My experience with exhaust drone, resonators, a j-pipes

[JACKAL]

Hey everyone I wanted to share a little bit of my experience when I when down a customized stock exhaust route so perhaps others can learn from my successes and failures. To preface this, I initially wanted 'slightly' more aggressive exhaust sound than stock so I'll try to outline my journey here as well as my impressions of each configuration.

1) Stock mufflers, stock center resonator with baby resonators deleted:
I first started the quest by installing non-resonated downpipes on an otherwise stock system. Nice results, a little more aggressive but still quite mellow overall and no drone. Eventually time passed and I determined I wanted more sound.

2) Stock mufflers, center resonator delete, baby resonator delete:
I then deleted the center (large) resonator and had 2 straight pipes installed in it's place. This sounded horrible. Terrible rasp and drone to the point where I didn't even want to accelerate because of how awful the car sounded. This was remedied in a hurry.

3) Stock mufflers, all stock resonators deleted, Magnaflow resonated x-pipe added by downpipes:
This was much better and sounded just slightly more aggressive than my setup in step 1. No drone or rasp at all, but a little quieter than I ultimately wanted.

4) Muffler delete, Magnaflow resonated x-pipe
This setup had a pretty nice sound (IMO) under throttle and wasn't obnoxiously loud, though definitely louder than setup 1 and 3. The rasp was gone. However, it had some wicked drone from ~1700 - 2500 RPM. I added some sound dampening material to the trunk, spare tire well, and behind the back seat which helped a little but wasn't enough.

5) Magnaflow resonated x-pipe, dual Vibrant bottle resonators
I had hoped the bottle resonators would absorb some of the resonance but they really didn't do anything at all to help with that. They quieted the car slightly but the overall impact was pretty minimal and I still had more drone than desired.

6) Magnaflow resonated x-pipe, dual Vibrant bottle resonators, dual J-pipes (branch resonators)
I finally bit the bullet and decided to try branch resonators. I had these welded into the downpipes and run back parallel to the exhaust until they met the center brace with the goal being to try to get in the 34-35" length range based on calculations of drone frequency and sound wavelengths). They ended up being about 32" because we ran out of room due to the cross-brace but I thought that might be enough. These made a huge difference when the car was cold. There was absolutely no drone whatsoever. However, when it heated up, I was still getting more drone than I wanted because the exhaust gases heated up and the wavelengths got longer, hence the need for the resonators to be a little longer than they were.

6) Magnaflow resonated x-pipe, Magnaflow non-resonated x-pipe, dual J-pipes, dual Vibrant bottle resonators
I wondered if a second x-pipe would help to curb some of the resonance if added further back in the system so I had one of the non-resonated pipes put back in the area where the original factory large resonator was (so the straight pipes were replaced by the x). This provided a negligible improvement as well, on par with the addition of the bottle resonators.

7) Dual Magnaflow resonated x-pipes,dual J-pipes, dual Vibrant bottle resonators
I found a shop that could manage to squeeze a second resonated x-pipe in where I first had the non-resonated X installed (the location of the factory center resonator). This made a big difference in the overall sound level and did help somewhat with the drone but still didn't eliminate it. I have added some insulation to various areas in the trunk and that has helped as well. Overall the drone is pretty manageable and not evident at cruising speeds unless I encounter a gradual hill where a partial-throttle scenario occurs in the 1800-2200 RPM range.

You might be reading and thinking that I'm an idiot for trying so many things with stock system as a base and you're entitled to your opinion. Why did I keep trying to make the customized system work? Initially a 'relatively' small cost to have a shop weld in a couple new parts or cut out a couple old parts. I'm thinking I can drop a couple hundred bucks and it should get me close. As time goes on and I've tried more and more it becomes the argument of trying to fix what you now have more invested in or cutting bait and getting a fully engineered system. This coupled with the fact that it seems not even all the aftermarket solutions are drone-free so. Finally, my own curiosity as an engineer lead me to really want to try some different things to see how impactful they really were.

At the end of the day, I'm pretty happy with the sound now and I learned a few things along the way. All in, I have around $1100 in parts and labor for all these iterations. If I had just skipped right to the system I describe in step 7, I would have been at somewhere around $600 parts and labor. I wanted to post this just to give some details and observations on my own experience so people who are considering this route can perhaps either skip some of the intermediate steps that I took or say screw it and pick up a true aftermarket system if they don't want to deal with the hassle. In the attached image, you can see the dual resonated x-pipes and the branch resonators. The bottle resonators are back where the stock mufflers used to be.

