Exhaust Evaluation for 1.8t Jetta: Autobahn Designs

From the April, 2009 issue of European Car

Autobahn Designs
2900 Adams St., Ste. B-27
Riverside, CA 92504
(909) 351-9566
Fax: (909) 351-9575
www.abdracing.com

MSRP: $425 with a 3-year muffler warranty and lifetime structure warranty
Construction
61mm, polished stainless ; cat-back
Weight: 35.08 lb
Notes: Mirror-like polished stainless
Welds (rated on a scale of 1-5)
Neatness, evenness: 3
Splatter (lack of): 3
Smooth (5) vs. Lumpy (1): 3
Installation (rated on a scale of 1-5)
Hangers: 4 Tube junctions: Uses factory units
Alignment of flanges/fasteners: 4
Notes: Interesting and effective hanger arrangement. Tight fit at junctions.
Hardware (rated on a scale of 1-5)
Quality: 3
Material: 3
Installation/alignment/tightening: 2
Notes: Some difficulty occurred with rear hanger
Interference
Suspension: None
Floorpan: None
Other: None
Sonic Performance
Decibels at idle: 79
Decibels under load: 80
Resonance/drone: None
Rattles: None
Tone (rated on a 1-5 scale): 2
Notes: quiet

Bottom line: ABD's exhaust performed well and features a unique tip. Its highly polished finish makes it a perfect system for cars on the show circuit.

Hear an MP3 sound clip of this exhaust.