So my cats and/or post car O2 sensors are on their way out. Seems like a good time to pick up downpipes and JHM tune, but I called JHM and they not only STILL have no ETA for the downpipes but also don’t plan on using any HFCs, just completely catless. I understand space limitations but I really don’t think I want my A4 completely catless, so I’m left with Labree again as the only option at $1000 a pair and HFC placement at the original spot (i.e. close to the manifold). I think I’m one of the “lucky” owners to have one massive cat (hogpipe) rather than a pre-cat that can be easily gutted, so I’m still not sure what route to take.
Just venting I suppose since this has been a problem for the 3.0 for years and figured I’d update the others who have been waiting as well.
If You live in California and can leave Your car with LaBree.
They will make You custom pipes if You want.
The price might be higher then the $1000.
Any exhaust shop with a mandrel bender can make you downpipes for far less than $1000. It’s just a 45 dredged bend and some piping. Then another $180 or so for a couple of mangnaflow hfc’s to weld near the end of them.
JHM is making my downpipes with HFC’s.
Sure, I just don’t have any local options I trust. I PMd Tom to see if I can set something up with him, just not sure when I’ll be up that way again.
Can you provide more details and where they are placing the cats? Jake told me over the phone that they are only going to be catless, strange.
Also, what’s up with the negative karma? I don’t understand that either.
Tom was going to build a set for my 3.0 back in the day. It’s very easy on the 3.0 since there is so much more room. Really any performance oriented shop could do it. Jap tuner shops do great work and they are usually cheap
Fixed
Makes sense considering how big those cats are in terms of space.
Thanks, just seemed odd, wasn’t sure if there was some rule I was violating.
I’m moving to Ohio first week in June and may need to address this for inspections so that’s why I’m trying to get clearer answers re: JHM downpipes. I can wait it out a bit longer I suppose, but for something as straightforward as a pair of pipes I don’t know why there is this conflicting info around the option of HFCs.
From what I recall the problem for JHM is that there are 3 different sets of exhaust manifolds on the 3.0 engine.
So that means if they are going to deliver a downpipe solution to people, they need to make 3 sets of downpipes and they need to also know which ones a client has before they can sell to them.
Problem with that is that you take an already small market (3.0 performance minded folks) and then split it 3 ways. Basically it becomes 3 products, for which they need 3 of everything with the manufacturing process (jigs etc). Getting setup with someone like Fast Intentions as they did with the RS4/S4 stuff is damn expensive. Do they really want to do it 3 times for the 3.0?
So from a casual observer position, that would appear, to me, to be an obstacle. The business case isn’t awesome. that’s just my theory. I haven’t talked to them about this.
Have I got my facts straight on the manifolds and how they mate up to the downpipes?
I know there’s at least 2 different manifolds, they are similar, but one flows much better than the other due to a 2.3" outlet as opposed to a 1.9" one. IIRC FWIW IMBTW.
is the only difference outlet size between the versions? If the outlet is located at the same alignment and same distance back from the motor it shouldn’t be too tough to work around. If it’s like the coupe quatto manifolds (bag of snakes and the log manifold). then not so much.
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Can you provide more details and where they are placing the cats? Jake told me over the phone that they are only going to be catless, strange.
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Yes, that’s correct they will all be catless, but last time I was at JHM I spoke to Keaton and he said it would not be any trouble at all to add HFCs to my DPs. Of course any exhaust shop could do it but IMO since JHM is the one making them it makes more sense to me to just have them add cats if you wanted since they have done the extensive research and testing. Also for me personally I only use parts from JHM and or genuine Audi and nothing else.
Yes, the demand is somewhat lacking, but then again its not since cat failures on the 3.0 seem fairly common and most have pretty high miles by now.
That was my assumption, but maybe not. Possibly different spacing of the studs if the openings are different, I don’t know.
Yes, that’s correct they will all be catless, but last time I was at JHM I spoke to Keaton and he said it would not be any trouble at all to add HFCs to my DPs.
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Got it, that makes more sense
I bought downpipes from JHM (some used ones) and they added cats in for me.
I have had two sets from LaBree and not once did they ask me what manifold I had.
Both sets were identical with one flaw. He only has a saddle for an automatic transmission.
Which means if You have a manual the position of the flex pipe has to be relocated so as to not hit
the trans support.
The angle on all 3 manifolds are the same. The distance that the manifold extends is so minute and won’t
cause a problem.
I think JHM is more concerned about placement of the x pipe to mate to the rest of the exhaust as to get
the most HP out of their setup. (Opinion)
If a custom exhaust shop can use the ones currently on the car to get the right mounting bracket and
angle to put a high flow CAT or just run pipe with 02 sensor ports You should be fine.
Just be sure to get them to make the inside diameter at the mounting bracket point no less then 2.25 inches.
Unless You want it larger?
2.25 is optimal but some people here say this motor needs 2.5 to get better performance.
Good to know, hopefully they get these released soon.
I think the only difference between the various downpipes is going to be automatic or manual. The exhaust manifolds all have the same end point location and bolt pattern as far as I know. The pictures that people have posted of the two different types show that the only real difference outside of looks is the exit diameter. The physical size is the same between them.
I’m sure there could be slight variations in the position, but movement of the exhaust should be able to compensate for it. Could there be other differences? Possibly, but I think there are only two different exhaust manifolds, and then the downpipes vary based on transmission.