MK7 Golf R Exhaust Guide: Cat-Back, Downpipe & Resonator

The MK7 Golf R has a good exhaust layout from the factory: quad tips, valves in the rear silencer and a 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen 3 that responds well to a freer exhaust. What it lacks is sound. A big center resonator and the rear silencers keep it quiet, and the valves stay shut most of the time unless you're in Race mode. The exhaust comes apart in sections, so you can change as much or as little as you want.

Everything below is for the MK7 (2015–2017) and MK7.5 (2018–2021) Golf R. Some parts are sold in separate MK7 and MK7.5 versions, so check the year on the listing before you order.

How the Golf R exhaust is laid out

From the engine back:

1. Downpipe with the main catalyst, bolted to the turbo.
2. Front pipe and center resonator under the middle of the car.
3. Rear section: the valved rear silencers and the four tips.

"Cat-back" means everything behind the catalyst: the resonator section and the rear. "Turbo-back" adds the downpipe. A resonator delete swaps just the middle section for a straight pipe.

Cat-back: start here

If you want more sound and a better look without touching emissions parts, a cat-back is the place to start. It bolts on, keeps the factory catalyst and can go back to stock later.

• Unitronic cat-back: valved, 3-inch T304 stainless, made for the MK7 and MK7.5. Pair it with round black tips or round chrome tips.
• AWE SwitchPath (MK7.5): two modes, quiet and loud, from the valves. Also in chrome silver tips.
• iE catback for the MK7 and MK7.5: a bolt-on with a deep tone.
• Scorpion: resonated or non-resonated, with or without valves, like the 76mm resonated valved system. Scorpion's valved systems need the factory valve motors. For MK7.5 cars there are cat/GPF-back versions for both GPF and non-GPF models.
• Other options: the CTS Turbo catback and Neuspeed stainless for the MK7 and MK7.2.

Resonated vs non-resonated: a resonated system cuts most of the drone you'd hear on the highway. Non-resonated is louder everywhere. If the car is a daily, go resonated.

Resonator delete: the most sound for the money

The center resonator is the single biggest muffler on the car. Replacing it with a straight pipe makes the car noticeably louder and rawer, and it keeps the factory rear section and valves. It's a cheap, simple way to get more sound, but expect more drone at cruise.

• CTS Turbo resonator delete: for the MK7 and MK7.5 Golf R and the 8V and 8Y S3.
• 034Motorsport Res-X: fits the MK7 and MK8 Golf R.
• Unitronic resonator delete: T304 stainless, for AWD EA888 Gen 3 and Gen 4 cars.
• Scorpion centre silencer delete: for the factory system. It needs cutting and won't fit GPF models.

Downpipe and turbo-back: for tuned cars

The downpipe holds the main catalyst and is the most restrictive part of the exhaust. A bigger downpipe helps a tuned car spool and hold boost. On a stock car it mostly adds volume, and the car needs a tune to run one properly. Expect a check-engine light until it's tuned.

• Catted, for street cars: the CTS Turbo AWD downpipe with high-flow cat and the Scorpion downpipe with high-flow sports cat. Scorpion recommends a Stage 2 tune with theirs.
• Full turbo-back: the CTS Turbo 3-inch turbo-back with high-flow cat and the valved Unitronic turbo-back. One order, one install.
• Catless race downpipes like the CTS Turbo AWD race downpipe are for off-road and competition use only.

Emissions note: the catalyst (and the GPF on cars that have one) is emissions equipment. Removing it is for off-road and competition use only, and a catless car won't pass inspection. If your state inspects emissions, ask us before you order.

Valve control

The factory valves stay closed a lot of the time. The APR exhaust valve remote plugs in and opens them at the push of a button, with the stock exhaust or any valved system above. Check the listing for your model year.

What we'd do

• Daily driver, a bit more sound: a resonated, valved cat-back like the Unitronic, AWE SwitchPath or iE. Add the APR valve remote if you want it loud on demand.
• Weekend car, louder: a resonator delete, or a non-resonated cat-back. That's where most of the sound is.
• Tuned car: a catted downpipe and a tune first, then a cat-back to taste. Or buy a turbo-back and do it all at once.

Got a MK8?

The MK8 Golf R uses its own exhaust. The 034 Res-X above fits both, but most systems don't. Look at the Unitronic MK8 cat-back, iE resonated MK8 catback and Borla S-Type.

See every exhaust part for your car on the MK7 Golf R and MK8 Golf R pages.