Cheers!

112132

[Envy187]

Thank you for that wonderful write-up, JACKAL. That's incredible that purely going the 7th configuration cost you just over half of all the other configurations combined. LOL! [:D] This will assist me in future when I plan on dabbling in such things after my warranty is up. [up]

[JACKAL]

Thank you for that wonderful write-up, JACKAL. That's incredible that purely going the 7th configuration cost you just over half of all the other configurations combined. LOL! [:D] This will assist me in future when I plan on dabbling in such things after my warranty is up. [up]

Thank you - I hope this will help you with your future plans. It is interesting how the costs worked out though. The final configuration broke down into about $350 for parts (all four resonators plus exhaust tips) and some labor to cut parts out and put the new stuff in place.

[SilentEdge]

Which non-resonated downpipes did you go with for step 1? That's basically what I'm looking for, just slightly more aggressive than stock.

[JACKAL]

Which non-resonated downpipes did you go with for step 1? That's basically what I'm looking for, just slightly more aggressive than stock.

I used CTS Turbo.

[Fresh.S4]

I love that everyone is on the j pipe/ helmz holtz bandwagon.
Tried telling everyone last year when polo exhaust first released it that THAT was the way to go. Although everyones homegrown methods are a bit frankenstien'ish, i guess if it works, it works.
The polo performance exhaust is downpipes> resonated xpipe box> x pipe> helmzholtz/ straight pipe out. zero drone, zero rasp. one and done.

[vpls4]

.

Do you still have your cats?

Are you going to do any wrapping? Rasp free method (https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/846538-Rasp-free-method)

[SilentEdge]

Thank you, going to order soon!

[JACKAL]

Do you still have your cats?

Are you going to do any wrapping? Rasp free method (https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/846538-Rasp-free-method)

Yep, still have the cats. I don't have any rasp now, just a little hint of drone. I had read that thread you noted and I may have missed it but did the wrapping have any impact on drone or just on the rasp? I suppose the added mass could possible help if some of the drone is related to resonance of the exhaust system itself, but I could also see it possibly fighting me since my j-pipes are already a little on the short side to cancel resonance when the car heats up. If I wrap, I will be increasing the gas temperature and the wavelength of the sound waves so those j-pipes would be even less impactful.

Curious to hear more on this though - I'm certainly willing to give it a shot!

[KRp220]

I love that everyone is on the j pipe/ helmz holtz bandwagon.
Tried telling everyone last year when polo exhaust first released it that THAT was the way to go. Although everyones homegrown methods are a bit frankenstien'ish, i guess if it works, it works.
The polo performance exhaust is downpipes> resonated xpipe box> x pipe> helmzholtz/ straight pipe out. zero drone, zero rasp. one and done.

unless your're catless*

[chilort]

I also went through many iterations and have j-pipes (mine are at the back above the rear mufflers and aren't as affected by the car being warm /cold. I've read that j-pipes are more effective the closer to the front that they are but there are obviously some tradeoffs.

I get the engineer mindset (I was an engineer in a former career but I'll always have a bit of engineer in me) and am surprised at the number of people here who can't wrap their head around it.

[JACKAL]

I also went through many iterations and have j-pipes (mine are at the back above the rear mufflers and aren't as affected by the car being warm /cold. I've read that j-pipes are more effective the closer to the front that they are but there are obviously some tradeoffs.

I get the engineer mindset (I was an engineer in a former career but I'll always have a bit of engineer in me) and am surprised at the number of people here who can't wrap their head around it.

I agree - it's a simple concept that has proven results. Do you have any pics of the j-pipe setup you went with including overall length? I am planning to see if there is any way to get a little more length on my pipes just to help subdue the remaining drone a little more when the exhaust gets warm.

[BCeagle08]

So it took you the same amount of money and a lot of headache to find out that you should have just bought an AWE system from the beginning?

[evil35r]

Just have a 3” dp to Y built and y put the back. 3” single out the back would probably sound very good haha

[JACKAL]

So it took you the same amount of money and a lot of headache to find out that you should have just bought an AWE system from the beginning?

Everything is 20/20 in hindsight. I didn’t start the project anticipating spending what I did and going through the iterations I did. Quite obviously if I knew then what I know now I would have taken a different route. Like I said in my original post though, I’m an engineer and part of this whole process was driven simply my curiosity.

