RS4 exhaust option explanations

[dualquad]

I am reading about exhaust upgrades but honestly I don't understand all of this resonator, catback, etc. talk :)

Is there a video that you know of that explains the types of exhausts and the pro/cons of each type?

I was watching this milltek exhaust video and it sounded great.

Ideally I would want something that:

1. can be very "calm" like the stock exhaust
2. when you press 'S', it gets fiesty.

I just don't want the issues of driving home late at night/early in the morning and causing pain to my neighbours.

Is this type of setup available?

[lucidmatt]

A few answers to your questions, and a few you didn't ask, as the entire system is worthy of explaining.

From exhaust valve to muffler tip, you have: Exhaust headers, these collect each of the 4 cylinders on each bank into the two common tailpipes. Nobody has come up with a more efficient design here than Audi, so nobody makes an aftermarket version. Followed by these are the downpipes. These have two catalytic converters in each, "cats" for emission regulations compliance. This is where the modding goes as far as. People either remove the "pre-cat's" aka making a "piggy pipe" to free up flow but still maintain "49 state compliance" (sorry CA). Or they replace the stock downpipes with either high flow cat pipes or catless test pipes. These both increase emissions and noise exponentially, but also exhaust flow as well... If you mess with the OEM downpipes, expect o2 sensor check engine lights unless you modify those further (of which there are a few options). Following the downpipes "cats" you get into the "cat-back" section, which the majority of folks modify. The OEM resonator sits in the middle of the car and tunes out raspiness and cabin drone. The exhaust flows from the resonator into the dual outlet mufflers with the valves. Some systems (My Tubi, for instance) only replaces these back mufflers and leaves everything else OEM. Basically at this point its for audio reasons and not for a maximum power mod.

Perhaps the best smile/dollar ratio, while keeping the valves, is the "ECS H-Pipe". This removes the resonator and maintains the rear mufflers. There are a few guys on here who have/had that mod and you can youtube the sounds. It would be the quietest option after stock, as the rear mufflers do most of the heavy duty sound deadening work. Other options for valved aftermarket area below:

Milltek (options from back mufflers only to full exhaust including downpipes, very common so there are lots of firsthand experiences and videos out there.)
Scorpion (England import, available in either cat-back or rear muffler only, less common but youtube videos do exist)
MTM (Most performance oriented valved system, 2.75" tubing size, I believe they even offer high flow downpipes too)
Capristo (LOUD, even with the valves closed, though by far the highest quality exhaust available for these cars. MTM is a close second.)
HMS (perhaps the loudest option I've heard, tied with Capristo, goes from volcanic eruption to earth tearing in two.)
JC Weldfab (new to market, not sure of availability in USA, sounds glorious)

[dsgray16]

What's your budget? as the options above vary wildly.. you can spend $1,500 or $5,000..

Sounds like the Tubi setup may be up your alley.

[lucidmatt]

Tubi is loud... but lovely. No valves though, which sounds like a big requirement here.

[dualquad]

Yes I want valves so I switch it on/off, that is important.

Not sure of budget as of yet, still researching if this is something I want. To be honest I always basically want to keep the S mode on currently, so I thought of improving on that.

In terms of performance, what does it realistically give you?

[your daddy]

mtm, or milltek. mtm is 2.75 valved.

[my_RS4]

Milltek. Valved... Sounds like it'll fit your bill. And lovely large ovals



Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[musanoadsaba]

What are your priorities? sound/performance/price....

[dualquad]

What are your priorities? sound/performance/price....

1. sporty sound, with ability to be very tame like stock sound when switch/valves are off.
2. price
3. performance

[JoeyManhattan]

I recommend MTM, they are a bit pricey but balance performance, sound, and quiet very well. I don't regret a single dollar.


