[Now Available] AWE SwitchPath™ Exhaust for the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

[jmann20]

I placed an order a few days ago. I’ll try to get some before/after videos taken when the system shows up and I get it installed if there aren’t any already up beforehand.

 

[Christian/AWE]

Does that equal to mean they weigh the same? Not that weight saving is a big concern for me but will be for others.

Being that the muffler looks to be damn near half the size of stock, I thought the weight might be significant.

We don’t claim weight savings over stock on this system. While the layout may look more compact, we’re running larger diameter tubing and thicker wall stainless throughout. The focus here was durability, flow, and sound quality rather than shaving a few pounds.

 

[Christian/AWE]

@Christian/AWE can you elaborate more as to the closed valve position? How much louder is it at startup with valves closed (will the neighbors notice it is different than stock), and i know at cruise speeds it is “close to stock” but is it louder than stock in the cabin? Thanks!!!

The system definitely sounds aftermarket once you’re rolling, but the cold start itself is fairly tame, especially compared to how aggressive it becomes when you lean into it.

From behind the wheel, it really comes down to your inputs and the selected mode. Drive it easy and it stays composed. Get into the throttle and it wakes up quickly. We do bump up the overall volume potential with this design, but it comes with a major improvement in tone and character. We focused on bringing significant tonal improvements and not just volume.

 

[Jfkayne]

This is what I have done so far as well. Stock exhaust Kooks headers and green cats. Also did Kong SC porting. Sound is louder, but not greatly, and more open without serious change to the overall sound profile it already had I feel.

Do you have any soundclips that you can share? I have been debating aftermarket CB with factory headers vs Kooks headers and factory exhaust. Looking for the best sound gains. Did you get a CEL with the green cats? Worth the upgrade or would you have done something different looking back?

 

[KnightI2]

Do you have any soundclips that you can share? I have been debating aftermarket CB with factory headers vs Kooks headers and factory exhaust. Looking for the best sound gains. Did you get a CEL with the green cats? Worth the upgrade or would you have done something different looking back?

Definitely would not have changed what I did and I feel it was worth it, very subjective though. I have done Kooks and their cats on 3 of my cars so far. (BW, Camaro SS, and Chevy 1500 Silverado) All have made me very happy. I will try to get a sound clip uploaded for you. But it has been my experience that cell phone sounds are pretty much shit when trying to evaluate exhaust note.

I do have the same CEL that occasionally pops up. Maybe 3 or 4 times over the past year. Its just the downstream sensor being bitchy since it no longer registers what the factory tune wanted it to report. It would be tuned out I just have not wanted to get a tune as yet. I just clear it with my code reader.

 

[Christian/AWE]

Definitely would not have changed what I did and I feel it was worth it, very subjective though. [...] I will try to get a sound clip uploaded for you. But it has been my experience that cell phone sounds are pretty much shit when trying to evaluate exhaust note. [...]

We also add sound clips + video taken with professional equipment and pictures of the system design and features during the launch. Hopefully this helps everyone hear the upgrades in tone and volume.

If anyone made it to the Kies Auto Show this past weekend, you probably got to hear this system in person.

 

[KnightI2]

Ok for what it is worth. 2 of these clips are inside the cabin what you hear when driving. (I do have my ANC mikes clipped (aftermarket sub) and my trunk is completely done in sound deadener.) The rustle noise is just me tossing phone in cup holder since I was driving.

The last is the second start of the day with some rev to hear it up and down. At the beginning was some dude across the street who figured that same time he needed to use his blower.

Hopefully they help a little.

 

[Jfkayne]

Ok for what it is worth. 2 of these clips are inside the cabin what you hear when driving. (I do have my ANC mikes clipped (aftermarket sub) and my trunk is completely done in sound deadener.) The rustle noise is just me tossing phone in cup holder since I was driving.

The last is the second start of the day with some rev to hear it up and down. At the beginning was some dude across the street who figured that same time he needed to use his blower.

Hopefully they help a little.

Sounds great! Thanks for posting. Now the quesiton is will the dealership allow me to make the mod without voiding my warranty. Did your dealer say anything about it?