[chilort]

So it took you the same amount of money and a lot of headache to find out that you should have just bought an AWE system from the beginning?

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1189021/gotone.gif

And install test pipes and see how great that AWE sounds (assuming you actually like the sound of the AWE in the first place -- not everyone does).

[chilort]

I agree - it's a simple concept that has proven results. Do you have any pics of the j-pipe setup you went with including overall length? I am planning to see if there is any way to get a little more length on my pipes just to help subdue the remaining drone a little more when the exhaust gets warm.

I need to get some more and better pictures. I had mine made with a few inches of adjustment (not shown - it's the uncapped section at the end of the curve in the pictures in the link below) and have it setup mostly to cut the drone at 70mph. I still get the long low grade annoyance that you mentioned.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/833921-My-custom-exhaust-setup?

[Envy187]

I need to get some more and better pictures. I had mine made with a few inches of adjustment (not shown - it's the uncapped section at the end of the curve in the pictures in the link below) and have it setup mostly to cut the drone at 70mph. I still get the long low grade annoyance that you mentioned.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/833921-My-custom-exhaust-setup?p=1338555

For whatever reason, the URL you provided is leading me down a road I don't believe was the intended one. [>_<]

[chilort]

For whatever reason, the URL you provided is leading me down a road I don't believe was the intended one. [>_<]

That's odd. I fixed the link.

[theweebabyseamus]

So it took you the same amount of money and a lot of headache to find out that you should have just bought an AWE system from the beginning?

To each their own. My car came with a AWE Touring and resonated downpipes and I sold them and have the 11385 MF for my baby res and center res delete and it definitely sounds better now.

[brs2c]

It is great that there are a lot of good sounding exhausts for our cars now... BUT still waiting to see someone come up with the magic catless exhaust combo that sounds good across the RPM range.

[stapan]

For what its worth, I have a dual pulley Q5 3.0T (same engine) and I have found exhaust nirvana pretty cheaply with the following custom setup:

Magnaflow 12468 in place of baby resonators
Magnaflow 11385 in place of center resonator
Doug's Headers 2.5" exhaust cutout between the two Magnaflows, with 3 disk CC insert and a Dynomax mini bullet muffler on the outlet
Borla 4" 20156 exhaust tips on stock rear mufflers

There is an electric switch I can use anytime while driving to change the sound. With the cutout closed, the car is dead silent at all times... quieter than stock; almost electric car ish.

With the cutout fully open, it is very supercar like sound at a good volume (loud but not obnoxious) smooth at all rpms, no weird resonances or droning ever under any conditions.

I can open it just a little bit if I want in between.

I drop off the kids in silent mode. Then racecar :)

I believe a similar setup should work on an S4.

Pics:
https://i.imgur.com/jerMufF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fMcC7TP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X02dWgG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/quzO0Iz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/t4F3F9U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JI0XntK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B2zz0eM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wpZWBSf.jpg

[vpls4]

did the wrapping have any impact on drone or just on the rasp?

No effect whatsoever on the drone, for me anyway. I'll have to record it sometime while driving around.

I have a bunch of before and after sound clips from outside the car in the Rasp free method (https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/846538-Rasp-free-method?p=13584331&viewfull=1#post13584331)

I read through this thread today and have ordered the (2x Dodge part 52103612AA) that everyone was ordering a while back, will experiment with placement.

The Unofficial Aftermarket Exhaust 2000 RPM Vibration Thread (https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/749764-The-Unofficial-Aftermarket-Exhaust-2000-RPM-Vibration-Thread)

If APR is successful with their Catted Race Pipes then I will definitely be putting cats back in. They should be done testing in a couple weeks.
Catted or Non Catted APR Race Pipes (https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/836290-Catted-or-Non-Catted-APR-Race-Pipes)

[adam044]

Not sure what you did. I’m happy with my track edition AWE exhaust and non res downpipes. I like loud. Wait until the cats come out.

[gamatt]

For what its worth, I have a dual pulley Q5 3.0T (same engine) and I have found exhaust nirvana pretty cheaply with the following custom setup:

Magnaflow 12468 in place of baby resonators
Magnaflow 11385 in place of center resonator
Doug's Headers 2.5" exhaust cutout between the two Magnaflows, with 3 disk CC insert and a Dynomax mini bullet muffler on the outlet
Borla 4" 20156 exhaust tips on stock rear mufflers

There is an electric switch I can use anytime while driving to change the sound. With the cutout closed, the car is dead silent at all times... quieter than stock; almost electric car ish.

