3.5" SS T304 Vibrant Performance quad tips installed

bmw540san · #1 06-09-2017, 01:04 PM

First of all, I do not like OEM 4.6is tips. I understand that some do, but to me they look too much like all the other new cars today. Simple looking quad exhaust such as M5 were always my favorite and that's what I intended here.

About 2 years ago I had shop install the same tips in 3" size since they told me that 3.5" wouldn't fit. Also, they plainly suck as they welded mild steel to SS and use some cheap ass paint to cover it. 6 month later, rust came through along with exhaust leak.

Lesson learned. I did everything myself now. Tig welded everything. Welds look horrible since I'm a novice with very basic welder but they're not visible and everything is spray painted in high heat anti rust paint.

Also, it was very difficult fabrication since that's not my strong point. The fact that really needed second pair of hands of time to during spot welding, fitting and such... also played a big roll.

Overall, happy with the result. Picture don't quite show the fatness of the tips walls which I like a lot. Tips are not 100% straight but I might be able to adjust them little bit with shims on exhaust hangers. I'll drive it for a while first and see if it bothers me.

Old 3" tips and "professional" fabrication with rust and exhaust leak. What a joke:

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X53Jay4.8is · #2 06-09-2017, 02:30 PM

You did a nice job given the botched up welding of the previous shop install. From your pictures your alignment of the tips passes the eye check. I would not worry about trying to readjust them. For the record I agree with you on the look of the exhaust tips on the IS models. I like the dual round so much better. I am always amazed at the look of my X5 4.6is with the Dinan exhaust. Its definitely a proper look for these beasts.

bmw540san · #3 06-09-2017, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

You did a nice job given the botched up welding of the previous shop install. From your pictures your alignment of the tips passes the eye check. I would not worry about trying to readjust them. For the record I agree with you on the look of the exhaust tips on the IS models. I like the dual round so much better. I am always amazed at the look of my X5 4.6is with the Dinan exhaust. Its definitely a proper look for these beasts.

Thanks.
We do share similar taste it seems.
I really wanted Supersprint which I can get for $1200. But since I actually like the sound of stock exhaust, I'll save the big chunk of cash.
My understanding that it does differ from 4.4, not just in tips, but it is actually developed for the bigger HP output.

Overboost · #4 06-09-2017, 09:04 PM

The 3.5" Vibrant tips look awesome. The difference in size or the larger tips remind me of the ZHP tips on my 3 series when I put the ZHP muffler on. And so jealous of the 4 post in your garage! Sweet!

mgboy · #5 06-10-2017, 09:19 AM

That looks sweet. I'd love to hear it in person - unless it sounds the same as stock. Still have the middle resonator? I'm tempted to replace the res. with a straight through piping back to the rear mufflers.

bmw540san · #6 06-10-2017, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost

The 3.5" Vibrant tips look awesome. The difference in size or the larger tips remind me of the ZHP tips on my 3 series when I put the ZHP muffler on. And so jealous of the 4 post in your garage! Sweet!

Thanks.
3" simply looked to small in relation to big wide tries. I always considered exhaust tip as aesthetic part of car, not just mechanical part. I like very few cars without one.
Yes, lift has been serving me well. I've had it since 2009 and really had no issues with it. For about few years I've worked on cars for friends and friends of friends so it has seen quite a use. With my 3 older cars and few friends I still help out, it does see weekly usage.
This very project would be much harder to do without it.

bmw540san · #7 06-10-2017, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgboy

That looks sweet. I'd love to hear it in person - unless it sounds the same as stock. Still have the middle resonator? I'm tempted to replace the res. with a straight through piping back to the rear mufflers.

Thanks.
It's still all stock and it doesn't sound any different. I never drove 4.4 but I believe it sounds different due to different nature of the engine.
This is somewhat a family car that we use on longer trips so I'll probably stay stock.
The tips were pretty much last thing as far as mods. Maintenance and repair cost on 3 old cars add up in a hurry.

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