'X-Pipe' Mod for Standard 2011 S4 Exhaust

[R1NGA]

Folks,

I think I'm looking for a bit more rasp and attitude from my 2011 S4 with standard exhaust, but without going for yet another full Milltek replacement as I have done in the past (the back of my garage is littered with old exhausts and I ust have to try to leave things alone for once....).

However, looking round the Net it seems that some folks, particularly in the US, are replacing the intermediate Resonator box with a simple pair of pipes (the silencer before for exhaust splits for the tailpipes). This keeps the rest of the exhaust stock, including the tailpipes, but does seem to make the most wonderful sound and I think I'd like to try it. I come from an RS6 with a non-res Milltek, so the S4 sounds a bit tame, although clearly it has a voice in there somewhere that could do with being heard.

There are plenty of horribly loud full 'race' versions around but that is so not what I want. Here's a link to the YouTube clip;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcdOe8SK6Y


Some people seem to have used a Supersprint pipe as a proper replacement for the whole section (normal sleeved hookup and one end - custom welded at the other), but I am sure a decent fabricator could do a good job of a cut & shut on it. This Resonator clearly is designed to remove any cruise boom but reports suggest that it doesn't increase that element too much.

http://www.supersprint.com/en/prod-c-70 ... _pipe.aspx

Thoughts?

[longdog]

Sounds great and wouldn't be too difficult or expensive. How have you found the change from RS to S? I've had mine 7 weeks now and love it - it's a very underrated car in terms of being a complete package in my opinion.

[Teutonic Tuner]

I fitted a SS x-pipe on my E46 M3 and loved it, no drone just a really nice rasp and it actually adds power and helps the engine rev freer. I'm looking at doing the same to my B7 RS4 some time

[Kiteral]

That mod does sound good and substantially cheaper than a catback !

Would it be easy to put the exhaust back to stock for re-sale ?

[R1NGA]

That mod does sound good and substantially cheaper than a catback !

Would it be easy to put the exhaust back to stock for re-sale ?

It depends how it's cut out, but if done carefully then a couple of pairs of the pipe-oining sleeves that are used elsewhere on the system would probably suffice - so in that case, yes.

However, I suspect it's easier to buy a discarded spare and modify that instead. If it works, then great, if it's a mare you can just put the original back on.

[R1NGA]

Sounds great and wouldn't be too difficult or expensive. How have you found the change from RS to S? I've had mine 7 weeks now and love it - it's a very underrated car in terms of being a complete package in my opinion.

I have to say that the swap has been less painful than I expected. The B8 S4 is a remarkable motor and I have been fortunate enough to bag a very high spec car for very little money. It was apparantly a cancelled order and the chap had ticked every box going it seems - except sunroof, memory seats and keyless entry. It even has a towbar which I put to good use by towing my muckabout car (Renault Sport Spider) down to a rally in Macon last month. The S4 is so much more wieldy, dynamic and involving than the RS6, although the latter sounded completely brilliant, was faster in a straight line and had infinitely better headlights. The S4 has the Adaptive Headlamps, but they lack the 2 additional (and HID upgraded, naturally!) mainbeam units that I had on the RS6.

I have transferred the big Movit ceramics to the S4 and had to fit a set of the 19" 5-spoke Rotors to give clearance, but the end result is a cracking car that's fast enough but very enjoyable when the Dynamic button is pressed. I have the full ADS pakage too and the difference between Comfort and Dynamic is very significant. We took the car to Le Mans and back last weekend and averaged over 30mpg despite tooling around it in during the trip, we watched DVD's (VIM mod done too now...), listened to Pink Floyd and Radio Le Mans in full sound-around-all-around quality and filled it with camping kit and food to the roof. It took it all in its stride and I love it.

But, it needs more exhaust rasp, hence the idea of trying this x-pipe mod thing. The RS6 was epic in the exhaust stakes and I miss that a lot (although the neighbours probably don't), but that had a non-res Milltek and 100cell CATS as I mentioned, so it was never going to be stealthy. In fact the S4 is so damn stealthy most people probably think it is just another other TDI S-Line white A4, but I guess that holds true to that original Audi mantra used in the 90's ad's "The more you know, the less you have to show" or something.

Great car - and I bet a 430bhp version with tricky remap would be a real weapon!

[longdog]

I'm going to look into a remap next year but am wondering whether the new facelift models have a slightly different exhaust. I know it has the soundakter speaker to enhance the sound when in dynamic but even when floored in normal drive mode the sound is pretty raspy. I only have 1500 miles on the clock at the minute but she is loosening up very nicely, I'd love to try it back to back with a new RS4 to see who it compares.

Love your ceramics, by the way, really gives the look of the car a lift.

[R1NGA]

Love your ceramics, by the way, really gives the look of the car a lift.

Ironically, those are the one thing that catch people's eye - I had sooo many people point, laugh, comment, take pictures or mouth words whilst pointing at a front wheel whilst at Le Mans. Very funny and they must wondered why an A4 TDi would ever need brakes that size....

[Kiteral]

Ringa, have you also got the dynamic steering optioned ?

Be interested to hear your thoughts on it as I think it's either my steering is causing issues or tracking, control arms etc, etc, etc.

