C8 RS6 Exhaust/Sound Options?

[camazotmkv]

I recently purchased a 22" RS6. I'm very curious as to know the exhaust options.

I'd like to know more about the exhaust options along with which exhaust is the loudest, and will it provide any significant HP without a tune.

Also If these exhausts don't do much for HP, If instead of paying 5k+ for an exhaust, if it's best to just do a resonator/muffler delete at a fab shop for $500 to get the sound.

Something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PbK1WbXfZE

I'm open to all options here, And I'd like to do as much as possible without the need to flash the ECU.

I do have a Berger JB4 on the way.

[essfour]

The o34 res delete is fantastic. I’ve had it on my car for around a month now and could not be happier.

[OneFastBMW]

Welcome to AZ. You may be better off asking this in the C8 RS7/RS7 subforum, maybe the mods can move.

For exhaust options I will put them in three categories from least to most expensive:
Resonator delete
Downpipes
Cat-back exhaust

This is the cheapest route. Many people, including myself, have done the resonator delete alone. It gives a good “OEM Plus” sound. It is hard to tell the difference from the interior when driving with the valves closed, but seems about 20% louder on cold start or with the valves open. I got mine from Red Star. This is a Russian company, and I am not sure I would be comfortable supporting a Russian Company given the current geopolitical environment. 034 Motorsports, a sponsor here, also makes res sleet pipes. All res-replete pipes should sound the same. You can also get someone to cut out the resonators, but I wanted the ability to return the car to stock. I would not think there is any measurable power gain with resonator deletes, so this is just for sound.

Downpipes are next in terms of cost. You can do downpipes while leaving everything else factory for a nice sound increase and some power. Even then, the factory downpipes are actually pretty efficient. If doing downpipes I would HIGhLY recommend not going catless. I have had a car with catless DP’s in the past and never again. Modern cats are so efficient there isn’t really a noticeable difference in sound and performance of a high-flow catted DP vs catless. With cats you have cells. The rating is the number of cells per square inch, with the higher the rating the more dense (and less free flowing) the cat is. Several companies make catted DP’s. Some people have experienced a CEL with 200-cell cats and others have not. Fabspeed uses 200 cell cats and offers a no CEL guarantee. Unitronic uses larger 400 cell cats, but says it requires their stage 2 software. Since the factory cats are pretty good, the power gains aren’t as crazy as other platforms. Maybe 20-25hp and 30-40 lbs-ft of torque. Personally I would probably saves DP’s for last just incase you have a warranty issue. Not saying it is automatic, but modifying downpipes and emission equipment gives the manufacturer a much stronger leg to stand on regarding denying warranty items (obviously I am only talking about engine/drivetrain warranty issues).

Downpipes can be used with either resonator delete or a cat-back, depending on what you are looking to achieve.

Last is catback. Again, the factory exhaust is pretty efficient, so not too many performance gains to get here, maybe 10-15 HP tops. There are not many catback options for this platform. You have the Akrapovik in either stainless or titanium, but it is BIG money (even in the context of a $150k car they are expensive). Miltek has been around for VAG platforms for a while and makes quality products, but I have not seen many installed on C8 RS6’s and RS7’s. AWE just released a catback a few days ago that looks promising. I am not sure how the sound compares to the factory exhaust with resonator delete, but look forward to reviews. It is still expensive at about $5k, but much less than the Akrapovik offerings. The aftermarket catbacks also include updated/new tips for an aesthetic change as well. Unlike the factory exhaust, the aftermarket exhausts have the tips attached to the bumper instead of the exhaust itself. This allows you to get the fitment dialed in a little better, but some people are not a fan of “fake” exhaust tips. Last I heard APR was working on a catback for the RS6, but I have not heard any updates on it in several months. Plus I think you are much less likely to run into warranty issues with a catback as opposed to DP’s.

I hope this helps. Enjoy the new ride.

[camazotmkv]

Great info/description. Thank you!

Welcome to AZ. You may be better off asking this in the C8 RS7/RS7 subforum, maybe the mods can move.

For exhaust options I will put them in three categories from least to most expensive:
Resonator delete
Downpipes
Cat-back exhaust

This is the cheapest route. Many people, including myself, have done the resonator delete alone. It gives a good “OEM Plus” sound. It is hard to tell the difference from the interior when driving with the valves closed, but seems about 20% louder on cold start or with the valves open. I got mine from Red Star. This is a Russian company, and I am not sure I would be comfortable supporting a Russian Company given the current geopolitical environment. 034 Motorsports, a sponsor here, also makes res sleet pipes. All res-replete pipes should sound the same. You can also get someone to cut out the resonators, but I wanted the ability to return the car to stock. I would not think there is any measurable power gain with resonator deletes, so this is just for sound.

Downpipes are next in terms of cost. You can do downpipes while leaving everything else factory for a nice sound increase and some power. Even then, the factory downpipes are actually pretty efficient. If doing downpipes I would HIGhLY recommend not going catless. I have had a car with catless DP’s in the past and never again. Modern cats are so efficient there isn’t really a noticeable difference in sound and performance of a high-flow catted DP vs catless. With cats you have cells. The rating is the number of cells per square inch, with the higher the rating the more dense (and less free flowing) the cat is. Several companies make catted DP’s. Some people have experienced a CEL with 200-cell cats and others have not. Fabspeed uses 200 cell cats and offers a no CEL guarantee. Unitronic uses larger 400 cell cats, but says it requires their stage 2 software. Since the factory cats are pretty good, the power gains aren’t as crazy as other platforms. Maybe 20-25hp and 30-40 lbs-ft of torque. Personally I would probably saves DP’s for last just incase you have a warranty issue. Not saying it is automatic, but modifying downpipes and emission equipment gives the manufacturer a much stronger leg to stand on regarding denying warranty items (obviously I am only talking about engine/drivetrain warranty issues).

