AWE Install DIY Question

[SilveR316]

I'll be installing my AWE exhaust this weekend, and I have a few questions about removing the stock exhaust.

I know the AWE exhaust includes their own "downpipes" that bolt up to the rest of the exhaust (presumably to get rid of the resonators on the stock exhaust?).

The AWE downpipes for the S4 have some notoriously hard bolts to get at in order to remove them and need some specialty tools to make the job easy. Is it the same way for the S6 or is it a reasonably easy job to remove the stock exhaust and bolt up the AWE exhaust?

The rest of the installation should be easy, I'm just worried about bolting it up to the factory downpipes.

[JoeGie]

you'll want a couple of swivels to get the socket on, I remember installing back on was harder because of the thicker diameter pipes, I actually had someone with smaller hands hold the socket on the bolt while I tightened it, it did slip off a few times.

[tenspeed]

I know the AWE exhaust includes their own "downpipes" that bolt up to the rest of the exhaust (presumably to get rid of the resonators on the stock exhaust?).

The AWE downpipes for the S4 have some notoriously hard bolts to get at in order to remove them and need some specialty tools to make the job easy. Is it the same way for the S6 or is it a reasonably easy job to remove the stock exhaust and bolt up the AWE exhaust?

The rest of the installation should be easy, I'm just worried about bolting it up to the factory downpipes.

I helped install the touring exhaust on a A7 about a month ago. After the panels come off, spray the downpipe nuts and other hardware with penetrating oil. We started at the rear to remove the stock exhaust and by the time we got to the headers, the copper nuts spun right off. The mechanic reached around and held the bolt heads with his fingers while I moved the downpipes around to give him clearance.

The most time consuming single part was getting everything twisted and turned to align and position the tips.

[SilveR316]

I helped install the touring exhaust on a A7 about a month ago. After the panels come off, spray the downpipe nuts and other hardware with penetrating oil. We started at the rear to remove the stock exhaust and by the time we got to the headers, the copper nuts spun right off. The mechanic reached around and held the bolt heads with his fingers while I moved the downpipes around to give him clearance.

The most time consuming single part was getting everything twisted and turned to align and position the tips.

This so much.

The downpipes ended up being relatively easy to take off (nothing like the S4 downpipes). There was a bit of fidgeting to get a proper angle on one of the downpipe bolts, but it worked out pretty well. Then I spent 2 hours aligning everything... what a pain.

I'm happy with the end result though, and the exhaust sounds amazing.