Second Review: Catless downpipes & Akrapovic ehxaust

[Rboosted717]

n/c

[northern2020]

Thanks for the teaser...

Sounds great. Deep and throaty no pun intended.

Moar!

[Bob MG]

Mine sounds louder

[Nate@IND]

Yes let's hear some rolling videos.

[Bob MG]

I don't notice any smell?

I reckon you get the ESS tune and run 100 RON

You will be sweet and it will sound like mine

[mgakathereaper]

So I posted over on Bob MG thread but saw the reference to smell here.

Rboosted717 - Based on your thread and Bob MG comment, you do not currently have the ESS Tune correct?

Bob MG - I will have your identical setup, I suspect I will have similar results and not have "smell" issues. I imagine ESS addresses the variables.

My stuff should start arriving next week.

Thx

[mgakathereaper]

Ah. Got it. Thx for the info.

I will have a 93 octane tune which will adapt up to 96 octane. I will also have a 100 octane tune for the cam-2 fuel I can get down the street.

I will probably do a mix of 93 and 100 to get around 96-98 octane.

I will be at the same level as Bob MG after the conversion from RON to AKI here in the states.

[mgakathereaper]

RON x .95 = AKI (US Octane Rating)

98 RON x.95 ~ 93 AKI
100 RON x .95 ~ 95 AKI

So in theory:

100 AKI x 1.05 ~ 105 RON

The calcs are a bit more complex but this is an easy way of looking at it for simple minded folks like myself.

[TimZ]

It sounds sick! Cant wait to add this on mine. Any rolling videos yet?

[Bob MG]

Oh my wife asks me why my car is soo noisy all the time, thank god she can't smell it

I'm running 95 Ron pump with an Octane booster.

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by Rboosted717

More details coming shortly, but here's a video of the first cold start:

Happy with the setup?

How's the long term assessment?

[BiG22DuBz]

Sounds sweet! I snapped an axle bone stock while launching.

[BiG22DuBz]

Truck sounds great! Did the exhaust get louder after break-in? How's the truck holding up? Is the tune spot on? Idle well? Any surge or bucking during low rpm?

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by Rboosted717

No, the exhaust never needed to break-in due to the design of the Akrapovic muffler and free-flow piping. In terms of sound it's remained consistent since first use.

The truck is holding up fine with no issues to report. I did have one or two random electronic gremlins but that's nothing new on any car (ie: unrelated to the modifications).

The tune is pretty good. I've noticed it runs slightly on the richer side and could probalby benefit from a little detailed analysis/tuning, however I can't complain. The idle is fine and practically same as stock.
In terms of surge, yes I do get some from time to time, however its mainly a result of the rapid spooling of the turbo's due to the lack of back pressure and sudden throttle changes. Typically surging is a result of over spinning the turbo's or inadequate pressure bleed off. Generally speaking is mild enough that you'll only notice it in very particular situations.

At the moment I'm running the factory downpipes as I had to preform my first (1yr) service a few months ago. I'll be installing the catless downpipes again once the weather gets better. Also after doing this a few times, I'm now down to 2.5hrs from start to finish. I wouldnÂ’t be surprised if most mechanic shops want 8hrs (All-Data estimate) or 3-5hrs for experienced aftermarket/tuner shops. Needless to say itÂ’s a backbreaker due to the awkward position the mechanic will be in.

Would love a Downpipe synopsis from you as you have the most experience in doing this!

I will be attempting to do mine this spring...

[northern2020]

Ok Rboosted...

After reading this and Bob MG's thread I've committed to IND and ordered the Catless Akra + Akra Evo + ESS tune!!


Would love your Downpipe removal / install tips!!

Did you retain the factory heat shields?

Truck going strong still?

[NANDOM5]

Originally Posted by northern2020

Ok Rboosted...

Did you retain the factory heat shields?

Well.......i made the same question as my mechanic told me DP are normally wider.......

Waiting for your replies....


Regards

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by NANDOM5

Well.......i made the same question as my mechanic told me DP are normally wider.......

Waiting for your replies....


Regards

I retained the factory heat shields wit the Akra catless dp's

[larkinda]

How is the sound inside the truck? I want to go catless but am worried about cabin drone. I had a RR sport with project Kahn exaust and the drone was awful.

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by larkinda

How is the sound inside the truck? I want to go catless but am worried about cabin drone. I had a RR sport with project Kahn exaust and the drone was awful.

Mind sounds quite tame in the truck but more aggressive and monster like vs stock, and vs a catted Downpipe.


I am constantly rolling down my windows so I can hear the beast!

No drone either.

No regrets with the turbo back catless Akra!

[Jimshorts]

Originally Posted by Rboosted717

No, the exhaust never needed to break-in due to the design of the Akrapovic muffler and free-flow piping. In terms of sound it's remained consistent since first use.

The truck is holding up fine with no issues to report. I did have one or two random electronic gremlins but that's nothing new on any car (ie: unrelated to the modifications).

The tune is pretty good. I've noticed it runs slightly on the richer side and could probalby benefit from a little detailed analysis/tuning, however I can't complain. The idle is fine and practically same as stock.
In terms of surge, yes I do get some from time to time, however its mainly a result of the rapid spooling of the turbo's due to the lack of back pressure and sudden throttle changes. Typically surging is a result of over spinning the turbo's or inadequate pressure bleed off. Generally speaking is mild enough that you'll only notice it in very particular situations.

At the moment I'm running the factory downpipes as I had to preform my first (1yr) service a few months ago. I'll be installing the catless downpipes again once the weather gets better. Also after doing this a few times, I'm now down to 2.5hrs from start to finish. I wouldn’t be surprised if most mechanic shops want 8hrs (All-Data estimate) or 3-5hrs for experienced aftermarket/tuner shops. Needless to say it’s a backbreaker due to the awkward position the mechanic will be in.

Wow 2.5 hour install thats solid! Ive read up to 11hours. Any chance you have a DIY?

[MarcG777]

Rboosted717
Did you also do the ECU programming? I read on the Akrapovic website, that it is required for the downpipes!If yes, does that mean I will loose my warranty?

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by MarcG777

Rboosted717
Did you also do the ECU programming? I read on the Akrapovic website, that it is required for the downpipes!If yes, does that mean I will loose my warranty?

You need the reprogrammed ECU when running catless Downpipes...

Regardless any aftermarket mod will void your warranty!