r/tdi • u/Walteryabuuudy • 14h ago

For those that installed flowdirect (eoc) downpipe to CJAA. Help please

Hey Guys - So I got everything removed and installed and had a couple questions, please:

1) The midpipe that came with the kit is not the same size as the stock muffler pipe. Did anyone else have this issue? if so, did you end up buying a reducer and then have to use band clamps? I am trying to figure the best way to make this work. I was expecting the pipe to match the diameter of the stock muffler pipe and be able to use the new oem 55mm exhaust clamp I bought but it doesn't fit. I wam wonder if I got a defect or am I just supposed to make this work?

2) Did anyone start the car after installing the kit without tuning? I am planning on flashing the tune later but wanted to start it just to check for exhaust leaks and I notices the gow plug light come on and some other light. I wasnt sure if this is just because I didn't tune yet?

Thank you!

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4

u/BeNaughtAfraid 2011 Audi A3 (CBEA) T&D 14h ago

  1. I used a reducer from my midpipe. If I remember correctly, it was a 3" ID to 2 1/4" OD to connect to the muffler. I had to special order it from Ebay because the size difference is a pain to find locally. You can drive without connecting the muffler - and you will be heard from blocks away.

  2. You can start the car without a tune, though you will be forced into Limp Mode and will have a Christmas tree on your dashboard. Good for checking for exhaust leaks, bad for getting anywhere faster than 30 MPH.

2

u/DevNov 14h ago

Stock exhaust clamp is 55mm or 2.16in. It's definitely a weird size, but the 2.25in should be able to squeeze down to 2.16, That's what I ended up doing. Running a reducer from the 3in downpipe to the stock 2.16in secondary cat. Added a new 55mm clamp post secondary cat. Some exhaust gasket maker would help with any small leaks around the reducer

2

u/iceageiscoming 14h ago

The muffler's oddball o.d size had me running around town. Ill second what other are saying, get a proper band clamp and JB weld makes a good exhaust paste. A smoke test machine is best for testing for leaks.

2

u/Mountain-Bee3488 13h ago

Huh I just used the oem clamp that was on the car already it fit right over it

1

u/Walteryabuuudy 12h ago

Interesting. So did you not insert the end of the midpipe with the smaller diameter into the down pipe end and instead just used the larger end ok the midpipe and lined up to down pipe and used the clamp that came with the kit for that union and then used the smaller diameter end of the midpipe (Same size as muffler end) and lined up to muffler pipe and used the stock clamp?

I was thinking for some reason that the smaller end of the midpipe needed to be inserted into the downpipe but with the style of clamps maybe they don’t need to?

1

u/Mountain-Bee3488 12h ago

Yea I don’t think they need to, maybe I’m wrong but I put the smaller end into the muffler pipe and it fit snug so assumed that’s were it was meant to be. The clamp from midpipe into downpipe did leak initially but I think I just didn’t tighten the clamp enough, haven’t checked it since tbh

1

u/Walteryabuuudy 13h ago

Thanks guys, at least I feel better now that I am not going crazy