PaulW

In my quest for more Audi groups, I found tyresmoke.net when doing a search for "audi supercharger". They have a A8 forum.

Sven seems to be the guru there....he has a S8 and lives in Amsterdam. He just had this exhaust custom fitted.....this shows it with no cats and no crossover. He just go the cats put back in and a crossover installed. He says it works much better now. His whole write up is at the end.

Anyway, I'm going to create an exhaust page on audipages with this, mine, and hopefully Chuck Lane's and Mister Dr's.

<img src="http://www.tyresmoke.net/attachments/133840-IMG_4006se.jpg">

<img src="http://www.tyresmoke.net/attachments/133831-IMG_4002s.jpg">

<img src="http://www.tyresmoke.net/attachments/133823-IMG_4003s.jpg">

<img src="http://www.tyresmoke.net/attachments/133822-IMG_4000s.jpg">

<img src="http://www.tyresmoke.net/attachments/133820-IMG_3974s.jpg">

So, yesterday we headed to EPS, a well respected custom exhaust fitter in NL. They're located in Hoogezand, Groningen, a good 2 hours drive from Amsterdam. The fact these guys are something special was underlined by the fact the other customers were from Zeeland and Germany. They all considered it well worth the drive (the guys from Zeeland got up at 5AM, on a Saturday, to get there in time...)

When I phoned them they straight away offered me a stainless "Quad" exhaust, which was an idea I quite liked since I first saw one on a picture. So that became the plan, together with some cat replacements for some extra BHP.

We were welcomed very friendly, and after some coffee we headed towards their impressive stock, to take a peek at the targeted exhaust system. I pondered whether to get two oval end-pipes or the (fitted) dual pipes, but we agreed the dual pipes filled the arches better than single oval ones. In case I decide later on I want to change the end pipes, no problem, they can make whatever I want... Great service!

I drove the S8 on the bridge, and they went to work. Flanges were made to facilitate an easy swap in case I need to put the std. cats back on, for whatever reason. Another clever touch, and very practical. What struck me in general was the professionalism, in craftsmanship, choice of materials and tools alike. "No can do" is not in their vocabulary...

After taking off the OEM exhaust ("would you like us to send that to you?") the new system was fitted, adjusted, measured, and readjusted until they were satisfied it was perfect. No "this should do" with these guys, but sheer perfectionism.

At the end of the afternoon the bridge was lowered again, and I was invited to start her up, and go for a test drive. I heard some other cars leave, and they all sounded great, but you can't help asking yourself "what will it sound like". So this was the moment of truth... At a turn of the key a low growl emerges. OMG!!! Is this the same car? The sound is gorgeous, but LOUD, a lot louder than I expected. The cat replacements have a lot to do with that, and the system is in fact totally open, the `boxes' are absorption dampers, no more `chambers' as on the OEM system. It's basically a `straight through' with some `high tone filters' around the (big) pipes inside the boxes.

I ease her off the bridge and out of the workshop, and push the fun pedal a bit in the right direction... OMG again... This somehow makes me feel like a kid doing something he's not supposed to. At the end of the driveway I turn onto the main road and I give her some more juice. The growl reacts immediately and climbs a bit. When she's warmed up I can't resist trying what happens at WOT. What can I say? The sound of the quick climbing revs, followed by the gear change at redline is music to the ears of every petrol-head. Releasing the accelerator produces an equally thrilling sound... This is brutal! Bye, bye stealth...

Back at EPS I'm greeted with the collective grins of the crew waiting outside. Somehow they heard me coming, I wonder how come...

The boss advises me to try the system for a while, give it a chance to `run in' and then decide whether I'm satisfied or not. In case I find the exhaust too intrusive on cruising speed they'll make me some extra pipe-dampers, to make it a bit more modest. I'm not sure yet, the sound is awesome, but it's a major change from `whoosh' to VRRROOAAAP, and I could imagine it may become a bit much travelling to the south of France. Then again, maybe it's not too much, as it's a rather pleasant sound, but that's a matter of choice. Putting the cats back would also dramatically decrease the sound level, but I rather like the idea of an open system.

Another thing, driving slowly is very hard now. Admittedly this was never my forte, but now you constantly want to hear that sound... At the other hand, driving slowly through town, and just accelerating a tiny bit produces a highly entertaining sound, just hinting what this machine is capable of....

Below some pics of the install...

ZeekM

Looks good, do you have any recorded sound/exhaust file to post?

Dan McBoost

Wow, that looks good. I would grab a exhaust system like that. Think we could get them to make that in a kit?

cuatrokoop

Yeah, the pass. side rear looks better than some of the others (they took the time to bend the pipe rather than cut pipe/els). Good looking system...

Has anyone with an A8 used Dynomax mufflers? A single 2.5" UltraFlow SS would be plenty per side. Loud for sure, but Dynomaxes sound killer on V8s.

Paldi

Center muffler looks just a little crooked. Otherwise, a wonder!

Adrian410225

I have printed out your pics (BTW, it is beautifully done!!) and brought to the custom exhaust shop to see if they are willing to do this.
They looked at the picture and only comment they made was the heatshield around the spare tire housing and cutting the rear valance.
Except that, it is possible to get this done in couple days. Rough estimate was $650.00 P&amp;L.
They needed exact size of the mufflers you have used for the center and rear.
Can you provide the sizes for the center and rear mufflers?

kk's woW12

i see this is all 5 years old... is this place still aliver and breathing? if so, could i have the info to find them? gracias guys, great write-up