AWE Audi 8Y RS3 Switchpath Edition Exhaust Installation Guide
- June 9, 2024
- AWE
Table of Contents
AWE Audi 8Y RS3 Switchpath Edition Exhaust Installation Guide
For up-to-date fitment information, please visit the product page on AWE- Tuning.com.
THIS GUIDE IS INTENDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PART NUMBERS:
3025-31389 AWE SwitchPath™ Exhaust for Audi 8Y RS 3 – Diamond Black RS-style Tips 3020-31389 AWE Track Edition Exhaust for Audi 8Y RS 3 – Diamond Black RS- style Tips
Welcome to the AWE family, and congratulations on your purchase of the AWE Exhaust System for the 8Y RS3. Exquisite build quality and craftsmanship, coupled with industry leading performance, distinguish this exhaust system from all others.
*For up to the minute fitment information, be sure to visit the AWE website. As always, AWE Performance Specialists are standing by for any questions, right here.
Copyright 2022, AWE. No part of this document may be reused or duplicated without the express permission of AWE/Secor Ltd. All rights reserved. Rev1.0
PARTS LIST
⚠ Inspect ALL parts prior to disassembly of vehicle; If damaged or MISSING, please contact the place of purchase immediately.
⚠ PRIOR TO INSTALLATION: · If the valve motors have been operating while disconnected from the factory valve body, reined the valve motors by reinstalling them back onto the factory exhaust, start the vehicle and cycle through the “drive select” modes. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for precise torque specifications on all OEM fasteners.
STEP 1
With the car lifted, locate and unplug the factory valve control harnesses
from the factory valve control motors, locations shown by the arrows in Figure
⚠ WARNING: Allow the exhaust ample time to cool, serious injury and burns can occur if handled incorrectly.
STEP 2
NOTE: Prior to exhaust removal, be sure the system is properly supported with
pole jacks or an extra set of hands.
Locate and loosen the factory sleeve clamps, shown by Arrows A in Figure 2. Do not slide the clamps forward until the remainder of the system is ready to be removed. Remove the cross-brace, shown by Arrow B in Figure 2.
STEP 3
Locate and remove the hanger from the hanger bushings, locations shown by
the arrows in Figure 3.
⚠ NOTE: Use a penetrant oil to spray onto the hangers where they are hung in the rubber bushing, this will help with removal.
STEP 4
With the entire system supported, loosen and remove the bolts that secure
the hangers on either side of the muffler.
The arrow in Figure 4-1 shows the location of the passenger side hanger bolt.
The arrow in Figure 4-2 shows the location of the driver side hanger bolt.
Slide the sleeve clamps, loosened in Step 2, rearward towards back end of the car. Remove the OE exhaust from the car.
⚠ WARNING: The axle-back section of the OE exhaust is best handled by two (2) people.
STEP 5
Installing the AWE Performance Exhaust: Reuse the OEM sleeve clamps to install
the mid-pipe merge section (part A60), as shown by Arrows A in Figure 5. Use
one of the included 3.0″ Accu-Seal clamps to slip over the inlet side of the
axle tube (part A61), and install onto the outlet of the merge section, as
shown by Arrow B in Figure 5. Do not torque any clamps until the final step,
after the entire system has been installed and adjusted to satisfaction.
STEP 6
Use one of the included 3.0″ Accu-Seal clamps to slip over the inlet side on
the axle Tube (part F15), install onto the outlet of the merge section, as
shown by Arrow A in Figure 6 Reinstall the hanger brackets back into their
factory locations and insert the hangers on the axle tube At this point the
chassis brace can be reinstalled using the factory hardware, as shown by Arrow
B in Figure 6
STEP 7
Use one of the included 3.0″ Accu-Seal clamps to install the rear branch tube
(part C03) as seen in Figure 7
STEP 8
Continue by installing the drivers side rear leg section (part B98 for Switch
path and C04 for track) with the supplied 2.5″ Accu-Seal clamps. Install the
hangers on the rear leg into the factory hanger location as seen in Figure
8-1. Next, install the drivers side tip outlet (part F16) onto the drivers
side rear leg. Make sure to slide the clamps over the tubes before installing
onto the vehicle, as seen in Figure 8-2.
STEP 9
For SwitchPath™ Installation: Transfer the factory valve motor to the
bracket located on the passenger side tailpipe section, and reconnect the
factory harness.
Using the factory hardware, install the driver side motor onto the included bracket, as shown in Figure 9-1 and Figure 9-2.
Use a cable-tie to secure the motor up and away from the exhaust and reconnect the factory harness, as shown by Arrow A in Figure 9-3.
Start the vehicle, and switch to Dynamic mode; confirm this opens the valve to verify proper operation.
⚠ PRO-TIP: A properly indexed OE valve motors is critical to a smooth installation. If the valve motors have been operating while disconnected from the factory valve body, re-indexing will be required.
For Track Edition Installation: Remove the factory valve motors from each tailpipe section of the OE exhaust. Install the Bracket onto the factory valve motor, from the driver side tailpipe section of the OE exhaust, as shown in Figure 9-3.
Use a cable-tie to secure the motor up and away from the exhaust and reconnect the factory harness, as shown by Arrow B in Figure 9-3.
Reconnect the factory harnesses to the valve control motors and repeat Bracket installation for the passenger side.
STEP 10
Continue with installing the passengers side rear leg section (part F18 for
Switch path and C05 for track) with the supplied 2.5″ Accu-Seal clamps. Make
sure to install the hangers on the rear leg into the factory hanger location,
as seen in Figure 10-1. Install the passenger side tip outlet (part F17) onto
the drivers side rear leg, as seen in Figure 10-2. Make sure to slide the
clamps over the tubes before installing onto the car.
STEP 11
Align the AWE tube so it is cantered in the OE outlet, as shown in Figure
11-1 and Figure 11-2.
STEP 12
It is crucial to install each section and Accu-Seal clamp correctly to
prevent loose joints and exhaust leaks between the tubing connections. Arrow A
in Figure 12 shows the expanded pipe and the preinstalled Accu-Seal clamp
being brought up to the corresponding pipe. Arrow B in Figure 12 shows the
overlapping pipe installed correctly over the corresponding pipe. Arrow C in
Figure 12 shows the Accu-Seal clamp being brought to the edge of the expanded
pipe.
⚠ NOTES:
-
Do not torque any Accu-Seal clamp until the entire
exhaust has been installed and adjusted. -
Torque specification is a minimum of 40 ft/lbs.
STEP 13
After the system has been properly installed in the factory exhaust
hangers, and adjusted; begin torqueing the clamps to lock everything into
location. Begin torqueing from the forward most clamps and move gradually
towards the rear of the vehicle.
⚠ PRO-TIP: Periodically check the tip alignment to ensure proper placement
after torqueing each Accu-Seal clamp. Installation is complete!
TROUBLESHOOTING
CARE
Once installed properly, your AWE exhaust will provide years of trouble-free
performance.
The exhaust volume and sound will settle with usage; 800-1000 miles is
required to break-in new exhaust systems.
Also, please note that the rear 180Technology® resonator has a small drain
hole to allow condensation to escape. Water drops from this area are normal.
Periodic cleaning of exhaust tips is necessary to maintain proper finish,
especially in areas prone to road salt and caustic de-icing solutions. Use a
mild soap and water solution or car wax to clean the finish. Avoid using
abrasive polishes, as they can scratch the finish.
Any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us:
WARRANTY
Up-to-date warranty information is found HERE.
Copyright 2022, AWE. No part of this document may be reused or duplicated without the express permission of AWE/Secor Ltd. All rights reserved. Rev1.0
References
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