X-Pipe Install
 

Been meaning to post this for a while.

I had an X-pipe made up for me. See pics below. I am very pleased with the outcome. I had read a lot from you guys on here about your experiences with various options ie Magnaflow X-pipe, straight through, bespoke etc.

I was woried about the comments by some on the rasping, the popping and the rattling when cold which had been noted to varying degrees on other installs.

I discussed this with the exhaust guys and they came up with this, I have no rasping, no popping, no loud resonance and no rattling etc.

All I get is a very deep growl right from start up, I am very pleased. The whole thing took two hours to do and cost 120 quid (GBP) thats about 200 dollars.

http://static.flickr.com/80/225037893_33258ff79c.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/84/225037892_0a091287d3.jpg

That a nice install. I about to do the X-pipe install next month..
I have the magna-flow x-pipe I order 3 month ago. I just want to have
the nex X broken in to see if there any probs before I make any Major
mods. can you provide a sound clip??:thumbup:

I would be happy to, but I will need someone to tell me how. I have only just mastered adding photos. I can only do a video with my phone at the moment, My wife is on holiday with the kids at the moment so she has the video camera and the digital camera. I am saying that cause I dont know if that makes a difference to the method.

Also three months on order, bugger me! thats a long time, where did you order it from? Surely it shouldnt take that long mate.

:thumbup: I order my X5 06 thru Military Sale here in Bahrain, I a retired from the Military and now working for them as a DoD Contractor. Man it's great the see the other side of the Military after you take off the uniform.. I place the order in Dec 05 and took Deliver in May in which In I ordered the X-pipe before she came. so that Y I take my time in make any major Mod's the only one was the AFE cold intake. what R them on the front lower end of the bumper..??

I thought you meant it took three months to get the X-Pipe from Magnaflow. I know what you mean about the military I did the same myself for a while after I left the mob. Different type of role though.

I got the AFe as well, wasnt as impressed as I thought I would be with it to be honest, not for the dosh anyway but maybe thats because I have tinkered elsewhere with the engine and exhaust.

My X has an AC Schnitzer body kit with AC schnitzer Type II 22inch wheels, plus AC Schnitzer suspension and lowering. I also have other mods not in the pics the pics are not current. I have taken off the roof rails and fitted a Big Brake Kit with 405mm discs and 8 pot callipers. Plus other odds and sods.

Good looking x-pipe install, congrats!

what did you use to plug the roof rail holes, and how can i get one lovely x-pipe like that.

Have to say - best X-Pipe install I've seen! Nice!!!

I just put this on the forum, I tried a lot of different plugs but the ones I give on this link are by far the best fit. Their the flushest and best diameter in terms of the smallest whilst maintaing water tightness. The only let down so to speak is the rough finish but this can be easily smooth out with glass paper and built up with OEM touch up paint spray.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ion-plugs.html


I had the X -Pipe made up by an exhaust manufacturing and design company. These guys are UK based but I have to say the best I have come across, they do my bike exhausts. But specialise in performance car exhaust build and design.

very clean install.

can you sell me your xpipe and you go get another one. because my guy at the shop do'nt know how to do it'

Shipping from UK may kill the deal. Go to another muffler shop and show them this pic.

Shipping in my experience for that weight and size would be about 50$. Based on previous stuff I have sent.

But I wouldnt sell it to you though.

I know they have done similar for international owners clubs so I am sure though that if there were enough people the guy would set up a jig and produce a run of them. Then bulk ship them over. But that would be between whoever was interested and the shop.

Nothing to do with me but I agree with Le Mans, thats what I'd do in your place.

??? what's the cost again. are you friend of any U.S. Militray personal..they have access to u.s. postal service....

Will these x-pipes be available to x5 members? Would be really nice to have one on my x.

The whole thing including install cost me 120 quid.

I dont know how much for the pipe itself.

If its something a few of you are interested in I can ask the guy to give a rough price to see if your interested but it will depend on numbers. If its a one off I guess about 70 quid.

