REVIEW - VPS pre-muffler/front resonators delete - B9/9.5 - S4/S5

[HiddenRide]

I ordered these from www.verstarkt.com
I emailed Tony directly as they are updating their site.

One word: “WOW”

What changed: Cutout 2 Front resonators ONLY, and replaced with kit. It leaves the large middle resonator and the rear mufflers intact.


Quality & Fitment: Amazing! They look like a factory upgrade. It’s literally 1 cut on each pipe towards the front, remove resonators, insert new pipes, apply new clamps upfront, then slide the rear into the oem clamps....that’s it! No rubbing.


Time to install: 20 minutes for a muffler place. Maybe 1 hour if you rent a saw and have a good lift/stands.

Why this VS welded straight pipes: I’m on lease. Since it’s clamped, it’s reversible and I can swap to stock in 5 minutes.


Why this VS an exhaust...3 reasons.
1. This was much cheaper. $225 and I’m sure I can resell IF I ever wanted to go to stock.

2. The subjective Sound: To me...it’s exactly what I was looking for. The V6T starts sounding “closer” to a V8. It’s tone is deeper, lots of burbles on throttle release, shifts don’t sound like raspy “farts” but more like aggressive “purrrrring.” I can definitely hear more air rushing through that it shifted most of the sound to the rear. The intake has a greater presence. I’m usually cruising in Dynamic D and it’s more subtle. It’s extremely fun to drive in MANUAL S mode to get super aggressive. As for drone, there really isn’t any. If I really had to be picky, then there is a hum sound in S around 82-85mph under load (going uphill) in 7th gear. At this speed I’m usually in D to hit 8th gear, and it sounds stock then.

3. I plan on doing a HighFlow Catted downpipe. “MOST” videos I’ve heard with a HFC DP paired to an aftermarket exhaust amplifies the raspiness including the “fart” noise upon shifts and drone for some. That’s not what I was aiming for. I’ve listened to so many variations. And I think I narrowed it down to the RedStar HFC paired to this!

Trust me when I say was in the same boat as many of you....Torn between Awe, miltek, borla, custom, resonated or not, oem sound enhancement, xpipe, mix this or that.

So hopefully this review will help “some” of you. Sound is subjective, and people want to achieve their perfect tone. I feel like I got mine 🙂

[SHCKR]

Sound clip?

B9S4 all packages

[Fabre80]

I ordered these from www.verstarkt.com
I emailed Tony directly as they are updating their site.

One word: “WOW”

What changed: Cutout 2 Front resonators ONLY, and replaced with kit. It leaves the large middle resonator and the rear mufflers intact.


Quality & Fitment: Amazing! They look like a factory upgrade. It’s literally 1 cut on each pipe towards the front, remove resonators, insert new pipes, apply new clamps upfront, then slide the rear into the oem clamps....that’s it! No rubbing.


Time to install: 20 minutes for a muffler place. Maybe 1 hour if you rent a saw and have a good lift/stands.

Why this VS welded straight pipes: I’m on lease. Since it’s clamped, it’s reversible and I can swap to stock in 5 minutes.


Why this VS an exhaust...3 reasons.
1. This was much cheaper. $225 and I’m sure I can resell IF I ever wanted to go to stock.

2. The subjective Sound: To me...it’s exactly what I was looking for. The V6T starts sounding “closer” to a V8. It’s tone is deeper, lots of burbles on throttle release, shifts don’t sound like raspy “farts” but more like aggressive “purrrrring.” I can definitely hear more air rushing through that it shifted most of the sound to the rear. The intake has a greater presence. I’m usually cruising in Dynamic D and it’s more subtle. It’s extremely fun to drive in MANUAL S mode to get super aggressive. As for drone, there really isn’t any. If I really had to be picky, then there is a hum sound in S around 82-85mph under load (going uphill) in 7th gear. At this speed I’m usually in D to hit 8th gear, and it sounds stock then.

3. I plan on doing a HighFlow Catted downpipe. “MOST” videos I’ve heard with a HFC DP paired to an aftermarket exhaust amplifies the raspiness including the “fart” noise upon shifts and drone for some. That’s not what I was aiming for. I’ve listened to so many variations. And I think I narrowed it down to the RedStar HFC paired to this!

