Custom exhaust help

**Ynnekdude** · 02-16-2011 04:07 PM

I know I don't have an S4 but I do have the same engine so cut me some slack

I figured you guys would be the best to ask for suggestions on this. I want an exhaust but at the moment the only option for the A6 3.0T is the Stasis one. Stasis has still not posted a video of the exhaust so I have no idea what it sounds like. Personally, I have had less than impressive experiences with their customer service as well.

Because of this, I am going to get a custom-made exhaust done for my car. I want something that sounds similar to the AWE exhaust (deeper and more rumble). I'd prefer it to be noticeable but not annoyingly loud. What setup would you guys suggest? I will also be getting the S6 rear valence so quad tips will fit.

**imaudihr** · 02-16-2011 04:22 PM

Hey man, subscribed to follow along! I do think you'll want a vrey respected exhaust shop doing the work though. As I am sure you are aware, the stock exhaust has no noticeable noise as it sounded so bad they just silenced it... Only a few have succeded with a good sounding muffler, and I'm sure the R&D that went into it was rediculous...

**PBWB** · 02-16-2011 04:33 PM

I've pondered this as well (only because I'm not paying 2k for a damn exhaust when I can have a custom one built with vbands for half that).

Personally, I'd leave it all stock except I'd start with the 2 rear mufflers.....I'd remove em and see how things sound (replace with straight pipe). If it's still too mild, remove the double chambered muffler in the center of the car(again replace with straight pipe). I would leave what appears to be the stock resonators in the stock downpipes. That should give you all the pizazz you want. Hell, maybe even do an X pipe where the double chamber muffler is......

**Excelsior** · 02-16-2011 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by imaudihr

Hey man, subscribed to follow along! I do think you'll want a vrey respected exhaust shop doing the work though. As I am sure you are aware, the stock exhaust has no noticeable noise as it sounded so bad they just silenced it... Only a few have succeded with a good sounding muffler, and I'm sure the R&D that went into it was rediculous...

Running just the AWE intake, my car sounds wonderful. I'm not sure what you're on about.

**NWS4Guy** · 02-16-2011 05:37 PM

That's ok man, you are an adopted son of ours

Milltek will give you the deepest rumble, hit up StratJohn in PM and ask about how it's setup, he helped develop it for the S4. With his guidance I think a custom shop should be able to give you what you want.

**Chestlock** · 02-16-2011 08:18 PM

AWE's probably the least deep and rumbly sounding, isn't it? (Still havent heard one in person yet....)

**NWS4Guy** · 02-16-2011 08:25 PM

No, definitely Milltek. Check out the PNW exhaust thread I created when I got a bunch of samples together for everyone to hear.

**Ynnekdude** · 02-16-2011 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by NWS4Guy

That's ok man, you are an adopted son of ours

Milltek will give you the deepest rumble, hit up StratJohn in PM and ask about how it's setup, he helped develop it for the S4. With his guidance I think a custom shop should be able to give you what you want.

Thanks for the advice! Would you suggest I go resonated? I want loud but nothing obnoxious.

**StratJohn** · 02-17-2011 06:30 AM

Ynnekdude!

Here are some thoughts for you, probably going to be a bit of a read. I got a 3.0T A6 in here the other day as I hadn't been under one since they came out.

Ho-kai:

On the S4 Milltek system- Obviously silencer design comes into play, but positioning is incredibly important here as well. For clarification, we use short downpipes, then a resonator (which is effectively under the front seats) then it heads into the offset bends, into another resonator (effectively under the back seats) and now it splits to the rear, where it either enters mufflers then tips, or is straight to tips (non-res).
This allows the resonated system to be incredibly civil inside (read: as quiet as stock, eliminating stock drone (do you have that too?), and just changes the tone).
This allows the non-resonated system to be quite reasonable inside under reserved driving, yet open up when you get on it. Most of the sound comes straight out the back.

Sound level will be up to you of course.
Your downpipes are more like the downpipes on the V8, kinda come straight back horizontally, then come down and in a bit, and then follows a straight-back symmetrical path to the rear.
So while you are making a custom exhaust, keep in mind you could probably even do test pipes easily.
Anywho. I'd recommend doing similar placement on your custom set up.

Let me know what you think so far and I'll happily offer any additional info I can.

