Need help with exhaust swap

[RBB]

Hey guys, I've got an Active Autowerke exhaust coming next week and could use a little help with the install. I'd like to get it done that weekend, the 10th would be good for me. The use of a lift would be ideal, and I've exhausted all options with that in my area. If that's not possible a second set of hands would do the trick as well. Of course, I'd pay you for your time.

[Day Laborer]

pm'ed

[strummr]

Have you found help? I have a Corsa arriving this week, would be nice to do a double install and compare sounds afterwards. I usually always have a tuning shop install my exhausts, but being an axle back only, I was thinking of doing this myself on jack stands.

[Nautik]

Just changed my stock muffler out for the UUC Corsa this last Friday night. The only difficult part is the stupid rubber bushings. I'd recommend disconnecting the bushings and taking them out with the rest of the exhaust before trying to get them off. I used some WD-40 and a small screwdriver to get them started when it was time to remove them.

You can also buy a set of ramps (40 bucks at an auto store) if you don't want to mess with jacking the car up and putting it on stands. That's what I did anyway, was still plenty of space. I would have just put it on stands but I couldn't find a good post on what the best jack point for the rear of the car was.

[RBB]

Originally Posted by Nautik

Just changed my stock muffler out for the UUC Corsa this last Friday night. The only difficult part is the stupid rubber bushings. I'd recommend disconnecting the bushings and taking them out with the rest of the exhaust before trying to get them off. I used some WD-40 and a small screwdriver to get them started when it was time to remove them.

You can also buy a set of ramps (40 bucks at an auto store) if you don't want to mess with jacking the car up and putting it on stands. That's what I did anyway, was still plenty of space. I would have just put it on stands but I couldn't find a good post on what the best jack point for the rear of the car was.

I got it on this weekend and I agree....very simple except for the bushings. I also used some ramps. How do you like the Corsa, Nautik? It was between that and the AA for me and I'm loving it. Great sound on this thing. Not too loud, strikes just the right balance. Thanks for the replies guys.

[Gins]

Have fun, stock exhaust is heavy as shit.

[Nautik]

Originally Posted by RBB

I got it on this weekend and I agree....very simple except for the bushings. I also used some ramps. How do you like the Corsa, Nautik? It was between that and the AA for me and I'm loving it. Great sound on this thing. Not too loud, strikes just the right balance. Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm pretty happy with it. When I was a lot younger I probably would have wanted louder but this is my DD and I make business phone calls etc from it so I think it is just right. I get a little bit of a buzzing sound at about 80 mph but not that noticeable. Other than that, no drone whatsoever.

The sound that comes out is pure and refined, like an instrument almost. It has a very nice tone to it. Just what I was looking for.

[WHITE-E92]

Originally Posted by Snig

Have fun, stock exhaust is heavy as shit.

true that!

[strummr]

Originally Posted by Nautik

I'm pretty happy with it. When I was a lot younger I probably would have wanted louder but this is my DD and I make business phone calls etc from it so I think it is just right. I get a little bit of a buzzing sound at about 80 mph but not that noticeable. Other than that, no drone whatsoever.

The sound that comes out is pure and refined, like an instrument almost. It has a very nice tone to it. Just what I was looking for.

This is good to hear, since my M3 is also my DD. Just a bit of growl is all I would be looking for (it's a V8, you should hear it). Mine will be installed this wknd.

OP, what do you think of the exhaust note of your Active Autowerke?

[cshawkeye]

Good Luck, BTW Z06 looks sharp!

[strummr]

CS... thanks, also for the nav discs. I just finished the update - that's non-trivial update time.

[cshawkeye]

Originally Posted by strummr

CS... thanks, also for the nav discs. I just finished the update - that's non-trivial update time.

Sure is. I hope you can make it to the Pie Run.

[strummr]

An update on the Corsa exhaust install... had to get creative to get the car onto ramps, since my low-profile jack didn't go high enough (good thing I had a bunch of wood pieces laying around). As the others, major pita to get the OEM exhaust off the hangers; the back ones gave me the most trouble since there's not alot of room, and the two hangers are facing each other only about 4" apart. For all the DIYers, you might consider picking up a hanger removal plier. The installation of the Corsa was easy compared to the OEM removal, and I would further support the notion of getting an axle-back, if just for the weight savings - the OEM muffler is crazy heavy. The Corsa is of high build quality, and the stainless looks good... the tips look great, but as most note, they're on the small side compared to others. (seen Akropovics lately?) It's not bad though, comes off a bit more 'understated'... similar to my AWEs on the S4 (100mm tips, when many others were going way above).

So I bombed around for half an hour and a few notes on the sound: first the cold start is deep and guttural, almost as deep as my Z06 idle (has that nice raw burble), once it warms, it becomes deathly quiet - about the same as OEM. There's no drone, and if you're out of the gas, I dare say it sounds quieter than stock! There's a spot ~1800-2300rpm with part throttle, the exhaust and even the mechanical whine just becomes imperceptible, but get to 4k+... the growl becomes prominent - definitely a nice higher-pitched, european-exotic tone. This is in stark contrast to my B6 S4 I had a few years back - with 200cell APR downpipes and AWE cat-back, that car was the closest thing to a teutonic version of a big-bore, american muscle car. (with the 40 valves adding a decidedly unique sound up top - it wasn't M3 level, but it revved to 7900) As most exhaust, I expect this system to get a bit louder once the carbon deposits build up, but this exhaust has the uncanny characteristics of being either hushed or rowdy, all dependent on your your level of throttle aggression - it's like having the NPP (valve-tronic) of the 'vette.