How to make my S4 louder ?

**Crusty128** · 11-12-2013 08:33 PM

Hi folks !

I just purchased a reaaaaaally nice and rare S4 b6 Avant 6MT, red, with a nice black leather/white alcantara interior.

I 've already had a magnaflow catback installed by a muffler shop (bought used but in pretty nice condition). It is the 16586 system that includes an X-pipe, resonators and mufflers.

I find it waaaay too quiet for me. This is weird to say but it has a too deep tone at low rpm that I don't like, and when you step on it in 2nd, 3rd or 4th, you almost don't hear any difference between stock and modified...

Should I wait to see the difference when I'll put full catless downpipes before doing anything? or do you advise me to replace the last mufflers by something else ?

The kind of sound I like is the F.I sound. I had a DEAL on my catback (550$ and like brand new) I could not refuse but am a bit disappointed.

On this video, I like the 2nd car (what could be my setup), I LOVE (j*zz in my pants) the 3rd one, and don't like the 4th car. no opinion on the 1st one

Thank you for your feedback !

Crapy iphone pic

**A4 Quattro** · 11-12-2013 08:40 PM

Need to be louder? Install some whistle tips of course!

Please don't do it.

**speedydragon** · 11-12-2013 08:48 PM

remove the mid resonators. And/or piggies.

**Grimkreg** · 11-12-2013 08:50 PM

My car has the F.I cat back exhaust that JHM sells and the piggies they sell and you can hear me going over and past a hill from my house. Even in low gears just going pretty easy you can hear me, my dad knew when I pulled into the hospital roads when he was waiting outside for me. Also have had friends comment about hearing when I would pull out from school. Bought the car like this so I can only comment on how it sounds now(pretty dang nice), go with the DP's and see how you like the sound. If unhappy after DP's take resonators out(believe this makes it louder) or see if you can not take that big of a hit and sell the current pipes and go over to what JHM offers, you will defiantly be happy. Their tune is also amazing btw (for future reference)=]

**Clun9** · 11-12-2013 09:16 PM

Have you been driving with your windows up or down? Haha

**Crusty128** · 11-12-2013 09:19 PM

Lol, don't change a lot, it really quiet ...:(

Thanks for your reactivity guys !

Do someone know if textruk still does and sells DP ?

**Audi_** · 11-12-2013 10:32 PM

Delete rear mufflers.

**cmd4** · 11-13-2013 04:40 AM

Running magnaflow my self on my avant and it seemed a tad to tame at first....but once broken in about perfect.Also if your going to do downpipes that'll wake it up some too!

**Crusty128** · 11-13-2013 04:41 AM

Do you mean you run the whole cat back as me or just magnaflow mufflers ?

The thing is mine has been bought used, so it has already broken in...

**Slow4** · 11-13-2013 05:07 AM

I have a set of fully gutted piggies if you want to buy them....

**Crusty128** · 11-13-2013 05:09 AM

Thank you but I would prefer 2.5" DP :-)

**dparm** · 11-13-2013 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by A4 Quattro

Need to be louder? Install some whistle tips of course!

In all seriousness, piggies and high-flow cats will make it louder.

**Slow4** · 11-13-2013 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by Crusty128

Thank you but I would prefer 2.5" DP :-)

Contrary to belief, HFCs and Catless DPs DO NOT make your car louder.

You want loud, go get a four banger.
You want raspy growl, gutted/piggied OEM DPs.
You want throaty V8, HFC or catless DPs
You want annoying AAAARGH, delete CB and run catless DPs/piggies

**dparm** · 11-13-2013 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by Slow4

Contrary to belief, HFCs and Catless DPs DO NOT make your car louder.

Depends on the type of cat. The smaller spun-body designs typically make a car louder.

**Slow4** · 11-13-2013 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by dparm

Depends on the type of cat. The smaller spun-body designs typically make a car louder.

Well ya, you fabricate a 2.5" straightpipes to an H or X pipe connect with no muffler, it's gonna scream.

I'm just going off my experience going from fully gutted piggies to catless DPs on my X-pipe FIs; the note is different and the volume drops until WOT. My Avant didn't necessarily get "louder" when I went bigger, it got "refined".

I highly doubt OP is going to go WOT through traffic or parking lots with HFC/Catless DPs.

**Axel-** · 11-13-2013 06:12 AM

I have the Magnaflow CB and catless DPs and it's quite loud (albeit not obnoxiously loud). Maybe just get catless DPs? All of my friends know I've arrived as they can always here me parking in the street from inside their houses lol

**ABT B7** · 11-13-2013 07:39 AM

DP or headers would make it loud

**Crusty128** · 11-13-2013 11:41 AM

Good that's what I wanted to know!

