[Josh/AWE]

AWE Tuning is proud to announce that the AWE Tuning MP4-12C Performance Catalyst and Exhaust System have officially been confirmed for use on the 12C Spider.

AWE Tuning MP4-12C and 12C Spider Performance Catalyst and Exhaust System highlights:

• First 200 cell hi-flow catalyst solution in the world
• Rigorous dynamometer, reliability, power and tone testing
• No Check Engine Light, Guaranteed
• An impressive +46hp and +61tq at the crank with no ECU tuning
• Available as full exhaust and catalyst solution, or ala carte
• Simply the finest exhaust solution for one of the finest vehicles in the world
• Also available with Carbon Tip Surrounds

AWE Tuning McLaren MP4-12C Performance Catalysts

Verified to fit both the 12C Coupe and the 12C Spider, the AWE Tuning MP4-12C Performance Catalysts are the first in the world to feature 200 cell high flow catalysts.

In short, the 200 cell HJS HD catalyst offers significantly increased flow over a 300 cell count unit, without sacrificing durability. Although a 200 cell HJS HD catalyst was significantly more complex to integrate than a 300 cell unit, we chose to not settle, because it is quite simply the best option for the MP4-12C and 12C Spider.

The direct result of exceptional build quality and exhaustive engineering efforts, the AWE Tuning MP4-12C Performance Catalysts add an impressive +46hp and +61tq at the crank on our otherwise stock 2013 MP4-12C Spider test car, as measured on the AWE Tuning in-house Mustang chassis dyno.

AWE Tuning McLaren MP4-12C Performance Exhaust

The AWE Tuning McLaren MP4-12C Performance Exhaust is designed to perfectly smooth the aggressively raw tone that results from mating the AWE Tuning Performance Catalysts to the stock exhaust system, and has also been confirmed on the 12C Spider.

The exhaust is constructed from mandrel bent 304 stainless steel at 3” diameter throughout and features a small balance opening between the banks which produces the exotic, high pitched wail.

Carbon Fiber Exhaust Surrounds

AWE Tuning is now also officially carrying Carbon Fiber Exhaust Surrounds for both the MP4-12C and 12C Spider. These surrounds are hand-made to strict tolerances, ensuring OEM quality fitment, and feature high-grade 2x2 Carbon Fiber weave construction.

Options

The AWE Tuning McLaren MP4-12C and 12C Spider Systems are available as a full package with choice of satin black or machined tips, or independently as either the performance catalysts, or exhaust alone.

AWE Tuning is now accepting orders for both MP4-12C and 12C Spider Systems.

Questions? We’re here.

 

[Bluensx]

Questions? why yes. How much- #1 installed complete, or #2 as a kit

 

[Mac 1]

wow, AWE is knocking it out of the park with 12c exhaust!
honestly the fit, finish, sound, and performance is UNREAL!

 

[Jesse/AWE]

Bluensx, thanks for the questions. I'll step in here as Will takes a well deserved day off! There are a number of options/configurations, so the most direct way to the answer is to head over to the full page with all the juicy details, here: http://www.awe-tuning.com/mp412c

Regarding the installation, I'll shoot you a PM to get you over to an AWE Tuning Performance Specialist to get an installation quote together.

 

[Jaymoney]

It's hard to imagine being able to improve a 12C. AWE has done just that though. Coming from the V12 Aston Martin, the one thing that I missed was an aggressive engine note. My Spider now has one. I find myself hunting tunnels. The car sounds mean and turns heads before I get there. You can definitely feel the extra ponies and torque. Acceleration was never a problem but now the car is even scarier. I would be shocked if the 0-62 is not < 3.

Besides the quality, dealing with AWE was a real pleasure. These guys are as car crazy as we are. Todd and the crew give you a great sense of confidence and you know your car is being well care for. It was a real pleasure.

Now all I need I need is the million people who have moved in to my neighborhood for the US open to leave so I can enjoy my driving.

 

[treynor]

Very interesting system; the power and sound when you're on the gas would be a big step forward.

Couple questions:
1) What's the difference in interior sound at freeway speed when you're just cruising? Did you for example do a before-n-after SPL measurement? I ask principally because I've had a bad experience with drone from aftermarket exhausts on both a 911 Turbo and Corvette Z06...
2) What's the weight difference between this system and the stock cats+exhaust?

Thanks!

 

[RollingThunder]

What stock exhaust sensors are there and how do you deal with them to ensure no check engine light?

 

[RollingThunder]

Can anyone comment on whether there is a difference in low end torque over stock? I am sure the free flowing exhaust is better once on boost, but I think low end torque can sometimes suffer. Just wondering given the engineering that went into these cars based on the stock system.

 

[Josh/AWE]

Very interesting system; the power and sound when you're on the gas would be a big step forward.

Couple questions:
1) What's the difference in interior sound at freeway speed when you're just cruising? Did you for example do a before-n-after SPL measurement? I ask principally because I've had a bad experience with drone from aftermarket exhausts on both a 911 Turbo and Corvette Z06...

Our brand is famous worldwide for engineering and manufacturing drone-free exhausts. On a street car, the elimination of drone is more important to us than ultimate power output, even though we strive to excel in both categories when designing our exhausts.

