Awe Tuning® (09-12) Audi R8 304SS SwitchPath™ Exhaust System

Compatible: (5.2L)

2009 - 2012 Audi R8 Coupe 

2011 - 2012 Audi R8 Spyder 

Unlike other systems on the market, the AWE Tuning R8 V10 SwitchPath™ Exhaust is bespoke for the V10 engine, and not just a repurposed R8 V8 system. Designed with the unique sound characteristics of the 5.2L V10 in mind, hundreds of hours of development and sound tuning were invested to unlock the perfect combination of exhaust tone, sound volume and practicality. This is an unmatched piece of Performance Engineering.

• Designed and manufactured in-house at AWE Tuning
• H-Pipe Crossover for enhanced tone and exhaust scavenging
• Bullet Style Mufflers, designed and built in-house
• Max gains: +21 hp and +50 ft lb at the crank at 2200 rpm
• Peak gains: +11 hp and +6 ft lb at the crank
• German Engineered control valves
• Valve Programming optimized for R8 engine characteristics
• CNC machined V-Band connections
• Crafted from T304 stainless steel
• No CEL
• Lifetime Warranty

Beyond the hand-crafted detail that is standard for every AWE Tuning Performance Exhaust, this one packs a little something special: The R8 V10 SwitchPath™ Exhaust incorporates a proprietary mechanical valve system that controls sound volume:

• Under part throttle and idle, valves route exhaust gasses through integrated mufflers, keeping sound levels civilized.
• At 3/4 throttle application and more, the valves automatically open and the system goes into a more aggressive, "straight pipe" mode flowing primarily via both the 2 ¼" part throttle and 2 ½" full throttle channels.
• An in-cabin mounted electronic SwitchPath™ Remote toggles the mechanical valves between "normal" and "straight pipe mode." Practical.

In "Normal" mode, the system's valves are controlled by throttle position, while in "Straight Pipe Mode" the system gets aggressive from the start (ideal for racing and track usage).

In addition to our valve system, our SwitchPath™ exhaust is civilized at idle and part throttle because we use small 2 ¼" tubing for the idle and part throttle flow path. Further, the compact mufflers you see in the photos are outfitted with a double layer of OE grade stainless steel wool and composite acoustical wrap, and a carefully chosen internal perforation pattern. While the mufflers are small in size, coupled with the small diameter exit tubing on that channel and our h-pipe balance section, a sweet, higher pitched exotic sound is produced that tends to be much more naturally pleasing to the ear.

AWE Tuning R8 V10 SwitchPath™ Exhaust System Dyno Test

Below are comparison dyno tests as performed on our Mustang MD-500-SE AWD dyno.

All tests were performed on the same car with controlled ambient conditions.

(Above) The addition of the AWE Tuning R8 V10 SwitchPath™ Exhaust System results in a significant improvement in power. Gains at the power peaks were 9 wheel hp and 5 wheel torque, resulting in gains of 11 crank hp and 6 crank tq. Even more impressive are the maximum gains, a whopping 21 crank hp and 50 crank tq at a very usable 2200 rpm.

The AWE Tuning R8 V10 SwitchPath™ Exhaust System comes as a single, ready to install Performance upgrade. The exhaust outlets are designed to perfectly line up with the oval exhaust tip integrated into the factory muffler. No additional labor is necessary to adjust the exhaust tips.

As with all AWE Tuning ® exhaust products, each TIG weld is hand finished internally, only butt-welded junctions are used, and flange openings are size matched to their ports, all to produce the smoothest flow possible. It is this intensive attention to detail that sets AWE Tuning ® exhaust products heads and shoulders above the rest.

All AWE Tuning systems are made in-house.

This is a sentence that we find ourselves saying many, many times each day to clients over email, on the phone and in person. The reality behind those words is that AWE Tuning has a highly skilled and dedicated team of fabricators on staff that are meticulous in their preparation and execution of each cut, bend and weld. Their work deserves to be showcased, and that is exactly what we are about to do. This video shows all 22 hours involved in fabricating the one-piece R8 V10 SwitchPath™ system, boiled down into about 1:35.

Install Guide:

Warranty: