Better modification - Downpipes vs. cat back exhaust system?

[Garyn06]

Confused and don't want to break the bank. I have a 2018 Audi S7 and so far the only modification I've made has been the CTS Turbo Intake. My car came with the Sport exhaust which has the different valve settings and as much as I like it, I think I'd prefer some more growl. I would also like more throttle response and I'm not looking to do any tunes at the moment because I purchased the warranty from Audi and don't want to void anything. So, with that said, would I benefit more from a downpipe upgrade (catted or catless) or an exhaust system?

Because of price, I was looking at the CTS Turbo downpipe if I went that route and for the exhaust I was looking at AWE Track Exhaust. It's hard to listen to the differences from YouTube videos because of different cameral quality...etc. So I'm open to any and all feedback.

[xutmc]

Check out RedStar... They make both cat and catless.

[Garyn06]

Check out RedStar... They make both cat and catless.

I did look at them before and forgot to mention it. xutmc, would you do a DP over a cat-back exhaust? Better sound / more bang for buck?

[xutmc]

I have the catless and love it... loud when i want her to be.... and has a nice growl when im just driving around town... the pops and bangs are neck breakers.

[Garyn06]

I have the catless and love it... loud when i want her to be.... and has a nice growl when im just driving around town... the pops and bangs are neck breakers.

Do you have an aftermarket exhaust paired with it or just the Redstar DP with the Audi factory Sport exhaust?

[VinnysS4]

I have a 2015 s6 with catless downpipes. If you're looking for sound, get the cat back. If you want a few ponies, get catless downpipes. The car is noticeably louder with catless downpipes, but not enough for my liking. It's still too quiet.

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[EdSawyer]

I have a 2016 S7 with factory sport exhaust. both sets of resonators were removed and an x-pipe put in place. Stock downpipes. Plenty of growl and pops/bangs when wanted (downshifts/throttle overrun), so that's another option to consider too.

[Garyn06]

I have a 2015 s6 with catless downpipes. If you're looking for sound, get the cat back. If you want a few ponies, get catless downpipes. The car is noticeably louder with catless downpipes, but not enough for my liking. It's still too quiet.

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Awesome input, thank you. How about throttle response, any noticeable difference when you put the DPs?

- - - Updated - - -

I have a 2016 S7 with factory sport exhaust. both sets of resonators were removed and an x-pipe put in place. Stock downpipes. Plenty of growl and pops/bangs when wanted (downshifts/throttle overrun), so that's another option to consider too.

I'd like to just modify what I have in place factory Sport exhaust with electronic valves, but I was told any cutting of the exhaust would void my extended warranty, which is why I'm looking at actual bolt on replacements.

[brad281]

If you're not going to tune the car, just get a cat back exhaust.

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[Garyn06]

Thanks, that’s what I started leaning to because I saw most people suggest a tune once they have aftermarket downpipes and I know Audi will flag the car if there is a tube.


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[09S5]

I have a 17 s7 with sport exhaust.
I went with a ECS tuning x pipe and CTS intake and a sprintbooster throttle controller.
I swear the car feels like a stage 1 in my mind
Super quick.
So quick I took on a Hellcat Charger on a nice stretch of the road for about 5 mile run and let me tell you I was in front for a few seconds until he decided to show me he was King of the road. Those cars are a straight line beast. It was a fun day.

Plus I'm on a cpo warranty .


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[Alabama]

I'm not looking to do any tunes at the moment because I purchased the warranty from Audi and don't want to void anything.

Others will correct me if I'm wrong. The owner may change a cat back exhaust system without affecting warranty. However, any change to parts that are involved in emissions (i.e., downpipes) may void warranty.

[135Hoser]

If you want performance, get a tune (DS1 FTW). Catback/downpipes/intake will do nothing for performance without a tune. Catless downpipes without a tune will turn on your CEL. Good luck finding a tune to turn off the o2 sensor codes. Sometimes you can get away with putting a 90 degree spacer on the catless exhaust to defeat the o2 code, other times not.

A sprintbooster throttle controller will not make the car perform like a stage 1 tune. You'd get the same results by putting your transmission into sport/dynamic mode, and applying more throttle.

If you are concerned about warranty leave it as it. If you want an actual, quantifiable performance gain get a ECU and maybe TCU tune.

[Garyn06]

I have a 17 s7 with sport exhaust.
I went with a ECS tuning x pipe and CTS intake and a sprintbooster throttle controller.
I swear the car feels like a stage 1 in my mind
Super quick.
So quick I took on a Hellcat Charger on a nice stretch of the road for about 5 mile run and let me tell you I was in front for a few seconds until he decided to show me he was King of the road. Those cars are a straight line beast. It was a fun day.

