C7.5 A6 3.0 - My Exhaust Progression (8 setups and counting)

[ActiveMonkey]

Let me just start out that I may have a problem with being too picky. 3 different ECU tuners, 3 different TCU tuners and 8+ different exhaust setups later i'm not 100% happy, but close. This thread will hopefully help someone avoid spending tons of money.

Setup 1 - Rear Muffler Delete. Rear/Center Suitcase muffler replaced with small resonators. Vibrant 1792 Bottle Style Resonator
Stock Cats > Stock Baby Resonators > 2x Vibrant 1792 Bottle Style Resonator > Deleted Rear Muffler

Not bad, but the drone sucked.

https://youtu.be/EFqz2-0I3kQ


Setup 2 - S7 Sport Exhaust and rear mufflers
Stock Cats > Stock Baby Resonators > Deleted Center Muffler > S7 Sport Rear Mufflers

This is my favorite stock cat setup.






Setup 3 - Test Pipes
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > Stock Baby Resonators > Deleted Center Muffler > S7 Sport Rear Mufflers

Sounded... cool, but WAY too loud and the drone was horrible.

https://youtu.be/w_t_nsRqi2k
https://youtu.be/ENrVi8GzNDM


Setup 4 - 4x Vibrant 1141 ultra quiet resonators & Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > 2x 2.5" vibrant 1141 ultra quiet resonators > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 > 2x 2.5" vibrant 1141 ultra quiet resonators > 3.5" tips

This isn't a bad setup and if the shop didn't botch the install, i may have kept some parts of this system. I wish i could recall in more detail, but i want to say the drone was bad.

https://youtu.be/ysGDgy_oAok


Setup 5 - Magnaflow 2.5" 11226
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > 2.5" Wicked Flow Resonators > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 > Magnaflow 2.5" 11226 mufflers > 3.5" tips

I had the rattling front resonators replaced with some wicket flow resonators. (its what the shop had) and i replaced the rear vibrants for the larger Magnaflow 2.5" mufflers 11226 to try and contain the drone. Sounded good, but the drone was unpleasant.

https://youtu.be/W312qqwCK3U


Setup 6 - DynoMax Super Turbo 17733 Mufflers
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > 2.5" Wicked Flow Resonators > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 > DynoMax Super Turbo 17733 Mufflers > 3.5" tips

I switched from the magnaflow rear mufflers to the dyno max turbo style to try and control the drone. It helped a little bit but not enough to keep it.

https://youtu.be/mhIhXIhnSzA


Setup 7 - Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 12568
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 12568 > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 > DynoMax Super Turbo 17733 Mufflers > 3.5" tips

I replaced the wicket flow resonators with the Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 12568 to try and control the drone. It helped A LOT. Decently quiet in the car but now i didn't really like the sound of the DynoMax mufflers. Kind of "breathy"

https://youtu.be/-G24l77m9CU


Setup 8 - Magnaflow 2.5" 11226
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 12568 > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 > Magnaflow 2.5" 11226 mufflers > 3.5" tips

I reinstalled the rear Magnaflow 2.5" 11226 mufflers. A tad louder in the car than setup 7, but i like the magnaflow tone more.

https://youtu.be/ABr4xXNJcr4


Setup 9 - High-Flow Cats
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > 2 x High Flow 410250 Cats > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 > Magnaflow 2.5" 11226 mufflers > 3.5" tips

I'm not happy with the amount of drone and minor canny/tinny in the exhaust note. I am removing the large Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 12568 from the downpipes and installing a pair of ebay 400 cell high-flow cats. IF this solves my issues I will then replace these cats with some higher quality 200 cell race cats or similar. This iteration will be a proof of concept type deal. I may also install some small resonators inline with the cats, but it will depend on how they sound.

https://youtu.be/YTVpkqG6bqU


Setup 10 - Magnaflow 10416 Resonators
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes > 2 x High Flow 410250 Cats > Magnaflow 10416 Resonators > Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 > Magnaflow 2.5" 11226 mufflers > 3.5" tips

I had 2 Magnaflow 10416 resonators installed right up against the high-flow cats.

https://youtu.be/gWfVacQwp80

There is still a bit of drone but I’m going to roll this setup for a while.


Setup 11 - CTS Turbo Downpipes and Vibrant 1141 Ultra Quiet Resonators
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes - CTS Turbo 2.5” Downpipes - 2x Ford Vibration Dampeners - Vibrant 1141 Ultra Quiet Resonators - Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 - Magnaflow 2.5" 11226 mufflers - 3.5" tips

Unfortunately, the catalytic converters from set up number 10 broke up and failed. I temporally had those replaced with pipe. In addition, I added two Ford exhaust vibration dampeners which helped immensely with cabin vibration.

Ford Part # 4R3Z5F240BA

The vibration dampeners are not a direct bolt on, but I welded them to some exhaust clamps and it’s pretty straightforward.

Photo of installation:


http://youtube_share;5aG3h9DMmCU]htt...be/5aG3h9DMmCU

Overall sound is pretty good. Still a bit more drone than i'd like. I think i'm going to add 2 more vibration dampeners at the rear.

C7.5 A6 3.0T Exhaust - High Flow 200cell Metallic Core Catalytic Converters - Setup #12
Can Auto Performance Test Pipes - CTS Turbo 2.5” Downpipes - 2x High Flow 200cell metallic core catalytic converters - 2x Ford Vibration Dampeners - Vibrant 1141 Ultra Quiet Resonators - Magnaflow resonated X-Pipe 11386 - Magnaflow 2.5" 11226 mufflers - 3.5" tips

Slight change of plans. My new catalytic converters arrived and Brothers Muffler in Fontana did an outstanding job putting them in. With these catalytic converters, the drone at 80mpg in 8th gear on the freeway is finally acceptable. The only thing I will do to the exhaust now will be to add two more of those Ford vibration dampers at the rear muffler, mainly to reduce cabin vibration. Overall tone and sound volume is excellent.

For anyone wondering, the link to the catalytic converters can be found below.

https://privatelabelmfg.com/collecti...ytic-converter



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