With the cutout fully open, it is very supercar like sound at a good volume (loud but not obnoxious) smooth at all rpms, no weird resonances or droning ever under any conditions.

I can open it just a little bit if I want in between.

I drop off the kids in silent mode. Then racecar :)

I believe a similar setup should work on an S4.



Wow that is thinking outside the box. What coating or paint is that on the exhaust?

[TruS4]

Links for j pipes? I cant find them in 2.5"

[JACKAL]

Links for j pipes? I cant find them in 2.5"


I don't know of any OTS pipes that are that long. Synapse offers a few, but 24" is their longest. I just asked the muffler shop to fab some up. They aren't very complicated so any competent shop should be able to whip something up pretty quick.

[mikemailloux]

For what its worth, I have a dual pulley Q5 3.0T (same engine) and I have found exhaust nirvana pretty cheaply with the following custom setup:

Magnaflow 12468 in place of baby resonators
Magnaflow 11385 in place of center resonator
Doug's Headers 2.5" exhaust cutout between the two Magnaflows, with 3 disk CC insert and a Dynomax mini bullet muffler on the outlet
Borla 4" 20156 exhaust tips on stock rear mufflers

There is an electric switch I can use anytime while driving to change the sound. With the cutout closed, the car is dead silent at all times... quieter than stock; almost electric car ish.

With the cutout fully open, it is very supercar like sound at a good volume (loud but not obnoxious) smooth at all rpms, no weird resonances or droning ever under any conditions.

I can open it just a little bit if I want in between.

I drop off the kids in silent mode. Then racecar :)

I believe a similar setup should work on an S4.

Pics:
https://i.imgur.com/jerMufF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fMcC7TP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X02dWgG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/quzO0Iz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/t4F3F9U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JI0XntK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B2zz0eM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wpZWBSf.jpgHow much did this setup cost of you don't mind me asking

Sent from my SM-N910V using Audizine mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

[jungy4]

JACKAL, thank you for the write up. Since we are in the same state, I would have liked to listen all your setups.

So you don't have an experience with ONLY removing the center resonator and replacing that with an X pipe? That is the setup I am thinking right now.

I know we all drive a $60k S4 and all that, but if you are only looking to just get more volume, spending 1-2 grand on an exhaust system seems silly.

Ah yes, us engineers tend to overthink, don't we?

[Ornithology]

JACKAL, thank you for the write up. Since we are in the same state, I would have liked to listen all your setups.

So you don't have an experience with ONLY removing the center resonator and replacing that with an X pipe? That is the setup I am thinking right now.

I know we all drive a $60k S4 and all that, but if you are only looking to just get more volume, spending 1-2 grand on an exhaust system seems silly.

Ah yes, us engineers tend to overthink, don't we?

This is what I'm thinking of doing as well.

JACKAL, any sound clips for your adventures?

[chris4521]

This is what I'm thinking of doing as well.

JACKAL, any sound clips for your adventures?

I replaced my center (large) resonator with a magnaflow 11385.

Didn’t love the results, fair bit of drone under load on the highway and it’s a bit raspy.
I too am looking for the perfect drone free “OEM+” or sporty sound. Subscribed...

I am thinking I might try back to back 11385 to stock mufflers next....

Link to my video:

Stock cats > stock Baby res > MF11385> stock mufflers

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aa9B74sNeTVd5abL8

And JACKAL - great writeup and information in this thread [emoji106]


B8.5, DSG, EPL Stage 2, CTS HX, ECS Carbon Intake

[stapan]

How much did this setup cost of you don't mind me asking

Sent from my SM-N910V using Audizine mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

Roughly $800 all in (including parts and labor).

[doughboy17]

Thanks so much for taking the time to edit and share your experiences. Although I may not utilize your info. much due to being DSG, it is people like you that make this forum a wealth of knowledge.

[Turbocoop]

Thanks for the writeup, I took a similar path, wasted some money along the way, and ended up with something I like- magnaflow 11386 in place of baby resonators to a CTS turbo exhaust. A little louder than stock and minimal drone, just what I wanted.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Audizine mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

[scls4]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyL75RuNRQQ

Here's a WOT flyby with Redstar test pipes, AWE touring with resonated DP's........I love it WOT, but I need to be a bit more sophisticated during daily driving lol. Magnaflow resonated xpipe probably next step.

