I bought the cheap eBay Exhaust

[98A4TurboAWD]

I thought that adding the hi flo cat and downpipe I would be content with the sound, but with the stock catback it sounded pretty bad. It's very "rattly" so I decided I wanted a catback, but didn't want to spend the big money on a name brand system, which were all over $1000. I couldn't find anything that would support that going higher than 2.5" was necessary for more power. In fact, I found some research that showed going from 2.5" to 3" made no difference in power on a 400HP B8.

So I went to eBay and I found the DNA Motoring catback kit. I couldn't find much on this system for the B8, so I figured I'd be the guinea pig.

I paid $379 with free shipping for the DNA Motoring stainless steel system with the 3.5" slanted tail pipes. Some things I was worried about prior to purchasing was the install. Typically, cheap kits on eBay have hangers that don't line up, body clearance issues, etc...

The good news is that this system had none of these problems. The welds appeared to be very nice, the muffler and resonator had a beautiful finish and everything lined up perfectly. Even better, it doesn't rattle or make contact with the underbody.

Because I'm using the ECS hi flo cat and downpipe, I did not use the downpipe that came with this, and I had to slightly modify the slip fit end of the DNA pipe to fit the ECS coupler, but it was very simple and even with using the ECS downpipe, it lined up perfectly.

Below are some pictures of the install and a video showing before and after. It sucks, but the video with the stock muffler is much much louder. I don't know how I had it positioned for that video to get the sound right into the microphone, but I couldn't replicate it. However, the video still highlights how much smoother and clean the sound is on the DNA kit.


Nice welds:


Laying them out to see if there are any noticeable differences in the hangers.




Muffler:




Where the DNA meets up with the ECS coupler.


Resonator:


And the downpipe that I do not need. If anybody needs one, I am near Charleston, SC.

[Spawne32]

Doesn't sound half bad in the vid, take some vids of it going down the road, id be curious to see if it sounds like the car has explosive diarrhea.

[98A4TurboAWD]

Doesn't sound half bad in the vid, take some vids of it going down the road, id be curious to see if it sounds like the car has explosive diarrhea.

It doesn't sound half bad. Keep in mind, I am not a big fan of Borla/Corsa systems. They're way too loud for me. I use Magnaflow on my race car because it's a little tamer. I almost bought a 2014 S4 a few years ago with the Borla and it sounded amazing, but the level of the tone is just not for me.

This is before:


After:

[eljay]

It does look good, but isn't that aluminized steel tubing? The only SS I see are the mufflers.
I think the real test will be returning to this thread after a couple of Michigan winters.
Nice find.

[19birel]

Sounds like this is a good alternative to the pricier systems! Thanks for sharing!

[98A4TurboAWD]

It does look good, but isn't that aluminized steel tubing? The only SS I see are the mufflers.
I think the real test will be returning to this thread after a couple of Michigan winters.
Nice find.

It very much does not look like SS to me. That was my first thought when I opened it. However, the only documentation on it states that it is T304 SS. You are correct though, only time will tell.

I'm in South Carolina now, but we can still get some rust down here, so we'll see :)

[98A4TurboAWD]

Sounds like this is a good alternative to the pricier systems! Thanks for sharing!

I think it is. I have to say, I am extremely happy with the way that this system sounds in the cabin. It really sounds amazing.

[gmorales4]

reviving to check and see how did it hold up? how's the sound now?

I just bought a B8 S4 with straight pipes and custom exhaust with nothing stock and its blowing my ears off. Holy hell. Wondering how this catback worked out for you. Thanks

- - - Updated - - -

reviving to check and see how did it hold up? how's the sound now?

I just bought a B8 S4 with straight pipes and custom exhaust with nothing stock and its blowing my ears off. Holy hell. Wondering how this catback worked out for you. Thanks

[Thecatch83]

Gross