alrightroad

Well, after a week with stock exhaust back on I am hooked to the performance of the MTM cat-back. There is an amazing difference in my downgraded performance. According to MTM, their cat-back system adds about 14HP. But, it feels like I have lost 25-30HP. At all levels... low, mid, high ranges are all suffering now (especially mid, high). I might be re-installing the MTM system next weekend and just get used to the additional low-end base. It is a nice sound.

All of this has caused me to start thinking about DP's and cats. Have those with upgraded DP's and cats noticed an increase in exhaust tone (loudness, etc.) after installation on top of your performance cat-back system?

What options for DP and cat packages would you all recommend for a 2.7t TIP? allroad2001, I have read your LaBree install on FAQ a couple of times (thanks UBER and allroad2001). Any other options I should start a savings fund for?

Thanks.

dan farmer

Bigger intercoolers help the car breathe easier, just like downpipes. Heat soak is less of an issue in the summer, too.

On the exhaust side, for value, you can't beat gutted stock downpipes. I think Vast Performance sells 'em.

I find I can hear the turbos more with downpipes, but I don't think the exhaust is louder.

-df

midlifecrisis

Milltek downpipes / high flow cats plus Milltek cat-back. No idea how much louder outside the car, but inside, you get a nice muted scream when in the power band. Turbo hiss seems more pronounced. It's great - performance increase seems to be more than the cat-back mod.

alrightroad

How was the install on your AWE IC's?

Also, I am looking at 5-bar FPR. Did your FPR provide a noticible boost in HP? I will need to get my MTM chip re-programmed according to Hoppen if I add the FPR. Puts the total (with DP's) at 350HP.

I am likely going to look at Vast's OEM gutted DP's... I had forgotten they offered them until your post. Thanks. - eric

dan farmer

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/9549/ic_shroud.jpg"></center><p>I didn't do the work (Jeff Moss did a great job), but saw the process. There was very little cutting required on the radiator support. The shrouds needed some massaging to clear the bumper covers. Look at the pic and you'll see some notches in the edges of the shroud.

The 5-bar fpr was installed at the same time as I got the GIAC X and XRR (race gas) chip, so I can't comment on the gain from just this mod. Garrett said it was to preserve a safety margin, which implies that the car could end up running lean at 4 bar if the injector duty cycle was maxed out.

Have fun-
-df