2nd Mate Unlimited
MSC

[Skeee]

millek is a pretty popular choice by everyone since they retain the stock Oem look in the rear and they sound great. But the cost of the valve and a non valve system is significantly higher than the other, and most of us are always leaving the S mode on all the time. So why pay the extra buck if you leave the on anyways (just my 2 cent). I personally own a AWE tuning touring exhaust system paired with their high flow cat system and I think it sounds great to my taste. Less cabin drone and very subtle at low end but nice grumble at WOT. A friend of my owns a milltek valved unit and we both compare our exhaust system and he and I actually thought mine sounded better than his even when his valves are open. But the difference could have been is that I have high flow cat and he is running stock. I just wish that Awe still carries their oval tip option rather than the quad tip designed.

[kev311]

A few answers to your questions, and a few you didn't ask, as the entire system is worthy of explaining.

From exhaust valve to muffler tip, you have: Exhaust headers, these collect each of the 4 cylinders on each bank into the two common tailpipes. Nobody has come up with a more efficient design here than Audi, so nobody makes an aftermarket version. Followed by these are the downpipes. These have two catalytic converters in each, "cats" for emission regulations compliance. This is where the modding goes as far as. People either remove the "pre-cat's" aka making a "piggy pipe" to free up flow but still maintain "49 state compliance" (sorry CA). Or they replace the stock downpipes with either high flow cat pipes or catless test pipes. These both increase emissions and noise exponentially, but also exhaust flow as well... If you mess with the OEM downpipes, expect o2 sensor check engine lights unless you modify those further (of which there are a few options). Following the downpipes "cats" you get into the "cat-back" section, which the majority of folks modify. The OEM resonator sits in the middle of the car and tunes out raspiness and cabin drone. The exhaust flows from the resonator into the dual outlet mufflers with the valves. Some systems (My Tubi, for instance) only replaces these back mufflers and leaves everything else OEM. Basically at this point its for audio reasons and not for a maximum power mod.

Perhaps the best smile/dollar ratio, while keeping the valves, is the "ECS H-Pipe". This removes the resonator and maintains the rear mufflers. There are a few guys on here who have/had that mod and you can youtube the sounds. It would be the quietest option after stock, as the rear mufflers do most of the heavy duty sound deadening work. Other options for valved aftermarket area below:

Milltek (options from back mufflers only to full exhaust including downpipes, very common so there are lots of firsthand experiences and videos out there.)
Scorpion (England import, available in either cat-back or rear muffler only, less common but youtube videos do exist)
MTM (Most performance oriented valved system, 2.75" tubing size, I believe they even offer high flow downpipes too)
Capristo (LOUD, even with the valves closed, though by far the highest quality exhaust available for these cars. MTM is a close second.)
HMS (perhaps the loudest option I've heard, tied with Capristo, goes from volcanic eruption to earth tearing in two.)
JC Weldfab (new to market, not sure of availability in USA, sounds glorious)

I'm looking at the spintech mufflers, those sound really good imo and are easy on the wallet too. I will have to buy tips as well though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Audizine mobile app

[Gansel]

Have you looked into swapping in a H pipe with your stock system. Not the loudest but you get to keep the values and get a bit more grunt for low cost.

[slineb7]

Have you looked into swapping in a H pipe with your stock system. Not the loudest but you get to keep the values and get a bit more grunt for low cost.

Is there an audible difference between h and x pipes?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Skeee]

for what i understand is x pipe gives power/torque at higher rpm and h pipe on lower rpm.

X pipe will give you the best flow while the h pipe gives a even flow on both banks of the cylinders at a lower rpm and produces a muscle car exhaust note at a lower rpm.

[CazS4]

Delete the resonators, install x pipe, straight out the tail end with nice tips, call her a day.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Audizine mobile app

[CazS4]

And don't worry about the neighbors, they'll love it too.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Audizine mobile app

[slineb7]

Thanks Skeee and Caz


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[blubusdrvr]

Have you looked into swapping in a H pipe with your stock system. Not the loudest but you get to keep the values and get a bit more grunt for low cost.

This^^^
It sounds great and won't break the bank.