LOUDEST exhaust set up for audi S7 without drone?

[notn41]

First of all, I am looking for the loudest exhaust setup possible for this car. Something similar to this RS5.
https://youtu.be/kXI8ovFEQ_g
I know our car are turbo so will be quieter, but I just want as close to this muscular sound as possible.

My thoughts were a milltek exhaust with sonic valves, with no resonators, and no catalytic converters? Any other ideas? Possibly remove the center silencer from this system as well as the small resonators on the front pipes?

Thanks for the input

[dennisg]

Armytrix is one of the meanest ones I have heard on a sound clip. It is valved so you can be relatively quiet if you want, but when you open it up, it is wicked. I am not sure if they make one for S6/7 yet tho. Based on the clip you linked to, you probably won't think it is rough enough, as it still has a tuned sound to it. There are vids of other cars that sound even more mean, but I thought I should post the Audi...

[Brooklyn]

Video clips are pointless. You need to find people in your area with the various exhausts installed and listen to them live.

[Roccorace]

Video clips are pointless. You need to find people in your area with the various exhausts installed and listen to them live.

I do agree, I have the non-resonated Milltek, non-valved, with DPs and no cats. It is ridiculously loud, sounds awesome but drones like crazy being non-valved (which I don't mind). No video including mine does it justice but at least listen to it on real speakers, not a phone.

https://goo.gl/photos/1GyzqMWdYC9u6axC7

[kenny_l]

that first video, gah.. how nice to be taking a pleasant stroll on a peaceful morning and some attention seeking clowns come and jar your shit all up. Sounded great, but I'd only want it to do that in on command (valving?)

[fairbird]

Muscle cats were jealous to sound of my s6


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[markreed]

that first video, gah.. how nice to be taking a pleasant stroll on a peaceful morning and some attention seeking clowns come and jar your shit all up. Sounded great, but I'd only want it to do that in on command (valving?)

I know this isn't an audi, but this is the car I just sold to get into my s6. I ended up putting two 24" resonators on it, but as it was in the video, it terrified people. Luckily I didnt have to put up with it daily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdW9e2x2IWs

[S4Per]

With the valves open, it's hard to find one louder than this. No drone on this one.
Milltek non-res with Milltek DP's. MMI integration bypassed with Valvesonic controller.


Brooklyn is correct, though: no videos will do justice. Find someone local to hear in person.

[fairbird]

https://instagram.com/p/43Q1_XEK3V/


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[notn41]

With the valves open, it's hard to find one louder than this. No drone on this one.
Milltek non-res with Milltek DP's. MMI integration bypassed with Valvesonic controller.


Brooklyn is correct, though: no videos will do justice. Find someone local to hear in person.

Yours is my favorite sounding. It has the high flow cats? Those are like 3k extra correct??

any reason you went with HFC vs just straight downpipes?

Thanks

[hubris]

Yours is my favorite sounding. It has the high flow cats? Those are like 3k extra correct??

any reason you went with HFC vs just straight downpipes?

Thanks

His are HFCs according to YouTube video description. The advantage of HFCs over catless is your car won't stink like gas. The downside is HFCs are $3k, catless DPs are significantly cheaper (1k?)

[S4Per]

Exhaust was on from previous owner, but yes, Hubris is right... I did catless for a year on my RS4, and my conscience, the smell, and my kids plugging their noses as they went in/out of the car finally caught up with me and I had cats installed on it.

[Liquidsystm]

Here's my S7 with Milltek Non-Res, without valve sonic. This is a cold start, but these car's are so well insulated that you don't hear much from inside. I want it to be louder so I'm thinking about catless DP's, but from other's video's, it doesn't sound much louder aside from the sound of the spool.

https://www.instagram.com/p/-3C9FjOZ...-by=gaberoonie

[RAF_S7]

Liquidsystm: This is the system I am contemplating, along with the AWE Touring. Do you have any more clips of the exhaust sound?

TIA,
John.

