Another successful exhaust mod...

[ncx]

Well I finally got my exhaust mod done after contemplating which route to go. After hearing so many different exhaust kits, and trying to justify the prices, I ended up going with the resonator-delete/x-pipe route. You guys that have gone this route already have inspired me. Parts and labor was approx $200 and it is exactly what I was looking for.

Goals:

- Much better full throttle sound outside the car
- Better idle sound, but not loud at all
- No noticeable difference inside the car under normal driving
- No annoying resonances at lower RPMs
- No loud popping under deceleration
- No pinging sound in the exhaust when cold
- No decrease in torque, and if possible, a gain in the mid and top end

Well, this mod satisfied the goals and put a big grin on my face. It is quiet and deep at idle, and wakes up big time when you kick it and sounds excellent. Exhaust sound preference is a very individual thing so, what sounds good to me may not sound good to you. Ain't nuthin' wrong with that.

No g-tech's or anything like that have been done yet but it feels the same to slightly stronger in the WOT @ 60-100mph range. This is my new bang for the buck recommendation. It is wife friendly as it it totally undetectable from within the cabin (until you put your foot in it). And it only took 40 minutes at my local exhaust shop.

Some pics and sound clips:

The 'before' shot:




Cutting off the resonator:




Test-fitting the x-pipe




Welding the x-pipe to the new pipes:




Welding new OEM type hangers to the x-pipe




The finished product:




Video clips (was using a digital still cam in video mode, so A/V is not great. The mic cannot pick up the depth and makes it sound a little higher pitched but you get the idea).

These are around 2MB each, WMV format:

Inside the car, windows up

Another clip from inside.

Outside car, from rear

[broknlgs24]

what size pipe did u go w/?
i've been seriously considering this mod also, buit don't know whether to go w/ the X-pipe or just remove the resonators?

[ncx]

Originally Posted by broknlgs24

what size pipe did u go w/?
i've been seriously considering this mod also, buit don't know whether to go w/ the X-pipe or just remove the resonators?

I believe we used 2.25". If you want a slightly stronger tone, a little higher dB throughout the RPM range, and a little more rasp, I would suggest skipping the x-pipe. You can always delete the resonator and try it for a while, then add a crossover pipe later if the popping or rasp or drone gets annoying. Let us know what you decide.

[Kewl X5]

Kewl deal. Interesting, by removing the resonator and putting in the X-pipe, your exhaust at higher rpm has a similar "raspiness" as the E46 M3, but not as pronouced.

E46 M3 owners complain about the rasp at the higher rpms, but I guess 2004-05 have less raspiness....The cheapest solution is to replace the BMW resonator system section with one that has a resonator on both pipes. The M3's OEM resonator only has one resonator on the driver's side pipe and the passenger side pipe has NO resonator.

[ncx]

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

The M3's OEM resonator only has one resonator on the driver's side pipe and the passenger side pipe has NO resonator.

Wow I missed that fact somehow. That is interesting.

[Sterling 4.4]

Does this mod trip up the car's computer in any way or is it invisible to the car?

[drex]

invisible

[Intel55]

nice

I was going to do that when I got the 4.8 tips on but the wife stopped me. Hmmm maybe I will just do it and not tell her. Maybe she will not notice

[ncx]

Originally Posted by Intel55

nice

I was going to do that when I got the 4.8 tips on but the wife stopped me. Hmmm maybe I will just do it and not tell her. Maybe she will not notice

DO IT! We won't tell!

[X5 AFICIONADO]

What is the main difference between the X pipe and removing the resonator? It should be almost the same