Trust me when I say was in the same boat as many of you....Torn between Awe, miltek, borla, custom, resonated or not, oem sound enhancement, xpipe, mix this or that.

So hopefully this review will help “some” of you. Sound is subjective, and people want to achieve their perfect tone. I feel like I got mine

Great product had it done a few months ago and is worth the money.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[HiddenRide]

Sound clip?

B9S4 all packages

I’m not sure how to post any video clips, but search in YouTube VPS audi S5, you’ll find a good clip.

I do have a bunch of videos on my phone, but the microphone on the iPhone doesn’t pick up how good the sound really is

[YoYo]

[HiddenRide]

Thank you! That’s the one!

[HiddenRide]

Great product had it done a few months ago and is worth the money.

Do you have any other exhaust mods?

I’m leaning towards redstar HFC DP

[DreamTFK]

Do you have a direct link to the product page? I am on their site and can't seem to find it.

With that being said I am going to bookmark this thread. Want to put on my catalyst downpipe first and see how much sound that gets me. I don't want to go overboard.

- - - Updated - - -

Do you have any other exhaust mods?

I’m leaning towards redstar HFC DP

Pretty sure the guys in the video above also recorded a video of installing the Redstar HFC on his S5. Check out their channel.

[HiddenRide]

Do you have a direct link to the product page? I am on their site and can't seem to find it.

With that being said I am going to bookmark this thread. Want to put on my catalyst downpipe first and see how much sound that gets me. I don't want to go overboard.

- - - Updated - - -

Pretty sure the guys in the video above also recorded a video of installing the Redstar HFC on his S5. Check out their channel.

I ordered directly from [email protected]
He’s the ceo and he mentioned they’re updating their website. Since I’ve posted on multiple threads, many people reached out to me and said they have ordered and installed the kit and loved it.

I’ve watched the redstar HFC video you’re talking about many times and I’m looking forward to it purchasing it later. I don’t think it’ll be too overboard with both that and this kit.

Let me know how the catted DP is with the rest of the exhaust being stock.

[Wallyevolution]

Nice write up and video!

Is this more advantageous than a center X-type? Similar to the ECS one?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...024365ecs01kt/

Could you or would you install both?

[DreamTFK]

I ordered directly from [email protected]
He’s the ceo and he mentioned they’re updating their website. Since I’ve posted on multiple threads, many people reached out to me and said they have ordered and installed the kit and loved it.

I’ve watched the redstar HFC video you’re talking about many times and I’m looking forward to it purchasing it later. I don’t think it’ll be too overboard with both that and this kit.

Let me know how the catted DP is with the rest of the exhaust being stock.

Gotcha. I should have clarified, I am going with the catless solution from Carbnlab. I live in Florida so I can do it.

I am anticipating that to give me a nice bump in sound so nothing else may be required.

[HiddenRide]

Nice write up and video!

Is this more advantageous than a center X-type? Similar to the ECS one?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...024365ecs01kt/

Could you or would you install both?

The xpipe removes the large center resonator.
VPS Kit only removes the front resonators.

I was considering an xpipe prior to this, but after reading many threads and watching many videos, I realized that the xpipe tends to generate “Subjective” drone when paired to a high flow catted downpipe and/or aftermarket exhaust. There are “some” people that straight pipe into an xpipe and say they are happy, but “some” say that it’s too much drone and it changes the characteristics of the sound to unfavorable. There’s a reason Audi made the large center resonator. So I don’t plan on doing that as the VPS kit going into an xpipe would be the same result.

After the install of the VPS kit, IÂ’m completely content without buying an exhaust now for sound, price, ease of install, and reversibility.
I intend to do a HFC DP and thatÂ’ll complete my exhaust satisfaction

[HiddenRide]

Gotcha. I should have clarified, I am going with the catless solution from Carbnlab. I live in Florida so I can do it.

I am anticipating that to give me a nice bump in sound so nothing else may be required.

I am curious what the sound characteristics are between the catted and a high flow cat downpipe ...especially with this kit

[SHCKR]

Gotcha. I should have clarified, I am going with the catless solution from Carbnlab. I live in Florida so I can do it.

I am anticipating that to give me a nice bump in sound so nothing else may be required.

I got both on the way (well, the DP is somewhere in China, I assume...), so I can do a sound comparison to you when both get installed

B9S4 all packages

[subaruski]

Does the ECS X pipe have a crossover in the middle?

