Considering a Catless Downpipe – Looking for Opinions

[iambak]

Hey everyone,

I’m thinking about getting a catless downpipe, mainly for the sound it adds. I know it’s a common upgrade, but I’d love to hear some firsthand experiences. Has anyone here installed one, and what’s your opinion on it? Specifically, I’m concerned about triggering a CEL (Check Engine Light), as I’ve seen some people claim they’ve run catless downpipes without any issues.


Any tips or advice on setup, potential downsides, or ways to avoid the CEL would be really helpful. Thanks!

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[Hasan]

Only armytrix and kenji catless downpipes will not cause a CEL. A catless downpipe will add a bit of rasp to the exhaust noise.

 

[BMWAF]

I’m thinking about getting a catless downpipe, mainly for the sound it adds.

Are you running an after market exhaust? As much as I like my AWE Touring, I'm thinking of converting it to a Track edition. ?

 

[iambak]

Only armytrix and kenji catless downpipes will not cause a CEL. A catless downpipe will add a bit of rasp to the exhaust noise.

Thanks I’ll have a look at one of them

 

[iambak]

Are you running an after market exhaust? As much as I like my AWE Touring, I'm thinking of converting it to a Track edition. ?

Nah I was considering a catback exhaust but had a change of mind. Are you trying to sell ??

 

[a90.faz]

Catless has this very particular sound sort of like a hollow tinny kinda sound. It’s hard to convey it though video recordings. I’m personally not a big fan. It is significantly louder than stock though

it will also have quite a strong smell of fumes behind the car when you’re idle

 

[BMWAF]

Nah I was considering a catback exhaust but had a change of mind. Are you trying to sell ??

Not looking to sell. I actually love the sound of the Touring.. I just have an opportunity to get the track parts in so I thought I might try it. FYI: The system is modular so you can just replace some "touring" specific parts to turn it into a "track" version. Is there any reason you are opting for a downpipe rather than a catback? Or dare I say.. both. ?

Catless has this very particular sound sort of like a hollow tinny kinda sound. It’s hard to convey it though video recordings. I’m personally not a big fan. It is significantly louder than stock though

The valve coding on the Australian cars makes the stock valved exhaust (aftermarket too, maybe) a complete waste of time. I have no doubt it will be louder with a downpipe but as the behavior of our valves is weird, I'd venture the sound will be different again.

 

[a90.faz]

Yes my spec is an ME spec which is closer to EU spec cars. The valves in mine don’t close ever unless I close them though BimmerLink.

 

[Rocksandblues]

catless is just a pipe. doesn't matter

 

[iambak]

Not looking to sell. I actually love the sound of the Touring.. I just have an opportunity to get the track parts in so I thought I might try it. FYI: The system is modular so you can just replace some "touring" specific parts to turn it into a "track" version. Is there any reason you are opting for a downpipe rather than a catback? Or dare I say.. both. ?



The valve coding on the Australian cars makes the stock valved exhaust (aftermarket too, maybe) a complete waste of time. I have no doubt it will be louder with a downpipe but as the behavior of our valves is weird, I'd venture the sound will be different again.

Well I don’t mind the sound of the stock exhaust just wished it was a bit louder granted that I haven’t been around any modified supra.

If I get both I’ll be public enemy number 1 ?

Yes my spec is an ME spec which is closer to EU spec cars. The valves in mine don’t close ever unless I close them though BimmerLink.

you guys are messing up my plans, my favourite part about the stock exhaust is the valve and now I’m finding out it might not be working how I expect it to work ?

My goal was to make it louder and use the valve to make it quieter when needed.

 

[BMWAF]

Well I don’t mind the sound of the stock exhaust just wished it was a bit louder granted that I haven’t been around any modified supra.

If I get both I’ll be public enemy number 1 ?



you guys are messing up my plans, my favourite part about the stock exhaust is the valve and now I’m finding out it might not be working how I expect it to work ?

My goal was to make it louder and use the valve to make it quieter when needed.

You're in Victoria right? If you want to hear the AWE in person PM me and we can catch up.. but be warned, you're no longer going to like your stock exhaust much after that!

As for noise level, it's largely controlled by how much I press down the skinny right pedal. I run pretty much exclusively in sport mode but if I switch to comfort, the car quietens a bit and I lose the burbles and occasional pops.

For the record, I too was dead set on a valved exhaust until I saw this video.

EDIT: I just realized you already have my number, lol. ?

 

[BA9092]

The tuning and valve characteristics are different between the US models the rest of the world, from what I read and heard.

I was catless with the OEM exhaust and it sounded great. Almost exotic like. Very similar to the F-Type R V8. Definitely more crackles and raw sounding. But exhaust sound is subjective.

I do like having a valve, even though the AWE Touring is one of the best catbacks for this car. It certainly helps quiet down the cabin during road trips or long commutes.

 

[ColonelAdama]

Catless has this very particular sound sort of like a hollow tinny kinda sound. It’s hard to convey it though video recordings. I’m personally not a big fan. It is significantly louder than stock though

it will also have quite a strong smell of fumes behind the car when you’re idle

All true. It does sound kinda meh and raspy at low speeds like an exhaust leak, but you do get the turbine whistle out the exhaust, so that sort of makes up for it imo.

It is way louder than oem dp and full load sounds insane even with stock catback.

Of course it pops and crackles way more frequently and loudly even on the stock flash. Sometimes it is a little overkill but generally it is fine imo. I usually don't smell it while driving, occasionally while stopped, but definitely never let it run in the garage, smell will last several days...

I'm not sure I would like it if I drove it every day. My daily GTi has a high flow cat and I prefer that for most driving.

Kenji/Functionwerk - No CEL ever. 3k+ mi

 

[i3igpete]

Found that the smell will linger a lot more if you still have stock exhaust. If you have a cat back, the smell will dissipate a lot quicker. Probably because the flow path has way fewer twists and turns

 

[iambak]

You're in Victoria right? If you want to hear the AWE in person PM me and we can catch up.. but be warned, you're no longer going to like your stock exhaust much after that!

As for noise level, it's largely controlled by how much I press down the skinny right pedal. I run pretty much exclusively in sport mode but if I switch to comfort, the car quietens a bit and I lose the burbles and occasional pops.

For the record, I too was dead set on a valved exhaust until I saw this video.

EDIT: I just realized you already have my number, lol. ?

Yea I wanted to see the front parking cam but we never could find time. ?

I’ll try to set something up one of these days maybe when I drive into work I’ll let you know before hand so we can catch up after or on a weekend.


Thanks everyone for the input it’s very informative.

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