Danny's X5 4.6 Thread

[dannyzabolotny]

Interesting... Now what if I were to just put in two straight pipes without any crossover?

The X-pipes do sound pretty good though, especially with a 4.6. I remember my M5's exhaust system, it was a full Dinan and it had such a muscular sound... it would actually burble when I let off the throttle and that was just amazing. The tone of the M5 mufflers was just incredible, you could feel the exhaust from inside a building if the M5 was parked outside, it made people so uncomfortable haha

Which Magnaflow X-pipe model are people using for the X5?

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny

Interesting... Now what if I were to just put in two straight pipes without any crossover?

The X-pipes do sound pretty good though, especially with a 4.6. I remember my M5's exhaust system, it was a full Dinan and it had such a muscular sound... it would actually burble when I let off the throttle and that was just amazing. The tone of the M5 mufflers was just incredible, you could feel the exhaust from inside a building if the M5 was parked outside, it made people so uncomfortable haha

Which Magnaflow X-pipe model are people using for the X5?

I would opt for the magna flow x-pipe insert since the old 4.6is middle resonator has this incorporated in it. Helps to smooth out the pulse flow. I think two straight pipes may induce the drone and falling off in performance just a little. Like I said if you can find a set of the Dinans then leave the middle resonator on and just add the Dinan cans to the rear. I was fortunate enough last year to find a set at a boneyard that looked to be brown and rusty on the cans but since Dinan uses a thick stainless steel construction all that was needed was an afternoon of exhaust polishing and they were as good as new. It was a tiring process but for $250 at the boneyard it was a treasure to obtain knowing what they went for when offered new and of course how glorious they sound on the X5.

[bcredliner]

I don't know of an engine with stock exhaust that performance can't be improved by eliminating some amount of back pressure. But, it isn't as simple as just chopping a muffler or resonator off. Depending on how much and where back pressure is reduced it will improve or reduce HP and/or TQ. Torque gets you going and horsepower keeps you going. How best the engine will respond is where to focus. In the case of the 4.6, I recommend the focus should be on torque until you can do a 4 wheel burnout or you start breaking driveline stuff. That will take a lot more than any exhaust change.

Don't expect a worthwhile performance improvement from an investment in a H or X pipe. The investment should be to change sound only. However, if there will be better performance it will be greater with an X pipe as it improves extraction the most. An X pipe will make the exhaust tone higher and a little raspier.

I agree that if you can find Dinan exhaust that is the best way to go. IMO it sounds great and they have stated gains that you can expect. If you want more performance improvement from any changes or still be noiser, I recommend adding electric cutouts that you can control how much they open. They should be located post cat and as close to the same distance from the exhaust manifold as possible. Since they are under the vehicle there will be drone. I have Dinan exhaust with cutouts. Fun thing is I can have cutouts wide open and when I see a lawman I can easily close them before I get into trouble. I either have them wide open or closed as unless I want the maximum performance I am entirely happy with how the Dinan exhaust sounds. An airbox contributes to a better sound but mostly at full throttle.

[Ricky Bobby]

Just an FYI there is also a resonated Magnaflow Xpipe so you still get the gains of tone difference but not as drastic as the regular "straight X"

They are on the Magnaflow site, I am debating doing one on my X5 5MT because I'd like a touch more sound with my 4.8iS axle back but I heard one with my exhaust and regular Xpipe and it droned on the highway

[V8 00USH]

Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny

Interesting... Now what if I were to just put in two straight pipes without any crossover?
Which Magnaflow X-pipe model are people using for the X5?

You would fully retain the muscle car type unbalanced burble due to no crossover flow helping balancing them out....you would potentially also lose a little bit of performance too since the crossover pipes helps with that.

This is a good video to show the difference between X & H pipe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnI53sWqbcs

I used this Magnaflow one...

MagnaFlow 2.25 inch Smooth Trans X Pipe 10790 - X Pipe - X & Y Pipes - COMPONENTS

Bear in mind you will need to reduce it down slightly at the catalytic end of the system - I cut 4 slits in the x pipe inlets then bent them slightly and then welded them up. Not the prettiest but it does the job.

[dannyzabolotny]

Hm, so the X-pipe will make the exhaust higher pitched? That's not really what I'm looking for. I want the X5 to have a deeper, louder kind of muscle car rumble, not a high-pitched raspy one. Basically I want it to sound more like a big truck, not a sports car.

[V8 00USH]

I'd go H-Pipe then mate

[dannyzabolotny]

I kinda like the X-pipe sound too though, upon listening to some more clips. And of course a muffler delete sounds awesome as well: https://youtu.be/AfKlk_L0ceA



Though I feel like a muffler delete might make it sound too much like a redneck Chevy truck which might be just a bit too much, even for my tastes.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Just an FYI there is also a resonated Magnaflow Xpipe so you still get the gains of tone difference but not as drastic as the regular "straight X"

They are on the Magnaflow site, I am debating doing one on my X5 5MT because I'd like a touch more sound with my 4.8iS axle back but I heard one with my exhaust and regular Xpipe and it droned on the highway

Oh Boy I did not realize that Magnoflow had one of these. I'm with you RB I would get the resonated Magnaflow X-pipe. Sounds like the best of both worlds.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny

I kinda like the X-pipe sound too though, upon listening to some more clips. And of course a muffler delete sounds awesome as well: https://youtu.be/AfKlk_L0ceA



Though I feel like a muffler delete might make it sound too much like a redneck Chevy truck which might be just a bit too much, even for my tastes.

Trust me on this start with the Magnaflow X-pipe/Magnaflow Resonated X-pipe and take it from there. Sound clips do it no justice. I tell you this because I listened to every Dinan X5 exhaust clip and E39 M5 Dinan Exhaust clips and none of them sounded anything like what I actually have installed on the vehicles. If you are not happy with the X-pipe modification then you can go from there. I'm telling you baby steps on this mode is the best way to achieve your goal unless you have already heard the modification on someone else's X5.