Nice write up and video!

Is this more advantageous than a center X-type? Similar to the ECS one?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...024365ecs01kt/

Could you or would you install both?

[SHCKR]

Adding another install guide (double post from the S5 forums):

As promised, here is how my install went:

Received the product about two weeks after ordering:







Jacked up the car:



Got my trusty shop light and creeper:



Here are some before pictures:





Used bungee cords to line-up the VPS pipes to test the fit:

















Marked the cut lines while the pipe was suspended by bungee cords, however you can just cut in line with the torx screw which is retaining the underside shield. It lined up perfectly with it on both driver and passenger sides:





Removed the factory clamps in the back, and slid them towards the rear of the vehicle. Make sure to loosen them all the way, as you will want the extra room later not to smear the sealant when sliding them back on. It's a 13 mm nut.







Used the exhaust cutter rented from Advance Auto Parts to make the cuts on both sides:









Filed the rough edges:



Removed the driver side exhaust clamp, and replaced the bolts with the ones from VPS, which came with a spacer to lower the bracket for some clearance from the vehicle. The factory bolts are 10mm triple square, the VPS ones are 6mm allen.









Applied the provided sealant to both ends of both pieces of the new pipe, and the factory ends as well. I find it funny that it's stove and gasket cement, not exhaust RTV... We'll see how it holds up. It's fairly viscous, but mine did dry up on the factory pipes much faster than on the VPS pieces. No rush, however, I would say working time is at least 30 minutes after application.











Slipped the provided VPS clamps on the forward end of the factory pipe, then inserted the VPS pipe, then lined up the rear end, and slid the factory clamp forward to connect the rear:









Twisted the VPS pipe until I found it to have the most ground clearance, then lined up the clamp bolts in a way that positions them the furthest away from the vehicle body, and tightened using 13mm rear, 17mm front. I did not torque them, but went as tight as I could with a 3/8 drive ratchet. I did not feel the need for the 1/2" drive or the torque wrench. If a leak ever develops, I'll reassess.







And there you have it:





The only thing I did after this, was first get back under there, and wipe off the excess sealant. I then let it sit for about 30 min while I put all the tools away. I then started up the car and immediately, while the exhaust is cold, felt around all the clamps with my bare hand for any leaks. I had a massive air leak on the driver side, from the front of the clamp. I loosened the clamp, slid it forward about 3/4 of an inch, tightened it back up, and tested again, all good.

Altogether, I think it took me just under two hours, would have been much faster if I didn't have to de-glove and take pictures every few minutes. All in all, super easy, but to be honest, if like some of the other people have said, an exhaust shop can install for $100, by the time you go and rent an exhaust cutter (or you can buy one online for like $30), jack up the car, and have to crawl under there 30 times, regardless how good your creeper is, and then drop the car and go and return the rental tool....it would probably have been easier to just get an exhaust shop to do it. If you have quickjacks or a lift, would be much faster. But I like working on my own vehicle, and don't really trust other people to work on it unless I have to, so yeah...

[SHCKR]

I have some sound clips posted in the below link. In each video, I start the vehicle cold (ish), then rev and hold at 2000 RPM to simulate highway driving. I then rev a few times from 2K to 4K, then let it drop, and rev again from idle to 4-5K.

Dynamic stock - max dB 96.3 (video length 1.40, top left)
Comfort stock - max dB 81.3 (video length 1.09, top right)

Dynamic VPS - max dB 85.6 (video length 0.59, bottom left)
Comfort VPS - max dB 79.8 (video length 0.50, bottom right)

Not sure why the numbers are what they are (quieter with VPS), and not sure why I got a lot more backfire with the stock system, but there you have it. Maybe because I had the phone a tad further back from the car? I haven't driven the vehicle yet, so I can't speak for how it sounds while driving, but it does sound meaner while parked. Maybe not louder according to my phone decibel meter, but definitely deeper.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fMgKjkszem4s9nqw7

[nicob]

Thanks very much! I’ll be using hour guide in a couple of weeks.

[gapband]

I have some sound clips posted in the below link. In each video, I start the vehicle cold (ish), then rev and hold at 2000 RPM to simulate highway driving. I then rev a few times from 2K to 4K, then let it drop, and rev again from idle to 4-5K.

