Money2536's AWE SwitchPath Non-Resonated Exhaust Review

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by RJVIII

Thanks for the review. How did you find the aligning process compared to the S4 install? I'm just noticing the difference in spacing around the tips in your photos and wondering if this is going to be plagued with the same issues my S4 exhaust had.

Obviously if you installed an exhaust on a B8/8.5 S4 then you understand the pain of messing with the downpipes. I had my exhaust before AWE made the tool to access the bolts on the top on the cats.

The exhaust path is much straighter and you don't have that massive center muffler to mess with, so aligning is much, much easier. Again, I'm doing this on Rhino Ramps with like 10" of clearance, and I had absolutely no problems get it all lined up. All you have to do is work your way from front to back jamming the slip joints in as far as they will go. The rest just falls into place.

The other thing I didn't mention is that the hangers need to be shoved on the AWE with some muscle. The hangers on the AWE are fatter than stock.

Like I said, I'm obviously an AWE fanboy, but I would tell you the truth. It's much easier than the Audi exhaust.

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by m3heaven

Excellent review! How do you think the non-resonated version will be with catless downpipes?

I'm pretty sure it would be really raspy and probably drones a bit. If you have a 6MT that might help, but DCT would most like be annoying. I'm sure Mike or Andrew will chime in if they have experienced it.

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by FC4

Wow. I wish my life was as simple as yours to be able to devote this much time to a post.

I'm just efficient. It probably took me about four or five hours to edit the photos, post the video, and write up this review. I just do it when I'm watching Ninja Turtles with my son or hanging out with the baby. Multi-tasking.

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by JDUni1

Money, I might have missed it, but are you running downpipes as well?

Stock downpipes

[pigwet]

Great review.

On a different note, I noticed that you, like I, get dusty bands in the middle of your tires. Think this is due to improper inflation? Correct inflation?

[Marc08EX]

Amazing write-up Matt!!! I enjoyed reading your review, seeing all the detailed and multiple angled shots and watching the video. Your car sounds AMAZING! Thanks for taking time to do this.

Originally Posted by GrussGott

I like this exhaust the best from the perspective that it sounds most un-M4 like.

Totally agree with this.

[Money2536]

That freaking Camry! Where the heck was that lady going? It is a dead-end road in the middle of nowhere!

The Rode Mic I use on the DSLR is really noisy, but it does a great job of capturing the actual sound of the exhaust.

I was surprised with the Akra as well. With the valves open all of the time it had some bite. In my opinion the AWE and Akra sound rather similiar with one important exception. THE FART! AWE has solved most all of the fart. Most people really like the dump at high RPMs, but I don't. Normal people that hear the car would probably prefer the Akra.

I don't think you can go wrong with either exhaust, but you could have a front lip, spacers, rear spoiler, tune, cosmetic upgrades, etc plus and AWE exhaust for the price of the Akra.

The Akra is still an amazing piece. If it wasn't so expensive, I'd hang it on my wall.

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

In and of itself, the exhaust sounds pretty good. But it sounds like TOTAL CRAP compared to that Camry!!

On a more serious note, it was interesting to hear the differences between this and the Akra video. About as apples to apples as it gets for internet exhaust videos.

My observations:
-Akra is deeper and throatier
-Akra not as "exotic" sounding as I was thinking
-AWE gurgles and burbles
-AWE different sounding than most other F8X exhausts

I agree a little with Gruss, it does sort of sounds like a truck if you use your imagination. But I think the stock sounds like a lawnmower when you close your eyes

Money, how would you say your vids capture the actual sound?

And if you had to use words, what are the differences between the AWE and stock?

I think I've narrowed my exhaust choices down to AWE or Akra, for now lol.

[Accel Junky]

Hands down the best sounding exhaust so far on the F8X. Sounds completely different than the other options out there. Could that be due to 3" piping and stainless vs titanium?

This gives me hope that future affordable exhaust systems for this car will sound similar.

[RocketBoots]

Seemed like your mic did a pretty good job; much better than other vids I've seen.

In audio, sometimes things sound different on different days. The Akra and AWE do actually sound quite similar at higher rpms; to me ears anyway. I don't prefer the fart, but I don't think I hate it as much as you.

Of all the exhaust out there right now, the Active did sound the closest to the AWE IMO, but those clips aren't nearly as well recorded.

Thanks for putting this together It was helpful.