[Fr3nchy524]

So do you still have the stock rear mufflers still? And would adding aftermarket mufflers like magnaflows maybe help with drone and rasp? Or is the rasp and drone created where the j pipes are, which makes the j pipe work where they are?

[JACKAL]

Glad this has been of value for some folks. I do have sound clips from inside the car and I will see if I can get them uploaded.

I ended up making one more change and I’m very happy with it. I removed the bottle resonators and quad tips (unfortunately) and replaced with straight pipes and resonated ovals. Why remove the bottle resonators? They didn’t do anything to help my drone and they quieted it down a bit. The result was that the remaining drone was eliminated (whether due to the oval, the small resonator within the tips or both I don’t know) and overall a very pleasant sound. So pleasant that I actually took off my CTS intake because I want to hear my exhaust more. Go figure!

[rrated]

Glad this has been of value for some folks. I do have sound clips from inside the car and I will see if I can get them uploaded.

I ended up making one more change and I’m very happy with it. I removed the bottle resonators and quad tips (unfortunately) and replaced with straight pipes and resonated ovals. Why remove the bottle resonators? They didn’t do anything to help my drone and they quieted it down a bit. The result was that the remaining drone was eliminated (whether due to the oval, the small resonator within the tips or both I don’t know) and overall a very pleasant sound. So pleasant that I actually took off my CTS intake because I want to her my exhaust more. Go figure!Post clips!

Sent from my LYA-L0C using Tapatalk

[raudiace4]

So it took you the same amount of money and a lot of headache to find out that you should have just bought an AWE system from the beginning?

LOL +1

[brs2c]

Here's a WOT flyby with Redstar test pipes, AWE touring with resonated DP's........I love it WOT, but I need to be a bit more sophisticated during daily driving lol. Magnaflow resonated xpipe probably next step.

The setup you have plus the Magnaflow 11386 is what I was thinking would be the best setup (of what we have), BUT the packing materiel seems to be burning out of the Magnaflows, because EGT's are so high. Just an FYI.

[chilort]

The setup you have plus the Magnaflow 11386 is what I was thinking would be the best setup (of what we have), BUT the packing materiel seems to be burning out of the Magnaflows, because EGT's are so high. Just an FYI.

I know people are putting the resonated x-pipe at the front largely based on the thread about it. I put mine much further to the rear. The EGTs are lower by that point. And it is easier to control and redirect the sound/gasses with lower EGTs (and associated pressure: PV=nRT). So far I haven't blown mine out.

[JACKAL]

LOL +1

I'm glad you found some amusement here. But if you've read my posts you may also have noticed that I while I was looking for improved sound, I also wanted to try different things to understand the impact (or lack thereof) they had on exhaust note. And at the end of the day, I've learned some things and I will say that I like the sound of my system now more than the AWE setups I've heard. To be honest, I like it better than any setup I've heard on a 3.0 TFSI so I'm not unsatisfied in the least. Props to all the folks out there who bought OTS and liked it, but I've seen plenty of posts with people who weren't satisfied either. Like many things, exhaust sound is subjective. I'm happy with what I ended up with and I learned some shit along the way. [cool]

[sbw]

I'm glad you found some amusement here. But if you've read my posts you may also have noticed that I while I was looking for improved sound, I also wanted to try different things to understand the impact (or lack thereof) they had on exhaust note. And at the end of the day, I've learned some things and I will say that I like the sound of my system now more than the AWE setups I've heard. To be honest, I like it better than any setup I've heard on a 3.0 TFSI so I'm not unsatisfied in the least. Props to all the folks out there who bought OTS and liked it, but I've seen plenty of posts with people who weren't satisfied either. Like many things, exhaust sound is subjective. I'm happy with what I ended up with and I learned some shit along the way. [cool]

Don’t mind him, he’s working hard on perfecting the art of being an ass and not adding value.

I think what you did is interesting and I have never really been thrilled with the way most aftermarket full exhaust setups sound on these cars. If my cats weren’t replaced with test pipes I’d try this myself.

[JACKAL]

Don’t mind him, he’s working hard on perfecting the art of being an ass and not adding value.

