AWE Exhaust + Non-Res Downpipes

[JMN]

Just a quick question about the noise levels, does the exhaust get more silent after it's "broken in"? Since stock car was soooo silent this sounds like a race car now. Absolutely awesome on WOT but little much for daily driving...

[NickS]

Typically exhausts get louder over time and their tone changes. And AWE recommends the Resonated DP's for DSG and for those that want a slightly softer exhaust note.

[JMN]

I have manual actually. I think I give it few more weeks and see how it is then and maybe throw in back the stock DPs to see if that would make it more civic if it stays this loud.

[NickS]

I have manual actually. I think I give it few more weeks and see how it is then and maybe throw in back the stock DPs to see if that would make it more civic if it stays this loud.

Right.... I was just giving you the reasons why AWE suggests the RDP's. And someone might be able to comment on this but I think using the stock resonators is not recommended. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

[AUDIocee]

I've got Milltek, b/w 2 and 4 years it got louder and deeper.

[HyperM3]

I have the AWE exhaust (and a 6spd) and I completely 100% say that manual owners should get the resonated downpipes also. Nothing to do with drone, just tames the sound down to bearable levels on a daily driving basis. In my DIY thread I explained that for the first week I had stock DP's in and the sound out the back at normal driving was just downright annoying. Not drone per se, just a hum out the back of the exhaust. After the resonated pipes were installed it was like night and day. The sound was still exotic and as loud as I wanted it to be at WOT. But daily driving around town it was barely perceptible that I even had exhaust which is what I wanted.

[JMN]

Does anyone have a picture of a Resonated DP?

[Runge]

any chance you'd have a video? would like to see how it sounds! even if its loud :)

[JMN]

I'll try to take video tomorrow.

It's definitely 2 sided sword, I do get stunning gas milage especially since I have to drive through downtown in the morning and shift below 2500 rpm not to wake up everyone ;) but man it sounds stunning when you give it some stick.

[vdubjetta02]

i love loud exhausts on slammed euro cars.....i wouldn't change a thing. I had a fully catless 3.5" turboback on my stage 3 subaru. Now that was LOUD, but after 2 months I didn't even think my car was loud anymore, i just got use to it

[JMN]

I got a picture of a Resonated DP: http://jmn.fadainc.com/files/dpres.jpg

[JMN]

Video time:

Drive By: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rTzcO06q7c
Booming on Highway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbVIsRm3Uh4
AWE+DP Takeoffs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osUidqZmklM
Stock Exhaust Takeoffs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFISLITKTdc

[Blackhawk878]

Great comparison vids. It was good to see the stock and after market compared in a very similar method using same site and equipment. I agree with you, too much drone for my taste at highway speeds.

[harbour456]

I have the AWE exhaust (and a 6spd) and I completely 100% say that manual owners should get the resonated downpipes also. Nothing to do with drone, just tames the sound down to bearable levels on a daily driving basis. In my DIY thread I explained that for the first week I had stock DP's in and the sound out the back at normal driving was just downright annoying. Not drone per se, just a hum out the back of the exhaust. After the resonated pipes were installed it was like night and day. The sound was still exotic and as loud as I wanted it to be at WOT. But daily driving around town it was barely perceptible that I even had exhaust which is what I wanted.

This is the result I'm hoping for myself. After reading all the exhaust threads, I decided to go with the AWE with the resonated downpipes for my 6 speed manual. I want it to be relatively civil when I'm not truly on it. I'm having it installed at the Audi dealer locally today so I'll let everyone know how it sounds.

Cheers

[NickS]

Video time:

Drive By: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rTzcO06q7c
Booming on Highway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbVIsRm3Uh4
AWE+DP Takeoffs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osUidqZmklM
Stock Exhaust Takeoffs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFISLITKTdc

Damn, the drone on the hwy is horrible. Thanks for sharing. Glad I have the APR exhaust now.

[JMN]

If anyone has APR with Stock DP or Resonated DP, feel free to post videos.... I might swap in the Stock DP later today.

[NickS]

If anyone has APR with Stock DP or Resonated DP, feel free to post videos.... I might swap in the Stock DP later today.

I have the APR and hope to get those done tonight actually. The APR only comes with the resonated DP's. I'm not sure you can buy the system without the DP's.

[JMN]

Sorry, too tired (been working all night).. I meant AWE. Here's 4 with Resonated DP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RtCAsV6RvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vR2gVuGFAc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwQ0C4hWaDU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSOSXDQPULs

Sounds quite a lot more civil....

[harbour456]

It does sound as if adding the resonated downpipes to the AWE system makes a big difference...

