Apr stage 2 with down pipes for s6/s7 questions?!

[dlo93]

I have a 2017 s7 with APR stage 1. I was looking into going stage 2 with APR downpipes primarily because i want more sound. Aside from the torque and hp gains, what can people tell me about the overall sound increase? Is there a significant difference? Any Drone? Will my family think its too loud? Thanks

[SPC4S4]

I have heard that they are barely noticeable when just cruising, and add a nice growl when hard on the go pedal. And no drone. I'm in the same boat as you but haven't pulled the trigger yet. My reservation is how they mate up to the existing midpipe...some have complained of leaks at the joint and had to keep retightening them and in some cases, add exhaust sealant.

Sent from my DROID Turbo using Audizine mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

[dlo93]

I have heard that they are barely noticeable when just cruising, and add a nice growl when hard on the go pedal. And no drone. I'm in the same boat as you but haven't pulled the trigger yet. My reservation is how they mate up to the existing midpipe...some have complained of leaks at the joint and had to keep retightening them and in some cases, add exhaust sealant.

Sent from my DROID Turbo using Audizine mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

Well i hope thats not very common. I have the OEM sports exhaust too so people say they sound the best with that. Considering the cost i just want a noticeable difference over stock.

[OlyS6]

Very noticeable difference over stock sport exhaust, especially when applying the gas. It'll definitely put a smile on your face. Minimal to no drone with stock sport exhaust. Makes the most financial sense, given that you are already APR and the Stage 2 tune comes with the downpipes for free.
The downpipe-midpipe can be problematic, but as long as the install is done right (recommend putting a 1/4" ring of Permatex exhaust sealant at the ends of the downpipes anyway just to be certain), shouldn't be an issue. If I had it to do over again, I'd go AMS, as you have more options to easily add an aftermarket exhaust, and they use slightly better/larger cats and leave them in the stock position rather than underneath the car. The APR configuration places the O2 sensors flapping in the breeze underneath the car as well, which I don't care for. None of that has been enough to make me change to the more expensive AMS downpipes (yet).

[dlo93]

Very noticeable difference over stock sport exhaust, especially when applying the gas. It'll definitely put a smile on your face. Minimal to no drone with stock sport exhaust. Makes the most financial sense, given that you are already APR and the Stage 2 tune comes with the downpipes for free.
The downpipe-midpipe can be problematic, but as long as the install is done right (recommend putting a 1/4" ring of Permatex exhaust sealant at the ends of the downpipes anyway just to be certain), shouldn't be an issue. If I had it to do over again, I'd go AMS, as you have more options to easily add an aftermarket exhaust, and they use slightly better/larger cats and leave them in the stock position rather than underneath the car. The APR configuration places the O2 sensors flapping in the breeze underneath the car as well, which I don't care for. None of that has been enough to make me change to the more expensive AMS downpipes (yet).

Do you remember what you paid to go stage 2 with downpipe install? I already have stage 1.

[OlyS6]

Do you remember what you paid to go stage 2 with downpipe install? I already have stage 1.

I bough the downpipes new for about $2k, installed them myself. If you pay somebody to do it, they should charge you for roughly 6hours of install time. PM Nick at elite customs. They have a sale on APR downpipes that started today. The upgrade to the Stage 2 software is free when you use the code that comes with the downpipes.

[carx7]

I have an Rs7 but will comment as I've owned several exhaust combinations. I had a Miltek catless non-res also, so you know my basis for comparison.

Rs7 sports exhaust- all stock. Benign and have to listen for the difference to dynamic mode. Very subtle shift and my wife didn't notice.

Rs7 sports exhaust with center resonator remove- Slightly louder stock with noticeable shift to Dynamic. No drone under cruise. Slightly more pops off throttle.

Rs7 sports exhaust, resonator removed, APR DPs- noticeable bump from stock, but not "loud". No drone under cruise. Pops off throttle in Dynamic are noticeable. You can tell something is "different". I enjoyed the ability to listen to my B&O with this system but I found it a bit too subdued for my preferences. See below though.

Miltek non-res, no cats- LOUD. Neighbors 3 doors down knew the car was started. Neighbor next door knew when the car was running with valves shut. This droned under cruise and the pops under decel are more akin to backfires. I was tired of the system for daily use after a few months. If it were a weekend warrior car it may have been ok, the drone under cruise was unacceptable for daily use in my mind.