[hubris]

Here's my S7 with Milltek Non-Res, without valve sonic. This is a cold start, but these car's are so well insulated that you don't hear much from inside. I want it to be louder so I'm thinking about catless DP's, but from other's video's, it doesn't sound much louder aside from the sound of the spool.

https://www.instagram.com/p/-3C9FjOZ...-by=gaberoonie

DPs make a huge difference from the videos I have seen, plus it makes it more of a 'throaty' growl and it loses some of that muffled sound that the turbos introduce.

[dennisg]

Brooklyn is correct, though: no videos will do justice. Find someone local to hear in person.

True clips are not perfect, but often they are all you have to go on. Finding people in your area with these high end exhausts is often impossible. I would rather go on clips than buy one completely sound unheard. I bought my AWE after only hearing it with clips and it did not disappoint. They just came out with it and almost no one had it yet.

[S4Per]

Agree that clips are better than nothing for sure! And of course, give you a good directional feel for character of sound and loudness. There's just nothing quite like getting to listen to one in person, so making every effort to do so when possible is always good.

To be clear on my setup: they are not the Milltek cats. They are custom 200 CPSI ones. Car started as straight pipe setup with this exhaust, and then went to these via Goodspeed in AZ.

BTW: HJS is the company you'd want to go with for performance catalytic converters (if they have them for the S6, I haven't checked). For the RS4, I spec'ed out the performance characteristics I wanted, and got a set for ~$1100 that hit the mark.

Lastly - if you came from straight pipes, you will notice a bit of loss of low-end torque by adding the cats back in. You just can't have it all ;)

[eyeloveteeth]

many on here have heard me with the AWE on - and usually the commentary is that they can hear me far away.


I will say something about, other than when it was getting freezing / frost on the grass was there ever a true drone AND that was only when i was outside of the car. starting the car on the inside, i know it's there, because i've heard it and now look for it.


Also, w/e tech/design they used for their "180" thingy, seemingly works because i don't even hear a hint of drone with the windows down. Actually have the time with the windows down i'm still trying to figure out if it's loud.... on the flip side my friends who have heard the car say it sounds great.


The only time i've truly gotten a taste of what it may be like is as i drive through a garage.

only true downside is that the tips are comically large, and takes a good eye to install them and also to consider how much they'll stick out when heated up

[madyspop]

many on here have heard me with the AWE on - and usually the commentary is that they can hear me far away.


I will say something about, other than when it was getting freezing / frost on the grass was there ever a true drone AND that was only when i was outside of the car. starting the car on the inside, i know it's there, because i've heard it and now look for it.




Also, w/e tech/design they used for their "180" thingy, seemingly works because i don't even hear a hint of drone with the windows down. Actually have the time with the windows down i'm still trying to figure out if it's loud.... on the flip side my friends who have heard the car say it sounds great.


The only time i've truly gotten a taste of what it may be like is as i drive through a garage.

only true downside is that the tips are comically large, and takes a good eye to install them and also to consider how much they'll stick out when heated up

What's the w/e tech design for their "180" thingy you mentioned?

[JoeGie]

What's the w/e tech design for their "180" thingy you mentioned?

it's the technology awe uses in their mufflers

[hubris]

Just a heads up to anyone else considering turboback exhaust with downpipes, it is fairly expensive to install. My local Audi dealer quoted 11 hours of labor @ $1400. Indy shop quoted "at least $1000", not covering adjustments post-install if necessary.

[Xtek]

Loudest? Straight pipes with no cats...

I've been happy with AWE. I think the problem is the car is so insulated by the time you're happy with the sound from the interior its too loud from the exterior. I think AWE strikes that balance and matches this car's wolf in sheep's clothing attitude.

Here are some videos I've made... and of course the camera never does it justice.

Cold start in the woods... this woke the neighbors up


Tunnel blast at Mt Rainier


ACNW event at Maryhill Loops Road


The exhaust has definitely gotten louder as time has gone on and the packing has broken down. Its about at the perfect loudness now. Even when I've let other people drive it without much throttle you can hear that V8 pur, it turns heads when I drive through downtown Seattle. :)

[S4Per]

Sounds nice, Xtek, and I wish I would've made Maryhill!

