XS Power Exhausts...

[Mikey-S]

I've just fitted a full turbo back XS Power exhaust system (no cats) and I'm well impressed with the results..

The old system including downpipes was easily removed. I left the heatshields bolted on at the top and the downpipes passed by the bottom of the heatshields with ease.

The fitting of the new system was far from easy.

First problem.. the lambda sensor bosses were wrongly positioned, meaning I had to cut away part of the heatshields to enable the fitment of the lambdas..

Second problem... Once both downpipes were fitted one was 3/4 inch higher than the other so I had to roast the downpipe and swing on it with a bar... fun and games..

Third problem... No clamps were supplied so I had to go shopping for 2x 2-1/2 sleeves and 2x 2-1/2 inch clamps..

Apart from a few heatshield adjustments and a bit of swearing that was it, and I am more than pleased with the end result. The twin tailpipe looks and fits great, the exhaust note is slightly louder than I would have liked but is still acceptable, and when it's floored it sounds sweet. It also seems to have less lag and slightly more power which is a bonus....

As for the fitting problems, I appreciate you get what you pay for, but these have to be expected with a system costing less than £500.

Next on my list is a decent remap....

Mike

[Blue_Thunder]

Good work Mike!

[Jarv]

Great to hear someone fitting a system different to the usual suspects. Post some piccies up if you can Mike.

[Mikey-S]

Probably too late to post some pics. I did think about that when I was doing it, but my camera was at home.

Maybe just a tailpipe shot would do?

I done a fly-by with a friend tonight and he said the car sounded awesome. If anyone is thinking of fitting a turbo-back system and doesn't mind a bit of a struggle fitting it then I would recommend the XS system. It does make me wonder how good a fit is an expensive system?

Mike

[PaulyS4]

Keep an eye out for cracking as I had one of these on my old S4 and the de cat started to crack after 3 months!!! But apart from that they aren’t too bad and super value compared to my current miltek.

[Mikey-S]

Cheers, I'll look out for that. If I decide to get a pair of K04's I'll reshape the downpipes and make them fit better when the engine is out, hopefully taking the stress out of them..

[snadge]

I've just fitted my xs system and although the tail pipe is slightly on the piss I'm well happy with it, with no cats you can hear them turbos spooling up


I'm getting it up on the ramp next week to modify it for a better fit all over as some of the hanger brackets don't seem to be in the right place. I'll take pics then.

but for a handy person that doesn't mind a bit of modifying, they are the biz..

and it sounds awesome...

[Mikey-S]

I'll second that! I've just heard someone else driving my car and dammit it sounds great...

No problems with the tailpipe alignment or hangers with my system, just downpipe alignment.

Snadge, did your lambdas line up with you heatshields??

Mike

[S4]

heat shields!!!! a lot of people dump them, when they shove rs4 downs on.

Darren

[Mikey-S]

Why dump them... they're easy enough to fit. I've always refitted heatshields on cars with turbos... have you seen manifolds, turbos and downpipes glowing red hot? They're there for a reason...

[S4]

yes they are there, you are right...... but these cars really get hot because of the pre cat, around that area.

I am sure there are a lot who do not put them back after gutting the cats. you are the first to say anything to do with the downpipes is easy...... have you small hands?

Darren

[snadge]

I'll second that! I've just heard someone else driving my car and dammit it sounds great...

No problems with the tailpipe alignment or hangers with my system, just downpipe alignment.

Snadge, did your lambdas line up with you heatshields??

Mike

No, I also needed to modify the heat shields slightly, not a huge job though.

[BRETTCOLLINS]

Can get away with out the heat shields if you remove the pre CATS from the car.

[Mikey-S]

yes they are there, you are right...... but these cars really get hot because of the pre cat, around that area.

I am sure there are a lot who do not put them back after gutting the cats. you are the first to say anything to do with the downpipes is easy...... have you small hands?

Darren

Small hands... far from it! (some friends call me 'sausage fingers')

It was the first time I have tackled these S4 downpipes, have been a tech for years, and I guess having a good sesection of tools does help. They are a little fiddly at worst.

I didn't remove the heatshields, just lowered the rear end of the subframe, unbolted the downpipe then pulled the downpipe through the heashield. It worked a treat..

Also, I may be wrong about the S4, but even without precats I'm sure you'll see a glowing turbo & downpipe. My TT engined Corrado didn't have cats and I could easily get it glowing, and my 1.8T A4 (without cat) was the same. Take it for a night time blast then pull up somewhere dark and open the bonnet... it looks like it's just about to melt! That radiated heat has to go somewhere..

Mike