Exhaust comparison - Oem vs non res vs res

[PetrolDave]

Jesus h Christ... It was said tongue in cheek hence the smiley...

Sorry missed that - I saw the word "diesel" (the fuel of the devil) and the red mist descended

Happy New Year to all on here, especially adsgreen

[adsgreen]

And to you Dave
Was a bit worried as you're always a voice of sanity and reason on here
(I'm a victim of red mist too... as you've seen in other threads

[Rw@@dy]

The only bad noise is the resonant drone and this is between 1500-2200 ish rpm.
Slight tweak to driving style and it's not a problem.

I'd seen this said a lot before I went for a non-res valved in the Summer, and have to say after 6 months I think "slight tweak" is a major under statement.

Around town and when just pottering (e.g. on holiday) I used to spend 90% of the time between 1500-2200 rpm in non-Sport mode using the torque, but I just can't do that now as the drone is, to my ears (and especially to my wife's ears),really intrusive. So I've had to adopt a completely different driving style when pottering, instead of being in 5th or 6th gear I now use 3rd in 30 limits and 4th in 40 limits in order to get the revs above the drone (2200rpm+).

Needless to say whenever I'm out on my own it's Sport mode on and grin all the time.

But I have to say that IMHO a non-res has deleted one element from the RS4s armoury - it can no longer comfortably waft along in a high gear in town. That's been especially noticeable for me this year as we've had 2 close family funerals where I've had to be the first car behind the hearse & limo, and sitting in the drone region was too noisy but sitting above the drone zone got looks for using "such high revs".

This is exactly what I was expecting, I had exactly the same problem in my golf and you've made my mind up that if I change exhaust it will be a res. thanks

[adsgreen]

By all accounts don't expect miracles from the res - Whilst in theory it should sort it, many have said that it's around a 20% improvement.
Worth getting an opinion from a res owner.

[sakimano]

[
But I have to say that IMHO a non-res has deleted one element from the RS4s armoury - it can no longer comfortably waft along in a high gear in town. That's been especially noticeable for me this year as we've had 2 close family funerals where I've had to be the first car behind the hearse & limo, and sitting in the drone region was too noisy but sitting above the drone zone got looks for using "such high revs".

Yes drone sucks .

Resonated vs non res doesn't really matter if that helps. Drone is drone, and is primarily determined by the engine and exhaust system design. Cats and resonators may make it slightly worse actually. Some people say to get resonators. Ignore them lol...you will just end up poorer. Audi spends a fortune eliminating drone. Aftermarket exhaust companies don't.

Strangely it is not louder outside... Just inside. Many people don't think it's drone they just think their exhaust is loud there in that rpm range. It's not. Same volume outside through 1000 to 4000 but inside you get the drone.

[mf51y]

Iam running with the vac lines securely plugged so valves open all the time, its a great sound no complaints from any drone. Typical me would love a non resonated Milltek...any comments/regrets from owners who have experience of the same transition such as noise inside verse the magical sound from outside?

[rob-s]

Iam running with the vac lines securely plugged so valves open all the time, its a great sound no complaints from any drone

I also stuck the tubes of the valves and am 100% happy with the sound now. Not too much but enough to enjoy the V8 sound:) ..and no drone at any revs.

[ROY]

I had a Milly Non-Valved Non-Res and it did my bloody head in, I couldn't drive anywhere without massive drone - swapped in a Resonated Section and it was fine
Great sound and ideal for everyday driving

[Covkiller]

Mines a Non Res Valved Milltek, yes there is a drone with valves open or closed. However with my Milltek non cat downpipes fitted there is no drone at all. With the valves closed the exhaust is quieter too (confirmed by wife) and like gods thunder with the valves open.

[watts6087]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6d6JGdaKtA

Here is the sound of mine

[spikeyboy101]

What ever you do get - remeber that it is louder when first fitted until it beds in.

When i got my Milly Non-Res Valved i couldnt stand driving it as it gave me a headache from the drone, however after a few hundred miles its fine, as others have said just drive around the 2,000 rpm drone area.

Hit 4,000 rpm and make sure the S button is pressed

[toyneg]

i have a non-res, non valved Milltek and I am in the same opinion as Dave on this one - You can drive around the loudest part of the drone but it does take some getting used to compared to how you might have driven the car before using the low down torque.

[Rw@@dy]

Great feedback all, thank you

[PetrolDave]

swapped in a Resonated Section and it was fine.

That's what I'm going to have to do - mind me asking how much it cost to have it swapped? (Did try to PM you but got the dreaded SQL Error).

[sakimano]

Fecking hell, yours revvs to 8600!!!!

Must admit Dave, I'd forgotten you'd gone non res - rock on!

anyone's can rev to 8600. Thing is...would you want it to? I think your piston rings will br crying for mercy after too much of that. The good news is though you'll now have a 007 like smokescreen defense (free of course)