2016 S3 AWE Tuning Track Edition Exhaust Install

[Blaine]

Finally received by AWE Tuning Track Edition Catback exhaust kit from Excelerate Performance. Took a while to get it since I live in Germany and APO shipping isn't the fastest.



Sorry for the lack of photos and a dirty car. My phone died mid install and I only had an hour to get it done.

Removing the Exhaust was quick and easy. I got it done in about an hour using only jack stands and floor jack. Stock exhaust bolts came right off with little force used. Found it easier to remove the stock exhaust by removing the entire hangers from the car instead of forcing them off the rubber hanger. Exhaust dropped right out. Ensure you remove the valve actuator clips first and the ZIP TIE holding one on to the stock exhaust.







The stock S3 exhaust weighs in at about 53.5 lbs +/- a few lbs. Its not very easy to weigh as one piece.

The AWE Exhaust weighs in at about 45 lbs with all clamps and bolts. Only about a 8.5 lbs weight savings. Reason for this is the muffler used by AWE is quit a hefty piece at 22lbs by itself, but required for a sound it gives. The AWE Exhaust went in easily. I found it easier to install each part of the exhaust onto the car separate and leave them loosely attached for positioning.



Exhaust sounds deep and mellow. Not loud at normal driving but has a nice growl and snarl at high rpms. No drone. I was worried it might sound like a 4 cyl. fart-can exhaust by loosing the stock resonator, but it doesn't at all. No complaints. Great Sounding Exhaust.

[TCHUN003]

Glad you like it. I've heard great things about the AWE track edition exhaust

[onequick4door]

Thank you for the weights.

[hbracer93]

Did they ship you a blowpop?

[saxon]

looks a little crooked on the drivers side, do they still have a bunch of slip fittings on their exhausts?

[Blaine]

Did they ship you a blowpop?

Lol. Yes. My son was happy.

- - - Updated - - -

looks a little crooked on the drivers side, do they still have a bunch of slip fittings on their exhausts?

The pics were taken before I did the final adjustment. Only had an hour that day so I didn't have time to adjust them perfectly. The there are slip fittings on the tips as well as the pipes coming from the muffler. Will do one more final adjustment after I put a few miles on it.

[XLR8 Craig]

Looking awesome my friend! Glad this arrived safe and sound. If you need anything else be sure to let me know.

[airick11audi]

I know this is an old post but I've been eyeing this exhaust. Can't decide between this and the Switchpath. Just don't want any drone and or something ridiculously loud. Leaning towards the track since it's quite a bit cheaper. Do you have any sound clips of the exhaust?


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[UWbadger91]

I know this is an old post but I've been eyeing this exhaust. Can't decide between this and the Switchpath. Just don't want any drone and or something ridiculously loud. Leaning towards the track since it's quite a bit cheaper. Do you have any sound clips of the exhaust?


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I might be able to help you as I just received my Switchpath last week. I'm an accountant so I wanted something that could be quiet when I'm doing stuff for work, but loud outside of work. I currently have the valves coded to be open all the time and I'd say it's pretty quiet unless you're really on it. I'm not sure if it's due to the car being isolated from that type of sound or the fact that it's just quiet. The tone is intoxicating though. I keep questioning if I should have saved the money and gotten the track


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[airick11audi]

I might be able to help you as I just received my Switchpath last week. I'm an accountant so I wanted something that could be quiet when I'm doing stuff for work, but loud outside of work. I currently have the valves coded to be open all the time and I'd say it's pretty quiet unless you're really on it. I'm not sure if it's due to the car being isolated from that type of sound or the fact that it's just quiet. The tone is intoxicating though. I keep questioning if I should have saved the money and gotten the track


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Wow thats ironic... I'm an accountant too haha. I know the Switchpath is probably the best of both worlds. I'd just like to save $400 by getting the track edition. Do you know the actual difference between the track edition and the Switchpath? Are valves always open on the track edition or something?


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[UWbadger91]

Wow thats ironic... I'm an accountant too haha. I know the Switchpath is probably the best of both worlds. I'd just like to save $400 by getting the track edition. Do you know the actual difference between the track edition and the Switchpath? Are valves always open on the track edition or something?


