AWE Tuning Exhausts come with downpipe?

[KamA4]

Looking at the AWE Tuning Track catback and I see it says that it comes with a downpipe. Is that not odd?

Any CATBACK exhaust I’ve ever installed hasn’t touched anything aside from back from the cat…. So these AWE exhausts don’t touch the cat but include a downpipe and then start at the cat again back to the tips? I just find it odd. It’s basically a turboback minus the test pipe or HFC.

I’m certainly not complaining as I want to replace the stock downpipe anyways but I’m just checking before I order both.

[Daaavid]

Yes, for the A4 B9 platform, the AWE exhaust suites come with a 3" downpipe that goes after the cat thus the "catback" description. It is confusing because the nomenclature is not consistent between all the aftermarket exhausts out there.

On our platform, the stock exhaust is as follows: turbo -> catalytic converter -> downpipe -> front resonator -> middle resonator -> two suitcase mufflers -> exhaust tips. I listed it this way because technically you can unbolt the catalytic converter from the turbo and also unbolt the downpipe from the catalytic converter. The AWE exhaust changes everything starting from the downpipe onward, and leaves the catalytic converter alone to guarantee no CELs as it is a fully bolt-on system.

If you're looking to go stage 2, you will need to change the catalytic converter so the AWE exhaust suite won't cut it. Some companies offer high flow/racing cats and it includes a downpipe or sell their HFC/test pipe as a standalone unit.

[KamA4]

Interesting…..can’t say I’ve ever heard the word downpipe be used to reference any pipe aside from the pipe before the cat. We’ll that makes more sense. Was kinda hoping I was getting a free downpipe with it.

I have been thinking of going stage 2 in the near future as the RaceChip piggyback tuner just wasn’t quite enough power for my liking. Not sure if I’d go HFC or test pipe route. I’ve never had my car catless I hear they smell.

[Daaavid]

Interesting…..can’t say I’ve ever heard the word downpipe be used to reference any pipe aside from the pipe before the cat. We’ll that makes more sense. Was kinda hoping I was getting a free downpipe with it.

I have been thinking of going stage 2 in the near future as the RaceChip piggyback tuner just wasn’t quite enough power for my liking. Not sure if I’d go HFC or test pipe route. I’ve never had my car catless I hear they smell.

Many topics of discussion here - I'm currently running Integrated Engineering's (IE) stage 1 tune and I really enjoy it. I switched over to IE because Unitronic's tune was giving me issues during cold weather. More on that issue here.

I'm also currently running the AWE Touring exhaust. It sounds great and transforms the driving experience because you can finally hear the exhaust. I'm now considering getting a test pipe to go stage 2, and will probably steer towards a test pipe since it's less expensive. From the reviews I've read in regards to the catless smell, the smell isn't bad on this platform unless you're idling at the drive-thru. I think this is as expected for smaller motors, and certainly not classic muscle car odor levels.

There are several aftermarket companies selling HFC along with their downpipe (essentially a front resonator delete, too). You can go through this route and still have your car sound slightly more aggressive and opening the possibility to go stage 2. Removal of the front resonator will give you the [in]famous DSG farts, so if you're looking for more sound while keeping stage 2 options open and not dealing with entire exhaust setups, I would consider the JHM, IE, or ECS downpipe + cat[less] options. 034, ECS, JHM, and CTS sell their cats separately, too, without downpipes.

[KamA4]

I think Ill likely just run a catback. I had planned on going ECS downpipe + res removal but decided while I’m under there I might as well replace the whole thing. I think I’d just be left wanting more sound out of just a downpipe and res removal. I’ll probably go for the AWE track exhaust which imo still isn’t crazy loud based on the videos I’ve seen, and also because its drastically cheaper. I’ve got a local shop that will bring one in for $1250 CAD + tax and no shipping cost. Now I’m just debating whether to grab a test pipe or HFC at the same time to avoid getting under the car twice.

[A4B7Avant]

You could also gut your stock cat. Real easy to do.

