Installed a 034 hfc!!

[engineerjet]

So I finally took the leap and ordered a 034 HTC with a new downpipe (old one was rusted pretty bad)

First I gotta say if 034 didn't thread the downpipe end I would have been screwed cuz those bolts were corroded beyond recognition. I actually had to bend and break the downpipe to get the old cat and downpipe out. Install was a piece of cake, but the corroded bolts definitely delayed the removal process.

After I got everything out together I started the car and wow. I'm loving the sound! I waited for the car to warm up and went driving. Definitely feel an increase in power but my reference point is an apr K04 with flap delete, so it was fast already. There is definitely a slight increase that you can feel. I haven't gotten the updated testpipe file yet but I will first chance I get.

So far no check engine light and I didn't install a spacer. APR said with the test pipe file I may get a little bit more power squeezed out so I can't wait!

I'll post a pic later. Word of advice, the downside/cat bolts are a pain to get offline my case corroded) so be prepared! If you plan on replacing the downpipe anyway, it'll make the install much easier! I had to wiggle the whole assembly out and it was not fun! Lol

Update: just got the testpipe file and I'm not sure of its all in my head but wow this thing is fast!!! For a daily driver I'm definitely satisfied. And the sound is a nice deep growl. Not full exhaust growl but definitely deeper than stock. Love this setup!

[Rulty]

I'm glad I did down pipe and hfc at the same time. My down pipe bolts were so rusted that it looked like they were welded to the cat. I just used a saw to cut through the pipe though to get it all out

[engineerjet]

Seriously! I had to twist and bend and pretty much bent my downpipe in half to get it out from under the car.

[king_j]

Stock replacement down pipe?


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[engineerjet]

Yes it was stock downpipe. I was never a fan of cars that growl but I gotta say it's growing on me

[danbfree]

OH, so it was a stock down pipe, so the sounds increase was ALL from the HFC, so good to know... Since I have a Tiptronic, upgraded downpipes are rare and also add very little flow so I will skip that now, especially since we don't use salt on the roads here... But, from what I understand, the 034 HFC, at LEAST if ordered from EuroParts, already has the O2 spacer installed on it, they answered this directly in my HFC thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11821802

I'm curious if it will throw any codes on stock or JHM tune... since i'm well out of warranty only need 91 octane tune I don't care if it's selectable or not, so I hear otherwise there is no reason to go with APR for a new tune now, especially when there isa JHM flashing dealer in my area.

But still, to be able to notice a performance increase when you have a turbo upgraded car, it must be good!

[QuattriumMT6]

Oh it's good alright. When I removed my HFC for smog the car felt lifeless. Part of my driving soul died (that's with the JHM stage 1 tune). OEM cat power just doesn't cut it.

[danbfree]

Oh it's good alright. When I removed my HFC for smog the car felt lifeless. Part of my driving soul died (that's with the JHM stage 1 tune). OEM cat power just doesn't cut it.

Thanks for the direct comparison... Although people are telling me to do the JHM tune first, I'm thinking HFC would actually be better to start with at a lower price point and then see how the tune helps even more from there... Do you have the 034 HFC?

[QuattriumMT6]

I had the 034 HFC. I'd go with the tune first. You'll be incredibly happy with the amount of power that brings out. Should have come from factory that way.

[QuattriumMT6]

I was a stage 2 APR with a HFC, exhaust, intake and front mount intercooler and my stage 1 JHM without the HFC would have kept up or passed my stage 2 APR setup. There's also a video of someone with a bone stock JHM tuned avant beating a stage 2 APR with all the bolt ons on YouTube.

Here it is:

https://youtu.be/drZnBKY-p9E

[danbfree]

I had the 034 HFC. I'd go with the tune first. You'll be incredibly happy with the amount of power that brings out. Should have come from factory that way.

Thanks... ya, it sounds like VAG went WAY too conservative on their stock tune with their first generation of DI engines... I will have to upgrade my DV as well as I confirmed I still have the old diaphragm one, so that's $750 alone for tune and DV, not to mention making sure I get new coils, plugs and fuel filter first.

[QuattriumMT6]

Honestly it'll be the best money spent. When you drive your car after its tuned you'll see how sluggish the car was before. The updated DV is a must as it'll fail faster. As for coils and plugs you may be able to hold off for a little while longer.

[danbfree]

Honestly it'll be the best money spent. When you drive your car after its tuned you'll see how sluggish the car was before. The updated DV is a must as it'll fail faster. As for coils and plugs you may be able to hold off for a little while longer.

