Well, I finally got around to installing my new ATP 3" test pipe! It was a major PITA, but it was well worth it! The turbo/cat bolts were pretty easy to get out, but the cat/down pipe bolts were horrible. It was partly b/c my car has had a custom exhaust for almost 10 years now, and the bolts have been sitting there rusting. Finally, after I took off one of the exhaust clamps, I was able to slide the cat/downpipe into a position where I could get at the bolts. Overall, I would say the whole install took about 8 hours (estimate).

Here are some pics:

dirty engine


This is after I got the airbox out.


View from the wheelwell, with the wheel off. The cardboard is because I thought it would be good to protect the cv boot from the PB Blaster.


most of the things that needed to come off


the test pipe, gaskets, bolts and nuts


cv heat shield


testpipe with non-foulers


catch of the day!


the finished product!

sound clip inside car:
http://home.comcast.net/~ericmattila/misc/audi_testpipe_inside.mp3
sound clip outside car:
http://home.comcast.net/~ericmattila/misc/audi_testpipe_outside.mp3
0-60 video:
http://home.comcast.net/~ericmattila/misc/tp_0-60.MOV

Final thoughts:

As I said, it was definately well worth it. The first thing I noticed is how fast the turbo spools up and how loud it is (with airbox mod). I find myself hitting the gas all the time just to hear it! The only downside, is that my exhaust is waaaay too loud for my liking. It was somewhat loud before though (with scorpion exhaust), but not too bad. In the sound clips, its hard to hear how loud the exhaust actually is.

I've actually been driving around like this for almost two weeks (didn't have time to post), and I still haven't had a CEL come on yet. Unfortunately I haven't been able to check for stored codes as my VAG-COM is not working for some reason.

PB Blaster is a MUST!!!

Hope you enjoyed!

 

Good deal man, sounds nice. Gotta love that turbo whistle...

 

is that really where your ballast is mounted??

 

Yeah, there were no good spots to mount it. I don't have one piece headlights yet to mount them underneath.

 

sounds good man, I still get flashbacks from my tp install.

 

Blue car in sig and silver car in pictures??

why did u have to pb blast and what does that do?

nice job by the way, looks really good

 

Thats a good point. I didn't notice that before!!

Josh

 

where was the boom box mounted ?

 

Yeah the pic in my sig is actually my last a4. I haven't put my new one in for a few reasons: 1. I'm embarassed by the two-piece headlights (they look like $#!+) and 2. My car is still damaged from when I was rear-ended. All of the mod info is accurate though.

PB Blaster is like WD-40, except it is a penetrating catalyst that works really well to loosen up bolts.

 

ya the cat/dp bolts are a major PITA. pb plaster and lots of wd40 really help with the job.