Am waiting for MRC to release their remap then I will have a look, first mod will be ARB's as it is a little bit to boaty in the corners.

[Timster]

I've got a Supersprint X-Box on my B7 RS4... if you want a listen ?

Admittedly it also has 100 cell sport cats and the supersprint back-box.... but it's the x-box that you can really hear (apparently).

[Teutonic Tuner]

I've got a Supersprint X-Box on my B7 RS4... if you want a listen ?

Admittedly it also has 100 cell sport cats and the supersprint back-box.... but it's the x-box that you can really hear (apparently).

Interesting...would you know if the B7 x-pipe diameter to the back boxes is the same as the OEM exhaust?

On the SS website it says it can only be fitted with SS backbox but if it's the same diameter and follows the same route I'm thinking it could be fitted to the standard backboxes with clamps?

[R1NGA]

Ringa, have you also got the dynamic steering optioned ?

Be interested to hear your thoughts on it as I think it's either my steering is causing issues or tracking, control arms etc, etc, etc.

Am waiting for MRC to release their remap then I will have a look, first mod will be ARB's as it is a little bit to boaty in the corners.

Yes, I do have the Dynamic Steering and I quite like it actually. My Individual setting on MMI gives me Dynamic throttle, Dynamic steering, comfy suspension and comfy rear diff. There's very good feel to the steering and it's very direct and accurate. It's the closest Audi I've driven in terms of steering to the B7 RS4, which of course was completely fab. In fact the whole car on Dynamic everything feels very very close to an RS4 to me. Very close, but with economy, rear legroom, no DRC etc etc. Needs to sound better though, hence the thread....!

Uprated ARBs are a personal thing and for me I don't think they work very well on our crappy British roads. Sure they keep roll down to a minimum, but we have too many bumps and potholes and when a single wheels hits one the additional stiffness of the ARB is felt through the chassis as the suspension movement fights against the stiffer bar and that's not to my liking. Plus car need a bit of roll to grip properly in the wet, so I'll be sticking with what came on the car. Just my view though, and of course in the dry on a smooth road they will pay dividends I'm sure. O think most ARB kits are made in either Germany or the US where the roads are an awful lot smoother than they are over here. Maybe that has something to do with it?!

[R1NGA]

Picking up this thread again, following some more information from SuperSprint about their X-Pipe centre section that now appears to be a relatively simple fitment to an OEM exhaust system. Here's the actual link to a UK retailer with the part available;



http://www.candrenterprises.co.uk/shop/ ... di-46.html

And here's the transcript of my enquiry and follow-up email to-and-fro (read from the bottom up);

***************************************************************************************************~
Hi Phil

This part is very popular as it not only adds power but also sounds great.

Regards

John

________________________________________
From: Phil Gardner
Sent: 07 September 2012 13:03
To: Stephen Cresswell
Cc: John Russell
Subject: RE: Website Quesiton

Many thanks for the response – I now just need to decide how pleasant (or not) the resulting sound might be!

Regards,

Phil

From: Stephen Cresswell [mailto:steve.c@ic24.net]
Sent: 07 September 2012 13:00
To: phil gardner
Cc: John Russell
Subject: Re: Website Quesiton

Hello Phil, John has asked me to look into this for you. The SuperSprint part number 767713 installs like the Audi replacement part, item 2 and part number 8K0 253 409 AC, using four dual clips, items 7 and 8 which are part number 1K0 253 141 M and cost £12.52 each from an Audi dealer or ourselves. The rear silencers have to be cut off at the centre marking as shown in the attachment.



Steve Cresswell at C and R Enterprises


----- Original Message -----
> From: sales@candrenterprises.co.uk [mailto:sales@candrenterprises.co.uk]
> Sent: 07 September 2012 11:59
> To: jrcre@globalnet.co.uk
> Subject: Website Quesiton
>
> Question;
>
> Supersprint Centre Pipe X-Pipe
> Audi S4 8K , Saloon 3.0 TFSI V6 333Hp 09 On
> Road Use - Alternative to 767743
>
> I have a standard 2011 UK model B8 S4 and want to fit a SuperSprint
> non-resonated X-Pipe - part no. 767713 - into my standard system. I expect
> to need cut&shut welding to make it fit, but what's your view please?
>
> Many Thanks,
> Phil

***********************************************************************************************************************************

Question is, has anyone else ever tried this? I am advised by trusted types that the centre box on the S4 that is to be replaced, actually does most of the silencing, so am recommended NOT to remove it, as the resulting noise might be too much. However the chaps at C&R Enterprises suggest it's popular (but then again that's not unsurprising).

Any views before I take the plunge?

Thanks.

[spr0cket]

What's the attachment that still suggests a need to modify (cut) the factory back boxes ? If it was a simple bolt on replacement that allowed easy reversal I'd be tempted. However if the back boxes need to be cut preventing a return to stock easily, then a simpler X pipe at a far lesser cost might as well be considered as let's face it, it's only the piece in the middle of all that pipe work we're interested in.

[Kiteral]

Was browsing MRC's site today and noticed they now have an option to remove the centre silencer's and replace with stainless pipe.

Has anyone looked into this or had it done ?