Is an exhuast necessary?

[ConroeS4]

I'm getting APR stage 1 + with fuel injectors. Also an FMIC and water/meth injection. What will I be losing if I don't upgrade the exhaust. What will I gain if I upgrade it? I don't want to pay over $300 for an exhaust. If I REALLY need an exhaust, would a electric cut out work? They are cheap and from what I know relieve all back pressure. What about straight piping it? I want performance, but I don't want to spend a lot on the exhaust.
Thanks
Cameron

[italian a4 1032]

y not go with stage 2 if you plan on getting a fmic?

[ConroeS4]

y not go with stage 2 if you plan on getting a fmic?

is that just a tune?

[ConroeS4]

anyone?

[rxrep]

Stock exhaust is fine. I changed exhausts from stock about halfway through having 1+ and didn't notice anything but better sound. Even my EGT didn't change. I was running a Miltek HFC, though with both exhausts. The nicer sound, of course, makes you FEEL like you're faster. I call it the "Carbonio Effect".

[phantom b6]

Ehhhhh... Here's the deal.. from what I've felt/noticed in my car there's 2 things that need to be removed to gain power.

A) Replace the stock cat with a test pipe
2) ;) Atleast get rid of the suitcase mufflers in the exhaust. Problem with this is it doesn't sound good.

You really do want to get an exhaust. If you want to do it on the cheap.. here's what you do. Order a Magnaflow muffler (not one with a tip.. just one with an inlet and outlet) Remove the stock pipe at the sleeve and cut off the resonator. The stock pipe is 2.25" so it's really not that far off from a 2.5". Weld the muffler where the resonator used to be and go to an exhaust shop and have them do a Y pipe to the tips of your choice.

[ConroeS4]

Ehhhhh... Here's the deal.. from what I've felt/noticed in my car there's 2 things that need to be removed to gain power.

A) Replace the stock cat with a test pipe
2) ;) Atleast get rid of the suitcase mufflers in the exhaust. Problem with this is it doesn't sound good.

You really do want to get an exhaust.

I was planning on getting a test pipe.
Also what is the difference between stage 1+ ecu and stage 2 ecu. What will I need

[phantom b6]

There is no Stage 2 for APR... they just have 1+ and then they can recode the ECU to get rid of the CEL from the test pipe

[italian a4 1032]

stage 1= chip
stage 1+ chip +injectors
stage 2= chip +injectors+ plus anything else exhaust dv fmic etc

[rxrep]

Shit, then some of us have a stage 759.4

OP, don't worry about the stages. I can't talk you out of even worrying about the 1 and 1+ stuff, as everyone wants to start with that... but you'll find it slow as balls after a week of thinking you're faster than hell.... then some soccer mom in a Caravan still whips up on you. Then you want a bigger turbo and will be pissed you just didn't do that in the first place.
Watch for TP if your state does visual inspections. You'll have to swap back out for the cat every time an inspection comes.
On 1 and 1+, you ain't gettin' much but sound when you replace the exhaust. It's the cat that needs free'd up.

EDIT: I never saw that you're trying meth. You should free up a little more in the exhaust as you add on to the 1+, but I still say start with the cat replacement. But still, just go balls out and upgrade the turbo. I wish I could think of a comparison/analogy of what 1+ with Meth would be like.... I mean, that's great you're doing it, however with APR, you're stuck on your timing that they give you, unless you know how to use Unitronics or Lemmi, so meth won't be like a nawz shot, yo... Something like- "A stage 1+ with Meth is like __________". Maybe "just sticking the tip in", lol

[AudiA4Turbo22]

stage 1= chip
stage 1+ chip +injectors
stage 2= chip +injectors+ plus anything else exhaust dv fmic etc

WRONG!!!!!!!!

Stage 1+=chip+injectors, and the numbers are calculated with an FMIC, an exhaust.

Stage 2= K04 Turbocharger, whole new file, and all the helping mods.

[AudiA4_20T]

you dont need a FMIC and meth

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^well an FMIC or upgraded SMIC is not necessary but recommended it does make a huge difference.

[italian a4 1032]

WRONG!!!!!!!!

Stage 1+=chip+injectors, and the numbers are calculated with an FMIC, an exhaust.

Stage 2= K04 Turbocharger, whole new file, and all the helping mods.

i thought k04 was considered stage 3

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^stage 3 is BT.

[AudiA4_20T]

you dont need a FMIC and meth

[HTA A4]

^^ lol! Clint, you're ER Comp FMIC you're selling has the k03/k04 piping right?

[KevinZtwin]

Just make your own exhaust. Testpipe, some cheap mufflers (if you care for any sound), and an exhaust shop will do you well. Still might come out to more than $300 with labor and such.

Stage 1 = chip
Stage 1+ = chip+ any other mods without a turbo upgrade
Stage 2 = K04
Stage 2+ = K04 with other mods
Stage 3 = BT at 270-350 chp
Stage 3+ = BT at 350-400 chp
Stage 4 = internal/head work making 400-500 chp
Stage 5 = Stand alone or making 500+ chp

Taken from the B6 A4 Ultimate Performance Noob Writeup/FAQ

Some here should take a look at that thread.