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Damn! Are you in public?

From my research the track is like the Switchpath with the valves open. My main reason for going with the Switchpath is I know I'll want a downpipe down the road, which will make it louder and the fact that when I'm driving with co-workers I can close the valves and make it quiet.

After owning the Switchpath I'd say the only time it's loud is on a cold start and when you're accelerating heavy. When in auto or comfort mode it sounds a little bit louder than stock, but not annoying or anything.

Here's a short video I shot a few days ago. Wear headphones.

https://youtu.be/qVh-TyLBjoM


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[airick11audi]

Damn! Are you in public?

From my research the track is like the Switchpath with the valves open. My main reason for going with the Switchpath is I know I'll want a downpipe down the road, which will make it louder and the fact that when I'm driving with co-workers I can close the valves and make it quiet.

After owning the Switchpath I'd say the only time it's loud is on a cold start and when you're accelerating heavy. When in auto or comfort mode it sounds a little bit louder than stock, but not annoying or anything.

Here's a short video I shot a few days ago. Wear headphones.

https://youtu.be/qVh-TyLBjoM


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I'm an internal auditor. Didn't wanna go the public route haha. You?

Wow that sounds absolutely amazing! This is making it a hard decision... I'm guessing that video was with the valves open?


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[UWbadger91]

I'm an internal auditor. Didn't wanna go the public route haha. You?

Wow that sounds absolutely amazing! This is making it a hard decision... I'm guessing that video was with the valves open?


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Oh nice! I work for a mid-size public firm in tax.

Yup this was with the valves open. I haven't closed them yet so I'm not sure how quiet it gets. The videos do no justice...it sounds super deep and aggressive in person. Plus the tips look amazing!


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[airick11audi]

Oh nice! I work for a mid-size public firm in tax.

Yup this was with the valves open. I haven't closed them yet so I'm not sure how quiet it gets. The videos do no justice...it sounds super deep and aggressive in person. Plus the tips look amazing!


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Nice dude. Cool to hear from someone in the same profession.

What size tips do you have installed? I'm eyeing the 90 inch black diamond.


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[Nathing32]

Go with the switchpath if you plan to get a downpipe in the future. Track edition + downpipe = drone city. No need to ask how I know.

[UWbadger91]

Nice dude. Cool to hear from someone in the same profession.

What size tips do you have installed? I'm eyeing the 90 inch black diamond.


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I got the 102mm. I think they look badass. I'm planning on adding a carbon fiber rear diffuser in the near future.

Go with the switchpath if you plan to get a downpipe in the future. Track edition + downpipe = drone city. No need to ask how I know.

Which downpipe are you running? I'm considering getting the AWE res or non-res. I'm concerned that the non-res may be too loud.


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[Nathing32]

Which downpipe are you running? I'm considering getting the AWE res or non-res. I'm concerned that the non-res may be too loud.

AWE Resonated. Sounded great at low speeds and hard acceleration. It was definitely a head turner. Droned on the highway and in the middle rev range though. I couldn't get used to the noise.

[UWbadger91]

AWE Resonated. Sounded great at low speeds and hard acceleration. It was definitely a head turner. Droned on the highway and in the middle rev range though. I couldn't get used to the noise.

Did you go full turboback right away? I'm curious if the resonated makes much of a difference from stock. I definitely don't want drone, but I can close the flaps.


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[Nathing32]

Did you go full turboback right away? I'm curious if the resonated makes much of a difference from stock. I definitely don't want drone, but I can close the flaps.

I think the flaps would really help with the full turbo back setup. I first did the resonator delete before I got the downpipe. I really liked that sound but I wanted a bit more. Then I got the downpipe but it didn't sound very good with the resonator delete so I swapped it out for the stock resonator. That was too quiet so then I got the track edition cat back (should have gotten the switchpath). I've since gone back to the stock catback. I just wish it had more slow speed sound. It's pretty quiet but definitely louder than stock when you get on it. I have the flaps open all the time and there is zero drone with this setup.