Nice, thanks again for continuing to pound in to me that I need the tune first, it helps prove that really is the direction I need to go... The coils were done at 32k and I just got the car recently at 93k, but that's not really the biggest expense at under $150 for coils and decent cooler range plugs, but I DO need to have cam follower checked as I think it WAs done recently but need to be sure, but also the big timing belt/water pump/access belt, tensioners, etc job too... Our cars are certainly a money pit but so rewarding and fun to drive as well!

[Okedokey]

Agreed, I went from stock to the 034 HFC, noticeable increase in power and great sound. Enjoy.

[034Motorsport]

So I finally took the leap and ordered a 034 HTC with a new downpipe (old one was rusted pretty bad)

First I gotta say if 034 didn't thread the downpipe end I would have been screwed cuz those bolts were corroded beyond recognition. I actually had to bend and break the downpipe to get the old cat and downpipe out. Install was a piece of cake, but the corroded bolts definitely delayed the removal process.

After I got everything out together I started the car and wow. I'm loving the sound! I waited for the car to warm up and went driving. Definitely feel an increase in power but my reference point is an apr K04 with flap delete, so it was fast already. There is definitely a slight increase that you can feel. I haven't gotten the updated testpipe file yet but I will first chance I get.

So far no check engine light and I didn't install a spacer. APR said with the test pipe file I may get a little bit more power squeezed out so I can't wait!

I'll post a pic later. Word of advice, the downside/cat bolts are a pain to get offline my case corroded) so be prepared! If you plan on replacing the downpipe anyway, it'll make the install much easier! I had to wiggle the whole assembly out and it was not fun! Lol

Hey engineerjet,

I am happy to hear that you are enjoying the new upgrade! Thank you for the sharing your experience with our High flow cat! Yes, those bolts are a pain to remove. We recommend using pb blast or some heat if they are siezed.

I would recommend a tune if you haven't done yet! You'll see more gains with a tune and our hfc and I believe you will be impressed on how different the car drives!

Other items I would recommend you would be the throttle body hose if you don't have plans on changing the intake. It will help with throttle respone

Throttle body hose



You can also upgrade the intercooler hoses as they tend to collapse under boost. It will also last longer than the oem hoses
034Motorsport intercooler hose

OH, so it was a stock down pipe, so the sounds increase was ALL from the HFC, so good to know... Since I have a Tiptronic, upgraded downpipes are rare and also add very little flow so I will skip that now, especially since we don't use salt on the roads here... But, from what I understand, the 034 HFC, at LEAST if ordered from EuroParts, already has the O2 spacer installed on it, they answered this directly in my HFC thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11821802

I'm curious if it will throw any codes on stock or JHM tune... since i'm well out of warranty only need 91 octane tune I don't care if it's selectable or not, so I hear otherwise there is no reason to go with APR for a new tune now, especially when there isa JHM flashing dealer in my area.

But still, to be able to notice a performance increase when you have a turbo upgraded car, it must be good!

Hey danbfree,

In most cases it won't throw a code but if it does then we recommend a o2 spacer. Most tunes will automatically delete the secondary o2 sensor to prevent any codes. I hope that answers your questions :)

[engineerjet]

I have the K04 file but I need to get the testpipe file first chance I get. Apr tells me it should add some additional HP. Can't wait.

[QuattriumMT6]

Nice, thanks again for continuing to pound in to me that I need the tune first, it helps prove that really is the direction I need to go... The coils were done at 32k and I just got the car recently at 93k, but that's not really the biggest expense at under $150 for coils and decent cooler range plugs, but I DO need to have cam follower checked as I think it WAs done recently but need to be sure, but also the big timing belt/water pump/access belt, tensioners, etc job too... Our cars are certainly a money pit but so rewarding and fun to drive as well!

Lol of course! If you were local I would have taken you for a spin since my car is otherwise stock bolt-ons wise but with a tune. It's torquey! Not fast. But that's what stage 3 big turbo upgrades are for lol.

[vce1232000]

Since I have a Tiptronic, upgraded downpipes are rare and also add very little flow so I will skip that now,

Thats not true. A 2.5 or 3 inch DP makes a world of difference when it comes to spool time on the turbo. Thats why alot of members with KO4 and BT guys a larger DP. Even JHM makes a DP. But there's mate up to a stock S4 exhaust.

[danbfree]

Thats not true. A 2.5 or 3 inch DP makes a world of difference when it comes to spool time on the turbo. Thats why alot of members with KO4 and BT guys a larger DP. Even JHM makes a DP. But there's mate up to a stock S4 exhaust.