I think what you did is interesting and I have never really been thrilled with the way most aftermarket full exhaust setups sound on these cars. If my cats weren’t replaced with test pipes I’d try this myself.

Thanks. He should take some pride in his success then ;)

Appreciate the feedback though. Not having cats I'm sure your experience with this would be much less pleasant than it is for me.

[brs2c]

I know people are putting the resonated x-pipe at the front largely based on the thread about it. I put mine much further to the rear. The EGTs are lower by that point. And it is easier to control and redirect the sound/gasses with lower EGTs (and associated pressure: PV=nRT). So far I haven't blown mine out.

That makes sense- EGT’s drop quickly. So, if one were to incorporate it into AWE’s touring setup, are you thinking right after the center resonator?
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/attachments/parts-sale-201/58342d1470441837-awe-tuning-audi-s4-3-0t-touring-edition-exhaust-diamond-black-tips-3010-43014-5ba0eb23-1e93-4cd6-adfa-2a6e0dec2214.jpeg

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

[raudiace4]

I'm glad you found some amusement here. But if you've read my posts you may also have noticed that I while I was looking for improved sound, I also wanted to try different things to understand the impact (or lack thereof) they had on exhaust note. And at the end of the day, I've learned some things and I will say that I like the sound of my system now more than the AWE setups I've heard. To be honest, I like it better than any setup I've heard on a 3.0 TFSI so I'm not unsatisfied in the least. Props to all the folks out there who bought OTS and liked it, but I've seen plenty of posts with people who weren't satisfied either. Like many things, exhaust sound is subjective. I'm happy with what I ended up with and I learned some shit along the way. [cool]


Some of us value our time, effort and energy more than saving a couple $$$. For those, an OTS proven system like AWE is a no brainer.

I’ve yet to see anyone who has ditched their AWE system for a stock hacked up system and actually thought it sounded better LOL.

Those who did either had their wives complain about loudness or had test pipes and wanted a more daily driveable car.

But as long as you’re happy [emoji1417]

[KRp220]

i'll chime in here since i've prob had more exhaust setups that most people

both sides are right. i've learned some info along the way in regards to what effects exahust tone, and have enjoyed SOME parts of it

with that being said, raudi makes a valid point about time, effort, energy and money wasted. experiencing difference setups has been interesting and fun at times, but at the end of it, it was all a pain in the ass.

for a car with cats, AWE has the best porridge: not too hot, not too cold, just right. i had it on my first S4, then again on my current S4, and after test pipes and 6+ exhaust variants, i might go back to it (cats included)

[JACKAL]

I don’t dispute the validity of his points - I agree. But this isn’t NASIOC. If you want to present a counterpoint then do it with a little bit of class or at the very least, without being an ass.

[chilort]

That makes sense- EGT’s drop quickly. So, if one were to incorporate it into AWE’s touring setup, are you thinking right after the center resonator?
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/attachments/parts-sale-201/58342d1470441837-awe-tuning-audi-s4-3-0t-touring-edition-exhaust-diamond-black-tips-3010-43014-5ba0eb23-1e93-4cd6-adfa-2a6e0dec2214.jpeg

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)

I'm working with a hacked up FI system. But my resonated x-pipe is back where the big "suit case" muffler used to be in the stock system. I also have an x-pipe in the front because that's how the FI system came. I wasn't really trying to put a x-pipe in the back but I didn't see a dual straight through muffler that I liked. I really need to get some pictures at some point.

[sbw]

Some of us value our time, effort and energy more than saving a couple $$$. For those, an OTS proven system like AWE is a no brainer.

I’ve yet to see anyone who has ditched their AWE system for a stock hacked up system and actually thought it sounded better LOL.

Those who did either had their wives complain about loudness or had test pipes and wanted a more daily driveable car.

But as long as you’re happy [emoji1417]


It was about curiosity also, OP stated that. Plus a nice sounding exhaust is relative and to add more complexity, what people want from an exhaust can change over time.

For me, this is exactly what I had thought about simply because I didn’t want the decibel level of most performance exhausts but I wanted the performance. So I’m trying to remove cats before they blow but I want a sleeper look/sound as much as possible. So this was just extremely helpful for me.

In the end though, it does appear just gonna end up spending the same amount, more, or become a decent exhaust fabricator.

I’m going to explore yet another route, so once I have updates, I’ll add what I find...


