Custom TBE fitted

[Fast,not furious]

After months of deliberation,a few questions asked,and plenty of post reading,i finally had my exhaust done.

I've gone for a custom 304 grade stainless 3" downpipe,hi-flow sports cat,and 3" centre section to the rear box,which i kept standard. Why a standard back box? Well,i wanted to keep it looking stock - although it sure doesn't sound it! I think there's an angry rottweiler growling and snarling away under there now! hmmm,how do i explain this mod to the missus?

Performance is now spot on,i'll get it on the rollers soon and post the results...watch out S3 Big Andy...

Not bad for just over 500 notes! and 25 yr guarantee...

 

[jonnyc]

Seriously mate, I would go with an uprated 3inch rear section, there is enough room for a pretty big box back there so you can keep the sound levels down ok.. Plus the tail pipes are not a problem, just chop the standard items off and fit them to the new rear section..

I know what your saying about keeping it looking standard etc but the rear box is pretty much the biggest restriction in the whole system, baffles and only 2.5inch pipe work..

If you did that then you would really feel the difference that the downpipe makes!!

Who did you have the work done by?

 

[hatmeow]

Sorry but I dont understand... Why keep the back box? I have a super "dont waste any $ on your already expensive A3" wife and she will kill me if she has found out what I have done to the car. I have a Resonated Milltek TB exhuast as she does not know its been modified!! Of course I dont nail the throttle when she is in the car. I have listened to about half a dozen exhausts before comitting to Milltek and I think its the most "stock" sounding exhaust around.

The stock exhaust is about 2 inches in diameter (give or take) and is choking the flow of the TB.

Go with a Milltek or continue the custom job to the back... You wont regret it!!

Dont forget the center silencer though (resonated) its what makes the difference in sound.

Also, the Miltek exhaust pipes looks dead stock if you ask me... You can also have keep your old exhaust tips and stick it in a brand new 3in back box...Wow!

Hope this helps!

 

[Fast,not furious]

Seriously mate, I would go with an uprated 3inch rear section, there is enough room for a pretty big box back there so you can keep the sound levels down ok.. Plus the tail pipes are not a problem, just chop the standard items off and fit them to the new rear section..

I know what your saying about keeping it looking standard etc but the rear box is pretty much the biggest restriction in the whole system, baffles and only 2.5inch pipe work..

If you did that then you would really feel the difference that the downpipe makes!!

Who did you have the work done by?

Thanks Jonny,Exhausts Uk did the work,it's a 3" pipe right through to the back box,sports cat,with a resonated box between...and i've kept the back box because i thought it would keep the noise down and the missus would see the stainless one!

I think the biggest problem is the noise now! I'm gonna have to do something...ideas?

 

[hatmeow]

I think having a mid silencer (resonsated) really makes the difference. It really keeps the noise down without losing too much high end. From what I read from your post the 3 in pipe goes from your sports cat straight to your back box with nothing in between.

Add a mid silencer (if they call it that) and the difference should be night and day!

 

[jonnyc]

Thanks Jonny,Exhausts Uk did the work,it's a 3" pipe right through to the back box...and i've kept the back box because i thought it would keep the noise down and the missus would see the stainless one!

I think the biggest problem is the noise now! I'm gonna have to do something...ideas?

Ah cool, I have all of my exhausts made by Exhausts Uk, they do some excellent work there!!

If you have a mid silencer already then they would be able to fabricate up a rear section with a BIG rear silencer to keep the noise down.. The only trouble with 3inch exhaust is that as it makes good power it is a little harder to keep the noise levels down to stock (ish)

Mine is super loud, but I have 3inch from the turbo back to a small rear box.. I love it though and it made very good power increases over the 2.5inch cat-back I had previously

Jonny

 

[Fast,not furious]

Ah cool, I have all of my exhausts made by Exhausts Uk, they do some excellent work there!!

If you have a mid silencer already then they would be able to fabricate up a rear section with a BIG rear silencer to keep the noise down.. The only trouble with 3inch exhaust is that as it makes good power it is a little harder to keep the noise levels down to stock (ish)

Mine is super loud, but I have 3inch from the turbo back to a small rear box.. I love it though and it made very good power increases over the 2.5inch cat-back I had previously

Jonny

I've just been back down there,explained the problem,and on their advice,swapped the 3" pipe to 2 1/2" and a different sports cat. It's quieter,but still a fair bit louder,the drone being most noticeable over 3200rpm,and when i come off the gas after booting it,it snarls.

They tried a different back box,but that made no difference to the sound,and would look more obvious,although it'd give me more horses and set me back another 185 notes. They run out of ideas then...

I'm beginning to wish i hadn't done any of this!

 

[Fast,not furious]

I think having a mid silencer (resonsated) really makes the difference. It really keeps the noise down without losing too much high end. From what I read from your post the 3 in pipe goes from your sports cat straight to your back box with nothing in between.

