4.4 to a 4.6is motor, oh what a thing.

[Plattus1000]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

For RWD I think there is a 10-15% drivetrain loss, but those numbers are still very low for a 4.6. Even at 20% loss it should be in the 260rwhp range. So something is amiss.

Ya think? Ugh. I'll have a week to think about it.

[bcredliner]

Dyno results vary by dyno, brand dyno, temp, humidity, tire pressure etc. Always best to do all runs on same dyno and match the original conditions as much as practical. There is no universal percent to use to get to flywheel horsepower for AWD because the designs vary so much though most are in the range of 20-25%. For reference rear drive percent loss from flywheel to rear tires ranges from 10-15%.

[Plattus1000]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Dyno results vary by dyno, brand dyno, temp, humidity, tire pressure etc. Always best to do all runs on same dyno and match the original conditions as much as practical. There is no universal percent to use to get to flywheel horsepower for AWD because the designs vary so much though most are in the range of 20-25%. For reference rear drive percent loss from flywheel to rear tires ranges from 10-15%.

Totally agree. I only used 2 seperate dynos because the numbers were so far off what they should be. I think I found the problem. I'll know in a week.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Plattus1000

Totally agree. I only used 2 seperate dynos because the numbers were so far off what they should be. I think I found the problem. I'll know in a week.

I'm sure you'll figure it out.

[Plattus1000]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Ha! Glad you're confident. See ya in a week, better or worse.

[Plattus1000]

Well, I'm on my way to San Diego for the wagon's 1st real road trip.

Thought I'd pay homage to M5Jed's "Unicorn" headers, DUDMD and the guys @ Drift Office. I'm not typically a decals guy but I can see doing it for road trips and shows.






And this piece of heaven sent was borrowed from Denigod, a neighbor of sorts (6 blks away) That freed up some space. I'm packed pretty full and want to be able to sleep in the car to save some $. I'm cheap, what can I say.

[jcp240z]

Safe travels. Looks like the rain will hold out for a bit. Just did SF to LA on Friday and had night, pouring rain and stupid drivers for the last 100 miles. I really needed a drink when I got here.

[Plattus1000]

Originally Posted by jcp240z

Safe travels. Looks like the rain will hold out for a bit. Just did SF to LA on Friday and had night, pouring rain and stupid drivers for the last 100 miles. I really needed a drink when I got here.

Thanks. So far, from Seattle to Redding, no rain and no cops. 9 hrs to go. I slept in the car for 10 hrs last night. I'm good for the drive. Drinks...

[Plattus1000]

I slacked on pics/updates..., sorry.

I saw the Unicorn, better yet Jed took me for a ride! I was impressed with the build already but then Jed pointed out the "sport" button. "do you have this?" he sarcastically asked...



We began @ 8 and finished @ 8. Long day.

Once this was off:

It was time for this:


First few steps;





Tell me that doesn't look sexy as hell.

Because these are modular, the fitment and minor adjustments you make are easy. We used anti-seize to lubricate the pieces while setting it all up.



The whole time, Jed kept telling me how much easier/better this whole job would be if I had either a 6 spd or an S62 in an M5. You can ask him about it. Even though there were obstcals, with the design being modular, fitting everything in was a virtual breeze. I actually slowed Jed down by "helping"

My 2.75" pipe needs to match his 3" outlets from the collectors. Tomorrow, I'll drive a straight headers car to a muffler shop down the street. Yes, I'll have some fun but at the same time, worried about either getting pulled over or scaring old people and children to death. On start-up, she currently sounds like a '60's cuda or big block hemmi. So glad I came down. I've learned so much and met some cool enthusiasts.

I think I'll pass on the Dinan "experience" I'll still drop by on my way North but not a dime will come from me. I'll let DUDMD work his magic on these headers and my car.


Today, muffler shop and then a fun drive home

Just a taste;

https://youtu.be/RQMmF3hITU4

https://youtu.be/iVuDVL7rnSc

The tools needed for this instal:

Oh, and a mallet/piece of 2x4.

[Plattus1000]

So here's what I need to do before running on the dyno:

Figure out the distance from the exhaust port(last one on the rear, each side) to the o2 sensor for the precat location on a 4.6is engine. Add a bung, a 90° adapter for the sensor and a spacer to keep the tip of the sensor out of the direct flow of the gasses. Install all that. If you know tge length, I'd be super appreciative.

Remove my rear cats and code them out completely.

Then I can take the car to Dima, DUDMD and get to the numbers you and I want to see.

There's still the matter of the lost power last time I was on the dyno... Tune up time? New coils, injectors, plugs, filters...?

On the initial feel/sound from the headers:

Driving 1,800 miles from La Jolla, CA I can say they add to the aggressive tambour of the exhaust. I was more nervous than ever passing cops. Average driving, each shift sounds like I'm trying to race. In other wirds, before it was just a rolling build up to peak volume, now it's just evil from the get-go.

Fifth gear pulls harder, fourth is fun but 3rd is my new best friend. The headers sound so perfect.

Keep in mind, the only "mufflers" I have are the m5 rrsonator and the post cats. So getting on it is almost as loud as these pipes can get.

There's a slight vibration at idle like a 12 or 15" subwoofer is blasting @ 25 htz. Before, the exhaust manifold was absorbing the offset explosions within one single piece. Now, each explosion has its own escape route and so there's nothing to lessen the energy transfer to the engine, the engine mounts, frame and car as a whole.

I might add a washer (rubber) to the engine mounts to dampen this. I also have a little while before all the tubing has settled into place and found their comfortable homes. Once a week goes by, I'll dampen the spring clips with a heat wrap to eliminate the "twang" they can make when cold and I get too accelerator happy too soon.

That being said, I loved the feel, sound and the response when getting on it. I can't honestly say what numbers are going to show but I know it was worth it. I will be getting a muffler of some kind because the days of just cruising around and not being challenged at every stop light are gone. Every kid in Cali with a pipe wanted to test or impress me.

The "drone" at this point with no mufflers is more than most probably want. Again, no mufflers on this setup yet. I like the noise coming from a luxury wagon but there's something to be said about not showing all your cards right after a deal. I'd love BCRedliner's cutouts to a muffled system because there's also something to be said for just being the loudest kid in the room.

I found I didn't need to downshift to pass quickly but if I did for funzies, that was quicker than before and the car announced its intentions with no confusion to other motorists.