SQ5 exhaust valves delete

[Yoshimura]

Hello,

I really dislike the SQ5 stock exhaust tips and the only way to change them (beside swapping the exhaust) seems to cut the existing tips and solder new one. This would also mean deleting the exhaust valves.

However, I'm concerned about deleting them... Beside normally being closed in confort and open in dynamic, maybe the valves need to be closed in some particular situations. Like when warming up the engine or when cruising on the highway (to prevent drone). Anyone monitored their behaviour?

[SQive]

They open around 3500 RPM, regardless of ADS mode.

[Yoshimura]

They open around 3500 RPM, regardless of ADS mode.

You think their behaviour is unrelated to ADS mode? What is their purpose?

[SQive]

You think their behaviour is unrelated to ADS mode? What is their purpose?

Closed: Quiet, no drone, think luxury
Open: Performance & sound

However, if you're on a 2-lane highway and want to pass, you might not want to change modes just for the extra passing power. Disconnect your Soundaktor and you'll see what I mean. At least those have been my observations. Remember, I'm running the stock valved exhaust with the AWE NRDP's. I'm nice and quiet. . .then really loud!

[apsuard]

I have Milltek 100 mm exhaust tips being delivered. A respected exhaust shop is putting them on next week. I'm hoping they don't need to remove the actuators but we will see. If the do I might go with a muffler delete with the new tips. Opted for tips only because SQ5 is the wife's and she is adamant she didn't want it louder. For aesthetics I had to at least get larger tips though. I will post pictures on how it turns out

[ericcarbonneau]

tell me about the fuse

I disconnect the fuse: noticed that the valves are open

What is the difference in running in dynamic exhaust vs disconnected fuse?

[EYE4SPEED]

I have Milltek 100 mm exhaust tips being delivered. A respected exhaust shop is putting them on next week. I'm hoping they don't need to remove the actuators but we will see. If the do I might go with a muffler delete with the new tips. Opted for tips only because SQ5 is the wife's and she is adamant she didn't want it louder. For aesthetics I had to at least get larger tips though. I will post pictures on how it turns out

Can you confirm the diameter of the pipes? I was going to order the black cerakote 100mm from Milltek, but they wanted a measurement of the factory pipes. Please post pics, also very interested to see if you can retain your valves.

[TJay74]

tell me about the fuse

I disconnect the fuse: noticed that the valves are open

What is the difference in running in dynamic exhaust vs disconnected fuse?

Basically they are open all the time now and the exhaust note is at full volume. I don't mind this, but the downside is pulling the fuse on the SQ5 will cause a error code to the tripped and registered in the computer system from what I have read.

[ericcarbonneau]

With the fuse removed: I have no engine light or whatever

So the dynamic mode open valve only at a certain rpm and not all the time?

[Silverarrow240]

In Dynamic the valves open and close... at idle they are open, but close once you hit 2mph, etc...

That being said, I have no further idea of their activity. I hope to have mine completely gone in a day or two...

COME ON AWE!!

[apsuard]

Can you confirm the diameter of the pipes? I was going to order the black cerakote 100mm from Milltek, but they wanted a measurement of the factory pipes. Please post pics, also very interested to see if you can retain your valves.

I will let you know how it turns out. Little set back today as ECS tuning only sent me 2 tips. Of course when I'm excited to see if they fit the order is screwed up.

[Silverarrow240]

I will let you know how it turns out. Little set back today as ECS tuning only sent me 2 tips. Of course when I'm excited to see if they fit the order is screwed up.

ECS always screws up something...

[q5 dave]

not surprised^ LOL

[apsuard]

Appointment to install the 100 mm tips is now Friday, April 29. Crossing my fingers it turns out well

[EYE4SPEED]

Appointment to install the 100 mm tips is now Friday, April 29. Crossing my fingers it turns out well

Pictures? Spent 20 min with metal polish tonight cleaning the stock tips. Need black tips.

[SQive]

I like my maintenance-free matte soot color.

[apsuard]

Pictures? Spent 20 min with metal polish tonight cleaning the stock tips. Need black tips.

The 100mm Milltek tips wouldn't work on the stock exhaust. Tips are too long. I'm getting 3.5" magnaflow polished tips installed as we speak. A respected exhaust shop is handling it all. Will snap a few pics in an hour or so. I think 3.5" might fit the sq5 more than the huge 4"

[BlackSVT]

I like my maintenance-free matte soot color.

Truth.
I wouldn't say I "like" my maint free matte soot color, but I've grown to accept the reality right now with 4 kids (3 teens and 1 wannabe).

