AWE Tuning A3 FWD Cat Back Performance Resonated Exhaust
Group AWE-A3catback Description
A3 performance lives here.
We spent considerable time examining how to maximize the performance and options of this exhaust system. The factory exhaust consists of a long downpipe with two catalytic converters, and two rather large mufflers in the section after the cats.
Thorough long term street testing has confirmed that our high flow downpipe, whether equipped with with the 400 cell ceramic catalytic converter or the 200 cell metal catalytic converter, will not set a Check Engine light or any fault codes in the ECU. For customers looking for ultimate power, our HJS German made metal catalytic converter featuring an Emitec core will provide an additional 9hp over our ceramic converter option.
Here are some features of our system. Each feature was chosen for performance and longevity reasons, and when making your exhaust decisions you should settle for nothing less:
- Fully mandrel bent tubing
- Thick .065 wall T304 stainless steel tubing
- Fully lined stainless steel flex joint in downpipe
- Stainless steel internal muffler and resonator construction
- Stainless steel MIG and TIG welds
- Stainless steel T-bolt clamps
- Double walled exhaust tips to reduce heat discoloration
- Included OEM turbo to downpipe gasket
- In house dyno developed
The downpipe features an integrated resonator to keep the exhaust sound volume civilized even with the elimination of the very restrictive factory converters. The catback system is topped off with our signature 3.15 beveled exhaust tips. The tips sport laser etched AWE Tuning logos and are double walled to ensure a mirror polish even under hard usage. The system has multiple slip joints with high quality t-bolt clamps, to allow optimal adjustment.
Our catback systems will mate up to the stock downpipe, and our downpipe will mate to our catbacks or any other catback that is designed to mate up to the factory downpipe.
Why did we choose 2.5 inch and not 3.0 inch diameter for our A3 exhaust? Our first prototypes of this system were indeed 3.0 inch, but we found that the effort it took to move the large mass of air in the 3.0 inch system at lower rpms resulted in a loss of torque with very little offsetting gain up top. Take a look at our 3.0 inch prototype dyno sheets in the Performance Specs tab and see why a 3.0 inch system is not appropriate for this car.
Please note, these AWE Tuning Performance Downpipes are for racing use only.
Search Terms: 3010-22016, 3215-11024, 3215-11022
- Catback or Turboback
- All Stainless Steel
- Exquisite Fit and Finish
- Great Looks
- Perfect Fitment - Guaranteed
AWE Tuning 2.0T Exhaust Dyno Tests
Below are comparision dyno tests as performed on our Mustang MD-500-SE AWD dyno.
All tests were performed on the same car, with controlled ambient conditions. Each test is average of 3 runs performed.
Cat Back Exhaust Testing
Our first prototype for the A3/GTI/GLI was a 3 diameter cat back system. Careful before and after dyno testing showed that for this car, bigger was definitely not better. The air mass found inside the 3 tubing proved to be a restriction to the engine until the higher rpm region, and even at that point gains were minimal. Our reputation is to bring only proven products to market, and a 3 system is definitely not the wise choice for power on this car. Design was rejected.
After further dyno testing, we found that a 2.50 diameter gave the best overall balance of torque and horsepower gains. Peak gain were 3.1whp and 0.1wtq.
In the graphed gains sheet below you'll find the measured differences between baseline and test in dyno sheet of AWE Tuning 2.50 Cat Back Dyno Test vs stock exhaust. The AWE Tuning 2.50 exhaust produces a maximum increase of 4 wheel hp at 5300 rpms and 28 wheel torque at 2400 rpms vs. the stock exhaust. Overall, gains are seen over practically the entire powerband.
3 inch Cat Back Dyno Sheet
2.5 inch Cat Back Dyno Sheet
2.5 inch Graphed Gains
Turbo Back Exhaust Testing
In the interest of accurate data, we conducted careful tests with our downpipe design. As we saw with our cat back testing, a 3 inch design is absolutely too large for this vehicle. We even tested with an aggressive G.I.A.C. X-Chip installed in the vehicle, to simulate the kind of power levels that most people will choose for their vehicle. Even with the extra power of the performance chip, 3 diameter tubing was too much air mass for the engine to move, resulting in a clear disadvantage compared to the 2.50 turbo back design.
Intake temps were closely monitored for the test. It is extremely difficult to obtain exactly the same test conditions run after run, and we found that the 3 tests were done with a slightly cooler intake air temp. Even with this advantage, the 3 design could not make as much power at the 2.50. Identical cell count cats were used for both tests, and the same chip file was in the vehicle for both tests. The tests were done on the same day and on the same car, just as they were with the cat back tests above.
