For those who have installed a Cat-back exhaust!

[Rbb1485]

Hey everyone,
Just picked myself up a AWE touring cat-back system and will be looking to install myself this weekend. I have already searched and read one post about the install and it looks pretty straight forward. I am just looking to hear from anyone of you guys that have done the install yourself to provide any helpful tips / pointers / "gotchas" / tool lists / that type of thing to prepare me for the install. I will be putting the car up in the rear on ramps and doing this in my driveway. Just wondering if there is anything I should look out for. Thanks in advance!

[whiped]

The install guide will help a bunch if you haven't sen it: http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/pdf/..._90mm_tips.pdf

Dropping the stock exhaust out isn't too bad. I had full custom welding done from there so I will be of no help with the actual install.

[XxSullyxX123]

Hey everyone,
Just picked myself up a AWE touring cat-back system and will be looking to install myself this weekend. I have already searched and read one post about the install and it looks pretty straight forward. I am just looking to hear from anyone of you guys that have done the install yourself to provide any helpful tips / pointers / "gotchas" / tool lists / that type of thing to prepare me for the install. I will be putting the car up in the rear on ramps and doing this in my driveway. Just wondering if there is anything I should look out for. Thanks in advance!

When you say catback do you literally mean cat back, as in exhaust + downpipes? Most cat backs on other models start after where our downpipes are because the downpipes contain the cats. So if so, then you will want to have the downpipe removal tool or something similar to get up to the bolts on the flange of the cat to downpipe connection.

If its just the downpipe back portion, its a piece of cake. (although I was lazy and had mine professionally installed anyway lol)

[cjw]

I always have the hardest time getting the original exhaust out of the hangers. I bought this tool:

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-38350-E...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Definitely helps, along with using some sort of lubricant to try and lube the hanger/rubber up.

Other than that, it's pretty straightforward. Lower rise ramps don't give you the best clearance to access the center bolts. I used metal, slightly higher ramps than the typical plastic ones and they allowed better access.

[XxSullyxX123]

I always have the hardest time getting the original exhaust out of the hangers. I bought this tool:

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-38350-E...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Definitely helps, along with using some sort of lubricant to try and lube the hanger/rubber up.

Other than that, it's pretty straightforward. Lower rise ramps don't give you the best clearance to access the center bolts. I used metal, slightly higher ramps than the typical plastic ones and they allowed better access.

Good call, bled from my knuckles plenty of times over the years with exhaust hangers! Although the hangers on the rear mufflers on the S4 can just be unbolted from the car which helps. This way u can get the exhaust off the hangers without being under the car


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[BDP]

I spent about 30 minutes removing the stock exhaust off of my car with a friend. It's extremely easy and really is straight forward. Like already stated just unbolt the factory exhaust hangers and re-apply them to the new exhaust.

What is going to kill you is positioning the AWE exhaust to get it to align. I can't help you much there other than saying good luck. It took me a couple hours to do that. I'm having leaking issues with mine still and I'm about 4 months in...you more than likely will have to re-tighten everything again so I would recommend positioning your clamps for easy access.

[oohnoo]

EasyPeasy. Pretty straight forward. Easier if you can spray some PBBlaster on the clamps a day before, those can be rusted good.

[Rbb1485]

The install guide will help a bunch if you haven't sen it: http://www.awe-tuning.com/media/pdf/..._90mm_tips.pdf

Dropping the stock exhaust out isn't too bad. I had full custom welding done from there so I will be of no help with the actual install.

Thanks for this reference Whiped. What is this "Exhaust paste sealant" the AWE installation guide refers to?? Is it required, and if so, where can I buy some?

[whiped]

Beats me, looks like it is included though!

The included exhaust paste sealant should be used at each slip joint throughout the system to ensure a leak free seal

If you bought the exhaust used some high temp sealant should work. (This is what Google pulled up: https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8033.../dp/B000BOAZM8)

On that note, the AWE systems have been known to leak...

Would be worth it to weld the connections if possible IMO.

[SportVier]

Are you doing downpipes? (They are the first piece downstream of the cats.) If so, some of the bolts at the top flange are not fun. Get one of these or the equivalent and save yourself some grief.

[Rbb1485]

Beats me, looks like it is included though!

If you bought the exhaust used some high temp sealant should work. (This is what Google pulled up: https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8033.../dp/B000BOAZM8)

On that note, the AWE systems have been known to leak...

Would be worth it to weld the connections if possible IMO.

I bought it second hand, but yea I gave them a call and its just a high temp sealant used for slip fit exhaust systems, can be bought at any autozone/pep boys etc. Welding is not an option, so hopefully I do not experience the leaking others have!

- - - Updated - - -

Are you doing downpipes? (They are the first piece downstream of the cats.) If so, some of the bolts at the top flange are not fun. Get one of these or the equivalent and save yourself some grief.

I am not, I will be mating up to the stock down pipes. Thanks for the tip though!

[SportVier]

I am not

You will eventually. Moar iz better.

[mlavelle92]

DO NOT REMOVE THE HANGERS, JUST REMOVE THE EXHAUST FROM THE HANGAR. Pretty sure one of the passenger side hangars also holds up a corner of the gas tank and it was a PITA to push back up and hold in place with a full tank.

[XxSullyxX123]

DO NOT REMOVE THE HANGERS, JUST REMOVE THE EXHAUST FROM THE HANGAR. Pretty sure one of the passenger side hangars also holds up a corner of the gas tank and it was a PITA to push back up and hold in place with a full tank.

I unbolted both rear hangars when i swapped the AWE track for touring rear resonators. Nothing fell down. Didn't appear to be holding the gas tank up on my B8.5


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[Rbb1485]

DO NOT REMOVE THE HANGERS, JUST REMOVE THE EXHAUST FROM THE HANGAR. Pretty sure one of the passenger side hangars also holds up a corner of the gas tank and it was a PITA to push back up and hold in place with a full tank.

Unfortunately saw this too late, and yes the passenger side also serves as support for the fuel tank. what at PITA. As I was working by myself, the only way I was able to get this one back on was to use a jack to move up and support the tank while I got the bolt started.

I had to cut the sleeve clamps on the downpipe - mid muffler section, as the nuts just started spinning. Besides that was pretty strait forward, took a little bit of time to adjust to get everything level, strait and equally spaced in the rear valence. I did not use any "heat temp exhaust paste" FWIW. No apparent leaks as of yet, keeping fingers crossed.

let me just say, this setup: stock down pipes + AWE touring edition catback is one sickk setup!! I absolutely love it. Sounds exotic/deep throaty/mean when you want it to be, and quite when just daily driving arounds. This is the way this car should sound from the factory IMO!! Highly recommended!!