VMR TEST PIPE REVIEW -- Installation, Smell, Sound, and Performance covered.

[ataylor]

EDIT: an "after 1 month" review has been added to the bottom of this thread. [» jump to 1 month review]

Installed the VMR test pipe tonight, here's my setup going into it:

APR fully loaded, I run the 93 program daily
Forge DV
and now a VMR TP

Installation:
Pretty easy, or at least it should be.

After pulling the airbox, lifting the car, unbolting the downpipe and the cat.. I bolted up the TP and went to install the jointed TP and downpipe piece back into the car. I lowered the car back down, put the two top bolts from turbo -> back on, and lifted the car again to check fitment..

this is where things became frustrating.

The piece clearly was not bent enough to keep the downpipe from rubbing on the tranny mount (the large cross-brace that spans the width of the underside of the car), or the firewall. It was pushed right up against..making pretty firm contact. Obviously this will not do.. every time the engine lifts from the mounts that shit would seperate and then slam again. So I took the thing out, posted something here on audizine from my phone hoping some of you would have suggestions.. (FAIL. THANKS AUDIZINE LOL :) ) but the truth is there's no two-ways of installing this thing.. it's extremly simple and self explanitory.

The only conclusion(s) to make on why this didn't line up properly is either:
a) I got a bad piece, or
b) these TPs are meant for for whatever exhaust they were fab'd on at VMR..and if you've got a stock exhaust you've gotta figure something out.

Thankfully we have a bender..so we put another 7-8 degrees into the bend, and tried again. This time it worked, and I'm all set.

But I shouldn't have to do that.. I understand this is a cheap, $70 solution for a cat delete.. but the build quality is too high on these parts to make sense of bending the thing. Hopefully VMR can chime in and say "you didn't install it right" -- because that's what I'd rather believe!

Anyway.. onto the review. I'll talk about some of the things that are often debated over by this forum when discussing TP's..

Smell:
It's still brand new.. but I honestly don't know what the fuss is about. Maybe I'll know in 1k miles? I do recognize a smell, but you've gotta be looking for it to find it, and it doesn't make it's way into the cabin. I had to be behind the car sniffing for it in order to say "Oh yeah, ok". And even then it wasn't something that gave me doubts about the concept of choosing the $70 part over the $3-400 HFC.

Sound:
I'll admit when I heard the first few backfires (in neutral revving), I was thrown off. But after a couple of minutes driving, I was happy with the sound. I've had exhaust work on all of my cars.. and this reminds me of my N/A 2.0L jetta with a techtonics cat-back. It's enough to sound aggressive, but by no means does it sound like a fart can or glasspack. If you're into the quiet "spaceship" feel of a powerful car that doesn't sound powerful, this isn't for you. But then again, neither is any aftermarket exhaust. At low RPM the sound doesn't kick in until you've been on the throttle for second, and it's an encouraging sound. At mid rpm to WOT.. the car sounds like it's trying to get somewhere. Again, it's enough to hint "modified" but isn't cheesy as I've seen some people argue. That being said, I still plan on doing full exhaust in the spring..

Performance:
Butt dyno is happy with the gains across the board, especially considering what I had read about MINIMAL gains if you're already chipped. As stated above, I'm flashed with APR and I've noticed a boost in quickness with the car. The car holds 19/20psi now from 2800 to 4000rpm, and will hold 17 the rest of the way. This is 2 psi higher than when I was running a cat. Before I would teeter on 18-19 and then settle at 15 and hold.

For those of you that are flashed.. think back to your first impression of the low end torqe after you got your software. You felt power in the low end on the highway when trying to pass that you never had before. With the TP, I'm getting power that I never felt in the lower gears.. with NO delay. The car gets-up-and-MOVES when I want it to. It's a CURE I've been waiting for... since switching from a supercharged car to a turbo'd one. The thing spools up MUCH quicker, and I'm very happy with the reduced lag in throttle response. This is the highlight of the review, honestly. No more waiting for the boost.. it comes on early, and strong.

Finally, NO check engine light. I was under the impression that I'd have to drive back to where I was flashed and have a "TP file" flashed into my ECU for the TP. Perhaps this file is already loaded in memory somewhere and the car adjusts to the TP and that's that?

We'll know more in a couple of days as I drive 500 miles this weekend..

props to VMR for bringing this product to market with high build quality, great value.. and results you can feel, but if you guys don't have a pipe bender in your shop.. you may find yourself banging your head after removing your cat. converter.

my other reviews: [stop being stingy with the rep, assholes!]

Digital boost gauge:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302424

Koni FSD/Eibach pro kit:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291723

[ataylor]

and a bump because I just deleted 3 posts and wrote a review in place of a "HELP ME" post :)

[Larson7.62]

Not the first time i've heard fitment issues with the TP. Thanks for the review.

[ataylor]

that should help illustrate the problem.