Dynamic stock - max dB 96.3 (video length 1.40, top left)
Comfort stock - max dB 81.3 (video length 1.09, top right)

Dynamic VPS - max dB 85.6 (video length 0.59, bottom left)
Comfort VPS - max dB 79.8 (video length 0.50, bottom right)

Not sure why the numbers are what they are (quieter with VPS), and not sure why I got a lot more backfire with the stock system, but there you have it. Maybe because I had the phone a tad further back from the car? I haven't driven the vehicle yet, so I can't speak for how it sounds while driving, but it does sound meaner while parked. Maybe not louder according to my phone decibel meter, but definitely deeper.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fMgKjkszem4s9nqw7

Your findings suggest that this delete may benefit those who dislike the crackles. However, that's a deal-breaker for me. I'm interested to see what you think after a few drives. Thanks for the write up!

[SHCKR]

Your findings suggest that this delete may benefit those who dislike the crackles. However, that's a deal-breaker for me. I'm interested to see what you think after a few drives. Thanks for the write up!

I posted a first driving impression on the "what have you done today" S4 forum, couldn't really test for crackles as it's negative 14 and snow/ice all over the roads. When it clears up I'll do some full throttle fun.

B9S4 all packages

[nicob]

Thanks very much! I’ll be using hour guide in a couple of weeks.

*your

[HiddenRide]

Does the ECS X pipe have a crossover in the middle?

Met one person that combined both vps and xpipe...and they said drone was too much. He had to dynamat a lot of the trunk area to help.

As mentioned, the removal of the Giant center resonator changes sound characteristics depending on additional exhaust pieces you throw at it.

[HiddenRide]

Great job on the tutorial. I would’ve also done this myself if I was patient and had all the tools ready to go lol!

I will say, after a good week of settling in, my pops and burbles were much more pronounced when driving and the sound is substantially louder than oem exhaust. I’m not sure why the dB meter is that low. When I revd my engine in stock form, I didn’t have pops like your video had. Now with the vps, pops are on shifts and release of throttle...and I love it

Jump on the b9 S4 groups on FB and you’ll see some great videos of the vps kit.

[HiddenRide]

Your findings suggest that this delete may benefit those who dislike the crackles. However, that's a deal-breaker for me. I'm interested to see what you think after a few drives. Thanks for the write up!

The pops are clearly present for me with this kit. They’re awesome

[SHCKR]

Great job on the tutorial. I would’ve also done this myself if I was patient and had all the tools ready to go lol!

I will say, after a good week of settling in, my pops and burbles were much more pronounced when driving and the sound is substantially louder than oem exhaust. I’m not sure why the dB meter is that low. When I revd my engine in stock form, I didn’t have pops like your video had. Now with the vps, pops are on shifts and release of throttle...and I love it

Jump on the b9 S4 groups on FB and you’ll see some great videos of the vps kit.

I don't have FB

B9S4 all packages

[SHCKR]

I am curious what the sound characteristics are between the catted and a high flow cat downpipe ...especially with this kit

You can see my videos for what it sounds like with decat DP. It was too much for me. The kit is now posted in the classifieds.

[nicob]

It may be a stupid question, but what adverse effects may produce removing only one of the front resonators?

I’m thinking that keeping the resonator on the side that’s always open (valve wise) can keep the volume stock when in comfort and enjoy a louder car when in dynamic or WOT.

[SHCKR]

It may be a stupid question, but what adverse effects may produce removing only one of the front resonators?

I’m thinking that keeping the resonator on the side that’s always open (valve wise) can keep the volume stock when in comfort and enjoy a louder car when in dynamic or WOT.

the benefit of the kit is not gonna be that noticeable if you only install one. See my sound clips above, even both doing make that drastic of a difference.

As far as effects, just slight sound increase, not necessary adverse, just the intended feature of this kit. I don't think you'll see uneven back pressure or anything like that

[nicob]

I see, but as I read you not liking the loudness with a decat downpipe, you may reinstall just one resonator?

[SHCKR]

I see, but as I read you not liking the loudness with a decat downpipe, you may reinstall just one resonator?

I already got both welded back on

[BaggedB9S4]

Anyone have issues with the stock exhaust valves rattling? I have the ecs x pipe and now have an annoying rattle

[INS4NE_B9]

Anyone have issues with the stock exhaust valves rattling? I have the ecs x pipe and now have an annoying rattle

It's a common issue. Does anyone know of a writeup on how to stretch the springs?