Happy to see there are other S/Q5s out there that aren't in a state of perpetual visual perfection. It's easy to get a complex on here sometimes with all you guys and your ass-kicking awesome rides!

[EYE4SPEED]

The 100mm Milltek tips wouldn't work on the stock exhaust. Tips are too long. I'm getting 3.5" magnaflow polished tips installed as we speak. A respected exhaust shop is handling it all. Will snap a few pics in an hour or so. I think 3.5" might fit the sq5 more than the huge 4"

Did they take them back? I'm interested to see what the 3.5" ones look like since they are round instead of oval.

My other options would be to matte powder coat the stock ones and weld them back on or have some aftermarket ones PC.

[EYE4SPEED]

Any pics of new tips? My body shop told me they could high temp paint them in matte, but most likely would have to remove bumper.

If they are pc, guessing they will have to be cut off and welded back?

[vik0wang]

where do you live?
i know some one can cut your tips but remain your exhaust valve...

[LittleBigSuv]

I’m looking at getting the AWE switch patch controller so I can manually control the stock exhaust valve. How loud is the stock exhaust with the valve mod? I don’t expect it to be AWE loud, but is it worth the $200 to open up the stock valves?

Also does anyone have a picture of the fuse location so I can test out the valve mod for myself.

Thanks!

[BG SQ5]

I’m looking at getting the AWE switch patch controller so I can manually control the stock exhaust valve. How loud is the stock exhaust with the valve mod? I don’t expect it to be AWE loud, but is it worth the $200 to open up the stock valves?

Also does anyone have a picture of the fuse location so I can test out the valve mod for myself.

Thanks!

Easy enough to test for yourself...just get it above 3k.

I don't see much need for the value control on a stock exhaust, especially if you still have the soundkator on. If you swap out the downpipes, resonators, or mufflers then the switch path becomes a nice feature for the $$.

[SQive]

I have the AWE non-resonated down-pipes with a stock exhaust. It's quiet when the valves are closed, and loud as hell above 3,500 RPM. It also has a nice stoplight rumble. In the mornings, I'll start it up in the garage and go back in to top off my coffee. I can always tell when it's ready because when it idles down after cold start, it passes through a frequency, a low rumble, that I can hear throughout the house. I also haven't experienced any drone at all. WOT is a bit too aggressive for some, but it's more civilized the straight pipes. Has anyone else done this? I like it.

[RobClark317]

I have the AWE non-resonated down-pipes with a stock exhaust. It's quiet when the valves are closed, and loud as hell above 3,500 RPM. It also has a nice stoplight rumble. In the mornings, I'll start it up in the garage and go back in to top off my coffee. I can always tell when it's ready because when it idles down after cold start, it passes through a frequency, a low rumble, that I can hear throughout the house. I also haven't experienced any drone at all. WOT is a bit too aggressive for some, but it's more civilized the straight pipes. Has anyone else done this? I like it.

I'm really interested in hearing your setup... do you have any sound clips/videos?

[SQive]

I could never get a decent clip because of the cheap GoPro mic.
Here is the only clip that I saved, but it still doesn't sound quite right:

[bajan01]

Pictures? Spent 20 min with metal polish tonight cleaning the stock tips. Need black tips.

This stuff is great. It brought back my Milltek tips to pristine condition.

[RobClark317]

I could never get a decent clip because of the cheap GoPro mic.
Here is the only clip that I saved, but it still doesn't sound quite right:

I know what you mean with the GoPro mic! Thanks for the clip, at least I have an idea now. I don't think there are too many people running AWE downpipes with stock exhaust, so it's hard to find anything.

[PantherBLK | SQ]

I could never get a decent clip because of the cheap GoPro mic.
Here is the only clip that I saved, but it still doesn't sound quite right:

Nice clip! Is the performance gain significant? Compared to full DP and AWE Exhaust.

I see...mmm...did you get your SQ from DFW Audi?


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[SQive]

Nice clip! Is the performance gain significant? Compared to full DP and AWE Exhaust.

I see...mmm...did you get your SQ from DFW Audi?

But, of course. . .both of them. They used to be Bailargeon, but now it's owned by some outfit that owns several Kia dealerships, and runs this the same way. I stopped going there because they would wash the car and get it dirtier than when I took it in. The final straw was, after making an appointment three weeks out, they didn't have a loaner. Bunch of efin' amateurs if you ask me. They used to have Don Istook, but he didn't like their politics and went to Fort Worth Audi. Auntie Em and Uncle Joe can go get an A or Q at DFW, but for true Audi Sport, one should select a real Audi dealership.

