[urq] Stainless 2.5" Exhaust

[craigcook at rogers.com]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your opinions regarding your experience over the years with the 3"
over the axle clearance concerns on the urq.

Let me say that "I don't know your, or any of the people that you mention in your email,and I'm in no way implying that you, or anyone else you mention are not qualified,or even perfectionists when is comes to their workmanship"

Also, you are very correct when you mention "gauging interest for these systems". I for one, am not going to make alto of money of these systems. The more I think about it, it may be a pride thing. Something I can offer to the Audi community. Is the headache worth it?.....  I really don't know. People keep asking for a 3' system, so for now I'll build a few, and hopefully meet some good people along the way.

In my defence Scot, in your previous email you finished of by saying "otherwise there is no real challenge to it", this is where I felt I had to say something. I know for sure, it is a challenge, and you even go on to give some examples yourself.

I have spent many hours trying to get the fitment as good as possible. I've even  made several jigs to ensure consistency.  I'm by no means saying it's the "perfect system", however I'm confident people will he happy with it.

Also Scott, I may have "come hard out the hole", I bye no means want to offend or
upset anyone. I don't know you and you don't know me. I think I'll leave it at that.

No hard feelings I hope.

Cheers,

Craig



--- On Mon, 4/5/10, qshipq at aol.com <qshipq at aol.com> wrote:

From: qshipq at aol.com <qshipq at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [urq] Stainless 2.5" Exhaust
To: craigcook at rogers.com, schmidt694 at gmail.com, urq at audifans.com
Date: Monday, April 5, 2010, 7:04 AM


 With all due respect Craig, I'm not working on selling any urq exhausts.  In the past, I've done my own exhaust work, and I've done my own body work.  And I learned years ago, there are artisans in both, that make my work appear crude at best.  So, I don't waste my time better spent on engines and suspensions, doing exhausts and body.  What I have done for over 20 years working on urq's then, is find the best exhaust and body guys.  The main exhaust guy I use, is a 30 year veteran, and has done/improved/modified dozens of my visions without issue.  I don't 'drop-off' any car with him, we work as a team, making sure the look, feel, and known issues are addressed. 



Over the last 17years, he has 'fixed' and improved several 'bolt-on' systems, from the early Stromung fixes (and later version tweeks), full race-car setups, to design and hardware improvements on the 400USD RS6 Sportec.  BTW, he recently built the 3in system on Nate E's urq with mandrel bent 3in pipe from Summit.  And he's stared at that over the axle exhaust tunnel dozens of times for me. Unfortunately for Steve Schmit now, I think he's also recently retired.



I'll correct you to his exact words:  The downpipe is a 'challenge', the rear over-axle is just tight.  Craig, I've been watching your progress on Motorgeek, and I'm never one to knock attempts at a 'bolt-in' fabricated 3in exhaust.  I will say, with the slop in the audi production cars, I've rarely seen a true 'bolt-in', from urq Scorpion, to Stromung.  My thinking would be you guage the interest based on pricing and make sure it's worth the effort for you.  In all my years working 3in turbo exhausts (since my first in 1992 on a 5ktq turbo back) - getting the downpipe right is the key.  Graydon Stuckey made one of the best after I had mine done, and I later put one of his on one of my cars, and I spoke intensively with him regarding the design when he was making the jigs for them over 15years ago now.



AND, the reason I asked the loaded question, is I happen to know that Al at CPT is a master mechanic and fabricator.  But, like me I'm sure, he looked at Steve's urq, and doesn't want to deal with the issues in a tight fabrication.  Why?  Because, I'm sure like me, he has found over the years, that likely getting that fitment exactly right the first time, won't be easy.  It will be time consuming for the amount of dollars reasonable to charge.  Al's answer is to not give it up to the artisan, but to just change to a 2.5in exhaust.  My suggestion to Steve is that he find a good exhaust shop to get the work done, and stop shopping for a 2.5in exhaust.





 Craig, you came hard out of the hole, and you don't know me very well saying the below.  Exhausts in sound, fitment, look, durability and NVH is one of my nits.  Many on this list not only know that, they are driving that.  And like just about every other audi system I've put on Audis over the years, I'm sure someone I know will ask me to install one of yours as well.  As Jeff Posto knows well, I encourage fine workmanship and provide minute detailed feedback, without malice or prejudice.  Because like me, I'm sure Al would rather do minor fitment tweeks to a bolt-on exhaust, then do one himself.  



In the meantime, Steve, give Nate a call and get the list of items I had him order from Summit, and try taking your car to Iggy's Muffler on Harlem.



Scott J

84 urq

2x83 urq's

2 urq customer project werks



 



-----Original Message-----

From: craigcook at rogers.com

To: schmidt694 at gmail.com; urq at audifans.com; qshipq at aol.com

Sent: Mon, Apr 5, 2010 7:55 am

Subject: Re: [urq] Stainless 2.5" Exhaust











Scott,



With all due respect, of coarse there's no real challenge to 3" over the axle on a urq. 

 Especially if you have someone else doing it for you.



3" over the axle on a urq is a challenge IMO.



Cheers,



Craig