Exhaust options?!

[Sef]

Hi All,

Been looking through the archives at exhaust options for a 3.0si.

A lot of the posts seem quite old so testing the waters if there’s anything newer.

I’ve decided against a back box delete, so options would be a bypass (is anyone still doing this?) or aftermarket system.

Don’t want crazy loud and drone, just a little more on the overrun and low end.

Cheers,
Sef

 

[tomrdy]

I don't want to be that guy that points to his own thread all the time but I've just installed the Supersprint Powerloop (day 4 now!) And it might be what you're after.

- not crazy loud
- acceptable drone (to me so far.. don't know if my wife will get annoyed next road trip )
- lovely classy burbles in overrun
- overall a nicer sound

Short video on my thread (here).

Downsides so far:

- very expensive and sub par quality for price.
- unit arrived with lots of superficial scratches though tips were OK. Not sure if that's to be expected.
- not great fit (needed hanger chopping and refab by shop)
- additional drone, regardless of how little, is still a negative. It drones bang on 2k. Below or above it's lovely.

Not regretting it though. On a spirited run, the sound, the burbles... Make it all worth it

 

[MACK]

Don't think there's too much full system wise other than the Scorpion system for the N52. It comes in two flavours resonated and non resonated. Based on what you've said I'd definitely go with the resonated variety. Backbox wise you've got more options ranging from Eisenmann at circa £800 down or even have an exhaust specialist whip you up a custom backbox. You could have your existing backbox modded as well which any decent fabricator should be able to do for you if you show them what you want. There's plenty of posts/pics on here about doing this, whoever you go with just make sure you choose someone who's welding is actual decent.

 

[thecookie125]

Depends on what your after, the back box delete won't drone as horribly as a z4 with the M54 engine , however I have just removed mine because of the volume when your driving between 3-4k RPM.

However if I had the roof down all the time I wouldn't have removed it.

 

[Sef]

That’s interesting didn’t realise it would be different t to the m54 engine. I was also factoring in peoples comments on losing power low down.

Mine is a coupe so I wonder if the drone would be better or worse?

Perhaps just a back box change or custom is worth it? Would like to be able to revert to stock if I sell down the line.

If anyone is based in the midlands with a non-stock exhaust I’d love to hear one in person, videos never do them justice.

 

[paulc_bkk]

I have an Arqray backbox on mine.



I got it 2nd hand so it was already ‘worn-in’ and a bit scratched up.

I had to get the original back box cut off so this could be installed

The tips are a bit short but the fit is pretty good.... that said, it is blowing slightly at the moment as it has been knocked because of how much my car has been lowered.



Sound is a bit more louder and deeper than standard, but it is often drowned out by my sound generator (no foam). Some pops on overrun, but not crazy loud.

 

[R60BBA]

[youtube]kiFqfq698os[/youtube]

 

[Piper1]

Downsides so far:

- very expensive and sub par quality for price.
- unit arrived with lots of superficial scratches though tips were OK. Not sure if that's to be expected.
- not great fit (needed hanger chopping and refab by shop)
- additional drone, regardless of how little, is still a negative. It drones bang on 2k. Below or above it's lovely.

Not regretting it though. On a spirited run, the sound, the burbles... Make it all worth it

Did you by chance order the correct one? I ordered mine (For M54) complete from Turner, section 1,2, and back box all were a plug and play direct bolt up doing it myself with 100% no modification what so ever to the system. Only thing left is to run extended O2s to the cats but they are currently plugged in on racing dynamic headers. And don't forget the indentation in the second pic is intentional because of the rear cross brace.

 

[tomrdy]

Did you by chance order the correct one

First thing I did was double, triple, and quadruple checked I had the right PN for the box and Y pipe for my year and motor as I new there may be some differences with the pre/post face lift variants.

To be clear, it did "bolt in". Everything "fit" (hangers and all) but it was the aesthetic fit that had issues - it hung nearly an inch too low which looked silly, and hit a kerb on the first drive. I initially thought perhaps the hangers were knocked during transit but the guys ended up not being able to simply bend it and had to actually cut and shorten the hangers.

I suspect that the hangers were welded too high up on the box itself during manufacture - there's just no other reason really. That or perhaps they used the wrong bits when making mine, or even sent me the wrong box, with the right labelling - though from your pic, mine looks very much the same.

How mine sat initially (all hangers/mounts fitted with no modifications):


A far cry from what I expected based on Supersprint's picture:


I spent the next morning under the car and found that even if I (using a jack), pushed up against the muffler to sit it higher, I would need to be compressing the rubber mounts by a significant margin (my first suspicion was that the mounts were worn or stretched). However they looked fine and compressing them by nearly 50% didn't make sense.

I also fiddled with in/out, left/right, rotational position to see if that would affect where the hanger sat in the rubbers but nothing could make up the huge difference in height.

When I finally took it to the exhaust shop, they rechecked the install (that I had done at another shop), and it seemed fine. The Y pipe was fine and there wasn't really any adjustment there to be made - in case it was a matter of "tilting" the ends.