I'm currently driving the stock configuration car and my Akrapovick literally showed up while writing this message. I will be using Russian Catted downpipes with the Akra system and hope for that to be the best blend between comfort cruising and exotic tone under load.

My 4 year old daughter loved the Miltek. her twin brother thought the Miltek was too loud. My wife drove the new car with stock exhaust and said it wasn't as cool as the old car with Miltek... she's car nut with me though. To your question, the APR will give a shift to make you smile without being too loud. <-I just realized Olys6 responded while I was typing this novel and I think we're saying the same thing.

-C

[dlo93]

I have an Rs7 but will comment as I've owned several exhaust combinations. I had a Miltek catless non-res also, so you know my basis for comparison.

Rs7 sports exhaust- all stock. Benign and have to listen for the difference to dynamic mode. Very subtle shift and my wife didn't notice.

Rs7 sports exhaust with center resonator remove- Slightly louder stock with noticeable shift to Dynamic. No drone under cruise. Slightly more pops off throttle.

Rs7 sports exhaust, resonator removed, APR DPs- noticeable bump from stock, but not "loud". No drone under cruise. Pops off throttle in Dynamic are noticeable. You can tell something is "different". I enjoyed the ability to listen to my B&O with this system but I found it a bit too subdued for my preferences. See below though.

Miltek non-res, no cats- LOUD. Neighbors 3 doors down knew the car was started. Neighbor next door knew when the car was running with valves shut. This droned under cruise and the pops under decel are more akin to backfires. I was tired of the system for daily use after a few months. If it were a weekend warrior car it may have been ok, the drone under cruise was unacceptable for daily use in my mind.

I'm currently driving the stock configuration car and my Akrapovick literally showed up while writing this message. I will be using Russian Catted downpipes with the Akra system and hope for that to be the best blend between comfort cruising and exotic tone under load.

My 4 year old daughter loved the Miltek. her twin brother thought the Miltek was too loud. My wife drove the new car with stock exhaust and said it wasn't as cool as the old car with Miltek... she's car nut with me though. To your question, the APR will give a shift to make you smile without being too loud. <-I just realized Olys6 responded while I was typing this novel and I think we're saying the same thing.

-C
Much appreciated for the feedback!

[dlo93]

Are new/different spark plugs needed when going APR stage 2? My shop included spark plugs in my install quote?

[OlyS6]

Are new/different spark plugs needed when going APR stage 2? My shop included spark plugs in my install quote?

Really only recommended for Stage 3, in which case a bunch of us are using Denso Iridium IHK24s, which already come with the recommended gap of 0.024-0.026". You can get a set of 8 for $70 on Amazon. Given that you have a 2017 likely without a ton of miles on it, I wouldn't bother at this point.

[arrivalanche]

DO IT!!

[dlo93]

Reliability is fine?

[OlyS6]

Unaware of any longevity complaints. I've had the downpipes on for nearly a year without issues. Others have had them on far longer. I had EPL for Stage 2, which worked well for nearly 10,000 miles before going to APR Stage 3. I'm unaware of folks with complaints on APR Stage 2.

[carx7]

Reliability is fine?

I realize RS is a bit different with cooling etc, but my last car had ~ 30k miles on Apr stage II and countless tanks of 100+ octane. It had zero issues when rear ended at 39k miles.

As other's have said. Do it :D

[ryanlada]

Do it. I have APR pipes with Factory Sports exhaust and its the perfect amount of loud for my taste. I don't notice any drone on mine and if there is that I cant hear, its certainly not anything the radio at normal listening volume wouldn't hide.

[dlo93]

Do it. I have APR pipes with Factory Sports exhaust and its the perfect amount of loud for my taste. I don't notice any drone on mine and if there is that I cant hear, its certainly not anything the radio at normal listening volume wouldn't hide.

Its been perfectly reliable? How many miles so far?

[ryanlada]

Make sure you do the exhaust sealant. I didn't seal mine and I get an occasional exhaust smell. Been too lazy to drop the bands and seal it. Apart from that, no issues. 15k+ miles. Might be almost 20k now