AWE Downpipe got installed on the car Friday, definitely a good modification. It really helpes the car breath. With the stock downpipe and the neuspeed catback the car felt restrictive in the higher rpms.
The night before I made the 50mile drive, I flashed stage 2 . On my way there I honestly couldn't feel the difference between stage 1 and 2. Maybe there was a slight difference in the topend , eitherway very minimal . I knew that would change once the downpipe got installed.
The drive back was fantastic , took it down some curvey roads car handled great. Power delivery with stage 2 is amazing it's very smooth and linear car just goes ?.
(IE Stage 1) also had smooth and linear power delivery, but top end wasn't as good.
Honestly if I stayed IE stage 1 with a downpipe I probably would enjoyed it just as much. I might go back to stage 1 just to try it with the downpipe. I was happy with stage 1, but wanted a louder exhaust note and of course for only a $50 upgraded why not go stage2 ,?.
The exhaust note is definitely louder but a good loud it's not raspy, it's got a good deep tone. I did notice some drone but I was in 4th at 55mph about 3500rpm. Was just testing the sound levels. Shifted to 5th and drone was gone.
Cruising at 70mph in 6th I didn't notice any drone .
Around town and in D mode it's not much louder than the stock downpipe and just the neuspeeed catback. Cold start it nice , again definitely louder with a deep tone but won't wake the neighbors.
(The same can't be said for my neighbours g35 thing drones and it's raspy and it definitely wakes me up?, anyways back to the gti lol)
I hope to get some exhaust clips at some point but need to get a good external mic and camera. (If you guys have any suggestions let me know.)
But for the meantime I want the lay low?, GTI gave me enough attention on Friday. I'll go briefly into the story before I conclude everything about the downpipe and tune.
Just as I get into town , about a mile and a half from the highway exit. I get pulled over by a cop, but not for the reason you might think. More on that shortly .I
Idid do a few pulls on the highway who wouldn't after an new exhaust and tune. However I was still driving civilized, as I was getting of the exit ramp I could smell my exhaust fumes a bit ( highflow cat after all). I'm going the speed limit 45mph stop and go traffic.
As I roll down my windows a bit to hear my exhaust ( still going 45mph) . I look at my rearview mirror , I see a cop behind me he's a good 6 car lenghts back. All of a sudden he speeds up and stars tailing me ( does it for about half a mile ) as we are approaching the stop light the turns on the sirens ( I knew as soon as he started tailing me he was going to pull me over)
He turns his lights on , I pull over. He is walking to the car,
( whole time I'm thinking it's got to be the exhaust fumes he was smelling or the exhaust tone).
He goes sir do you know why I pulled you over?
No officer.
He tells me .. you got a tree hanging.
A tree? I ask him
Yes, your air freshener can't be obstructing your windshield.
Oh , I was unaware of that officer . ( Wich I really was I had the the same style of air freshener hanging for years not once did I get pulled over for it.)
I give him my license ask him if he wants my insurance card and registration he says no.
Goes to to his car and checks my license , comes back and just gives me a verbal warning about the air freshener.
Whole time while he had me pulled over, all he was looking at was my old downpipe in the back?. Never asked what it was and I wasn't going to say anything unless he asked.
I did have it wrapped up pretty good ?. (Pic attached)
To conclude ,
I definitely would recommend a downpipe and stage 2 maybe even just a downpipe and a stage 1 tune .
Would I recommend the awe downpipe? that really depends, I was looking for a resonated downpipe with a highflow cat that would pair really well with my neuspeeed catback.
I considered the unitronic downpipe but I would need to get a custom resonator and
I didn't really want to deal with the extra hassle of getting all that done. I also didn't really want a 3in downpipe wanted to stay to stock size tubing a close as possible.
In the end I probably would have saved $200 to $250 . If I went the unitronic route with vibrant resonator.
Overall I'm very satisfied with the whole outcome excluding the fact that I got pulled over for the stupidest reason.
If you read this far thank you!! and I apologise for the long post.