Add a mid silencer (if they call it that) and the difference should be night and day!

I forgot to mention the mid silencer...have now edited post!

 

[jamiekip]

i thought it would keep the noise down and the missus would see the stainless one!

That's the sort of issue I have to contend with... not that she minds me doing stuff to my car, more whe I've just done somethign and she suggest booking a holiday... !

 

[Fast,not furious]

Just a thought...if i temporarily take the map off,will the reduced horses have the effect of reducing the noise....until the missus gets used to it! I value my coconuts!

 

[L60N]

Just tell her its broken if she notes the loudness ROFL, should buy you some time to work out what to do next

 

[hatmeow]

Just a thought...if i temporarily take the map off,will the reduced horses have the effect of reducing the noise....until the missus gets used to it! I value my coconuts!

Fast,

I totally feel for you. I have the same "type" of woman at home and I was having a very tough time getting an exhaust system. I definately needed more power and the exhaust was a must before any other mods. Unlike my previous Honda, where I had a really sporty sounding Mugen exhaust, I am not "suppposed" to do anything to my A3 because its an expensive car already.

At the end, I took the plunge and went for a Miltek TB resonated and she did not notice anything (or at least she did not mention anything). I think during idle and RPM below 2500 the sound is almost stock.

I think that because you have the mid silencer and the stock rear Box and now the 2.5 inch the sound should not be THAT noticeable. Dont take the map off! There is a WAY!! I know you have spent quite a bit on the custom job but have you heard of a full TB resonated Miltek? is that too loud for you? If it is I have no other suggestions but if its not, maybe you can speak to your exhaust specialist and see if they can somehow "copy" the set up with your exhaust...

Hey man... I know the hardship you are going through with the wife...Trust me.. I know...

 

[Mikey]

im glad my missus isnt into cars, ive spent a small fortune on my car recently, kept my gob shut and she hasnt noticed nor said a thing about them, the remap, the rear light, the milltek, the list goes on! i dare not tell her a thing after she nearly had a heart attack when I told her how much my merc rims are going to set me back. When I showed her the merc rims she asked me how much they are going to set me back....told her to guess.....she started off at £300!!! LMAO!!!

 

[Kris]

Guys, put the trousers back on tell the wife what you've done with pride and tell her to get over it .......... sorted!

 

[L60N]

Guys, put the trousers back on tell the wife what you've done with pride and tell her to get over it .......... sorted!

I strongly agree!!

And if she kicks off, bend her over ther dining table and give her a damn good rogering!

 

[jonnyc]

I strongly agree!!

And if she kicks off, bend her over ther dining tableand give her a damn good rogering!

LOL!..

 

[L60N]

Dont you reckon though?

 

[jonnyc]

Luckily I dont have to put up with that type of ****, well I do.. but I dont care, maybes thats the difference!?

 

[L60N]

LoL!

The book of understanding women. .... think you understand it?

probably but...

So

 

[jamiekip]

This coming from the man who's put a ring on his ladies finger.....

 

[Fast,not furious]

Lol...you guys kill me
....my lord,i have a cunning plan....

...i fire up the quattro,jump out of the car and declare with shock horror '****** exhaust sounds like it's blowing'...'jeeze,i'd best get myself down to audi to take a lookeee'

Or something like that,then come back,shaking my head,saying how much it's gonna cost,fake some net research,and come up with a more cunning plan....tell her i don't want to get a cheap bodge job from ATS/Kwik Fit,Audi are rip off prices (does anyone know how much?) and i can get one made in stainless for about the same price! Then i go get a shiny back box put on!

Surely thats better than her indoors bending ME over the table and rogering me with my zorst?

Seriously though....i spoke to the guys about the Milltek,so they checked out the spec,heads were scratched,and mine's now the same set up,with the silencer being exactly the same surface area,they even bolted on a different rear box...and it sounded virtually identical to the stock one. It seems that most of the noise is being produced before it gets to the rear baffles. On tick over now,she sounds just a little louder,but it's still quite noticeable when i accelerate,even when i'm being 'gentle' with it,and at 90 ish it's bloomin obvious!

So,what do you think of my plan? Declare a knackered exhaust,explain the virtues of stainless and then go get the stainless rear box that was bolted on? I can then say the noise hasn't changed much from when it had the 'hole' as the new system is meant to sound more sporty!

Answers on a postcard please...

 

[jamiekip]

Ha ha ha ha - DO IT!!!!

 

[block]

Ha ha im glad it isnt just me that has to keep my mods descrete ftw (for the wife) lol.

 

[jamiekip]

I have to as well - perceived as a "waste of money".
She still hasn't spotted the lamin-x though.....

 

[Fast,not furious]

I have to as well - perceived as a "waste of money".
She still hasn't spotted the lamin-x though.....

ooops...the lamin-x is going on soon! Luckily i always park in front of her,so she'll only see the exhaust!

