Loud exhaust

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

Hi List,

I've just finished doing some repairs to my 5KT. I fixed the leaking turbo
oil supply hose, redesigned one of the custom oil cooler lines from Parker
so it doesn't rub on the engine mount bracket anymore, got the bearings in
the radiator fan motor replaced and, what's most important, the Walker
exhaust system _finally_ arrived after 2.5 months of waiting to replace the
crappy custom job from a muffler shop. This previous exhaust had a low,
deep, "sport" tone which was somewhat annoying to me. I thought this is
because the muffler shop simply welded it together from mufflers and pipes
they had on the shelf, so it is far from the specs and expected the Walker
system to be quiet - well, it isn't. The sound is still there, although a
little bit less annoying at crusing speeds. It is not a sound of an exhaust
leak nor a harmonic vibration - it's just a low, deep sound the
"performance" exhaust systems have - I think many would actually like it
and I think I can get used to it and even get to like it as well, just
wanted to know if this is normal? Was my Audi designed to sound like that?
The sound is most apparent at idle and around 2k rpm and disappeares once I
pass the 3k rpm or the boost climbs up. It also gets louder as the engine
warms up. My exhaust manifold has one small crack - could this be the
cause? I think the manifolds do the opposite thing - e.g. they are noisy
when cold. Should I align the exhaust in some special way? My cat (I mean
the converter, not the 8 weeks old animal I've got recently that doesn't
want to eat anything but raw fish and chicken and refuses to even touch
Whiskas ;-) )seems to be an aftermarket one as well. It's not a big
problem, but I'd like to know the answer. Any info appreciated.


Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)