On a side note, this little guy went on today, too:

[ElCapitan464]

ya i hear ppl have issues with it on manuals, what exhaust r u going to run

[mikevets68]

Good review!

[ataylor]

ya i hear ppl have issues with it on manuals, what exhaust r u running

Stock exhaust (until next spring).. I wonder if they sent me the part for the Auto? I WONDER IF I EVEN SPECIFIED?

[ataylor]

Good review!

Thanks!

up next: Hartman RS4 reps, going on next week! August is a good month for this car

[j.vick]

Where did you get that? I've been wanting to get something like that but with the German stripping like in the Audizine name.

[ataylor]

Where did you get that? I've been wanting to get something like that but with the German stripping like in the Audizine name.

Jump over to chatterbox.. you're going to want to talk to "LampyB". I think one of these badges with a german flag is his next idea..

[ElCapitan464]

Stock exhaust (until next spring).. I wonder if they sent me the part for the Auto? I WONDER IF I EVEN SPECIFIED?

i just changed it, im on my phone i couldnt read that, i dont think they have a specific choice on what type of tp u can choose for a specific tranny, i think they all work together, i have a vmr tp too, mine was pretty skinny and seem to fit well, i would think since its thinner than a stock it should fit better, but urs seems much different

[ataylor]

this is the one I had:


it wasn't the thickness that was the issue, there's plenty of room there for the pipe.. really, actually a lot of room. It's just the angle of the bend traveling down the car. It was about 10 degrees off, but we didn't bend a full 10 because I didn't want to fuck up the pipe and be stuck there with no choice to put the cat. back on! ..wow that would have sucked.

[ElCapitan464]

ya same as mine, it might just be what car VMR used as their test car, theyll chime in soon enough, still a very good company in my book

[staticuxo]

I had the same exact problem with the test pipe fitment. The downpipe rested RIGHT ON the tranny cross mount. I have the aftermarket AWE quad tip. There was no way of me fixing this so I cut open a piece of rubber radiator hose and just opened it flat and wedge it in there and put a clamp around it. It's lasted about a month with no problems so far.

Besides that problem, I love the extra torque and sound! Smell is barely there too.

[Jer]

I've had one of these in my trunk for months now and my only two concerns were installation (tiptronic) and sound. I didn't want a poppy fart can sound but it sounds like this isn't an issue. I also plan to add a custom free flowing 3" back to the TP so perhaps there's a chance of more of a poppy fart can sound then... who knows.

So, my only real issue now is installation. We attempted a few months ago and had to put it back to stock because it was too hard to get to on a jack with hand tools and I had to drive it to work the next morning. From what I've read the manual cars are a breeze and the tips are a nightmare which I can attest to first hand. I need to attempt it again because I like what I'm hearing about gains and is pretty much what I expected.

Thanks for the write up.

[Doctor]

Too bad to hear it didnt fit straight up from them.
I was to order one from them, all ready, talked 3 times over it, and then they found out there wasnt one in the end...Seems it was better that way, and I made a custom one in my country...

As for the smell, in my 1.8T 20vt, it smelled more after 1K miles on the clock and after a short trip...Hope this doesnt happen for you.

[PPLAPW]

My check engine light didn't come on until i drove for a day or two. But I just had the APR dealer reflash my ECU with the test pipe file.

I had the same issue as you with the fitment. Sucked royally, I ended up using a crow bar to "spread" where it made contact. It worked fairly well. I can only hear it hit/rattle when I turn.

[WayzataAudi]

thats weird that your installation was messed up because i had no problem with mine...as for the sound, yeah most people hype it up to be a lot ricier that it is. its really not that bad, i mean its not amazing quality but by no means is it "ricy".

[Sharkfin]

great review, I'm deciding between my APR testpipe and an HFC as we speak, I don't know what to do. What are you going to do about inspections?

[ataylor]

The guy who helps me with work on all of my cars, has access to lifts, and tools like the pipe-bender (thank god) -- ALSO happens to works for the VW dealership and has done my stickers for the past 3 years.

But for others..inspections now only require that the car reports (through the scan tool) that it's working to spec. They rely on the computer, they don't literally look under the car.

So with APR -- if there's no CEL, you get a sticker.

[Sharkfin]

But for others..inspections now only require that the car reports (through the scan tool) that it's working to spec. They rely on the computer, they don't literally look under the car.

So with APR -- if there's no CEL, you get a sticker.

That's def not true in all states,

[ataylor]

Probably not -- that's just what my friend told me his SOP is for inspection. It seems their cracking down on accountability for the inspectors -- more than cracking down on the fine details in the inspection itself. For example, at the end of the year they'll be using web cams to take facial shots of the inspectors @ the dealership at various steps during the process, as a way of signing-off on what you're reporting!

[elwigglero]

Thanks for the review. It'll be even better when you get the exhaust.

[CBRmatt600]

For example, at the end of the year they'll be using web cams to take facial shots of the inspectors @ the dealership at various steps during the process, as a way of signing-off on what you're reporting!

