Catted downpipes

[nwapache]

Researching next round of mods and I’m unclear on which direction to go with downpipes.
All 3 feature on the drag times for multiple vehicles….
034 @ $1,700
IE @ $1,000
CTS @ $600
This cost spread is significant and based on price, CTS is the best dollar value. Does anyone have feedback on the differences?

[TunedB9S4]

Researching next round of mods and I’m unclear on which direction to go with downpipes.
All 3 feature on the drag times for multiple vehicles….
034 @ $1,700
IE @ $1,000
CTS @ $600
This cost spread is significant and based on price, CTS is the best dollar value. Does anyone have feedback on the differences?

I'd get the least expensive one if you make, or plan on making, anything significant over stock power. Eventually, they all "shred". My AWE performance cat lasted about 1.2 years before shredding.. and this was when I was only making around 430-ish WHP. Others I've known had the same issue... seems like running ethanol really shortens their life.

[AldermanToffee]

I'd have to agree with the above comment tbh. There's been failures from every manufacturer.

Saying that, IE will likely be the easiest to install.

[Jetta03]

If you are going to do a downpipe at all I seriously wouldn't bother unless you went to catless. The best aftermarket downpipes are really only a marginal difference from OEM. Alot like an intake, the biggest effect is noise.

[nwapache]

If you are going to do a downpipe at all I seriously wouldn't bother unless you went to catless. The best aftermarket downpipes are really only a marginal difference from OEM. Alot like an intake, the biggest effect is noise.

Interestingly, 034 requires a DP for stage 2 tune. Id happily go catless… but ive heard the smell is quite noticeable. Thoughts on smell?

[oesman]

Interestingly, 034 requires a DP for stage 2 tune. Id happily go catless… but ive heard the smell is quite noticeable. Thoughts on smell?

If you run E85 the smell isn't as bad, it burns much cleaner than straight pump gasoline.

[TunedB9S4]

You'll have that exhaust smell but, it can really be minimized if you have fresh seals installed when swapping. Otherwise, it's not pleasant.

[nwapache]

If you run E85 the smell isn't as bad, it burns much cleaner than straight pump gasoline.

Washington has 7 E85 gas pumps, only 1 of those is within 100 miles of my house. Similar issue with 93 Octane. I think ill try Klotz and run the 93 tune.
Meanwhile, i can A- leave the dp alone and suffer quietly. B- get a catted dp and await failure while being out of pocket $600-$1600 or C- enjoy the lovely aroma unburnt fuel in my cabin while road tripping with my wife.
Hmmm

[TunedB9S4]

Washington has 7 E85 gas pumps, only 1 of those is within 100 miles of my house. Similar issue with 93 Octane. I think ill try Klotz and run the 93 tune.
Meanwhile, i can A- leave the dp alone and suffer quietly. B- get a catted dp and await failure while being out of pocket $600-$1600 or C- enjoy the lovely aroma unburnt fuel in my cabin while road tripping with my wife.
Hmmm

When/if your cat fails, you can always gut it :-)

[AldermanToffee]

Interestingly, 034 requires a DP for stage 2 tune. Id happily go catless… but ive heard the smell is quite noticeable. Thoughts on smell?

I’ve been running catless in my S4 for years. Only smells if you’re sitting in stationary traffic for prolonged periods of time with the windows down.

[nwapache]

I’ve been running catless in my S4 for years. Only smells if you’re sitting in stationary traffic for prolonged periods of time with the windows down.

That totally reframes the conversation, thanks for clarifying

[Jetta03]

I’ve been running catless in my S4 for years. Only smells if you’re sitting in stationary traffic for prolonged periods of time with the windows down.

Correction, it only smells FOR YOU if you're sitting in stationary traffic :)

Kind of like crop dusting as you leave an elevator... for everyone else it smells the whole time.

[nwapache]

Correction, it only smells FOR YOU if you're sitting in stationary traffic :)

Kind of like crop dusting as you leave an elevator... for everyone else it smells the whole the time.