For stage 2, single-pulley, 93 octane, APR states the max HP and torque numbers as 458 & 387, respectively. Mine dyno'd at 454 & 427. If you know anything about engine power, then you know torque is where it's at. Makes it very drive-able and there's power all over the place, from 2,600 RPM up. The only difference from the others, is the way I did my exhaust. There are more details on my build thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...%27s+post-apoc

[PantherBLK | SQ]

But, of course. . .both of them. They used to be Bailargeon, but now it's owned by some outfit that owns several Kia dealerships, and runs this the same way. I stopped going there because they would wash the car and get it dirtier than when I took it in. The final straw was, after making an appointment three weeks out, they didn't have a loaner. Bunch of efin' amateurs if you ask me. They used to have Don Istook, but he didn't like their politics and went to Fort Worth Audi. Auntie Em and Uncle Joe can go get an A or Q at DFW, but for true Audi Sport, one should select a real Audi dealership.

For stage 2, single-pulley, 93 octane, APR states the max HP and torque numbers as 458 & 387, respectively. Mine dyno'd at 454 & 427. If you know anything about engine power, then you know torque is where it's at. Makes it very drive-able and there's power all over the place, from 2,600 RPM up. The only difference from the others, is the way I did my exhaust. There are more details on my build thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...%27s+post-apoc

Nice set up! I can only imagine (Great Movie) the tremendous pull you get after those upgrades. I’d like to start performance upgrading soon. Yep torque is where it’s at. My first car was a VW GTI Driver’s Edition. #torque-monster.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[PantherBLK | SQ]

Nice set up! I can only imagine (Great Movie) the tremendous pull you get after those upgrades. I’d like to start performance upgrading soon. Yep torque is where it’s at. My first car was a VW GTI Driver’s Edition. #torque-monster.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Are you still in warranty? Do you change back to stock before you take it in?


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[SQive]

The last time it was at the dealership was for its initial 5k service. I took it in with the crank pulley, but they didn't even notice it. From there it got the 034 intake hose and AWE NRDP's before going directly to stage 2 (APR). At about 40k, when the tune was available (with APR it was a free V.4 upgrade), I went dual-pulley and added the CPS. I haven't been back on the dyno since those mods, but I estimate (butt-dyno) 460/440, with a truly broad torque curve. I love driving it. Hell. . .I can't keep my foot out of it. I've done some suspension work too, and I've finally got it balanced so it wants to drift rather than push.

Ya' know. . .being nearby, you could drive mine and experience what I'm talking about with my particular set of mods. I'll shoot you a P.M.

[BlackSVT]

I haven't been back on the dyno since those mods, but I estimate (butt-dyno) 460/440, with a truly broad torque curve. I love driving it. Hell. . .I can't keep my foot out of it.

So here's a probably unlikely question - which one launches harder, your R8 or the Stage2+ SQ5?

I built and raced a lot of NA engined cars through HS and college years, and while they were hella fun, not a one of them could launch anywhere close to as hard as a modded, AWD 3.0T SUV! You'll eventually get passed driving the S/Q5 I imagine because HP, but for daily point and shoot goofing off driving, I have to say this platform is a helluva lot of fun!

Now if it only sounded like that V10, or a NA 4.2V8 or something

[bajan01]

So here's a probably unlikely question - which one launches harder, your R8 or the Stage2+ SQ5?

I am arguing the same thing with a friend of mine...Dual Pulley SQ5 vs. M4. He can’t even get past the fact that I have more power than him.

[SQive]

My modded SQ5 launches like no other SUV I've ever driven before. I love it!
The R8 GT, however, is +100 HP and -900 lbs.
There is a noticeable difference.
Under full throttle, you can still lean forward in the SQ.

[Thudux]

Closed: Quiet, no drone, think luxury
Open: Performance & sound

However, if you're on a 2-lane highway and want to pass, you might not want to change modes just for the extra passing power. Disconnect your Soundaktor and you'll see what I mean. At least those have been my observations. Remember, I'm running the stock valved exhaust with the AWE NRDP's. I'm nice and quiet. . .then really loud!

So do you have or valves closed?

[SQive]

So do you have or valves closed?

The valves work as they always do, opening around 3,500 RPM, depending on load.

[Thudux]

The valves work as they always do, opening around 3,500 RPM, depending on load.

So having them open 24/7 is not a good idea?

[SQive]

So having them open 24/7 is not a good idea?

Not ideally. It might sound better all of the time (or not), but torque in the low end can suffer without the added scavenging effects with closed valves. At least that's my take. There are a lot of articles and posts regarding the subject.