2024 SQ5 + Catless downpipe + fab speed spacer = CEL?

[DJPardy]

Okay guys, I've searched high and low. I have a 24MY SQ5 and don't want to cut the stock exhaust up. This leaves me with 2 options.
I can either get a downpipe that will drastically increase exhaust noise (which is my goal) and try to deal with the CEL using a fab speed catted O2 spacer. OR I can buy a full cat back, but can't seem to find one that has support for the hot tips, other than the Borla, which is unavailable.
Before you say it, no, I can't tune this car (to get rid of CEL), not only would it flag TD1 because I visit the dealer, but it isn't even available on the 24MY.
Ive had catless cars before and the smell doesn't bother me.

Has anyone used the catted O2 spacer with a catless downpipe before in one of our cars? Does it work? Had one in my S3 and it worked well enough from what I can remember.

Any insight is appreciated!

[texasboy21]

Is a third option to simply ignore the cel?

[A4Maine-iac]

Those spacers are hit or miss. Gotta get a tune for it. I have the CTS and the sound is amazing IMO. I added my own hot tips for about $300.

[cmil527]

So idle curiosity does it throw on the actual engine light or simply a stored code?

[GoCougs1234]

If the goal is solely increased sound, I recommend the stock Audi sport exhaust tips. I have these and now the vehicle both sounds better and is louder than stock (and now that I'm stage 3 it's actually borderline too loud). An uncatted 3.0T motor is louder but doesn't sound good to me at all and IMO is a waste of time on an untuned vehicle. Plus, my bet is if you pull into a dealership with an engine problem the dealer will void any such warranty work once they see that test pipe (which means you're gonna have to swap it out each time you visit the dealer for anything).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-ko...ilyTheAudiNerd

[ontunerow]

Get the Redstart Gesi DP and you shouldn't deal with cel either.

[DJPardy]

If the goal is solely increased sound, I recommend the stock Audi sport exhaust tips. I have these and now the vehicle both sounds better and is louder than stock (and now that I'm stage 3 it's actually borderline too loud). An uncatted 3.0T motor is louder but doesn't sound good to me at all and IMO is a waste of time on an untuned vehicle. Plus, my bet is if you pull into a dealership with an engine problem the dealer will void any such warranty work once they see that test pipe (which means you're gonna have to swap it out each time you visit the dealer for anything).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-ko...ilyTheAudiNerd

Already on the car from factory. Definitely want more from it.

[DJPardy]

If the goal is solely increased sound, I recommend the stock Audi sport exhaust tips. I have these and now the vehicle both sounds better and is louder than stock (and now that I'm stage 3 it's actually borderline too loud). An uncatted 3.0T motor is louder but doesn't sound good to me at all and IMO is a waste of time on an untuned vehicle. Plus, my bet is if you pull into a dealership with an engine problem the dealer will void any such warranty work once they see that test pipe (which means you're gonna have to swap it out each time you visit the dealer for anything).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-ko...ilyTheAudiNerd

Already on the car from factory. Definitely want more from it.
I used to work at my local Audi so unless it's getting scanned, Im good.

[DJPardy]

I don't have it yet, but if it throws a P0420 (Catalyst inefficincy) the light will certainly pop. Im more trying to figure out if the fab speed catted spacer will trick the computer or if our cars are too sensitive / smart to be fooled.

[DJPardy]

Is a third option to simply ignore the cel?

No, for 2 reasons. I am way too bothered by it, and I need to pass emissions. I don't feel like swapping the downpipe every year anyway.

[DJPardy]

Those spacers are hit or miss. Gotta get a tune for it. I have the CTS and the sound is amazing IMO. I added my own hot tips for about $300.

I ordered mine with the hot tips from the factory and tunes aren't available for the 24MY. Id love to get the CTS but don't want to deal with the CEL.

[A4Maine-iac]

I would wait for the tune then. Looking at your past OOOO's i know it will be hard waiting.

[Hostile]

Going catless on a street car is such a gross, shit bag move.

[GoCougs1234]

Going catless on a street car is such a gross, shit bag move.

Why?

[A4Maine-iac]

I ordered mine with the hot tips from the factory and tunes aren't available for the 24MY. Id love to get the CTS but don't want to deal with the CEL.

Ha notice the Kayla sticker on little first Audi. Just noticed yours.

[Hostile]

Why?

Purposefully deleting parts that curb pollution for scene points is shitty. It’s not any better than assholes that roll coal.

[GoCougs1234]

Purposefully deleting parts that curb pollution for scene points is shitty. It’s not any better than assholes that roll coal.

LOL says someone with TWO illegally-tuned vehicles in the driveway...

[DJPardy]

I would wait for the tune then. Looking at your past OOOO's i know it will be hard waiting.

I think that’s really the only option. Or I’m selling it for a few year old SQ8.