Originally Posted by Money2536

The Rode Mic I use on the DSLR is really noisy, but it does a great job of capturing the actual sound of the exhaust.

I was surprised with the Akra as well. With the valves open all of the time it had some bite. In my opinion the AWE and Akra sound rather similiar with one important exception. THE FART! AWE has solved most all of the fart. Most people really like the dump at high RPMs, but I don't. Normal people that hear the car would probably prefer the Akra.

I don't think you can go wrong with either exhaust, but you could have a front lip, spacers, rear spoiler, tune, cosmetic upgrades, etc plus and AWE exhaust for the price of the Akra.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Nice review. You really spent the time to do it right. Was a pleasure to read!

Mike

[RocketBoots]

Originally Posted by Accel Junky

Hands down the best sounding exhaust so far on the F8X. Sounds completely different than the other options out there. Could that be due to 3" piping and stainless vs titanium?

This gives me hope that future affordable exhaust systems for this car will sound similar.

Definitely gives hope. They're just hollow metal pipes fer chrissake!

While I do think it sounds pretty good, I think the mic did a pretty good job of recording the accurate sound, vs iPhone or GoPro mics.

[UH_TX]

Great Review. I was leaning towards MPE, but AWE looks like a great option. If anyone has heard both I would like to hear your comparisons.

[ES_TRADER]

how does this compare to the akra volume-wise? about the same? significantly louder?

thanks for the review

[robbys3m3]

Great review thanks! I think this exhaust may be in my future

[///M ARMY]

Great review. Based on your review is why I ordered this exhaust. I also ordered the Black diamond 102 mm tips.

[m3heaven]

Originally Posted by ///M ARMY

Great review. Based on your review is why I ordered this exhaust. I also ordered the Black diamond 102 mm tips.

Did you go with the non-resonated or resonated version to go along with your downpipes?

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by UH_TX

Great Review. I was leaning towards MPE, but AWE looks like a great option. If anyone has heard both I would like to hear your comparisons.

I've heard the MPE. AWE is much better sounding.

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

how does this compare to the akra volume-wise? about the same? significantly louder?

thanks for the review

The volume is about the same, but with the valves forced open there is a tiny bit of drone with the Akra and Zero with the AWE.

[Money2536]

Originally Posted by ///M ARMY

Great review. Based on your review is why I ordered this exhaust. I also ordered the Black diamond 102 mm tips.

I'm interested to see the 102mm tips. It looks like they have the old collar design. I would guess it will be a tad more difficult to align, but should still look pretty cool.

People on YouTube were yelling at how bad the tips looked. I didn't understand until I realized they thought I had the tips on the exhaust in the cold start section of the video.

I thought it was pretty funny.

[Longbow64]

Great review. Car's looking and sounding great.

[cctm4me]

Awesome write up. Just got the iPE installed this week and makes similar sounds contrary to what people have sound about the total volume. Going to be making a video with sounds this week.

We should try and get together and do a comparison video sometime in the future since I am right down the road.

[Josh/AWE]

Wow! Thank you so much, Money, for this lovingly detailed review and the kind words! We're honored you chose our exhaust!

Originally Posted by Money2536

The 102mm are still single walled. They are just too big for my taste.

They look a little different than most, but our tips are double walled! They taper together at the end to a nice beveled edge for a bold look.

Originally Posted by Money2536

I'm pretty sure it would be really raspy and probably drones a bit. If you have a 6MT that might help, but DCT would most like be annoying. I'm sure Mike or Andrew will chime in if they have experienced it.

We recommend a Resonated SwitchPath™ Exhaust to avoid any potential undesirable tones when running aftermarket downpipes.

Originally Posted by Accel Junky

Hands down the best sounding exhaust so far on the F8X. Sounds completely different than the other options out there. Could that be due to 3" piping and stainless vs titanium?

This gives me hope that future affordable exhaust systems for this car will sound similar.

I’m glad you like it! AWE Tuning exhausts are made in house with high quality materials. We pour hundreds of hours of R&D into each and every product we make; all components are designed to work in harmony to produce our signature sound. We stand behind our No Check Engine Light Guarantee and Fitment Guarantees. Most important, we want you to be happy with your premium product.

Titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum all have different acoustic properties. Our thick .065” wall T-304 Stainless Steel piping definitely contributes towards the tone of our systems.