Downpipe or Catback?

**flashpixx** · 02-01-2013, 11:22 AM

For those that have gone down the exhaust mod route, or for our website supporters that specialise in this stuff, I have enquired about a res catback for Elke. A response I have from a local Millteck supplier is I would be better off replacing the DP rather than a catback.

Now to qualify my requirement I am NOT after any performance improvement so the DP or catback will be for aural pleasure nothing else. I have no intention of flashing the ECU etc, etc...

Given the above which path would you go down, DP or catback and why?

I know there is lots of info on here, most of which I have read, but I have not been able to gain a definitive answer.

cheers, Gordon

**team_v** · 02-01-2013, 11:43 AM

Downpipe is for extra power, catback is for extra noise.
If you aren't after extra power or a tune then there is no reason to go with a downpipe.

**gareth_oau** · 02-01-2013, 11:52 AM

I suspect the downpipe will add to the noise as well, make it deeper.

Catback is usually cheaper to buy and a lot cheaper to instal, and doesnt require any ECU tweaking.

seems to me you local Miltek specialist is having a bit of a lend?

**flashpixx** · 02-01-2013, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by gareth_oau

seems to me you local Miltek specialist is having a bit of a lend?

based on their prices compared to one of our site supporters you may be right.

May need to look for an alternative installer for the suspension too. Any recommendations?

**VWindahouse** · 02-01-2013, 12:27 PM

My 2.5" DP with hiflow cat gave a beautiful deep note and burble with the stock catback system. Then I got a resonated Miltek catback and can't hear anything now

So actually the guy you spoke to is right in a sense. You could get the best of both worlds power and sound with a DP. However if you want even more "noise" then a deep progressive note when on the gas then a non-res catback should give you that.

**Bflat** · 02-01-2013, 12:35 PM

My 2cents.

I've got a 2.5" APR downpipe w/highflow cat and an X-Force rear muffler. The pipe in between is stock.

At idle, the car is perfectly tame, however on WOT it gets progressively louder the higher you rev and on lift off the burble is quite noticable (I can get it to give off a mean backfire with the right amount of throttle).

I even reckon just a straight through rear muffler will give you the extra noise you want without requiring any further tinkering.

**hazrd** · 02-01-2013, 03:40 PM

Just to add to Bflat's response so you have a bit of a comparison to go by.

Ive got a custom 2.5" downpipe and a 200cell cat. from the cat back is stock. Yes I have the room for extra power, but the note is different. Nice burble at low revs, but the higher you go, the quieter it gets.

No mean backfire, just a bit of light popping here and there.

Oh, and the turbo spool is louder

**gareth_oau** · 02-01-2013, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by flashpixx

based on their prices compared to one of our site supporters you may be right.

May need to look for an alternative installer for the suspension too. Any recommendations?

Wilkinsons in Bayswater are the bees-knees for suspension, and they are happy to instal only if you buy it else where

**h100vw** · 02-01-2013, 03:45 PM

If you have no plans to get a flash, I would question spending any money on an exhaust at all. My 2 cents.

If you get a downpipe, you will need a flash of some kind. Mine isn't running right now I have the downpipe on, I suspect the turbo is surging with no restriction after it and ECU can't keep tabs on it properly.

Will be doing the Phase 2 very soon.

Gavin