So, the smell is coming out of the tail pipes and flavoring the intersection, water box, driveway, whatever

[oesman]

So, the smell is coming out of the tail pipes and flavoring the intersection, water box, driveway, whatever

I think it will depend on how sensitive you are to the smell. I can tell you that catless on pump gasoline is not a smell most people like, and it can get pulled into your car even with AC on if you aren't recirculating. Also it will smell for everyone else, you've probably smelled that before. It will also smell in your garage if you start it without ventilation to take it outside. The water box probably isn't a worry since lots of cars will likely be catless. If you run race gas catless it smells great, like old school magic markers. If you run E85 catless to me it's like a very watered down gasoline smell, others say they like the smell.

It's amazing how well the catalyst works, these cars really don't smell at all stock. Even a race cat will do a better job, except maybe at cold start while the O2 sensors are heating up, u might get a tiny whiff. There's also a consideration if the car is your daily and you really wanna drive catless from an environmental perspective. I'm not a huge environmentalist or anything and am not trying to shame anyone, but just personally if I drove several thousand miles a year without a cat I'd feel a bit guilty about it. I have a catless car, but it's mostly a track/toy car that sees very few miles a year.

[nwapache]

I have a catless car, but it's mostly a track/toy car that sees very few miles a year.

I thought you had an 034 catted DP? Did i miss a video or is this a new development? This car is a weekend toy for me.

[oesman]

Yea I do, my catless car is a different car ;-). The 034 cat is a race cat so it's not going to be quite as efficient as the stock cat. I really like the build quality on it.

[AldermanToffee]

Correction, it only smells FOR YOU if you're sitting in stationary traffic :)

Kind of like crop dusting as you leave an elevator... for everyone else it smells the whole time.

Hah, I figured that was self explanatory.

[Pocket Cub]

I got a CTS high flow catted downpipe. Im also IE Stage 2 93. And it’s been super good so far.


2018 S4 - IE Stage 2, CTS High Flow Downpipe, CTS Transmission insert, AWE Airgate Intake, CTS Turbo Inlet-

[SHCKR]

I’ve been running catless in my S4 for years. Only smells if you’re sitting in stationary traffic for prolonged periods of time with the windows down.

Well, also when you're in the garage, starting the vehicle and backing out through the pume of exhaust, vehicle running while stationary or stop and go traffic, or stoplight, and the sunroof is cracked, and the wind is blowing in any other direction other than front to back, every time you fill up, and walk around, you get to enjoy the remnants, etc.
As raw and unpleasant as it smells, I kinda enjoy it, so I don't mind it, but a day does not go by when I don't smell it in my car. Seals are fine.

[AldermanToffee]

Well, also when you're in the garage, starting the vehicle and backing out through the pume of exhaust, vehicle running while stationary or stop and go traffic, or stoplight, and the sunroof is cracked, and the wind is blowing in any other direction other than front to back, every time you fill up, and walk around, you get to enjoy the remnants, etc.
As raw and unpleasant as it smells, I kinda enjoy it, so I don't mind it, but a day does not go by when I don't smell it in my car. Seals are fine.

I can understand smelling it when backing out of a garage. I personally don’t have any issues with smelling it unless I’m sitting in traffic for ages though. Maybe I’ve just been lucky.

I’ve gone through a few exhaust setups in that time too.

I am putting a screamer pipe down under the passenger though so I imagine I’ll probably smell that..

[nwapache]

I got a CTS high flow catted downpipe. Im also IE Stage 2 93. And it’s been super good so far.


2018 S4 - IE Stage 2, CTS High Flow Downpipe, CTS Transmission insert, AWE Airgate Intake, CTS Turbo Inlet-

How long have you been running it? And are you concerned about it delaminating?

[S4James]

Correction, it only smells FOR YOU if you're sitting in stationary traffic :)

Kind of like crop dusting as you leave an elevator... for everyone else it smells the whole time.

this. Its gross for everyone.