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[Hunter_T]

Hey Jackal, can I ask you some questions about your exhaust? Do you mind adding me on Instagram so we can talk @sluggishs4

[JACKAL]

Hey Jackal, can I ask you some questions about your exhaust? Do you mind adding me on Instagram so we can talk @sluggishs4

Hey no problem at all. I'm not on Instagram but I'll sent a PM.

[JACKAL]

Just wanted to post an update as my situation changed again. I installed test pipes about a month ago and the drone again became oppressive. The rasp was also significant and this was with 2 Magnaflow 11385 resonated x pipes, branch resonators, and the resonated tips.

I wrapped the downpipes and the first x pipe and that killed the rasp but the drone remained. I tried putting two Vibrant bottle resonators back where the mufflers would be but they were completely ineffective.

Finally, I purchased a set of stock mufflers. Today I removed the second of the 11385s (which was in the same location as the stock large resonator) and installed the mufflers with some new tips. The results are auditory bliss. There is no drone. None. Under heavy throttle it sounds aggressive and throaty. Under light throttle, idle, and cruising I can barely hear it. It is absolutely glorious!

Just wanted to put this out there in case others are in a similar boat. Do not underestimate the stock mufflers’ ability to kill unwanted tones and resonance. They do have an integrated Hemholz chamber which is extremely effective so if you do go down a path of modifying your exhaust, it might pay to hang onto your stock mufflers until you know you’re dialed in and happy with what you have.

[m0n4g3]

So with test pipes installed, what did you end up having as a final setup Jackal?

Test pipes > downpipes > 11385 > straight pipe to stock mufflers?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Where ^ are, you have wrapped the exhausts?

Do you still have the jpipes?

[JACKAL]

So with test pipes installed, what did you end up having as a final setup Jackal?

Test pipes > downpipes > 11385 > straight pipe to stock mufflers?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Where ^ are, you have wrapped the exhausts?

Do you still have the jpipes?


For a final setup you listed it correctly:

Test pipes > downpipes > 11385 > straight pipe to stock mufflers

The wrap is from the downpipes just after the flex joint and all the way around my 11385.

Yes I still have have the branch resonators but they lost their impact after the test pipes were installed. I believe this is because the cats increase EGT and without then the temps are lower. This results in a shorter sound wave wavelength. This means the resonators would need to be a little shorter which is very doable. I just got sick of screwing around lol.

[KRp220]

is your 11385 in the downpipes or in place of the center res?

[JACKAL]

is your 11385 in the downpipes or in place of the center res?

The one that’s left is in the downpipes. I just have straight pipes where the stock resonator was.

[M3_Dylan]

Thinking of just going with the CTS turbo non res downpipes. My M3 is very-very loud and pops and crackles and I freakin love it, but driving a car that is quiet is actually kinda nice. However, it would be nice to hear some oompf when I get on it because I feel like the S4 has potential to be a "loud when you want it to be" car. Also may be using a resonator called AR-20. A ton of people on the M3forums (including me) swear it does the best of eliminating rasp... and trust me the S54 engine is just rasp... thats it just rasp

[Asteven1]

Just wanted to post an update as my situation changed again. I installed test pipes about a month ago and the drone again became oppressive. The rasp was also significant and this was with 2 Magnaflow 11385 resonated x pipes, branch resonators, and the resonated tips.

I wrapped the downpipes and the first x pipe and that killed the rasp but the drone remained. I tried putting two Vibrant bottle resonators back where the mufflers would be but they were completely ineffective.

Finally, I purchased a set of stock mufflers. Today I removed the second of the 11385s (which was in the same location as the stock large resonator) and installed the mufflers with some new tips. The results are auditory bliss. There is no drone. None. Under heavy throttle it sounds aggressive and throaty. Under light throttle, idle, and cruising I can barely hear it. It is absolutely glorious!

Just wanted to put this out there in case others are in a similar boat. Do not underestimate the stock mufflers’ ability to kill unwanted tones and resonance. They do have an integrated Hemholz chamber which is extremely effective so if you do go down a path of modifying your exhaust, it might pay to hang onto your stock mufflers until you know you’re dialed in and happy with what you have.

Did you wrap the hemholz as well or just down pipe?

[JACKAL]

Did you wrap the hemholz as well or just down pipe?

I wrapped the downpipes, branch resonators, and the Magnaflow 11385:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210206/59415f5f5ff9d9313da9decfc1bac478.jpg


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