Mk5 Gti exhaust upgrade

[Lauandaus]

Hello fellow members,

Im looking to upgrade from stock exhaust but don't want something that is going to drone or obnoxiously loud, just want a good sounding tone from the exhaust.

If anyone has some good recommendations or has had upgrades done please please please let me know.

Thanks in advance guys and gals

[Lucas_R]

I recently fitted a CTS exhaust to my MK6 GTI. It cost $1k from local supplier DubAddiction. Its reasonably quiet like i wanted (it has a large resonator and then the big muffler at the back). Has a little bit of drone at around 3,200-3,500rpm if you hold the RPM in that band.

I mated the new CTS catback up to my existing EuroJet dump pipe, and the catback was rubbing on the underbody when it got hot. Got my local exhaust shop to adjust the fitment in which he cut off some of the hanger brackets and re-welded them in better spots and also cut and re-welded the pipe in 2 spots to get the fitment better and move the exhaust away from the underbody. Cost $170 for the mods but now it fits better and doesnt rub anymore. The exhaust shop also removed the joiner section where the exhaust reduces down to 2.5" and replaced this with some 3" stainless pipe, so the exhaust is a true 3" system now.

If you want a quiet exhaust with little/no drone, make sure you get a resonated (commonly referred to as a "Street system") exhaust. The reosnated systems cost a few hundred dollars more than the non-resonated ones.

[lunchbox]

I have a 3" dump, to XForce catback. Pretty bland tone and drone between 2k-3.5k. Just here to say don't get Xforce if you don't want drone.

[Lauandaus]

Lucas R and Lunchbox, thanks for your inputs really appreciate that. Nice to hear what others have done. I called and spoke to Liverpool Exhaust today and they advised that maybe to install a custom 3" down pipe and a high flow cat, for $830, saying will have a slightly deeper tone but no drone per say. Then able to tune up and in future upgrade remaining exhaust. So I suppose it's all about how much I want to spend on what and when 😁

[lunchbox]

Lucas R and Lunchbox, thanks for your inputs really appreciate that. Nice to hear what others have done. I called and spoke to Liverpool Exhaust today and they advised that maybe to install a custom 3" down pipe and a high flow cat, for $830, saying will have a slightly deeper tone but no drone per say. Then able to tune up and in future upgrade remaining exhaust. So I suppose it's all about how much I want to spend on what and when 😁

The downpipe will give a nice throaty tone. It will be a touch louder than factory too and yeah no drone.

[Lauandaus]

Thanks lunchbox that's what I was thinking too . Also did u notice a good change with the stage 1 set up???

[lunchbox]

I bought it this way, all I've done so far is chuck good tyres on and get a catback. The stage one is good though. I have taken it to the track and it was awesome.

[Lauandaus]

Mmmmmmmm think I'm keen to have the tune done now hehe

[Lucas_R]

The downpipe will give a nice throaty tone. It will be a touch louder than factory too and yeah no drone.

^ this is correct. Only a smidge louder that stock, no drone.

[sandwg]

Yeah with a CTS 3" Downpipe and stock CAT combo is perfect for me.

I didn't want a loud car. But when I go WOT it gives a nicer louder noise. Also enhances the DSG farts a lot. (If you have a DSG car)
What you'll notice if you go with the CTS DP is on cold starts it will sound more throaty when still warming up, dsg shifts will be more noticeable even when not going hard. And if you have ears like mine at idle the car sounds a bit more deeper, not very noticeable for say the normal person or a cop.

Video with Downpipe:
https://youtu.be/OaCpTICo574

Video with stock pipe:
https://youtu.be/xsl4OfR-pJw

[Lauandaus]

Sandwg thanks for the video comparison, yeah mines a DSG and LOOOOVE the shift farts so this would definitely put a smile on my face. Where about scan one get the CTS 3" combo from?? Spoke to a few people and told to stay away from Liverpool exhaust as they are a rip off??? Dunno if they have had bad experience ?

[Lucas_R]

DubAddiction in Melbourne have CTS gear and Exoticars in Sydney do to. DubAddiciton would be the easier one to deal with though from my experience.

[Lauandaus]

Thanks Lucas R, I'll have a think and give them both a call

[Caffeine]

I'm currently weighing up all the different downpipe options here and have personally narrowed it down to either the CTS or 42DD items.

CTS direct for around $900 shipped or $1k pp locally through Dubaddiction...
CTS Turbo MK5/A3 TFSI 2.0T FWD Downpipe

42 Draft Designs direct for little less than the CTS...
VW Mk5/Mk6 FSI/TSI 3" Downpipe

42DD also offer H&R springs which is why i am leaning towards them as there seems to be a huge discrepancy in price locally for the H&R products compared to over the seas. They also offer a huge range of Magnaflow products at extremely good prices. It all comes down to how much(or little) you want to spend on shipping.

Having done the Res delete a few weeks ago, i have also fallen in love with the DSG farts and crave more of them. From what i read, the downpipe is the single biggest improvement you can make on the turbo FSI engine. I already have the GIAC stage1/2 tune so the exhaust is my next point of call.

Looking forward to seeing what you go with

[Lucas_R]

Mk5 Gti exhaust upgrade

^ by far the cheapest place to source H&R springs is Orange Tuning in Germany. Give them a try. Otherwise, DubAddiction sell the SPM springs which i have on my GTI and they are good. The car rides well and it has lowered nicely.

I would advise against the 42DD dump pipe. I had one on my Golf R and the fitment/design was terrible - removed it not long after and went with a SPM downpipe which was spot on. The 42DD rubbed and rattled on the heat shields and underbody etc.