Can I go catless with spacers (to avoid CEL) before going JHM tuned?

**Baggio** · 11-13-2013 12:29 PM

Open headers or exhaust cutout! Lol!

**Axel-** · 11-13-2013 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty128

Good that's what I wanted to know!

Can I go catless with spacers (to avoid CEL) before going JHM tuned?

Yes. I believe you can.

**Clun9** · 11-13-2013 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Slow4

I have a set of fully gutted piggies if you want to buy them....

How much?

**MidwestB6** · 11-13-2013 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty128

Good that's what I wanted to know!

Can I go catless with spacers (to avoid CEL) before going JHM tuned?

I have piggies without being tuned, no issues with CEL. It came up once a few days after I did them, I cleared it, hasn't come back since. Been without a CEL for just over two months.

**ladiesgod** · 11-13-2013 01:49 PM

Are all the suggestions mentioned here within emission standards?
Asking because I'm a newbster to all this stuff and would like to know how far I can go without having to remove things just to pass emissions!

**MidwestB6** · 11-13-2013 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by ladiesgod

Are all the suggestions mentioned here within emission standards?
Asking because I'm a newbster to all this stuff and would like to know how far I can go without having to remove things just to pass emissions!

JHM is located in California, they'd be good to call for more information. That's why piggies and tune are a big thing for a lot of people. You can still pass anywhere(as far as I know) with piggies and tune.

**Baggio** · 11-13-2013 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by MidwestB6

JHM is located in California, they'd be good to call for more information. That's why piggies and tune are a big thing for a lot of people. You can still pass anywhere(as far as I know) with piggies and tune.

Except for maybe Massachusetts. Their OBDII computer check for emissions can detect tunes or non-factory tunes on cars and can fail you on that alone. I think someone on here with JHM tune failed. I am not sure if it was for the tune or not.

**RemusUSA** · 11-13-2013 02:34 PM

still too quiet

**Clun9** · 11-13-2013 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Baggio

Except for maybe Massachusetts. Their OBDII computer check for emissions can detect tunes or non-factory tunes on cars and can fail you on that alone. I think someone on here with JHM tune failed. I am not sure if it was for the tune or not.

CA Smog is actually far more strict than any other state in the US. Being a Bostonian that has been transplanted to CA, I can see the difference in emissions/registration.

**Baggio** · 11-13-2013 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Clun9

CA Smog is actually far more strict than any other state in the US. Being a Bostonian that has been transplanted to CA, I can see the difference in emissions/registration.

I know a guy with a Mustang Cobra in Boston failed because of an aftermarket tune the computer found when plugged into the OBDII port. In Cali, the smog guys get you on the visuals or if your aftermarket parts don't have a smog number.

**Crusty128** · 11-13-2013 03:30 PM

I live in Québec, Canada, and there is no smog test.

**QIKRNU** · 11-13-2013 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty128

I live in Québec, Canada, and there is no smog test.

FTW. YESSS!!

**MidwestB6** · 11-13-2013 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty128

I live in Québec, Canada, and there is no smog test.

Then you, like me, have nothing to worry about with getting rid of cats(except for smell). Easy and free, no reason to at least get rid of the pre-cat.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...n-Piggies)-FAQ

**Clun9** · 11-13-2013 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Baggio

I know a guy with a Mustang Cobra in Boston failed because of an aftermarket tune the computer found when plugged into the OBDII port. In Cali, the smog guys get you on the visuals or if your aftermarket parts don't have a smog number.

It is both OBDII and visual as part of the AB 2289 Smog Law which went into effect 1/1/13

**gcoy** · 11-13-2013 04:16 PM

This is my experience and opinion.

When I had all four OEM cats gutted the the car sounded throaty, raspy, almost a "USA hot rod", tone. (& very stinky w windows down) :(

Now I have down pipes with high flow cats. The car sounds refined and more "European sports-car".. (+Bonus,,, no stink!!) :)

both with X-pipe & Labree cat back...

**Baggio** · 11-13-2013 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Clun9

It is both OBDII and visual as part of the AB 2289 Smog Law which went into effect 1/1/13

Do you know how they detect non-factory tunes in Mass.?

**mistral cytz** · 11-13-2013 06:49 PM

I was in the same situation as of yesterday!

