Electronic exhaust cutouts for E53... suggestions?

[Squiggy]

I did do an advanced search on the E53 forum before asking this question

Seriously considering electronic cutouts for my 2003 4.6is. I thought about the X-Pipe. It sounds nice but just not for me. I'm not a 'BMW guy' per say. Bought my X5 because it was a great compromise of functionalities and I like the way it looks. So not overly concerned about sounding 'red neck' one in a while. Sometimes a little hillbillying can be FUN.

At any rate, I've heard complaints that there is not enough room under the E53 to mount the cutouts, or the fit is so tight you have to put them somewhere goofy?

Any advice or examples welcome. From my search it didn't seem many E53 owners on this forum have cutouts. But maybe I just can't search worth a diddle. Quite possible.

Thanks.

[Plattus1000]

Find BCredliner, he has cutouts and a 4.6is.

As a side note, you don't need cutouts to sound tame in the neighborhood and beast on the freeway. A good exhaust can give you a tame demeanor untill you open it up and it becomes a muscle car.

As an owner of 2 4.6 engines running two totally different rigs, I can assure you that stock e53 exhaust note leaves me wanting more from start up to redline however with catback free flow, can sound like the apocalypse about to begin at 4k rpm. Just say'n. There are alternatives out there. The removal of just the scuba tank resonators can be a quite nice step up in note.

[TiAgX5]

+1

Brian has done the cutout mod and it sounds great. The install looks like it came from the factory, SUPER clean!

I was skeptical of sound quality with OE exhaust manifolds before hearing it. Was amazed when I heard it in person, sounds like a C7-R Corvette GTLM (Sebring/le Mans race car).

[crystalworks]

I'm still torn between removing the resonator or installing cutouts. I love my Dinan mufflers, but they are just a bit too tame during normal driving. Definitely don't want drone, so I keep going back and forth between the two decisions.

[mam4.6]

Subd for more info on all of this... I'm desperately wanting more "growl"!

[Squiggy]

Originally Posted by Plattus1000

Find BCredliner, he has cutouts and a 4.6is.

As a side note, you don't need cutouts to sound tame in the neighborhood and beast on the freeway. A good exhaust can give you a tame demeanor untill you open it up and it becomes a muscle car.

As an owner of 2 4.6 engines running two totally different rigs, I can assure you that stock e53 exhaust note leaves me wanting more from start up to redline however with catback free flow, can sound like the apocalypse about to begin at 4k rpm. Just say'n. There are alternatives out there. The removal of just the scuba tank resonators can be a quite nice step up in note.

Thanks. I PM'd BCredliner. I always thought catback systems were kinda expensive, but even with electronic cutouts the price does creep up depending. The least expensive and fastest way so far seems to install the y-pipes myself with clamps (saving labor) and attach the cutouts. However, I don't think there is enough room in the rear closer to the mufflers. Haven't measured but looks tight. I think BCRedliner installed his cutouts up front. Waiting to hear how he did that. Will update this thread as I progress...

[4.8isX5]

Buddy had Qtp cutouts mounted right around where the pipe is about to go by the diff to the mufflers on a 4.8is.

Im planning to do them on mine sometime this year and get my mufflers back on.

[Squiggy]

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

Buddy had Qtp cutouts mounted right around where the pipe is about to go by the diff to the mufflers on a 4.8is.

Im planning to do them on mine sometime this year and get my mufflers back on.

Hmm. Thanks for the info. Guess it's time for me to crawl under there and take some measurements.

[TiAgX5]

Brian has the oval set similar to this....

.: Quick Time Performance :.

[Squiggy]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Brian has the oval set similar to this....

.: Quick Time Performance :.

Oh. Okay. Thanks. For some reason my brain was converting 'oval' to 'round'. Yeah, those low profile cutouts are pretty sick. I don't know how to weld so I'd need some help.