Here's mine actually doing some work. 0-~120 with valves open, with external mic taped to back of bumper.

I've mentioned before, but for clarity here: this is the S6 Milltek Valvesonic (with Milltek DP's and custom cats), but it doesn't use the native MMI integration. A standalone Valvesonic controller was added instead with an on/off switch in the storage compartment in front of the shifter. When 'on' it's tuned via rpm, and very, very civil. When off, well, this is what you get...



Feels / sounds like a pretty accurate representation of how damn loud this thing is.

[S4Per]

Valves closed, external mic:



I'll post some internal mic ones next (on this thread here) which will hopefully showcase what a HUGE difference it is between open/closed within the cabin.

[GameBreaker]

Loudest? Straight pipes with no cats...

I've been happy with AWE. I think the problem is the car is so insulated by the time you're happy with the sound from the interior its too loud from the exterior. I think AWE strikes that balance and matches this car's wolf in sheep's clothing attitude.

Here are some videos I've made... and of course the camera never does it justice.

Cold start in the woods... this woke the neighbors up


Tunnel blast at Mt Rainier


ACNW event at Maryhill Loops Road


The exhaust has definitely gotten louder as time has gone on and the packing has broken down. Its about at the perfect loudness now. Even when I've let other people drive it without much throttle you can hear that V8 pur, it turns heads when I drive through downtown Seattle. :)

LOL, those videos are what got me sold on the AWE touring exhaust. I love how it sounds on cold startup, but I wish the car sounded more like that when driving. At least I get to hear the music every morning as I drive down 5 floors. I am looking forward to seeing how it will sound with downpipes, but until then I'm still really enjoying the system.

[leethalink]

Sounds nice, Xtek, and I wish I would've made Maryhill!

Here's mine actually doing some work. 0-~120 with valves open, with external mic taped to back of bumper.

I've mentioned before, but for clarity here: this is the S6 Milltek Valvesonic (with Milltek DP's and custom cats), but it doesn't use the native MMI integration. A standalone Valvesonic controller was added instead with an on/off switch in the storage compartment in front of the shifter. When 'on' it's tuned via rpm, and very, very civil. When off, well, this is what you get...



Feels / sounds like a pretty accurate representation of how damn loud this thing is.

Damn, I'm sold! Amazing sound.

[siberianwolf]

Video clips are pointless. You need to find people in your area with the various exhausts installed and listen to them live.

+1


I kind of like how my mtm is sounding... it's not that metallic sound, more like a very loud thunderstorm (loved my colleague's wtf facial expression on the sound, he owns Mustang 5.0 with Roush exhaust)

[dennisg]

I've been happy with AWE. I think the problem is the car is so insulated by the time you're happy with the sound from the interior its too loud from the exterior. I think AWE strikes that balance and matches this car's wolf in sheep's clothing attitude.

I agree with this completely. I don't want to feel like I am driving a dump truck. When I first put AWE on I kind of had that feeling but it broke in nicely and sounds smooth and Euro supercar-ish from inside the car and I get lots of compliments about what it sounds like outside

[notn41]

Exhaust ordered. S4 per, you sold me.
I got your exact setup.

Milltek Full turbo back exhaust, with high flow cats, valvesonic, but with gloss black tips.


Thanks for everyones help. It hurt to make that purchase, a LOT of money, but I am sure it will be well worth it. I like LOUD and this fits the bill. I came from a 2006 C6 z06 Fully cammed with long tube headers, no cats, and a LOUD exhaust. So I am not worried about it being too loud. I love the sound of the S7 full catted system, the right balance of sound for my ears. Not too smooth, not too raspy.

[hubris]

Exhaust ordered. S4 per, you sold me.
I got your exact setup.

Milltek Full turbo back exhaust, with high flow cats, valvesonic, but with gloss black tips.


Thanks for everyones help. It hurt to make that purchase, a LOT of money, but I am sure it will be well worth it. I like LOUD and this fits the bill. I came from a 2006 C6 z06 Fully cammed with long tube headers, no cats, and a LOUD exhaust. So I am not worried about it being too loud. I love the sound of the S7 full catted system, the right balance of sound for my ears. Not too smooth, not too raspy.