I bought a B7 S4 2 weeks ago and bought the exact same magnaflow exhaust since I found one local to me that was hardly used for a great price. Anyways, same story as the OP, put it on in my driveway the next day and fired it up confused and disappointed at how quiet it was,(basically deeper but maybe even less volume than even the OEM exhaust) I liked the deeper tone but even with the windows down I was pretty let down. I thought it would turn my cars exhaust into the sound of a Mercedes C63 AMG black edition haha nope..

I did notice slightly better gas mileage on the highway though and knew my car was breathing better but otherwise the magnaflow wasn't enough.

Anyways, had only my pre cats removed yesterday to make piggie pipes and moved the 02s behind the main cats and the car sounds awesome! The deep tone of the magnaflow is now increased and sounds richer, plus the car makes noise in different frequencies all over the rev band instead of just the deep hum down low below 2k with only the magnaflow. I had my windows down and can really hear it now and also notice people staring at my car.

For me, the magnaflow is now the perfect catback, but it MUST be accompanied with the pre cats gutted. It's the perfect sound and volume in my opinion and I've owned many cars with catbacks and turbo back exhausts. This is my first v8 and man do I love it!!!

**65vetteC6** · 11-13-2013 07:30 PM

Does that car happen to have a salvage/flood title?

**Clun9** · 11-13-2013 07:49 PM

I don't actually.
But I never had an issue with a non factory tune with my 337 in MA. I was running a K04 also instead of a K03 as well.

**Crusty128** · 11-14-2013 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by mistral cytz

I was in the same situation as of yesterday!

I bought a B7 S4 2 weeks ago and bought the exact same magnaflow exhaust since I found one local to me that was hardly used for a great price. Anyways, same story as the OP, put it on in my driveway the next day and fired it up confused and disappointed at how quiet it was,(basically deeper but maybe even less volume than even the OEM exhaust) I liked the deeper tone but even with the windows down I was pretty let down. I thought it would turn my cars exhaust into the sound of a Mercedes C63 AMG black edition haha nope..

I did notice slightly better gas mileage on the highway though and knew my car was breathing better but otherwise the magnaflow wasn't enough.

Anyways, had only my pre cats removed yesterday to make piggie pipes and moved the 02s behind the main cats and the car sounds awesome! The deep tone of the magnaflow is now increased and sounds richer, plus the car makes noise in different frequencies all over the rev band instead of just the deep hum down low below 2k with only the magnaflow. I had my windows down and can really hear it now and also notice people staring at my car.

For me, the magnaflow is now the perfect catback, but it MUST be accompanied with the pre cats gutted. It's the perfect sound and volume in my opinion and I've owned many cars with catbacks and turbo back exhausts. This is my first v8 and man do I love it!!!

Gooooood ! thumbs up buddy ;)

How much did it cost you to have your precats gutted and how many times did it take ?

PS: i would LOOOOVE to hear it on a quick youtube video ! or you could send it directly to me at [email protected]

cheers

**mistral cytz** · 11-14-2013 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Crusty128

Gooooood ! thumbs up buddy ;)

How much did it cost you to have your precats gutted and how many times did it take ?

PS: i would LOOOOVE to hear it on a quick youtube video ! or you could send it directly to me at [email protected]

cheers

I had a custom exhaust shop do it for me here in Toronto and the guy had done a few sets of piggie pipes before and drives an Audi A4 B6 so knew the cars.

It only took him 4 hours and I paid $500 cash. Rather than gut the cats which can be tough since they are metallic, he just cut both pre cats right out and welded a straight pipe back in their place. He said this way would help reduce any drone and would also prevent some turbulent flow since the stock pre cats expand and then constrict again before piping down to the main cats. He just moved the 02 sensors JHM style to behind the main cats and no CEL and emission test issues at all.

I'm sure most shops would rather not cut out the entire cat since it can be harder to weld replacement pipes in but this place builds customs headers and full exhausts and this guy new how to weld really well, so it saved him time and me money, plus it may actually make the exhaust flow better and a tad more power?

I haven't made a video yet, but it's usually the kind of thing you must hear in person. My friend has 2.5 downpipes with HFCs and he says he didn't get much sound difference between them and piggie pipes that he had on before. He says the power difference is very minimal between the after market downpipes and properly done piggies.

Besides sound, the OEM pipes with the pre cats removed can be a good preventive maintenance technique since it lowers the EGT and greatly helps reduce piston damage since the pre cats hold tons of heat! Both my pre cats were pretty clogged up looking and my car only has 77k kms. I can really feel my motor rev freely now and the sound is perfect for me!

I'll let you know when I make a video.