**richib86** · 02-17-2011 06:41 AM

i mean hell if the miltek can keep MY car reserved then id set it up in a very similar fashion

**richib86** · 02-17-2011 06:42 AM

this motor does not sound pretty all opened up

**imaudihr** · 02-17-2011 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Excelsior

Running just the AWE intake, my car sounds wonderful. I'm not sure what you're on about.

My apologies for not being clear... I am saying that systems like AWE or Milltek or APR have all had ridiculous amounts of R&D go into making them sound look and fit right. I have visions of someone heading into a muffler shop and running a custom bent straight pipe as per the old V8 carb days... I just wanted to mention to verify that OP's exhaust shop has taken into account that simply amplifying the noise of the stock 3.0T wouldn't result in a nice sound.

Like with what you have with your well designed AWE system...

Sorry again for lack of clarity!

EDIT: Reread your post, sorry again, I understood that the stock sound of the car was not something MOST enthusiasts were looking for... I am glad that you are happy with yours. Your's is the first post I have read on any forum with respect to a good sounding engine note. I havn't been fortunate enough to hear it from outside the cabin yet, but I think the general feeling is that it isn't deep or loud enough stock.

**Excelsior** · 02-17-2011 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by imaudihr

My apologies for not being clear... I am saying that systems like AWE or Milltek or APR have all had ridiculous amounts of R&D go into making them sound look and fit right. I have visions of someone heading into a muffler shop and running a custom bent straight pipe as per the old V8 carb days... I just wanted to mention to verify that OP's exhaust shop has taken into account that simply amplifying the noise of the stock 3.0T wouldn't result in a nice sound.

Like with what you have with your well designed AWE system...

Sorry again for lack of clarity!

EDIT: Reread your post, sorry again, I understood that the stock sound of the car was not something MOST enthusiasts were looking for... I am glad that you are happy with yours. Your's is the first post I have read on any forum with respect to a good sounding engine note. I havn't been fortunate enough to hear it from outside the cabin yet, but I think the general feeling is that it isn't deep or loud enough stock.

I think it may be that my last cars have been two boxer-fours and the N54 I6, whereas a lot of people here came from older S4's that had the beautiful v8 sound. I'm used to the sound small engines make.

The intake alone seems to give the engine more of a "growl" to it, a bit closer to the sound of Porsche's H6. My "testing ground" as it were is a winding mountain road with a natural wall on one side, and a stone barrier on the other. With the windows down, you get a great reflection of the exhaust note. In my opinion only, I would say the S4, even in stock form, sounds nicer inside the cabin than the 335 did. Even with the Dinan pipes, the 335 never sounded like a performance car to me. There wasn't much character to the exhaust note.

**Ynnekdude** · 02-17-2011 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by StratJohn

Ynnekdude!

Here are some thoughts for you, probably going to be a bit of a read. I got a 3.0T A6 in here the other day as I hadn't been under one since they came out.

Ho-kai:

On the S4 Milltek system- Obviously silencer design comes into play, but positioning is incredibly important here as well. For clarification, we use short downpipes, then a resonator (which is effectively under the front seats) then it heads into the offset bends, into another resonator (effectively under the back seats) and now it splits to the rear, where it either enters mufflers then tips, or is straight to tips (non-res).
This allows the resonated system to be incredibly civil inside (read: as quiet as stock, eliminating stock drone (do you have that too?), and just changes the tone).
This allows the non-resonated system to be quite reasonable inside under reserved driving, yet open up when you get on it. Most of the sound comes straight out the back.

Sound level will be up to you of course.
Your downpipes are more like the downpipes on the V8, kinda come straight back horizontally, then come down and in a bit, and then follows a straight-back symmetrical path to the rear.
So while you are making a custom exhaust, keep in mind you could probably even do test pipes easily.
Anywho. I'd recommend doing similar placement on your custom set up.

Let me know what you think so far and I'll happily offer any additional info I can.

John,

Thank you very much. This info is quite helpful. I wish Milltek had an A6 exhaust

In regards to stock drone, I don't notice it unless I really listen. It is completely acceptable by my standards.

If I were to run test pipes, wouldn't I have problems with emissions/drone? How big of a pain would be HFCs in comparison to test pipes?