Awesome! His videos are what convinced me to pull the trigger, too. Resonated or non-resonated?

[S4Per]

I'm an enabler ;)

Congrats!!


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[hubris]

I'm an enabler ;)

Much to my wife's dismay... LOL.

I'm scheduled for install on Monday at my local Audi dealer. The dealer's labor charge was significantly more expensive (20-30% higher than indy shops) but I felt most comfortable with their highly trained techs handling the job, plus I get a loaner vehicle in the meantime.

[madyspop]

Much to my wife's dismay... LOL.

I'm scheduled for install on Monday at my local Audi dealer. The dealer's labor charge was significantly more expensive (20-30% higher than indy shops) but I felt most comfortable with their highly trained techs handling the job, plus I get a loaner vehicle in the meantime.

I wouldn't just assume they are all highly trained techs. There is a ton of turn over with techs at dealerships because the dealers don't want to pay them. In my area all the best master techs have left the dealerships and are working at indy shops. They may use their highly trained Mastertechs to diagnose problems but when it comes down to doing the labor they will use the lesser trained tech. A master tech get's a higher hourly wage and they don't want to tie them up doing a basic exhaust install.

Not only will you be paying a much higher hourly rate but you can bet your ass they are billing you for a lot more hours as well. Not sure how long the valve sonic portion takes to route and mount but downpipes should take any trained tech 3 hours, 4 at the very most then the catback another 1hr but no more than 2hr's.

[hubris]

I wouldn't just assume they are all highly trained techs. There is a ton of turn over with techs at dealerships because the dealers don't want to pay them. In my area all the best master techs have left the dealerships and are working at indy shops. They may use their highly trained Mastertechs to diagnose problems but when it comes down to doing the labor they will use the lesser trained tech. A master tech get's a higher hourly wage and they don't want to tie them up doing a basic exhaust install.

Not only will you be paying a much higher hourly rate but you can bet your ass they are billing you for a lot more hours as well. Not sure how long the valve sonic portion takes to route and mount but downpipes should take any trained tech 3 hours, 4 at the very most then the catback another 1hr but no more than 2hr's.

Interesting perspective, I had not considered that. I still trust Audi more to stand behind their work, especially since they quoted adjustments of the exhaust in the up front cost, whereas the indy shop seemed to want nothing to even do with an exhaust that they didn't sell to me and clearly said they would not cover adjustments etc. Audi said 11 hours of labor, indy shop 1 said 8-10 and shop 2 said 6-8; however both shops said they had never done DPs on an S6 and it was a best guess.

[Nabizzy]

selling my downpipes if anyone is interested, catless

[notn41]

Awesome! His videos are what convinced me to pull the trigger, too. Resonated or non-resonated?

Non resonated. With high flow cats it does not have resonators I believe.

[hubris]

Non resonated. With high flow cats it does not have resonators I believe.

Nice, so you will have S4Per's exact setup! It seemed a tad loud for me so I went with resonated.

High flow cats refers to the section that has the catalytic converter, which is part of the downpipes. The resonators (or lack thereof) come into play after the downpipes/cats, or in the catback. Our stock exhaust has them, colloquially refer to as 'suitcase' mufflers.

[S4Per]

Nice, so you will have S4Per's exact setup! It seemed a tad loud for me so I went with resonated.

I think it'll be close, but not exact: remember that I have the manual Valvesonic controller installed vs leveraging the MMI integration that comes with it. Unsure of what the difference is.
Looking forward to hearing some sounds from you all!

[hubris]

Picked up the S6 post install today. High flow cats/downpipes, resonated ValveSonic Milltek pipes, 2.76" diameter straight through.

Just want to update everyone that unfortunately there IS a drone with resonated valvesonic Milltek and high flow cats, only at highway speeds once the 4-cylinder mode kicks in. The engine makes a very pronounced, low drone in 4cyl mode.

[S4Per]

D'oh! Tolerable?
How about otherwise? Sounding good?