Downpipes can be used with either resonator delete or a cat-back, depending on what you are looking to achieve.

Last is catback. Again, the factory exhaust is pretty efficient, so not too many performance gains to get here, maybe 10-15 HP tops. There are not many catback options for this platform. You have the Akrapovik in either stainless or titanium, but it is BIG money (even in the context of a $150k car they are expensive). Miltek has been around for VAG platforms for a while and makes quality products, but I have not seen many installed on C8 RS6’s and RS7’s. AWE just released a catback a few days ago that looks promising. I am not sure how the sound compares to the factory exhaust with resonator delete, but look forward to reviews. It is still expensive at about $5k, but much less than the Akrapovik offerings. The aftermarket catbacks also include updated/new tips for an aesthetic change as well. Unlike the factory exhaust, the aftermarket exhausts have the tips attached to the bumper instead of the exhaust itself. This allows you to get the fitment dialed in a little better, but some people are not a fan of “fake” exhaust tips. Last I heard APR was working on a catback for the RS6, but I have not heard any updates on it in several months. Plus I think you are much less likely to run into warranty issues with a catback as opposed to DP’s.

I hope this helps. Enjoy the new ride.

- - - Updated - - -

Very Nice

[phaphaphooey]

Welcome to AZ. You may be better off asking this in the C8 RS7/RS7 subforum, maybe the mods can move.

For exhaust options I will put them in three categories from least to most expensive:
Resonator delete
Downpipes
Cat-back exhaust

This is the cheapest route. Many people, including myself, have done the resonator delete alone. It gives a good “OEM Plus” sound. It is hard to tell the difference from the interior when driving with the valves closed, but seems about 20% louder on cold start or with the valves open. I got mine from Red Star. This is a Russian company, and I am not sure I would be comfortable supporting a Russian Company given the current geopolitical environment. 034 Motorsports, a sponsor here, also makes res sleet pipes. All res-replete pipes should sound the same. You can also get someone to cut out the resonators, but I wanted the ability to return the car to stock. I would not think there is any measurable power gain with resonator deletes, so this is just for sound.

Downpipes are next in terms of cost. You can do downpipes while leaving everything else factory for a nice sound increase and some power. Even then, the factory downpipes are actually pretty efficient. If doing downpipes I would HIGhLY recommend not going catless. I have had a car with catless DP’s in the past and never again. Modern cats are so efficient there isn’t really a noticeable difference in sound and performance of a high-flow catted DP vs catless. With cats you have cells. The rating is the number of cells per square inch, with the higher the rating the more dense (and less free flowing) the cat is. Several companies make catted DP’s. Some people have experienced a CEL with 200-cell cats and others have not. Fabspeed uses 200 cell cats and offers a no CEL guarantee. Unitronic uses larger 400 cell cats, but says it requires their stage 2 software. Since the factory cats are pretty good, the power gains aren’t as crazy as other platforms. Maybe 20-25hp and 30-40 lbs-ft of torque. Personally I would probably saves DP’s for last just incase you have a warranty issue. Not saying it is automatic, but modifying downpipes and emission equipment gives the manufacturer a much stronger leg to stand on regarding denying warranty items (obviously I am only talking about engine/drivetrain warranty issues).

Downpipes can be used with either resonator delete or a cat-back, depending on what you are looking to achieve.

Last is catback. Again, the factory exhaust is pretty efficient, so not too many performance gains to get here, maybe 10-15 HP tops. There are not many catback options for this platform. You have the Akrapovik in either stainless or titanium, but it is BIG money (even in the context of a $150k car they are expensive). Miltek has been around for VAG platforms for a while and makes quality products, but I have not seen many installed on C8 RS6’s and RS7’s. AWE just released a catback a few days ago that looks promising. I am not sure how the sound compares to the factory exhaust with resonator delete, but look forward to reviews. It is still expensive at about $5k, but much less than the Akrapovik offerings. The aftermarket catbacks also include updated/new tips for an aesthetic change as well. Unlike the factory exhaust, the aftermarket exhausts have the tips attached to the bumper instead of the exhaust itself. This allows you to get the fitment dialed in a little better, but some people are not a fan of “fake” exhaust tips. Last I heard APR was working on a catback for the RS6, but I have not heard any updates on it in several months. Plus I think you are much less likely to run into warranty issues with a catback as opposed to DP’s.

I hope this helps. Enjoy the new ride.

Excellent post.

A month or two ago I asked about the location of production for Redstar products via their USA rep Sean on FB and he cussed me and then blocked me. Apparently a sensitive topic nowdays...

[ooljima]

Excellent post.

A month or two ago I asked about the location of production for Redstar products via their USA rep Sean on FB and he cussed me and then blocked me. Apparently a sensitive topic nowdays...

BTW - just for clarification the Akrapovic tips mount directly to the exhaust outlets, not the bumper.