Highline Tuning Exhaust For The Z4 Non-M ! ! Need Prototype

B

BimmerZealot

Member
Hey guys, I have been working with Highline Tuning up in Northern California

http://highlinetuning.com/

To design an affordable axle back exhaust system for the 06+ Z4 Non-M (3.0i, 3.0Si Roadster, 3.0Si Coupe). The muffler will be dual inlet with the same tips as the E46 Highline Tuning exhaust, you can get an idea of how good it sounds if you lookup their E46 axle and catback systems.

As of right now the raw parts are being fabricated into a custom muffler, we dont have an exact ETA on when it will be done but probably within a week or two.

We are looking for a 06+ Z4 Non-M in the SAN JOSE, CA area to be a test fit car. We need a car to figure out hanger positioning and axle back piping configuration. May take a full day, maybe more I will get more details when the muffler is finished being built.

Pricing will also be significantly less then other exhaust options out right now. Of course all of you want to know the incentives for being a test car, incentives will be offered in most likely a significant discount in price on your very own Highline Tuning exhaust when production units begin.

If anyone is interested please PM me or leave a post here.

Thanks
Paul

P.S: If anyone with a Pre-06 Z4 wants to look into the difference in the Pre-06 and Post-06 exhaust you're welcome to, I have a hunch that it may just be hangers. If that is the case after the 06+ come into production I'm sure Highline will be equally interested in creating another unit with adjusted hangers to fit the Pre-06
__________________
 
I have a stupid question ... if that is your '07 3.0si in your sig, why don't you use your own car?
 
BimmerZealot,

So they need an 06 or newer.

Dang it. My 04 is looking to hit one of these things sometime.
 
The website is entirely lacking in any kind of information about where Highline is located, addresses, phone numbers, people, how long they've been in business, or any other useful information that might encourage someone to bring their car in. It seems to be just half a website, not a brick and mortar business. The domain is registered to a house in a residential neighborhood, not a business district.

Sorry to be the suspicious type, but has anyone else ever heard of this business before?
 
They are a fairly new company, hence the website isn't jam packed. They are continuing to develop products so their website doesn't seem as full as say Supersprint. If you were a member of the E46 community as I was for many years you'd know the name. They have an E46 M3 Intake, a E46 3-Series Catback and Axle Back exhaust system and a great exhaust system for the Lotus Elise as well. No one is asking for someone to hand over their keys to some mysteryperson. Both the owner of Highline Tuning and the test car owner will be present at the shop during fitting. There are no smoke and mirrors here the muffler will be fit, hangers/piping made, and the test car owner will receive a significant discount on the final product. Being that the prototype muffler probably wont even have a finalized tip design yet, not many people would want to drive off with it. Every company has to start somewhere and I expect most people to respect that. If you dont, hey dont volunteer. Thanks
 
UPDATE:

Hey everyone, the muffler case, internal baffling, and exhaust flow has all been finished on the muffler. Only a few little things left such as tip placement before the prototype is ready to be test fitted.

Now is the time for anyone in the San Jose, CA area to contact me immediately if you're interested in having your car used as a test fit car. The prototype should be completed by next week in which a time will be scheduled for the work to be done.

Again a significant discount will be given to the owner of the car used for test-fitting towards the purchase of their own unit when production begins. The muffler will be installed on the test car at which time hangers and axle back piping will be made. The OE exhaust will be reinstalled so that the prototype can be further tested and a jig made.

You can reach me via PM or post here.

Thanks
 
i need one for a pre '06... and i'm guessing the only way that will happen is if someone up in San Jose will donate their car.....

c'mon someone! help us all out!!!! :D
 
BimmerZealot- Its my understanding that the exhaust positioning (specifically axle-back, or cans only) is identical across all Z4 non-M. They have not changed the hanger locations or the exhaust piping diameter or location or design. Why would you need an 06+ for this can-only work?

Have you heard otherwise? Proof? I've been under an 06 and my 05 and I didn't see any differences.
 
Reach: I'm basing my knowledge on the RealOEM.com schematics. The 05/06 do not share the same hanger number, hanger type, muffler shape / part number, midpipe bracing, etc. Obviously they could still be identical in positioning but I have no way to know unless I can compare an 05/06 right up against each other. If you have seen both and can confirm that's great news for all Z4s and I'd be more then happy to forward this information to Highline Tuning.

mystik: Ah, all the way to the other side too :P
 
BZ: mystik has an M54 too though!

This now has me very curious, and next time I get an 06 (probably next local meet) I will do some crawling and snag some pictures.

I liked your comment about RealOEM: here are the comparison pictures, and my thoughts.

Original:
191oa2.png



Facelift:
223ap6.png


A few things I see: It appears they both use the overall similar hanger shape, although yes, a different hanger. If anything, the new 06+ exhaust is larger than the older one, and simply has a small 'nub' to fit into the hanger, where the older one had a bit larger protrusion to reach the hanger. The new hanger design looks like a free-floating design, which is superior for noise reduction, although allows a bit more movement.

Also, look at the original exhausts, they use a front-facing bolt and rubber shock mount, in addition to a small hanger bar. Yet, aftermarket exhausts, like the well-used Supersprint, and my newly-found Stebro, simply use a hanger bar there and ditch the bolt mount. The geometries all look vaguely similar. Small difference like an extra bend in the bar or extension would be used to compensate for the different sizes of the 2 OEM exhaust cans.

ssz4788106gi4.jpg

ssz4044125jq1.jpg

dsc014361me2.jpg

On the stebro, that picture doesn't quite line the two up right, imagine rotating the stebro about 30 degrees clockwise, and then everything lines up, from the hanger bars to the pipe tips.

So... I'd wager a friendly $20 that exhausts are indeed interchangeable between old and new! I hope someone with an 06+ will try an existing exhaust and prove it so. After all, if it can't be fit, it can always be resold!
 
Great information there Reach, I'll forward it to Highline Tuning for them to give their expert opinion on it. My OEM exhaust definitely has some play to it if you wobble the tips just as you mentioned with the longer front hanger. I will post information after speaking with Highline Tuning. Thanks
 
UPDATE: I know its been awhile; but, here's some new information regarding the exhaust. This past weekend the exhaust was finished and upon mounting a problem arose. The exhaust was slightly too wide and it came in contact with the heat shield.

Sadly, there was no way to get around this problem. However, a new prototype is underway, this time fabrication and fitment should be much quicker now that the overall design and layout have been confirmed.

Sorry for the delay guys; but, as we all know and have experienced when it comes to prototyping and pretty much anything related to cars, pitfalls often times occur. Bear with me, and you guys will be pleasantly pleased.

Thanks
 
UPDATE: So after what seems like forever in R&D the re-designed muffler is being test fitted this week. If all goes well and it fits and sounds good. Then a jig can be made from the prototype and production will begin on the exhaust.

Hang tight guys, an update is coming very soon!

Thanks for everyone's patience and thanks for checking out the thread. I will keep you guys posted.
 
Hey guys, so the 2nd prototype was completed installed, fits! But, Highline Tuning ran into a problem upon testing, the tone and quality of the sound was just not there. Rather then release a sub par exhaust option Highline Tuning is back at work, redesigning the internal baffles to open up the tone and produce a exhaust suitable for the Z4. Stay tuned I will keep you guys updated with the latests.
 
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