In the end, they heated up the right side mount (the one with the 2 bolts) and flattened out the bracket's shape which lifted that side higher, and chopped the left hanger and rewelded it. Still could not get it tucked in as much as Supersprint's reference image as I wanted to leave a little bit of clearance from the swaybar mount but I think it looks aces now anyway

Adjusted (higher maybe 2-3cm? I haven't been bothered to measure ):



It wasn't a big deal for them (didn't cost much) and overall I'm happy with the Supersprint because the tips look great, and it sounds awesome.

 

[DaveD]

I’ve had a similar experience as you with my Eisenmann race. Does fit lower than I had anticipated. There is some room to move it up but don’t want to get too close to the heat shield. It odd that it doesn’t fit perfectly though.....

 

[MACK]

If I can re-purpose this picture for a moment. It demonstrates really well something I was repeatedly told by various custom exhaust fabricators. That most aftermarket full exhaust systems/backboxes are massively smaller than the standard ones. Hence why drone and just been plain old too loud are an issue for a lot of folks with these fitted on E85/6's. Apparently our cars are notorious in the aftermarket exhaust fraternity for this. I spoke to three separate outfits regarding this and all basically said the same thing that the issue they have matching the sizing to near OEM is that aftermarket backboxes come with front/rear inlet/outlets where as the standard backbox is effectively turned sideways with inlets/outlets moved to the sides. Its why in the end I reverted to modding my original backbox and I'm reasonably happy with the results (although I did go through some trial and error to get to a balance I was happy with with no drone).

Based on the above for me aftermarket wise I think Eisenmann was the only real option as its about the only backbox I've seen that similar in size to the original. What put me off in the end was the sheer cost of them, especially as I couldn't actually hear one in person before committing. They do look a nice bit of kit though!

 

[DaveD]

Agree with the above Mack. The Eisenmann race is actually pretty quiet at low revs - not much louder than stock. Gets more fruity and growly at 3k and then is proper loud above 5k. I’m in a coupe and you can really hear the difference when the windows are closed.

I’ve got an odd harmonic resonance at the moment that I’m trying to sort out with the fitter. I don’t think this would be drone as it’s a higher pitched resonance at specific frequencies (2k and 4K). Whilst a bit annoying, the exhaust itself sounds great.

Lots of little crackles and pops at lower revs (quite restrained though). Over 5k though you get loud cracks /gunshots. Sounds ace.

 

[Piper1]

Did you by chance order the correct one

First thing I did was double, triple, and quadruple checked I had the right PN for the box and Y pipe for my year and motor as I new there may be some differences with the pre/post face lift variants.

To be clear, it did "bolt in". Everything "fit" (hangers and all) but it was the aesthetic fit that had issues - it hung nearly an inch too low which looked silly, and hit a kerb on the first drive. I initially thought perhaps the hangers were knocked during transit but the guys ended up not being able to simply bend it and had to actually cut and shorten the hangers.

I suspect that the hangers were welded too high up on the box itself during manufacture - there's just no other reason really. That or perhaps they used the wrong bits when making mine, or even sent me the wrong box, with the right labeling - though from your pic, mine looks very much the same.

It's very possible it was a shoddy job through manufacturing, my headers from racing dynamics I had a major issue with the first set I received, the front section was perfect but the second section was a complete botch, I sent them my stock headers along with the first from them I received and there was a mix up when packing so they sent me a new set which fit prefect as they should, it's something I'd send a line to super sprint about to make sure with them, I like you are in my first few days of driving with my full system, I have to get a chuckle with all the droning comments as I'm a bagpiper and don't mind it one bit LOL. but here's a top view of how mine sat

 

[tomrdy]

I'd send a line to super sprint about to make sure

Hmm I may just write them some feedback perhaps - wasn't interested in getting the unit replaced as it was more effort than having the shop fix it up and lord knows how much back and forth would be involved including the bother if refitting everything.

Do you have a pic of your tail pipes from the rear? Would be useful to compare with mine at the same angle just out of interest.

 

[Piper1]

I'd send a line to super sprint about to make sure

Hmm I may just write them some feedback perhaps - wasn't interested in getting the unit replaced as it was more effort than having the shop fix it up and lord knows how much back and forth would be involved including the bother if refitting everything.

Do you have a pic of your tail pipes from the rear? Would be useful to compare with mine at the same angle just out of interest.

Sorry for the crappy cell pics but this should help I'd think. The wait for delivery was a long one for sure for me, I ordered them in November and delivered in late February waiting for section 1, the back box had been in stock so was just the cat section that took longer for me to get.

 

[Worcester_spoon]

Just delete the back box. I did and it’s frickin awesome!

 

[R60BBA]

It odd that it doesn’t fit perfectly though.....

Fitment issues are quite common when opting for aftermarket parts.

 

[tomrdy]

Sorry for the crappy cell pics but this should help I'd think. The wait for delivery was a long one for sure for me

Thanks for the pic. Looks like mine was def off since yours was out of box and looks maybe another 1cm higher than my adjusted one!

Wait time wise, I actually was lucky and only waited about a week for it to be shipped to my door from Italy including time to contact the local dealer to organise.

 

[DaveD]

Fitment issues are quite common when opting for aftermarket parts.

Sad but true

 

[Dave 2 dogs]

As Dave d
Had an eisenmann race on my e85 and absolutely loved it , just waiting for the new eisenmann for my e89 , hopefully next weekend, check out the videos of the race on the e86 , can’t live without an eisenmann now