I love big brother.

[Sal_B7]

cool review, sucks to hear about the tp. When i first got my eurocode tp everything fit fine. It did seem a lil bit longer then my stock cat(but maybe i was trippin cause it was skinny, i dunno) Anyways, glad you got everything worked out!

I never smell anything in the cabin only when im outside of the car do i smell something but its not bad. Have fun breaking it in!!

[ataylor]

cool review, sucks to hear about the tp. When i first got my eurocode tp everything fit fine. It did seem a lil bit longer then my stock cat(but maybe i was trippin cause it was skinny, i dunno) Anyways, glad you got everything worked out!

I never smell anything in the cabin only when im outside of the car do i smell something but its not bad. Have fun breaking it in!!

Speaking of breaking it in.. can I expect anything to change besides the increase in smell?

ninja edit: CEL came on this morning on the way to work, time to go back to NAmotorsports and get the free TP file. Gotta live with the CEL til then..

[Cirlincione623]

I installed the vmr tp after I was running the awe quad tip for about a month because I just wanted more sound and the tp definitly gave me what I was looking for. As it broke in I noticed the exhaust note got a little bit deeper and as for the smell its really not bad at all, I really only smell it if I put my foot into the car and come to a stop after. As for performance gains I had stock ecu and I felt more low end power and less lag. After the flash at waterfest its a different car now.

[ataylor]

my previous 2 reviews:

Digital boost gauge:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302424

Koni FSD/Eibach pro kit:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291723

[SykoraA4]

i was kinda hoping VMR will chime in about the fitment issue. I'm about to pick one of these up.

[Peter@VMRWheels]

i was kinda hoping VMR will chime in about the fitment issue. I'm about to pick one of these up.

Thanks for all of the reviews and replies. I'm aware of the issue that some customers have brought up in regards to the TP's. During original R&D process we hired Audi technicians at the dealership to do the install, and the TP's were test fitted by on a B7 A4 (both AT/MT versions).... to my knowledge the TP's were continuously driven on until the cars were sold.

There was one single manufacturing run (two years ago) and for some reason the first fitment issues were brought up only recently, after more than 100 were sold. Perhaps the earlier model B7 is a little different than the later models.

The test pipes sold thru us were originally for a private label customer- and after they ceased operations the remaining stock is being cleared out on eBay.

Rest assured that if anyone has issues with the product, I will do an exchange (or full refund) no questions asked, and pay for round trip shipping. Any questions feel free to let me know

[eskimopunk]

$70. I'm not complaining.

[ataylor]

it WANTS to sit on 20 but it was jumping back and forth :) notice this is 6th gear pull on flat, already at 80mph and boosting strong..

[SykoraA4]

Rest assured that if anyone has issues with the product, I will do an exchange (or full refund) no questions asked, and pay for round trip shipping. Any questions feel free to let me know

nice! im getting one

[Perspolis]

does it sound anything like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttD8JZQwz3c

[ataylor]

Yeah i'd say it sounds like the eurocode test pipe heard there ^

[D-techniK]

The fit and finish on this is amazing..
to VMR for a great pc. Turbo spools quicker. (anyone else feel same?)
Holy crap though garage fumes are gonna kill me though.

Probably going to do custom exhaust to not have issues with Aftermarket exhaust fitment or trying to figure which exhaust it works with

[ataylor]

after 1 month...

SOUND:
I must admit.. I have completely changed my position on the sound of this test pipe.

The sound is really starting to bother me. It's to the point that I hesitate to really get on the throttle at ALL, because the noise is so loud and abrasive.

When on the highway.. going WOT in 4th or 5th sounds fine, it's more acceptable. But..anything beyond cruise mode around town is almost embarrassing.

I bought the Audi to replace the impractical, loud, blown GTI. I wanted something sporty but without the constant attention that comes with driving a explicitly modded car. Sure, I know, I did buy another red car.. but exhaust can bring a whole different kind of attention that I don't want.


SMELL:
It's entirely gone. I never smell anything anymore, and neither does anyone who rides with me. Even walking behind the car while it's running.

PERFORMANCE:
Same. This is what makes it hard to get rid of this thing for a HFC. I still love the quick spool, and don't want to sacrifice performance. Can I mod my stock cat to be hi-flow ??

Otherwise, I'll be looking for a used HFC over the winter, and then shopping for a quiet exhaust in the spring.

In the mean time, is anyone is running a test pipe with additional resonators..?

[Sharkfin]

Did you mean quieter exhaust or just a exhaust setup without a testpipe?

[ataylor]

I'll be looking into which exhaust set ups are the quietest.. and I'll eventually be running an HFC with whichever set up I choose.

In the mean time.. I may try to do resonators on this setup (stock + tp)

[Sharkfin]

You mean you have stock and you think it's too loud? Or just the wrong kind of loud?