Best Downpipe Option?

[Calbee]

I am looking into downpipes for my exhaust right now, specifically i want it non-res/catless

What is the best route to go? I know there are the brand name ones and some people do custom.

Also, how come the APR one costs like 800 dollars??

[awdjunkies]

I am looking into downpipes for my exhaust right now, specifically i want it non-res/catless

What is the best route to go? I know there are the brand name ones and some people do custom.

Also, how come the APR one costs like 800 dollars??

Welcome to Audi. all the name brand exhausts such as Miltek, APR, AWE, Stasis, etc.. are going to be expensive. Sometimes you may find slightly used ones in the classifieds, so keep your eyes peeled.

[Dan_Q]

When I came to Audi from my E90 BMW I was accustomed to thinking: Catalytic Converter = Downpipe. But on the Audi there is a Cat section followed by a downpipe section. They are two different pieces. Most companies selling Cats are just selling the Cat section for somewhere around $350. AWE is the only company I am aware of who sells just the downpipe section (~$400). The APR "Downpipe" contains both the Cat and downpipe sections. So APRs $874 isn't far off from what you would pay for a cat and a downpipe if you bought them both. And it is on sale for 10% off about a quarter of the time. Brings it to $786 which is right in line with what you'd pay for a Cat + Downpipe anyway.

Nobody claims any hp gain from replacing the downpipe section. It seems to only change the exhaust sound. And many "Cat Back" exhausts don't contain the downpipe section. They are just the resonator and muffler sections. Confusing I agree. The APR site diagrams it out nicely.

[dracolnyte]

get the CTS testpipe for $150 and probably another $150 for a non-resonated downpipe from an exhaust shop.

[sickspeed]

i agree it is a bit confusing and different than previous platforms but apr does diagram it pretty nicely. it gets even more complicated depending on which stock exhaust you have, e.g., dual single or double outlet.

seems someone could make a killing off of a decent well-priced downpipe section for the B8. *cough* eurocode.

[maga4]

APRs comes with the whole "mid pipe" thing too. Plus theirs is a HFC with the mid pipe. Eurocode has a mid pipe that can go with their HFC or TP, but David said it is not popular at all. AWE claims the mid pipe doesn't have any performance benefit, just sound...but that may be what you are looking for. I think any full HFC/TP with the mid pipe will probably be around $800 or so. CTS's TP seems like a good deal; and as everyone has said with it, love the Eurocode HFC.

[TURBOB8]

Dan_Q is right. With that said, it depends what you want. If you have a lot of money to blow, go with an aftermarket down pipe. It does nothing for power gains, but it will change the sound. If you want power, get the CTS test pipe.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, but want power gains and sound, get the CTS test pipe and cut your resonator off of your down pipe.

If you want to waste money, get the Billy Boat test pipe and an aftermarket down pipe.

The results will be the same, but going with the latter will hurt your wallet.

[Calbee]

Dan_Q is right. With that said, it depends what you want. If you have a lot of money to blow, go with an aftermarket down pipe. It does nothing for power gains, but it will change the sound. If you want power, get the CTS test pipe.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, but want power gains and sound, get the CTS test pipe and cut your resonator off of your down pipe.

If you want to waste money, get the Billy Boat test pipe and an aftermarket down pipe.

The results will be the same, but going with the latter will hurt your wallet.

Thanks so much. Really appreciate your effort to explain to me. Would the second option of cutting the res produce the same sound as an aftermarket downpipe?

[Calbee]

Also, would I be able to reap the power gain benefits of the testpipe even If I don't currently have a tune on there ?

[dracolnyte]

aftermarket downpipes just tunes the sound, but without a resonator, it will sound very raw.

Also, would I be able to reap the power gain benefits of the testpipe even If I don't currently have a tune on there ?

yes

[TCHUN003]

Also, would I be able to reap the power gain benefits of the testpipe even If I don't currently have a tune on there ?

Hey Cris, the testpipe will allow the turbo to spool faster and let it breathe which will open up some power, but the difference won't be as prominent without a tune.

[Calbee]

aftermarket downpipes just tunes the sound, but without a resonator, it will sound very raw.



yes

i don't mind raw. i have heard resonated downpipes and it is way to quiet to my liking.