 

[Fast,not furious]

I know it's not a very good image,but here's the resonated box they put in to try and keep the noise down,it's twice the size of the one they tried first with the 3" pipe right through!

How does it compare with the Milltek?

 

[hatmeow]

Fast,

It looks very interesting as the mid box that I have is squarish / Rectangular and sits right after the Rear box instead of right after the cat in the straight section.

Glad that you have things sorted out already!! You will have fun with the car AND the missus...

 

[Fast,not furious]

Right...i've finally got a full custom stainless system on,the biggest back box the guys could squeeze in was fitted yesterday,and i'm very pleased with the sound,virtually indistinguishable from stock,although the new pipes do stick out a couple of inches,and a the s/s box is obviously visible.
It seems that the standard rear box was responsible for the noise,the new one has sorted it beautifully,and it's flowing better,making the most of the map....

....at least it would have done,if the cat hadn't caused errors ...

Now the turbo's producing too much boost,then dropping it (if i remember correctly),so i've lost some torque,it's ok in the lower gears,but not in the higher ones. Acceleration's erratic. Steve at Statller took it out for a spin and was going to log it,but his laptop run out of juice halfway through,and i was running out of time.

So for now,i'm gonna have to live with it until i can get it back for logging,and hopefully Jarrett at GIAC will rewrite the map to ignore the problem.

I also had a chat with the exhaust guys,apparently i should have been told that this could happen,and there's a 'piggy back' chip they can get to override the sensors.

 

[wesley]

But what about the wife!!!!!! Did she tell u off yesterday mate after forgetting your phone??

 

[Fast,not furious]

But what about the wife!!!!!! Did she tell u off yesterday mate after forgetting your phone??

Lol,no,balls survived! She'll probably prefer the car as it's not so quick at the mo

 

[ianysm]

It concerns me that I really want an S3, but only with bhp mods to make it worth while, yet i hear so many problems with them.

Which map have you got and roughly how much bhp?

Glad you found a decent exhaust...I was going to suggest telling her it had blown and mentioning that an aftermarket stainless one is a more economic alternative as they have lifetime guarantees!!!

 

[Fast,not furious]

It concerns me that I really want an S3, but only with bhp mods to make it worth while, yet i hear so many problems with them.

Which map have you got and roughly how much bhp?

Glad you found a decent exhaust...I was going to suggest telling her it had blown and mentioning that an aftermarket stainless one is a more economic alternative as they have lifetime guarantees!!!

I wouldn't let my experience put you off mate,it was purely down to bad choice,purely a cost driven one! (even with my messing about with various pipe diameters and swapping boxes,i spent about £800)

Milltek don't seem to have the same problem,and the map (GIAC hammer) together with the Forge CAI work brilliantly together,the car hadn't missed a beat until we started messing with the exhaust.

I haven't got bhp figures yet,as i was planned to put it on the rollers after the exhaust was finally finished yesterday,(it's less restricted than the Milltek,i believe)but it threw up the fault on the dash the night before....i'm guessing in excess of 330bhp though...

It seems that the majority of problems guys are having on here are previous faults that are being highlighted by the mods,and therefor being rectified. The S3's as strong as f***,and with the right tweaks it can become an awesome machine.

...and yes,the lifetime guarantee of a stainless one seemed to swing in my favour,especially when i mentioned that a replacement Audi one works out at @£1250,roughly comparable with a Milltek...

Go put your order in!

 

[ianysm]

Cheers for the info. I'm very keen to try one out. Having a test drive tmrw. I'm sure it will feel slow in standard trim compared to a remapped M3 but thats not the reason i like them.

Although, with 330bhp i bet there's nothing in it and indeed they're probably faster in the wet!

As soon as its run in i'd be wanting it remapped!

 

[Sohrob]

I dont know how much quicker your m3 is over a standard car but i can tell you that in a straight line an s3 with a remap,zorst and evoms will be quicker than an m3 in a straight line!!

 

[PaulMc]

Sohrob, I wouldn't be so sure. it may be close. Once the M3 engine gets to 90 and over it pulls very hard to Vmax, I don't think a 330Bhp S3 could live with it. My M3 CSL was very, very rapid on the move. It accelerated from 120 to 170 like I was doing a 30 to 80 sprint. The standard M3 won't be that far behind.

 

[Iggu]

I don't think a 330Bhp S3 could live with it. My M3 CSL was very, very rapid on the move. It accelerated from 120 to 170 like I was doing a 30 to 80 sprint.

Yeah but how often is that going to be relevant ? Can't say I've done that many 120 - 170 sprints myself in the UK.

 

[hatmeow]

Fast,

Glad you have the sound sorted with a happy missus!! Sorry about the problem with the boost... I still think that tried and tested brands out there are the most trouble free way to go. Is the over boost problem from your cat or the oversized system in general?

Hope the remap will work for you... then you have the perfect stealth system!!