 

[KnightI2]

It has been in for warranty work. One was not engine related. The other was a failed fuel module with a CEL, not sure what it did exactly. No comment from them either time it was there. Can't say they were looking either.

 

[Christian/AWE]

Flyby with the AWE CT5-V Blackwing featuring the SwitchPath Exhaust System.

Learn more about this system right this way.

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[Christian/AWE]

Now playing: AWE SwitchPath™ Exhaust ft. patented drone-canceling 180 Technology® for the ’22+ Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Get full details via AWECADILLAC.com

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View this content on Instagram

 

[Willett1]

Tell me more about this bespoke x-pipe?
With regards to weight. Is it heavier than stock.

Could you not run the big tips and redirect exit to the factory tips?
Thoughts?

 

[Christian/AWE]

Tell me more about this bespoke x-pipe?
With regards to weight. Is it heavier than stock.

Could you not run the big tips and redirect exit to the factory tips?
Thoughts?

It was mentioned earlier in the thread, but to summarize: the factory tips are part of a much larger single-piece OE assembly. Because of that, reusing the stock outlets is not as simple as redirecting our system into the factory tips. Doing so would require custom fabrication around the OE setup, which makes it impractical as a production solution.

That’s different from applications where the OE tips are mounted separately in the valance, like certain BMWs such as the M340i. In those cases, we can design around the known outlet location. On the Blackwing, the factory tip construction just doesn’t lend itself to that same approach.

As for the weight of the system, "we don’t claim weight savings over stock on this system. While the layout may look more compact, we’re running larger diameter tubing and thicker wall stainless throughout. The focus here was durability, flow, and sound quality rather than shaving a few pounds."

My DM's are open if you have any follow-up questions. I'm happy to help.

 

[BlackwingSwanny23]

How does this pair with Kooks headers?

 

[Christian/AWE]

How does this pair with Kooks headers?

Our system is designed to pair with the OE attachment points as shown below.

 

[BlackwingSwanny23]

I love the sound of the AWE system in the initial launch but guys, this is a miss. Spending (~roughly 3K on a catback) + kooks headers + install and needing custom fabrication on top of that is a miss. Yes, some go for the catback for the sound but half (maybe more?) of the buyers mod these cars. Just candid feedback, no internet hate of any sort.

 

[1Evil55]

I'd assume if someone is going down the mod rabbit hole beyond a bolt on would also have the complete capability to weld a pipe. I will say this one sounds the best of the options IMO. This is however using the sound comparo's from the forum. Real life always different.

 

[BlackwingSwanny23]

I'd assume if someone is going down the mod rabbit hole beyond a bolt on would also have the complete capability to weld a pipe. I will say this one sounds the best of the options IMO. This is however using the sound comparo's from the forum. Real life always different.

Sure, maybe, this is a cool alternative to Corsa but not if it costs an extra grand for a custom install connection pipe. I’m a big fan of AWE, this is just candid feedback because I love to see more and more for our Blackwings.

 

[Christian/AWE]

We have the sound, we have the fitment, we have the no-CEL guarantee, and we are made in America. Every company has to serve something, and we are serving emissions compliant aggression. (and like Evil said, if you are going full custom, our quality T304L stainless sets the bar.)

 

[Todd]

I love the sound of the AWE system in the initial launch but guys, this is a miss. Spending (~roughly 3K on a catback) + kooks headers + install and needing custom fabrication on top of that is a miss. Yes, some go for the catback for the sound but half (maybe more?) of the buyers mod these cars. Just candid feedback, no internet hate of any sort.

Or: maybe Kooks missed the mark?

Respectfully, I’m not sure why AWE needs to match up to Kooks’ design, but Kooks’ inability to match up to a stock cat back is ok with you?

Designing a product to work with every conceivable variable under the sun just isn’t realistic.

Designing for stock components is a solid baseline by which other mods should follow, or now every individual company is chasing unknown tolerance and design variables from other brands.

Which means ordering up all those other brand parts, fitting them to the test car, coming up with a “universal” design, etc.

It’s just not feasible while also trying to hit targeted release dates and margins.