Cold air and Exhaust recommendations for 4.4i

[josh256]

Howdy,

Sold my 4.4i+spt 2 1/2 years ago and have missed it ever since. I'm picking up my new X5 4.4i+spt this weekend but after driving an M3 for the past couple years there's a few things on the X5 that will have to go.

From a performance standpoint at the top of my list is the exhaust and the cold air intake. To be specific, I'm not actually looking for the product that delivers the biggest performance boost but rather the exhaust that closest resembles the sound of a cigarette boat. Likewise looking for a cold air intake that screams.

I've seen some 4.4i's with Dinan stickers on them that growled and I'm curious if that's indicative of the Dinan exhaust or not?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Josh

[broknlgs24]

if it's just sound ur looking for; from what i've heard, u might want to look into removing the resonators. far less expensive than the Dinan Exhaust.

[ekaz]

I removed the resonators and am happy with the sound....and way cheaper than DINAN.

[Roc3b]

Originally Posted by ekaz

I removed the resonators and am happy with the sound....and way cheaper than DINAN.

Interesting idea.

[josh256]

Appreciate the resonator feedback

[Intel55]

You could even take off the resonators, purchase the 4.8 exhaust with the tips for around $900, sell your exhaust for cheap and still be out way ahead of Dinan et all on price and sound.

I have taken off my 4.4 sport tips and welded in the 4.8 tips. They sit about an inch further back than oem, but still look good. Wife does not want me taking off the resonators righs now but that was going to be my next project.

[ekaz]

Originally Posted by Intel55

You could even take off the resonators, purchase the 4.8 exhaust with the tips for around $900, sell your exhaust for cheap and still be out way ahead of Dinan et all on price and sound.

I have taken off my 4.4 sport tips and welded in the 4.8 tips. They sit about an inch further back than oem, but still look good. Wife does not want me taking off the resonators righs now but that was going to be my next project.

Maybe try replacing resonator with a small glasspack muffler. Sort of a compromise between the 2. A little louder exhuast note for you, still quiet enoguh for her.

[adrian.b]

Or just get rid of the wife :-)

Joking, but my wife hates me playing about with the car, but I still do what I want and she always comes round to it, especially when her friends comment on how nice the car is/sounds.

[DinanX5]

FWIW, I love the sound of the Dinan exhaust on my 2005 4.4!
It has a serious growl that turns heads (and sets off car alarms ) at idle and under hard acceleration, but it's barely noticable at a steady cruise (e.g. on the highway, or rolling around the neighborhood in a high gear)
Plus, it adds 7 HP and 6 lb-ft of torque
The CAI is not yet available for the new '04+ N62 motor, but when it is, you can bet I'll be all over it.

By the way, does removing resonators do anything for performance, or is it just for sound?

[josh256]

I've done a fair bit of reading on resonators (today) and they definately do not have a measureable effect on hp or ft/lb.