white S-Line valance is the sexiest I've seen of any and all S B8 rear by far.

I was gonna get Votex rear with dual exhaust or OSiR CF Quad....but now....

What are you doing to me, Anthony??!

[Anthony]

That white S-Line valance is the sexiest I've seen of any and all S B8 rear by far.

I was gonna get Votex rear with dual exhaust or OSiR CF Quad....but now....

What are you doing to me, Anthony??!

Thanks. Doesn't seem to be for everyone though, and personally I could go either way. It's such a sexy ass that it's hard to mess it up.

If I was to do it again, I wouldn't have painted the very furthermost underside lip/edge. It wouldn't be an issue on a darker color, but on anything light, that should be left unpainted.

[Ryan_T]

You mean the deepest level of cut/indent? Cause the meeting between the bumper and the valance's top level surfaces in white is very slick. The second level where the exhaust cutouts can be easier to maintain in darker colours, I suppose. My bumper get more stained on the area where the hot exhaust hits.

[MiracleWhips]

Anthony,

The vids from inside sound just about how my avant does. This helps me feel more satisfied with the end result of this "journey".

[Anthony]

You mean the deepest level of cut/indent? Cause the meeting between the bumper and the valance's top level surfaces in white is very slick. The second level where the exhaust cutouts can be easier to maintain in darker colours, I suppose. My bumper get more stained on the area where the hot exhaust hits.

The bit seen underneath the car, in the center going towards the front end.

[IN10CT]

Great review! Wish they had something for TDI

[littlewhite]

nice write up! Love the ride in white!

[Anthony]

Thanks, guys!

[B8_Jim]

Thanks, guys!

I think we should be thanking YOU for everything - great site, reviews, articles, posts... Then again this site has caused my bank account to dwindle, but I wouldn't have it any other way

[Anthony]

I do feel bad about that, but then on the other hand I enjoy spreading the bug!

[Greg Nelson]

Anthony,
Just watched/listened to the video - awesome
On I-280 in Cupertino?
As a 3.2 owner
I'll email AWE tomorrow re possible custom dual-tip (left/right) fabrication.
Streetwerke in Palo Alto is close by me.
Cheers