The MP4-12C mid-engine layout inherently is less susceptible to drone. The physical distance between the cabin and the exhaust outlets works greatly to reduce sound volume and unpleasant harmonics in the interior. Further, our exhaust design shifts the exhaust frequencies higher, which also helps pull the acoustics out of the dreaded drone zone.

That being said, there is no drone at all with this system, at any speed and at and throttle position. Mac 1 and Jaymoney can chime in with user feedback.

2) What's the weight difference between this system and the stock cats+exhaust?

Thanks!

The combined weight between our cats and exhaust is 2 lbs lighter than the stock combo.

What stock exhaust sensors are there and how do you deal with them to ensure no check engine light?

There are four Oxygen Sensors (O2 sensors) on the catalytic converter sections. Two of them are before the main catalytic converters right off the turbos and two of them are after the main catalytic converters.

The HJS catalysts we are using have a very heavy precious metal loading on the matrix, making them very effective at cleaning the exhaust gasses, even with the lower 200 cell count. The longer length of the 200 cell cats ensures resistance to fault codes for the long haul, as a catalyst ages along its length. The longer the cat, the longer it will provide catalyst action.

Further, we alter the second O2 sensor fitting geometry to desensitize the signal, keeping the ECU happy. Both approaches have proven very successful on our other exhausts for cars with similar power output, such as the Porsche 911 Turbos. Both Mac 1 and Jaymoney in this thread have our full systems and can comment on how their cars have been Check Engine Light free, even with a heavy mix of street and track driving.

The second set of catalysts are not monitored by the ECU, therefore removing them has no adverse effect that would cause a Check Engine Light.

Can anyone comment on whether there is a difference in low end torque over stock? I am sure the free flowing exhaust is better once on boost, but I think low end torque can sometimes suffer. Just wondering given the engineering that went into these cars based on the stock system.

Our dyno pulls were done in 4th gear, with a very broad rpms sweep, and there were no power losses anywhere. Seat of the pants told us the same thing, and real would acceleration shoot outs are also supporting that finding. Once again, Mac 1 and Jaymoney can chime in with user feedback.

 

[Mac 1]

i was at the track saturday with the new exhaust and the car performed and sounded awesome!
heres a vid. i wish it was better, but atleast you can get an idea. that white GTR in front of me has over 600whp on ethanol. so you can see the power from the mac.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyx0SIvhHXU&feature=share

 

[extremeride22]

i was at the track saturday with the new exhaust and the car performed and sounded awesome!
heres a vid. i wish it was better, but atleast you can get an idea. that white GTR in front of me has over 600whp on ethanol. so you can see the power from the mac.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyx0SIvhHXU&feature=share

Mac 1 enjoyed the video, not sure if its my age but it was hard for me to distinguish the different vehicles going round on the track. May I recommend that you slow it down a bit the next time round so I can see what's going on. LOL?. Sure sounds great though and I'm glad your enjoying your ride. Cheers...??

 

[Josh/AWE]

Uncompromised engineering, unparalleled performance. Learn more about the AWE Tuning McLaren MP4-12C and 12C Spider Performance Catalyst and Exhaust System, right here.

 

[Mac 1]

great pic!

 

[Geoff]

Sorry for asking this as It may be covered elsewhere, but wouldn't this system void the 12C warranty?

 

[andy c]

Sorry for asking this as It may be covered elsewhere, but wouldn't this system void the 12C warranty?

Only in Europe Geoff,everyone else (at least the McLaren dealers in the US) think its ok,ask Ken as his dealer fitted it for him as part of his package,so they will undoubtedly honour his warrenty.

 

[jkheit]

I'm not sure I'm reading the chart right, but are we giving up a good bit of low end grunt for the increases in torque/hp at 5500rpm and higher?

 

[RollingThunder]

On the warranty in the US, the warranty will cover any issues unless the modification is determined to be the cause of the issue. I don't think it matters if a dealer installed it. Ask a dealer to put in writing that the exhaust does not impact the warranty - I would be shocked if the dealer would do this. That said, an exhaust is unlikely to cause an issue, but anyone getting an exhaust should understand the risks, no matter how small.

 

[Geoff]

Only in Europe Geoff,everyone else (at least the McLaren dealers in the US) think its ok,ask Ken as his dealer fitted it for him as part of his package,so they will undoubtedly honour his warrenty.

Yes I take the point, we do draw the short straw especially in the UK

 

[kverges]

I have to say I am very, very skeptical of claimed 46 hp and 61 ft-lbs torque from different cats and no tune, I'd like to see it replicated with before and after dyno by an independent tester, as I have seen tests with no cats at all on turbo cars and not seen that kind of change. These kind of changes don't happen on GTRs, Evos, 335is, WRX's or any other turbo car test I have ever read - the big gains require upping boost and improved intercoolers at the very least.

I hope I am wrong and wonder if AWE would give money back to a buyer who does a dyno, installs, and does not see these published results with a post-installation dyno test?

 

[RollingThunder]

What would be even better than a dyno is some timeslips or Vbox runs. With these kind of gains, there should be objective improvement in times.