Hey Cris, the testpipe will allow the turbo to spool faster and let it breathe which will open up some power, but the difference won't be as prominent without a tune.

hey thomas. ahh i guess that will be still ok since i might get a tune down the line. im guessing i would need a spacer to bypass the code?

[Wah]

im guessing i would need a spacer to bypass the code?

If you were to go without an ungraded software tune, then yes.

[TCHUN003]

The spacer is a hit/miss, but usually doesn't work after xx miles

[AlexDD]

I just ordered a CTS testpipe, and and aFe air filter. I am trying to schedule the Stage II tune at APR HQ for this week. According to APRs website, with the tune it gets about 100 lb\ft of tq, and about 40HP over stock. The dyno was made with their RSC exhaust, which is with a HFC. According to Eurocode's testpipe and HFC, the difference between them is about 9lb\ft and 9hp. By adding 60 bucks for an aFe air filter, which does not get a bunch of performance, but lets ur engine breathe easier. Summing it up, I am expecting to get around 365 lb\ft and 255HP on 93 octane.
Can't wait to see the results after I get flashed, and the testpipe installed.

[Bonger]

I have the Goodspeed DP and their exhaust. Great spool (with some other supported turbo spool up mods) and nice sound. Since you're in Vancouver I would also agree on the test pipe optionsince you don't have to worry about strict smog restrictions like here in Cali (assuming you don't anyways). It might run a little more rich though I think and so you will have a little more exhaust smell and possibly worse gas mileage (mainly due to heavier foot :)

My .02, I love my APR Stage 2 tune but I would really be happy with a bigger turbo and some serious heat management (i.e., ceramic coating and a wrap of the turbo and DP). The stocker glows red after a "little" spirited driving.

[nikatrel]

I went with Eurocode catless DP, its bee great. I thermal coated it and heat wrapped it before install. With regards to the 02 sensor problem I had this as well, and nothing worked to fix it minus chipping to APR stage II. I used the stratmosphere in conjunction with additional 02 spacers, got the light every time.

[Excelerate]

As mentioned it really depends on what you mean by a downpipe. AWE sells a downpipe that bolts up to the stock cat. APR sells a downpipe that replaces the cat. If you want sound get the AWE DP; if you want power get the APR DP.

[nikatrel]

The little bit of power is not worth the $800 price tag for a DP. Again, Eurocode gets the job done at the most reasonable price; I would suggest adding some heat wrap and sealant, about $100 extra total in addition to the $180 DP itself, way cheaper and gets done what you need done, removing the cat. Get APR if you want an exhaust.

[Calbee]

The little bit of power is not worth the $800 price tag for a DP. Again, Eurocode gets the job done at the most reasonable price; I would suggest adding some heat wrap and sealant, about $100 extra total in addition to the $180 DP itself, way cheaper and gets done what you need done, removing the cat. Get APR if you want an exhaust.

hows the sound on the EC DP? i don't remember seeing a DP for our cars on their site

[lv2spd]

DOes the downpipe lit up engine check sinc emore air more air passing through...

[Liquid Smoke]

DOes the downpipe lit up engine check sinc emore air more air passing through...

i could be wrong, but remember reading it somewhere. with the pipe that replaces the cat it does throw a CEL on stock if you're not chipped, so it's recommended if you're on stage 1/2

(or it might just be the HFC and not downpipe? i'm prob mixing up the two)

[BOONEAUDI]

Since only the HFC comes with a down pipe that deletes the 1st resonator and has a larger diameter than the stock down pipe, what do yall think about Testpipe then a custom 3 inch pipe to the mid resonator. This would be strictly for sound. What are your thoughts?

[BOONEAUDI]

bump

[fidelcashflo]

Does anyone know if AWE can make a NON-resonated downpipe for an A4? On their website they only offer a resonated downpipe but they offer Non-resonated downpipes for the S4. Why would they only offer a resonated DP for the A4? I've been reading that the resonated DP for an A4 doesnt add much sound, it only mellows the exhaust at annoying drones.

[A4 Centaur]

Is it the 4 Cylinder exhaust pulses?

[fidelcashflo]

Is it the 4 Cylinder exhaust pulses?

You mean is the res dp for the 4 cylinder pulses?


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