Labree Catback installed- first impressions

[tadhgbrosnan]

Resonated catback installed today. Upon start up, I liked the rumble alot. Low RPMs sounded great, too. Time for the test drive. Keeping in mind the guy who sold this to me did so because he thought it was too loud, I actually thought it was too quiet! From 1k-2k, it has a noticeable boom, a real presence. From there on up to WOT, it is louder than stock, but not crazy loud at all. Sounds really, really nice, but I was hoping for a bit more growl.

My initial slight disappointment was quickly cured by the fact that this thing does not drone AT ALL. NONE. ZERO. I was amazed. The Autospeed catback on my B5 droned bad, and I assumed it was normal for an aftermarket exhaust. This thing is completely opposite. Cruising at 3k rpm on the highway is as quiet as stock. Get on it to pass and you hear the rumble, but otherwise quiet and utterly free of drone at any RPM.

Not surprisingly, though, the best way to take it in is from the outside. I had my mechanic give it a go, and Jesus H does it sound good. The sound in the cabin is nice but doesn't compare to what people on the outside are hearing. It's not too loud but the tone is fantastic. I'm gonna stick with this until I get bored and then do DPs.

[cam]

yeah, i felt the exact same way when i installed my labree system

[91gl]

Same experience here with my FI catback. I love the tone but I need something louder for my enjoyment inside the cabin. Everyone outside gets spoiled lol. I should be doing the dp's within the month

[lrae]

b6 or b7?

[RAudi Driver]

Sounds like you got a nice setup and a good deal. Do you have the ability to make a sound clip? There's nothing better than an exhaust on these motors to wake your senses up.

[Tek4ever]

No mention of performance gain tadhgbrosnan...? Did you feel a difference?

[tadhgbrosnan]

Irae, to answer your question: it's a B6.

As for performance, it's only the catback portion, so I can't honestly say I feel a difference. But the new soundtrack is enough by itself to make any drive 100% more fun. I definitely took the the long way whenever I was out and about today. Any excuse to extend the drive.

[DolphinV8]

same here, but it's gonna be another story when you have dp's installed.

[Tek4ever]

Thanks tadhgbrosnan. Ever since I saw the AWE B6 shootout, I thought maybe I'll just get a cat-back system only. Below is the URL regarding the shootout if you don't know what I'm talking about.

http://www.audiworld.com/news/05/b6d...content3.shtml

[tadhgbrosnan]

same here, but it's gonna be another story when you have dp's installed.

Obviously there's a risk of CELs and blown Cats, but what about drone? Will DPs increase cabin drone at all or is that side effect specific to the catback portion of the system?

[1145climber]

Resonated catback installed today. Upon start up, I liked the rumble alot. Low RPMs sounded great, too. Time for the test drive. Keeping in mind the guy who sold this to me did so because he thought it was too loud, I actually thought it was too quiet! From 1k-2k, it has a noticeable boom, a real presence. From there on up to WOT, it is louder than stock, but not crazy loud at all. Sounds really, really nice, but I was hoping for a bit more growl.

My initial slight disappointment was quickly cured by the fact that this thing does not drone AT ALL. NONE. ZERO. I was amazed. The Autospeed catback on my B5 droned bad, and I assumed it was normal for an aftermarket exhaust. This thing is completely opposite. Cruising at 3k rpm on the highway is as quiet as stock. Get on it to pass and you hear the rumble, but otherwise quiet and utterly free of drone at any RPM.

Not surprisingly, though, the best way to take it in is from the outside. I had my mechanic give it a go, and Jesus H does it sound good. The sound in the cabin is nice but doesn't compare to what people on the outside are hearing. It's not too loud but the tone is fantastic. I'm gonna stick with this until I get bored and then do DPs.

Hey -

Great to see you ended up with the Labree. I'm happy that you like it, and was glad to be of assistance a few weeks ago when you wanted to hear it. Unsurprisingly, we have very similar reviews... don't you love how there's barely any drone at all?

Lemme know if you're ever in the area and want to go for a drive

[Jrunr]

I wonder how much drone there is when you add DP's...

[tadhgbrosnan]

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must amend my earlier statements regarding drone. There IS, in fact, a small spot in the rev range where noticeable drone occurs. It only happens during slow speed driving around town in 4th or 5th gear at about 1600-1800rpm. That's it, though. Once you touch 1900rpm and above, it's like hitting an off switch. Drone is gone.

[DolphinV8]

Obviously there's a risk of CELs and blown Cats, but what about drone? Will DPs increase cabin drone at all or is that side effect specific to the catback portion of the system?

Yep, I get CEL's b/c of no Cats.

[channad]

hmmmmm...nice review. What's the piping on the Labree? Is it 2.25" or 2.5?"

[91gl]

Yep, I get CEL's b/c of no Cats.

video please

[tadhgbrosnan]

hmmmmm...nice review. What's the piping on the Labree? Is it 2.25" or 2.5?"

2.5" pipes. It sounds great but definitely will need DPs eventually.

[channad]

do you notice any loss of low end tq?

[tadhgbrosnan]

None.

[DolphinV8]

video please

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wccZ7-ehcbI

[SuperAvant]

Glad you finally pulled the trigger! Cant wait to hear it in person...

[JoeM]

Yep, I get CEL's b/c of no Cats.

Won't a chip take care of the downstream O2 sensors?

I don't have cats and get no codes.

[SuperAvant]

Won't a chip take care of the downstream O2 sensors?

I don't have cats and get no codes.

No not really and I dont know why APR advertises that...

[JoeM]

See I have Giac and don't have any codes for secondary O2. Unless you can vag-com it away, I dunno what the last owner did.

[S-Fore]

I too had part of a Labree System Installed today. First I have to say that they were great to deal with, and helpful as I had a different situation. Now that I have Frankenexhaust, I must say that I am Really Happy with it! I started out by buying a GMG system on here from a member used (barely) and retrofitted it to my S4. I went with Milltek DP's and I liked it, but it was too loud in the end for my and I just could not get over the cans, they looked like a Tanabe Exhaust on a V6 Accord. So I called FI & Labree. FI, was waiting on inventory and I liked the idea of putting back quad oval tips. So they helped me with a new tail section for the exhaust, past the X/H/resonator/mid section. They sent me the 2-S bends, mufflers and hangars. For me Perfect! Loud when I need it to be, NO droning at all and Looks almost stock.