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[Hostile]

LOL says someone with TWO illegally-tuned vehicles in the driveway...

Both of my cars have OEM catalytic converters and pass VA state emissions every year.

Try again?

[GoCougs1234]

Both of my cars have OEM catalytic converters and pass VA state emissions every year.

Try again?

Sure!

You're only making it worse.

Your TWO illegally-tuned vehicles pass because for the day of testing you remove the JB4 on the SQ5 and download the factory tune onto the Golf R and then your revert right back after the test and continue on with TWO illegally-tuned vehicles.

Just let the man be and in the future give thought to participating only in threads in which you try to ADD value.

[Gunnarrrrr]

hate to break it to the OP here but…

every downpipe that isn’t the stock cat pipe is going to throw a cel and isn’t going to pass emissions. You’re going to spend more time trying to get rid of it with catted spacers and other stupid gimmicks that dont work than you will swapping downpipes every year.

There’s no way around it. also adding a downpipe without a tune is the dumbest shit you could possibly do. Imagine purposely running your new car with check engine light on 24/7

Someone file this thread in the cringe compilation folder


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[Hostile]

Sure!

You're only making it worse.

Your TWO illegally-tuned vehicles pass because for the day of testing you remove the JB4 on the SQ5 and download the factory tune onto the Golf R and then your revert right back after the test and continue on with TWO illegally-tuned vehicles.

Just let the man be and in the future give thought to participating only in threads in which you try to ADD value.

What are you talking about? I don’t remove the JB4 on my SQ5 or the ECU tune on my Golf R when getting my state emission testing.

VA sniffs at the tailpipe.

Tell us you have no clue what you’re talking about without telling us you have no clue what you’re talking about.

[Hostile]

hate to break it to the OP here but…

every downpipe that isn’t the stock cat pipe is going to throw a cel and isn’t going to pass emissions. You’re going to spend more time trying to get rid of it with catted spacers and other stupid gimmicks that dont work than you will swapping downpipes every year.

There’s no way around it. also adding a downpipe without a tune is the dumbest shit you could possibly do. Imagine purposely running your new car with check engine light on 24/7

Someone file this thread in the cringe compilation folder


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Preach

[GoCougs1234]

What are you talking about? I don’t remove the JB4 on my SQ5 or the ECU tune on my Golf R when getting my state emission testing.

VA sniffs at the tailpipe.

Tell us you have no clue what you’re talking about without telling us you have no clue what you’re talking about.

You're only making it worse for yourself.

Even if true, you're still illegal TWICE over.

[NRigs]

You're only making it worse for yourself.

Even if true, you're still illegal TWICE over.

not illegal as they do not alter emission readiness

Also, if Ma wasn't so strict with emissions, I would be catless and stage 2. Not worth the headache every year of swapping OEM cat in and out for emissions testing.

[GoCougs1234]

not illegal as they do not alter emission readiness

Also, if Ma wasn't so strict with emissions, I would be catless and stage 2. Not worth the headache every year of swapping OEM cat in and out for emissions testing.

Oh, wow! Let's let the developers of the product tell us:

[Gunnarrrrr]

why is this even an argument, removing emissions equipment isn’t a state issue it’s a federal offense followed by EPA fines. Not that you would ever get busted for it (not legal advice)

My middle name is also federal offense so I don’t mind.


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[GoCougs1234]

why is this even an argument, removing emissions equipment isn’t a state issue it’s a federal offense followed by EPA fines. Not that you would ever get busted for it (not legal advice)

My middle name is also federal offense so I don’t mind.

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The law is to go after tuners and tuner shops for sure. Not effective using federal LE resources going after individuals. The Feds recently busted a tuner shop in my state and the owners got into major trouble (lost the business and felony convictions!). Just thought it was funny others are throwing rocks when living in the most fragile of glass houses (two of them no less!).

I've been no angel on the subject. Jesus, my friends and I first started cutting off cat converters when leaded fuel was still a thing (leaded fuel was actually cheaper than unleaded - important to a 16-year-old kid bagging groceries trying to keep some go juice in his Camaro! (cat converters plug up quick on leaded fuel)). Nowadays I'm fairly environmental as I'm big into the outdoors (mountain biking and skiing and why I went APR (AFAIK only tuner that pledges legal compliance on their tunes and hardware)) but no so much that I'm going to go after someone for using non-complaint tunes and hardware.

[Hostile]

You're only making it worse for yourself.

Even if true, you're still illegal TWICE over.

You really are a muppet.

[GoCougs1234]

You really are a muppet.

You got emotional, then were wrong, then lied and now can't take yer lumps. Don't do that.

[texasboy21]

Most tunes (and many hardware mods not just cats/exhausts) are sold as and labeled for "off-road use only".

[Hostile]

You got emotional, then were wrong, then lied and now can't take yer lumps. Don't do that.

What, exactly, did I lie about?