I found exactly the same when I installed the AWE resonated downpipes to my Capristo system, it really muted the tone down, even in fully aggressive mode it’s very reserved now.
I’m having the AWE resonators adjusted at the moment, they sit far too low and catch on speed humps, etc so a bit of cutting and adjusting should lift them up enough to prevent that.
James, check your email, I found another expat and RS5 owner in Dubai! He may be signing up here.
Anyway, looks like Borla makes two resonators which “may” work for me.
James, on the resonated downpipes, did it change the octave of the exhaust? One of my worries is if I add them, I won’t have as deep a tone with the JHM exhaust. It’s one of the things I love about it and the largest difference between it and the AWE which was a “higher” note so to speak.
Speaking with the boys at JHM, yes I’ve got a set of resonators near the x-pipe, so we’ll see how she sounds and go from there. They said they can probably help with ideas with something in the X pipe section, but with an all motor car, putting anything in the exhaust to restrict flow may defeat the point of doing the headers for the gains.
I have the AWE resonated downpipes. My plan is to install an X-pipe at the bottom of the downpipes and then put the AWE resonators right after that. The X-pipe piece is about 12" (30.5cm) long. Then run back to the OEM mufflers for now to see how it sounds.
That’s exactly how I’ve got mine now xpipe at the end of the DP and then the resonator’s then straight to the rear Miltek mufflers it nice inside the cabin but still deep and loud outside best of both !!
Wouldn’t the resonators negate some of the benefits from going catless in the first place? Honest question?
Also, here’s the progress on the RS5 (who will have the fastest all motor RS5 first … Mark, Steve or me … stay tuned!)
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Cats are very restrictive compared to Resonators which for the most part is a flow through device with sound absorbing features (sometimes Synthetic material surrounding the flow through tube which is usually a perforated pipe. Resonators don’t cut flow or sound very much. They mostly tune the sound. Mufflers divert and cool the exhaust flow which causes a larger reduction in sound but also a larger flow restriction, still not as much as a Catalytic converter.
Also, Catalytic converters so close to the head can have negative affects on the engine by increasing exhaust EGT’s. It’s better for emmissions but not neccessarily good for the engine.
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Glad you answered that question as i was thinking the same that resonator’s shouldn’t reduce performance not as much as mufflers anyway and defo not as much as the Cat’s.
I have not personally noticed any difference in the performance of my car after fitting the resonators as far as i can tell !
Good to know, thanks Mark!
Yes if the sound is too much, I can probably buy another set of JHM silencers, identical to the ones already on my car, and put near X-Pipe.
Did you or Steve have any resonators or silencers other than the rear mufflers on your setups?
I believe Steve said his was straight through from catless to rear mufflers, so was probably quite loud.
That’s correct mine was straight through from catless to rear mufflers it was loud but not as bad as what you think. Now with the resonators in its sounds great. I really dont think you will have an issue with your set up as you already have that extra silencer ! 
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Did you have any fitment issues? JHM said it should be fine. Did you have to dent or bend anything for fitment?
No fitment issues. On the head everything is the same since that portion is unchanged and for the collector/Cat replacement section they still used the stock downpipe brackets on the transmission and my new AWE downpipes bolted up with no issues. The headers, whether stock or modified are a pain to get all of the nuts on the studs with the little wedge brackets that Audi uses. The right side is the tougher one just because some clearances are a little tighter.
Thank you! Have you fired it up yet?
I’m so curious about the sound! 3 weeks and counting…
Haven’t fire it up yet. Posted elsewhere but I’m finishing up on rebuilding the front suspension so I can get the wheels on. Then I have to roll it onto my trailer and get it to a Audi dealer as they have to VIN code the new transmission as I’m getting an immobilizer fault so the car won’t start. I guess they have to get online with Audi in Germany to code it correctly. Hopefully get an appointment in the next 2 weeks but they don’t have the best customer service. Took another car there for coding service early last year, figured it was at the most a couple hour job and it took them a week to get it done. Why bother making an appointment if they don’t start work on it when your time is set??
Typical dealer! Why do the Germans have to make it sooo damn complicated.
Figuring out how I’m going to sneak a lift into the garage and explain to the wife why my car is in the air and engine is on the ground. It won’t be a fun conversation.
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Ok keep us posted!
I guess mine will sound different, as does Steve’s since we all have various exhausts. Mine will be a true, full JHM system.
JHM got my OEM manifolds today, so should be about a week, then shipping, then Audi will put everything back together. I’m having them do the transmission fluid while they’re at it, plus some new bolts and gaskets. Car should be minty fresh!
I’m hoping I don’t run into the LWCP misfires, and just need the new catless Stage 2 file, as its -30 here and car will be parked until spring, ± another 1.5mths.
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Ok, decide to start the car and no start. Get an error (VCDS of Starter failure or system fault). ElsaWin wiring diagram and check the power to the Solenoid (you can’t get to the Solenoid itself) and there is power when the Start button is pushed. Shit, gonna have to pull the transmission to get to the starter. Well, I pull the steering rack and get a long screwdriver onto the Solenoid plug and it is loose, a piece of the little locking tab (brittle drops into my hand). I set the screwdriver with pressure onto the plug and wire it in place and go hit the starter button and she fired up in less than 2 seconds of cranking. This 26k motor last ran when the car it came from wrecked in early 2018, 3yrs ago. I did scope and prelube the cylinders and cranked the motor over when it was out of the car enough to get oil pressure to the valvetrain. I was suprised. I brought the wife out to video another start and idle, only JHM headers and the AWE resonators, not muffllers on the car. Raspy at start up but surprisingly civil at idle. Is there anyway to upload a 5MB video on here?
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BEAT me to it by 7 days LOL!
That sounds really good, nice and deep - congrats!
Edit - Just re-watched. Are the resonators in the AWE downpipes, or the mid section?
I am unsure what mine will sound like with the full JHM setup as they only have 2 small resonators in the mid-section, and then of course the rear mufflers. Would you consider the JHM downpipes? I guess your 2.75" headers are going down to the AWE 2.5" setup.
I thought it was going to sound more like the RS4, a little higher pitched (like this: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBTJ0TpJ9qq/)
The Resonators are a slip fit onto the bottome of the AWE Downpipes, they Downpipes and Resonators are AWE. I’ll have to see if I can move the Resonators back a little in order to install and X-pipe at the bottom of the downpipes and before the Resonator. Planning on using this one.
Looks like a seam but they are seamless, what looks like a line/seam is just a reflection.
Makes sense. JHM has an xpipe right at the end of the downpipes, then right after that, 2 small resonators, then all the way back to the valved mufflers.
Any chance you can take more clips. Do you have a decibel reader on your phone? I’m curious if it hits 115dbs on cold start.
Thanks for posting!