[awdconnor]

Wondering if someone can help me out. I’m getting vibrations from the exhaust hanger and no matter what way I rotate the pipe, I cannot get it to stay away from it.

Some sources say I don’t need the spacers but these do not have the flat spot as some have said in there DIYs. It gets very close to the heat shielding under the car without them.

I’ve adjusted about 4 times now and can’t seem to get it right. I’m a bit close to having a shop look at em but something this simple shouldn’t need that.

Seems my kit is different than most...
This is the farthest I’ve gotten it




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zwitterion]

Wondering if someone can help me out. I’m getting vibrations from the exhaust hanger and no matter what way I rotate the pipe, I cannot get it to stay away from it.

Some sources say I don’t need the spacers but these do not have the flat spot as some have said in there DIYs. It gets very close to the heat shielding under the car without them.

I’ve adjusted about 4 times now and can’t seem to get it right. I’m a bit close to having a shop look at em but something this simple shouldn’t need that.

Seems my kit is different than most...
This is the farthest I’ve gotten it




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey,

I installed my VPS Kit yesterday on my AUDI S4 B9 and i have the same problem (with the passenger side).
Driver side is perfect but on passenger side the pipe push the silent block and touch the aluminium support. ( exactly like your picture)

I'm looking for a solution, maybe i will email Tony.

[njavier03]

Hey,

I installed my VPS Kit yesterday on my AUDI S4 B9 and i have the same problem (with the passenger side).
Driver side is perfect but on passenger side the pipe push the silent block and touch the aluminium support. ( exactly like your picture)

I'm looking for a solution, maybe i will email Tony.

were you able to get a resolution?

[awdconnor]

Seems like there is a left and right with these pipes.

What i did was TONS of rotating before i got a better tolerance for the hanger. It honestly might still be rubbing tho, as i still have a decent amount of drone/vibrations around the 2k-2500 rpm range.

Your kit should have spacers for that hanger, ive tried with and without and i found that the spacers included, were a bit too tall for me. So i just used a couple washers i had laying around on the back side. The car will be in the air in the next week or so. Ill try to take some photos of it before.

Another idea i had was notching the holes for the stock hanger. Allowing it to slide more left or right and allow for more room.

Also, the spacers i got were plastic and not cut straight. so in order to even use them i had to sand them down flat. But even then, still didnt work.


Seems there are a few different variations of this kit. Ive seen them with metal spacers, plastic spacers, larger diameter piping. I didnt even get the exhaust paste to seal a leak. That was a fun weekend of "wtf is going on and why does my car sound like tweety bird when i get off the throttle."

IMO, i would just take it to an exhaust shop and have them figure it out. I crawled under the car more times than i can remember... Mind you, i am mechanically inclined and this seems to be an easy task. But IMO i think a little more RND needs to be done on the kit.

[SHCKR]

Have these changed? When first released, they fit perfect (see my install above). Is it the VPS or newer B9.5's?

[awdconnor]

Have these changed? When first released, they fit perfect (see my install above). Is it the VPS or newer B9.5's?

They have changed.

The pipe diameter is smaller. No need to space the tunnel brace or have the flat spot on the driver side.

[Zwitterion]

were you able to get a resolution?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ih23yu3es...CipxokBOa?dl=0

I cut the support with a dremel. I tried to bend the tube but it's impossible.
The support cost 20$ to return to the stock.
0 vibration now, I'm so happy. :)

[njavier03]

just had a shop install the VPS res delete today. they charged me for an hour of labor, which is what i expected. i could've done it myself, but i was too lazy to rent/buy an exhaust cutter, jack the car up, etc.

it sounds great, and is exactly what i was looking for. however, on start up (cold) it does sound a little rough and there's a slight churning sound for just a moment as the RPMs drop to idle. i didnt notice that with the resonators, so i'm wondering if anyone has experienced the same. there is also a slight vibration and "roughness" as i start my drive. it goes away after a few minutes. i assume its just the pipes warming up? i dont smell any fumes in the garage or in the cabin, so i dont think i have a leak. maybe this is just normal behavior since the resonators were right beneath the center console.

anyway, i highly recommend the VPS kit for anyone that wants a bit more sound and bass in their exhaust, without having to go with a full exhaust or DP.