Plus I'm on a cpo warranty .


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I have the CTS Turbo intake like you. Your exhaust and throttle modifications are interesting. cutting into the exhaust didn't void your CPO warranty? Also, do you have any sound clips to share?

[09S5]

Last service with the dealership the rep said he like the exhaust sound note. And it didn't void the warranty.

Watch "2017 Audi s7 sport exhaust" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/qBEjfQBeMsc



Watch "2017 Audi S7, with Sport exhaust" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/p0pzugk40Pk

Watch "2017 s7 COLD START up, ECS tune x pipe." on YouTube
https://youtube.com/shorts/zlr5yHZ5mwY?feature=share


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[ry0t05]

Pretty sure the consensus is that stock DPs flow just fine and aftermarket will not provide any performance improvement, at least until you're well into a stage 4 build.

Don't shoot the messenger...I'm just spewing what I've gathered over years of forum participation. I don't have any personal experience or knowledge.

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[Alabama]

Pretty sure the consensus is that stock DPs flow just fine and aftermarket will not provide any performance improvement, at least until you're well into a stage 4 build. Don't shoot the messenger...I'm just spewing what I've gathered over years of forum participation.

Hard to know. My sense is that American companies stopped selling aftermarket downpipes not because there was no performance improvement but because EPA cracked down. On the other hand, there are still other ways to get performance improvement besides downpipes, so that's the new focus.

[Garyn06]

I ended up going with the AWE Tuning Track Edition Exhaust and it sounds GREAT. I've had several compliments on the setup and I've only had it installed for a couple of hours. I'll try to get a video clip of it at some point and post it on here, but for now, all I can think about is taking a drive with the car. Thank you all for the input you shared, which helped me lead to this decision.

[turbo2424]

I ended up going with the AWE Tuning Track Edition Exhaust and it sounds GREAT. I've had several compliments on the setup and I've only had it installed for a couple of hours. I'll try to get a video clip of it at some point and post it on here, but for now, all I can think about is taking a drive with the car. Thank you all for the input you shared, which helped me lead to this decision.

How much drone at highway speeds?

[THCarpenter]

I have the AWE Track CBE as well

there is drone from around 1900 to 2700 in the cabin.

I shift to sport transmission and it drops the RPM and the noise is abated a bit.....nothing that a good radio tune wont knock out

[jsilas]

On my car I'm running the OEM Sport exhaust with APR catted downpipes. The sound is a perfect blend of volume, refinement, and quiet when I want that (using a CETE Valve controller). I actually removed the AWE Touring exhaust system to get my valves back, and in the process discovered that the Sport exhaust sounds very very nice when paired with a good set of downpipes. If I were in your shoes, based purely on sound objectives, I'd buy some good catted downpipes and leave the Sport exhaust in place.

[09S5]

On my car I'm running the OEM Sport exhaust with APR catted downpipes. The sound is a perfect blend of volume, refinement, and quiet when I want that (using a CETE Valve controller). I actually removed the AWE Touring exhaust system to get my valves back, and in the process discovered that the Sport exhaust sounds very very nice when paired with a good set of downpipes. If I were in your shoes, based purely on sound objectives, I'd buy some good catted downpipes and leave the Sport exhaust in place.

I think I'm going to follow your advice with the OEM S.E. and these APR pieces.



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[jsilas]

I think I'm going to follow your advice with the OEM S.E. and these APR pieces.



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That's the combo I have (minus the X pipe) and it sounds fantastic.

[09S5]

Thanks, that's pertinent information .

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[VinnysS4]

I have catless downpipes and Sports Exhaust and I would say its a tad quieter than i would like. But still louder than stock. My SRM intakes are all you can hear when under boost. From the back of the car it sounds good, but still quiet for my liking. I do have stock midpipes/resonators so removing them and swapping them for an X pipe would probably get the sound I'm looking for.

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[09S5]

4-inch AWE exhaust tips
To complete the mission



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[THCarpenter]

4-inch AWE exhaust tips
To complete the mission



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I loved getting mine in.....but I went Diamond Black....it came with a sucker......lol

[09S5]

Someone there knows you have a sweet tooth.

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[jsilas]

4-inch AWE exhaust tips
To complete the mission



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Post pics post-install - would love to see how it turns out mating the AWE tips up to the factory mufflers. I had considered doing this previously but didn't think the spacing would work properly. Keen to see how you end up.