Does the AWE SwitchPath Exhaust for the 8V RS3 use the factory Drive Select and exhaust button to control the valve, or does it need an aftermarket remote?

The SwitchPath integrates directly with the factory valve system on the 8V RS3, responding to Drive Select, throttle input, and the OEM exhaust button without any additional hardware. AWE also offers the SwitchPath Remote separately for drivers who want independent push-button valve control at any time from inside the cabin, but the system functions correctly through factory controls straight out of the box. Comfort or Auto mode keeps the valve closed for a more subdued tone; Dynamic mode opens it up for the full, unfiltered five-cylinder character.

Does the AWE SwitchPath Exhaust drone at highway speeds on the 8V RS3?

On stock mid-pipes, drone with valves closed is manageable for most drivers, though some owners on Audizine describe a noticeable presence even in valve-closed mode due to the RS3's single-muffler design on the passenger side. With catless aftermarket mid-pipes, drone between 2,000 and 3,000 RPM is a well-documented issue that multiple owners describe as significant with the valve open and still present with it closed. One commonly recommended fix from the Audizine community is reverting to stock mid-pipes while keeping the AWE catback; that combination is described as a noticeable improvement. Disabling the Soundaktor in the MMI is also frequently cited as making a meaningful difference to the perceived cabin resonance.

What is the difference between the AWE SwitchPath and Track Edition exhaust for the 8V RS3?

Both systems share the same CNC mandrel-bent 3" and 2.5" T304L stainless steel construction, identical power gains, and diamond black 180mm RS-style tips. The SwitchPath adds a valved passenger-side outlet and a tuned driver's-side muffler that responds to factory controls, staying composed in quiet modes and opening up with the full five-cylinder character when you push it. The Track Edition removes the driver's-side muffler and the valve entirely, putting the system in permanent valve-open mode for full-time, unfiltered five-cylinder tone. The Track Edition is known to get rowdy at all speeds and cannot be returned based on sound preference; the SwitchPath is the better choice for drivers who want volume on demand rather than all the time.

Can I convert the AWE SwitchPath to the Track Edition on my 8V RS3 later?

Yes. AWE offers a SwitchPath-to-Track Edition Conversion Kit that removes the valved section and driver's-side muffler, converting the system to permanent valve-open mode. A Track-to-SwitchPath Conversion Kit is available in the opposite direction as well. If you buy the SwitchPath and later want the constant, unfiltered aggression of the Track Edition, or if you buy the Track Edition and later want valve-controlled flexibility, the conversion kit handles that without replacing the full exhaust.

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Description

AWE Tuning SwitchPath Exhaust w/ Diamond Black RS-Style Tips for 8V Audi RS3

The AWE Tuning SwitchPath Exhaust for the 8V Audi RS3 is a single-pass, 5-cylinder-specific system handcrafted from CNC mandrel-bent 3″ and 2.5″ U.S.-sourced .065″ wall T304L stainless steel, designed, engineered, and manufactured entirely in-house at AWE. It retains full factory exhaust button control, responding to Drive Select, throttle input, and the OEM exhaust button to stay quiet when you need it and open up when you don’t, all while delivering peak gains of 30hp and 7ft-lb of torque and max gains of 30hp and 25ft-lb of torque at 6,400rpm at the wheels. The system comes in 28.5lbs lighter than stock, bolts on directly without modification, and ships standard with diamond black 180mm RS-style tips.

SwitchPath

The AWE SwitchPath Exhaust for the RS3 is a single-pass, 5-cylinder-specific system built from 3″ and 2.5″ T304L stainless steel, featuring a valved passenger-side outlet and a tuned driver’s side muffler. The valve ties directly into the factory controls, responding to Drive Select, throttle input, and the OEM exhaust button, so the exhaust stays composed when you need it quiet and opens up when you don’t.

Features

Designed, engineered, and manufactured in-house at AWE
Peak gains of 30hp and 7ft-lb of torque; max gains of 30hp and 25ft-lb of torque at 6,400rpm at the wheels
SwitchPath retains factory exhaust button control
Diamond black 180mm RS-style tips included standard
Weight savings of 28.5lbs over stock
Handcrafted from CNC mandrel-bent 3″ and 2.5″ U.S.-sourced .065″ wall T304L stainless steel
Direct bolt-on for a factory-like install
Clean, straight-through design for maximum performance
Guaranteed perfect fitment
No check engine light, guaranteed
Lifetime warranty; one year on tip finish