[2010S4]

That does sound like a lot of drone on the highway. So I am new to the exhaust market, and I have a couple of questions(sorry it is not about AWE, but I just wanted to ask). I have a DSG S4 and I really want a loud exhaust. What I am planning on doing is the Milltek non-res exhaust for my car. What do you guys think about this? I know the "fart"/"grunt" sound that the S4 makes when it shifts is going to be really loud, but that is fine with me, I actually like this. Does anyone see a problem with this setup on a DSG S4; would it have tons of drone? Thanks

[NickS]

That does sound like a lot of drone on the highway. So I am new to the exhaust market, and I have a couple of questions(sorry it is not about AWE, but I just wanted to ask). I have a DSG S4 and I really want a loud exhaust. What I am planning on doing is the Milltek non-res exhaust for my car. What do you guys think about this? I know the "fart"/"grunt" sound that the S4 makes when it shifts is going to be really loud, but that is fine with me, I actually like this. Does anyone see a problem with this setup on a DSG S4; would it have tons of drone? Thanks

Kind of hard to get a loud exhaust that doesn't drone. That being said, it's recommended to get the resonated DP's if you have DSG.

[NWS4Guy]

If anyone has APR with Stock DP or Resonated DP, feel free to post videos.... I might swap in the Stock DP later today.

APR's come with only one type of entire system, downpipes period. They have resonators placed throughout the exhaust at key points, you can check my videos I did here:

- Exhaust shootout with APR, stock, Milltek and Stasis Challenge edition: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...aust-Fest-2010

- Mine with stock airbox back on since the SC whine tends to mask the exhaust in some drive-bys, also in car footage here to show no drone: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-exhaust-redux

[2010S4]

Kind of hard to get a loud exhaust that doesn't drone. That being said, it's recommended to get the resonated DP's if you have DSG.

Is it recommended to have resonated because of drone with the DSG, or for what reason? If there is a little drone I dont mind, I used to have an Infiniti FX and that thing had crazy drone with factory exhaust, so I am used to it if there is some.

[NickS]

Is it recommended to have resonated because of drone with the DSG, or for what reason? If there is a little drone I dont mind, I used to have an Infiniti FX and that thing had crazy drone with factory exhaust, so I am used to it if there is some.

I believe so. The gearing of the DSG is different than that of the 6spd so I've read there is a drone at certain RPMs (I don't know from what-to-what range) that becomes annoying. Everyone has different tolerances to drone so you are the only one who can decide if it's too much or not.

[2010S4]

Thanks, I think I am just going to go for it and get the non-res. I don't ever have people in my car with me, so there are no passengers to worry about. I think I will be able to tollerate the drone. Thanks for your input.

[Alex/AWE]

JMN,

The Non-Resonated Downpipes are LOUD and not for everyone, which you sadly had to find out first hand. If you are not happy with them have them replaced with a set of Resonated Downpipes. They really help quiet things down and keep the exhaust note at a civil volume without affecting the note at WOT. I've driven a few B8 S4s with our full resonated system and I can honestly say I think the sound is perfect. It screams when you want it to to and is quiet under normal cruising.

Let me know if I can help with anything.

[Alex/AWE]

Damn, the drone on the hwy is horrible. Thanks for sharing. Glad I have the APR exhaust now.

Keep in mind that this is with the Non-Res downpipes. Your exhaust has resonated downpipes. We strongly recommend our Resonated Downpipes to clients as it provides the perfect balance of part throttle civility and full throttle sound.

[JMN]

The Non-Resonated Downpipes are LOUD and not for everyone, which you sadly had to find out first hand. If you are not happy with them have them replaced with a set of Resonated Downpipes.

Yes, I should've done more research before I got them, I had loud exhaust in my G35S but not this loud - live and learn :) I might have an opportunity tomorrow to to hear resonated version and I might throw in the stock Dp's tonight just to see how it sounds with those but I think the end goal is to get resonated DPs from you guys.

[vdubjetta02]

I promise. I have owned 3 loud cars. Don't just go jump into a decision. Give your non resonated downpipes over a month before you make the decision. You WILL adjust to them

[HyperM3]

I promise. I have owned 3 loud cars. Don't just go jump into a decision. Give your non resonated downpipes over a month before you make the decision. You WILL adjust to them

There's no getting used to drone no matter how long you give it. Unless you go deaf over that period of time.

[JMN]

I promise. I have owned 3 loud cars. Don't just go jump into a decision. Give your non resonated downpipes over a month before you make the decision. You WILL adjust to them

Sorry can't do, this was too much, it's to the point where it's giving you a headache and make the car not fun to drive...

[JMN]

Wow... installed back the stock DPs, what a difference! It's still nice and roudy when you get on it but huge difference to the Non-Res DPs. I try to take some similar videos later on.

Stock DP: http://jmn.fadainc.com/files/dpstock.jpg
Non-Res DP: http://jmn.fadainc.com/files/dpnonres.jpg

[JMN]

2 new videos:

Highway with Stock DPs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQxaJ0CHVqk
Takeoffs with Stock DPs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0_34JyR3Q

It's quite nice now I have to say...