2.50 diameter gives the best overall balance of torque and horsepower gains. Peak gains for the 2.50 system were ~20 crank hp and 14 ftlbs crank torque over the stock turbo back exhaust, while the 3 system could only muster ~9 crank hp and 1.5 ftlbs crank torque over the stock turbo back exhaust. There was no debate on what diameter worked better at this power level.
2.5 vs 3 inch Turbo Back Dyno Sheet
2.5 vs 3 inch Turbo Back Graphed Differences
2.5 vs stock Turbo Back Dyno Sheet
2.5 vs stock Turbo Back Graphed Differences
Download Installation Instructions: Installation Instructions for the AWE Tuning A3 2.0T Catback Exhaust System
Download Installation Instructions: Installation Instructions for the AWE Tuning A3 2.0T Downpipe
Fitment: Audi A3 Base 2.0L Turbo FWD Manual
AWE Tuning Exhaust had its start in 1991 and has the facilities needed to do everything in house assuring you of a first rate product. Their unique products like the SWITCHPATH AWE Exhaust System for your Porsche is designed to direct exhaust gasses away from the side mufflers giving you that impressive AWE exhaust touring tone only slightly louder and then with the “SWITCHPATH” valve open your exhaust gasses are directed away from the side muffler and you get that more aggressive sound.
IMAGES: Images may be a representation and may not reflect the actual product.
Start at the original place of purchase. 100% of claims start with the original place of purchase, and all refunds, if granted, are through the original place of purchase. Call them first.
If you remove, we can not approve. If a product issue is discovered after installation, do not remove the product before receiving confirmation of a return approval from the original place of purchase. On-car information can often lead to diagnosis and action plans; AWE requires a chance to address in this manner. Post-install products removed prior to return authorization will be denied any warranty claim.
Any alterations or attempts to fix will void the warranty. This includes welding, bending, or any ad-hoc methods that alter the product in any way.
All warranties are for the original owner only. Second owners can purchase replacement components at a discount, directly from AWE or from participating dealers.
Manufacturer defect is defined as any characteristic of the product which hinders its usability for the purpose for which it was designed and manufactured. The warranty against manufacturer defects doesn’t cover any cosmetic changes, or normal use wear and tear. All warranties cease at a product’s discontinuance. Here’s a quick summary of our products and how long each is covered for manufacturer defects: All AWE brand products. Please note that special order items are not returnable.
All durations start at the time of purchase (we’ll ask for a proof of purchase date):
AWE brand exhausts: Tubing, welding, flex areas: Lifetime
Valves on exhausts: Three-years on mechanical components, one year on valve motors
Electronics / Electronic Components found on any product: One year*
Catalysts: One Year
Tip finish defects (please follow washing instructions prior to contacting support): One year (see Tip Finish below)
Intakes (all components): One year
Filters: One year
Intercoolers: One year
Other: Foilers, accessories, tools, valances, drive train stabilizers, suspension components: One year
Turbo kits/turbochargers: Not covered under warranties, special order item.
In the event of a return, a product must be returned with no signs of abuse, incorrect installation, forced installation, motorsports usage, or product altering whatsoever. Any trace of the aforementioned will result in warranty denial.
AWE's One Year Tip Finish Warranty covers defects on AWE tips for a period of one year from purchase date. Exclusions to the AWE One Year Tip Finish Warranty: (1) Pinhole sized pitting on the inside of tips, which is considered normal wear and tear, and (2) Blemishes or marring of appearance due to weather, road hazards, lack of maintenance (defined in next sentence) or extremes of heat or cold. Thorough periodic cleaning of AWE tips is required as general maintenance, and must be done prior to submitting a warranty claim on tips, as returned tips found to have been dirty (and not defective) will have forfeited any core charges.
California Residents: Prop 65 WARNING: This product MAY contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
California Residents: TIRE WARNING: LMPerformance will not ship Tires to California.
Legal: Some or all of these parts may not comply with Federal, State, Province, and/or Local laws, ordinances, and regulations. Buyer takes all responsibility to ensure that any modifications or upgrades that have done conform to all applicable laws and regulations for road use, especially pertaining to safety and emissions. LMPerformance is not responsible for buyer not complying with Federal, State, Province, and/or Local laws, ordinances, and regulations. This policy shall be in force for all past, current, and future purchases from LMPerformance, Inc. LMPerformance will not ship ANY non-CARB compliant products to California where California requires products to be CARB certified such as Catalytic Converters and Induction Kits.
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IMAGES: Images may be a representation and may not reflect the actual product. Examples would be SPEC stage 3 clutch kits which all use the same photo.
TYPOS: LMPerformance tries to present the best most accurate information on our website. Sometimes we get mistakes in product information sent from vendors such as typos. We can not be responsible for these typos, if you see something that does not look right please let us know before ordering so we can double check for you first. LMPerformance will not pay for typos in any way, monetarily or otherwise.
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