hmeyer

The exhaust is busy going and needs replacement. The genuine part is however very expensive. It will cost me R14 000 in South Africa which is about $1 400. A normal exhaust will cost about R2 000 ($200) so this is about 7 times the normal price because this car is imported and parts for this car is not regularly available here.

I am not so much worried about a performance exhaust, but I have heard that as soon as you put a Free Flow exhaust in an Automatic car, it make a terrible drone. Can I take the Cat out and will it be a problem. Any ideas???

MikTip

There's much that can be done with your exhaust!

I would recommend to find a good muffler shop in your area, which can remove and re-install ordinary mufflers.

The genuine parts can be replaced with "High Flow" mufflers from manufacturers like MagnaFlow & Ultra Flow.

What I have done one my Audi, is install a Ultra Flow stainless rear muffler, with DTM tips.

<img src="http://www.magnaflow.com/03cat-back/03ss/gifs/ssmuffler02.jpg" border="0">

The muffler cost me $100 & the tips $40.
I've also removed the 2 center mufflers, and replaced them with 2 round resonator mufflers.

I'd recommend you keep your cats, as they eliminate alot of noise. Unless their bad, then you could run without, but would need to get the exhaust setup correctly to reduce the odd noises the V6 generates at certain rpms.

<img src="http://www.magnaflow.com/03cat-back/03ss/gifs/muffler03.jpg" border="0">

They are 2- 4" round mufflers, placed at a specific distance behind the headers to reduce the odd resonances.

You could save more money by getting ordinary steel mufflers, from the same companies, instead of stainless. Or simply use whats available in your area.

Simply replacing the OEM system with the Magnaflow mufflers, reduces alot of weight as well! The OEM system is quite heavy by compairson.<ul><li><a href="http://www.magnaflow.com/03parts.htm">http://www.magnaflow.com/03parts.htm</a</li></ul>

hmeyer

Thanks for the help. I have heard that because my Car is an Automatic, a Powerflow exhaust will make a lot of noise. Is this true?

MikTip

The design, layout and position of the exhaust system components is what determines their noise
level.

My Audi was once equipped with an automatic transmission. My current exhaust system was fabricated with the auto-trans inplace. I then replaced the auto, with a 5 speed manual gearbox, and the exhaust system was not altered. Sounds the same.

What you will find is the auto-trans with its fluid torque converter, makes the motor sound differently through its rpm range. Its more noticable on an exhaust system thats been "opened up", as you can hear the engine revs more. The OEM system makes the engine very quiet.

Correctly fabricated, and correct selection of mufflers, will greatly influence the systems
loudness level.

Simply removing the OEM mufflers will make it loud. Replacing them with those I mentioned will make it slightly louder. But it will sound much better! )

This is where a good muffler shop comes in handy! As their is a certain "science" to installing mufflers so they dont resonate and make odd noises.

Obli

I have a 90 2.3 20V and decided to have a custom exhaust fabricated. I am going back to my 'local' Powerflow branch on Monday (3/4 hour away) - for the third time!! Damn exhaust still resonates really bad - gotta go single tailpipe as a 'single in, twin out' rear silencer creates the resonance due to a 'filter' like device inside... (?) Kind of trial and error and getting very expensive (expense only in driving back/time off work though!)... apparently, VW's and Audi's are notorious for being resonance kings especially early multivalve engines (like mine - great!)

Removal of cat gives power gains? Not usually true. I was never informed at the time but the Powerflow boss believes the removal of a cat does not increase power unless you have your car re-chipped. He proved this in a group test of exhausts on a Citroen Saxo VTS in 'Revs' magazine - he chose to leave the cat on whereas other well known exhaust companies took out the cat 'for maximum performance gain' - the Powerflow exhaust WITH cat developed the most power & torque.

Anyways, what with my brother being a good welder and fabricator, I'm now thinking I should have gone custom, MikTip stylee... hmeyer, I would take this approach, I think even well established exhaust manufacturers can get it wrong again and again and its not worth the hassle. DIY!

If anyone wants to know how exhaust system set-up number 4 turns out, I can let you know - hopefully they will get it right this time!!

Any idea if a rear silencer with single tailpipe (straight through then I guess... - 1 in, 1 out) would sound a bit more grunty / louder and reduce resonance? My car still doesn't roar enough and 'bOOMs' far too much...

Cheers and good luck hmeyer

Obli

MikTip

What do you think my exhaust system is?

I totally custom fabricated it from scratch.

Went thru several muffler & pipe combinations before I got it right! Spent many hours up under the car cutting & welding. I've done all the R&D so everyone else can benefit!

hmeyer has a Cabriolet, V6. My 90 has the same motor, and very simular exhaust system.

Your 20V exhaust system is a whole different animal, in compairson to the V6 exhaust system!