Applications

Audi RS3: 8V | 2017-2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the AWE SwitchPath Exhaust for the 8V RS3 use the factory Drive Select and exhaust button to control the valve, or does it need an aftermarket remote? The SwitchPath integrates directly with the factory valve system on the 8V RS3, responding to Drive Select, throttle input, and the OEM exhaust button without any additional hardware. AWE also offers the SwitchPath Remote separately for drivers who want independent push-button valve control at any time from inside the cabin, but the system functions correctly through factory controls straight out of the box. Comfort or Auto mode keeps the valve closed for a more subdued tone; Dynamic mode opens it up for the full, unfiltered five-cylinder character.
Does the AWE SwitchPath Exhaust drone at highway speeds on the 8V RS3? On stock mid-pipes, drone with valves closed is manageable for most drivers, though some owners on Audizine describe a noticeable presence even in valve-closed mode due to the RS3’s single-muffler design on the passenger side. With catless aftermarket mid-pipes, drone between 2,000 and 3,000 RPM is a well-documented issue that multiple owners describe as significant with the valve open and still present with it closed. One commonly recommended fix from the Audizine community is reverting to stock mid-pipes while keeping the AWE catback; that combination is described as a noticeable improvement. Disabling the Soundaktor in the MMI is also frequently cited as making a meaningful difference to the perceived cabin resonance.
What is the difference between the AWE SwitchPath and Track Edition exhaust for the 8V RS3? Both systems share the same CNC mandrel-bent 3″ and 2.5″ T304L stainless steel construction, identical power gains, and diamond black 180mm RS-style tips. The SwitchPath adds a valved passenger-side outlet and a tuned driver’s-side muffler that responds to factory controls, staying composed in quiet modes and opening up with the full five-cylinder character when you push it. The Track Edition removes the driver’s-side muffler and the valve entirely, putting the system in permanent valve-open mode for full-time, unfiltered five-cylinder tone. The Track Edition is known to get rowdy at all speeds and cannot be returned based on sound preference; the SwitchPath is the better choice for drivers who want volume on demand rather than all the time.
Can I convert the AWE SwitchPath to the Track Edition on my 8V RS3 later? Yes. AWE offers a SwitchPath-to-Track Edition Conversion Kit that removes the valved section and driver’s-side muffler, converting the system to permanent valve-open mode. A Track-to-SwitchPath Conversion Kit is available in the opposite direction as well. If you buy the SwitchPath and later want the constant, unfiltered aggression of the Track Edition, or if you buy the Track Edition and later want valve-controlled flexibility, the conversion kit handles that without replacing the full exhaust.

About AWE Tuning

AWE is driven by a singular goal: Unleashing Performance. Renowned for their handcrafted, award-winning performance exhausts, along with rigorously tested carbon fiber intakes and high-efficiency intercoolers, AWE is at the forefront of innovation, design, production, retail, and global distribution of their performance products. These products are available through a select network of dealers, online, and directly from their advanced facility located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1991, AWE’s team of experts, comprising researchers, engineers, innovators, and seasoned drivers, has been dedicated to developing and introducing top-tier performance enhancements for some of the world’s most prestigious vehicles.

Additional Information

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Shipping Policy

Items that are in stock in the US, either at Bulletproof’s warehouse or at a supplier’s warehouse, are generally delivered within 7-10 days. Special order items from overseas take considerably longer. As a courtesy Bulletproof offers delivery estimates to our customers which take into consideration manufacturer availability and shipping schedule. These estimates represent our best guess based on previous orders from the manufacturer and do not in any way imply a guaranteed delivery window. Many manufacturers work in a “just in time” inventory system and often take 2-20+ weeks to produce an item once an order is submitted. All deliverable items are then sent to our Japanese warehouse. Bulletproof ships a minimum of one full ocean freight container every month from Japan, oftentimes more than one a month. Ocean freight takes an average of 4 weeks. Typically it breaks down to one week in Japan for paperwork and customs, two weeks by boat and one week in US customs/clearance. Due to the wide number of variables between manufacturer and shipping schedules, delivery estimates are simply just that – estimates. We attempt to estimate conservatively and we usually deliver faster than our estimates suggest. It is not Bulletproof’s policy to guarantee delivery time of any special order item, this is impossible for us to do. By ordering you acknowledge that there is no required delivery ETA and an order may not be canceled or altered due to manufacturing or shipping delays, all ETA’s are provided as a best guess only. Please review the full Terms & Conditions here.

BP Pricing Difference

We do pricing a little differently on our JDM brands and we believe in making things simple and clear. No hidden fees or surcharges. Every price you see includes the shipping cost to our office in Los Angeles, California and all the associated taxes/duties/fees for bringing the products into the US. The only shipping you ever pay is from our facility in the US to your location. Be wary of resellers that don’t include the cost of international shipping in their pricing on JDM parts. While we believe we’ll always have the lowest all-in price on JDM products, we offer a price match guarantee for all authentic parts purchased from authorized dealers as well. For many international customers, it’s much more affordable to ship from the USA than from Japan directly, as the air freight and ocean freight costs are typically much less. However, for customers looking to ship directly from Japan outside of North America, or domestically in Japan, we can provide pricing specifically for that scenario. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any pricing questions or concerns. Please email us at sales@bulletproofautomotive.com with any inquiries.

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