[Daaavid]

I think Ill likely just run a catback. I had planned on going ECS downpipe + res removal but decided while I’m under there I might as well replace the whole thing. I think I’d just be left wanting more sound out of just a downpipe and res removal. I’ll probably go for the AWE track exhaust which imo still isn’t crazy loud based on the videos I’ve seen, and also because its drastically cheaper. I’ve got a local shop that will bring one in for $1250 CAD + tax and no shipping cost. Now I’m just debating whether to grab a test pipe or HFC at the same time to avoid getting under the car twice.

AWE Track and a modified cat is going to be extremely loud and will induce drone. I wouldn't recommend the Track exhaust for this reason.

The AWE Touring exhaust does a great job at keeping the same volume while having little to no drone, at all. AWE's mufflers (Touring and SwitchPath) use an ideology called the Helmholtz resonance, basically the mufflers will reflect the same drone-y frequency inside to cancel out the drone and just have clean noise. I have a comparable exhaust on another car that used to have straight pipes, but now has Helmholtz resonanators, and it is the same volume but without the boom and drone of a straight pipe exhaust. For this reason, I would recommend the Touring setup with any modified cat, especially test pipes.

You could also gut your stock cat. Real easy to do.

Considering cat thefts are on the rise, at least in Houston, I would keep the stock cat untouched. Cats are practically gold at this point and keeping the stock cat intact would be more valuable and efficient. The <$200 test pipe at that point is a no-brainer to me.

[AB9A4]

AWE Track and a modified cat is going to be extremely loud and will induce drone. I wouldn't recommend the Track exhaust for this reason.

The AWE Touring exhaust does a great job at keeping the same volume while having little to no drone, at all. AWE's mufflers (Touring and SwitchPath) use an ideology called the Helmholtz resonance, basically the mufflers will reflect the same drone-y frequency inside to cancel out the drone and just have clean noise. I have a comparable exhaust on another car that used to have straight pipes, but now has Helmholtz resonanators, and it is the same volume but without the boom and drone of a straight pipe exhaust. For this reason, I would recommend the Touring setup with any modified cat, especially test pipes.



Considering cat thefts are on the rise, at least in Houston, I would keep the stock cat untouched. Cats are practically gold at this point and keeping the stock cat intact would be more valuable and efficient. The <$200 test pipe at that point is a no-brainer to me.

Do you have any hissing or weird noises with the AWE Touring at low rpms? I've been looking at the system but hesitated based on complaints of such noises.

[Daaavid]

Do you have any hissing or weird noises with the AWE Touring at low rpms? I've been looking at the system but hesitated based on complaints of such noises.

Yes, I answered your question on your thread but I will also quote it here:

.. . . There is a weird hissing noise from 1500 RPM to 1900 RPM that is only noticeable when you drive with the windows down and are near a wall where the sound reflects off of it. Otherwise, you do not hear it at all with the windows down or up. This hissing noise you hear is due to the Helmholtz resonance built into the mufflers/resonators. It's basically the exhaust gases reflecting off of each other inside the muffler/resonator to cancel out the unwanted frequencies that cause drone.

[Daaavid]

Hate to double post but here are some videos of my car with the AWE Touring exhaust with a JHM 3" HFC. I plan to make a formal thread soon to discuss the differences the HFC made, but in summary, the HFC made the sound harsher as there is more a metallic rasp introduced into the exhaust note when you first start it. It does not detract from the overall sound, and it basically sounds the exact same as before with just the AWE exhaust alone, except with the introduction of turbo whine since the exhaust is now higher flowing.

[ManyAudis]

Considering cat thefts are on the rise, at least in Houston, I would keep the stock cat untouched. Cats are practically gold at this point and keeping the stock cat intact would be more valuable and efficient. The <$200 test pipe at that point is a no-brainer to me.

One good thing about the A4 is that the location of the cat makes theft difficult. You cannot do it quickly from under the car and it would be tough to do quickly even if you could get under the hood.

[gman408]

Was the exhaust able to fit the valence and exhaust tips or did you have to make any modifications or adjustments? I have the same year with the hexagonal tips and I am worried about the exhaust fit with them.