Everything I've seen is that with the Tip trans being so large, there simply isn't enough room for a proper hi flow downpipe. Sure JHM offers one but the flange is for OEM exhaust only and at nearly $500 I don't think it's worth it, and that's why other tuners don't really offer them.

[vce1232000]

that's why other tuners don't really offer them.

Thats because there not alot of skilled people to make these for the Tiptronic. They all make for the manual 6spd because its way easier. Also not to many guys will mode a tiptronic. Everyone wants to shift. JHM DP is a little $$$$. But like they say. If you wanna play you have to pay

[danbfree]

Thats because there not alot of skilled people to make these for the Tiptronic. They all make for the manual 6spd because its way easier. Also not to many guys will mode a tiptronic. Everyone wants to shift. JHM DP is a little $$$$. But like they say. If you wanna play you have to pay

Hey, fair enough man... I just happen to believe it when other tuners say there just isn't much gains with the restricted size available for the Tip trans... When downpipes can be had under $100 for a manual, it just isn't worth $500 for minimal gains with the Tip...Personally, I'd rather drive a manual but wife refuses to learn at her age

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[Okedokey]

Rule 22

[vce1232000]

I'd rather drive a manual

Not me... Stick me in automatic anyday of the week. I in a metro urban high traffic congested area. Typical traffic time is 70 minutes a day sitting in that daily. So shifting a manual would make me as . Hence the only reason I a KO4. Stuck in traffic most of the time that all you need. And the come from the lower rpm band

- - - Updated - - -

Rule 22

lol.........

[danbfree]

Not me... Stick me in automatic anyday of the week. I in a metro urban high traffic congested area. Typical traffic time is 70 minutes a day sitting in that daily. So shifting a manual would make me as . Hence the only reason I a KO4. Stuck in traffic most of the time that all you need. And the come from the lower rpm band

- - - Updated - - -


lol.........

I'd rather drive a manual... If traffic wasn't total crap these days. So you're exactly right, in the real world with traffic I enjoy having a selectable automatic too, although I wish VAG offered a proper DSG for Audi.

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[Hugh@EuropaParts]

OH, so it was a stock down pipe, so the sounds increase was ALL from the HFC, so good to know... Since I have a Tiptronic, upgraded downpipes are rare and also add very little flow so I will skip that now, especially since we don't use salt on the roads here... But, from what I understand, the 034 HFC, at LEAST if ordered from EuroParts, already has the O2 spacer installed on it, they answered this directly in my HFC thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11821802

I'm curious if it will throw any codes on stock or JHM tune... since i'm well out of warranty only need 91 octane tune I don't care if it's selectable or not, so I hear otherwise there is no reason to go with APR for a new tune now, especially when there isa JHM flashing dealer in my area.

But still, to be able to notice a performance increase when you have a turbo upgraded car, it must be good!

hardware and gaskets are included... spacer is in the related products and is NOT included.

[danbfree]

hardware and gaskets are included... spacer is in the related products and is NOT included.

Thanks for clarifying.

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[danbfree]

Rule 22

If you're referring to my claims about Tiptronic downpipes, I don't have the link at the moment but one of our major parts suppliers who offers full exhausts specifically says that in their description of their exhaust available for Tiptronic models. It's $20 less than the manual turbo back exhaust because they don't include a downpipe because there was such limited sound and performance gains with the limited space available that is just not worth worrying about... Now, is that 100% fact? Who knows, but when there is really only one Tiptronic downpipe available while there are at least a half dozen for manual, it makes sense enough to me... For some, $500 may be worth a few HP but with so many other upgrades to do instead with that money, it's just not even on my radar to worry about it... Hope that makes sense

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[QuattriumMT6]

If you're referring to my claims about Tiptronic downpipes, I don't have the link at the moment but one of our major parts suppliers who offers full exhausts specifically says that in their description of their exhaust available for Tiptronic models. It's $20 less than the manual turbo back exhaust because they don't include a downpipe because there was such limited sound and performance gains with the limited space available that is just not worth worrying about... Now, is that 100% fact? Who knows, but when there is really only one Tiptronic downpipe available while there are at least a half dozen for manual, it makes sense enough to me... For some, $500 may be worth a few HP but with so many other upgrades to do instead with that money, it's just not even on my radar to worry about it... Hope that makes sense

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Lol rule 22 refers to an image of your significant other since you mentioned it earlier in the threads.

[danbfree]

Lol rule 22 refers to an image of your significant other since you mentioned it earlier in the threads.

Hehe, nice, I thought of that version but assumed you meant the other rule 22 of pics or proof or we don't believe you. :)

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