But as I said before I really cant see why you cant find a guy over there that could do it based on the photos of this one and others on the forum. As long as he has a good knowledge of the principles of an exhaust system.

In respect military contacts I left the mob myself a long time ago so any guys I did know I have not been in contact with for a long time.

Thats a nice install.

I get a lot of popping when accelerating and rasping when cold from my X-Pipe, (magnaflow) you say you dont get none at all is that right?

Anychance you can post a sound clip?

Thanks


Absolutely not no rasping no popping no resonance just a deep growl. I am very pleased with it.

I would post a sound clip but I wouldnt know where to start if you do let me know.

Good looking x pipe and install. Mine looks just like yours ( but not as good looking) and it was also made from some exhaust kind of pro guys.
http://a7.cpimg.com/image/17/00/5931...-028001E0-.jpg

Can I ask, ? I assume its stainless so why has he painted it?

It´s not stainless, I believe it´s the same material the stock system is made of. Price was 100 euros.

J.Seven

Tell me mate Have you had any problems from that install at all? I ask because of the location of the cuts and joint of the replacement pipe, its right on the bends of the original and from your picture looks to over run and therefore create a large gap, not a problem in itself if properly welded etc but not ideal. But if thats the case how could they have done such a good weld? The originals dont look like they have been off the car so how did they do a good and full weld joint fully around the pipe while on the car.

The sceptic in me says if thats the case they have used a GumGum or the like to make up for poor welding which wont last long. The sceptically side of me says that may be more evidential from over use of the strut and supports on the X-Pipe itself maybe there to support poor welding joints etc. In itself not a issue a bit over kill to be honest but not to be criticised in itself unless you also consider what you paid.

I am not trying to slag off your install I am just saying in my experience of having bespoke exhausts made for me that would worry me. And it might be worth checking it again, there are many ways of doing it, or even asking someone else to. Its only MHO though so please dont take offense.

Legion, I´m not offended by any means, I can only thank you for your advice. I´ll take a look at it right now, will pass my finger over the pipe to see if the weld has the same texture all over the pipe. If iî can´t see anything, I´ll try later at home with car lifted. Here some more pics of the weld job.
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...cs-inside.html

Till now didn´t have any problems with it, but there´s a slightly difference in tone while warm or cold. When warm the sound is more powerful and deep/bass.

J.Seven

:wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: BINGO

You nail it legion :thumbup: Passed my finger and felt some tiny gap on upper side of the weld pipe. Put the car running and felt there´s air coming out from there. Phone the exhaust guys and will pass there today to fix it.

But from the other installs i saw here, i believe all other´s who´ve done X pipe mod may have the same possible problem, or did they took out the cats to do a proper welding job?
See here:
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...highlight=pipe

I can also see that on PeteM install, they didn´t use any support to old the X pipe:rolleyes: . On mine they used the factory attachements to old the X pipe.
PeteM do you have more pics showing the welds near the cat? Thanks in advance.

J.Seven

Good catch. That leak needs to be fixed right away.
I have checked mine on several occasions, fortunately there is no leak anywhere in the exhaust.

Leak checked :thumbup: They´ve redone the weld. Hope it can last some more time.

J.Seven

Pete, which exhaust fabricator installed your pipes? Being in the UK myself, they may be near enough for me to use also.

[quote=PeteM]Been meaning to post this for a while.

I had an X-pipe made up for me. See pics below. I am very pleased with the outcome. I had read a lot from you guys on here about your experiences with various options ie Magnaflow X-pipe, straight through, bespoke etc.

I was woried about the comments by some on the rasping, the popping and the rattling when cold which had been noted to varying degrees on other installs.

I discussed this with the exhaust guys and they came up with this, I have no rasping, no popping, no loud resonance and no rattling etc.

All I get is a very deep growl right from start up, I am very pleased. The whole thing took two hours to do and cost 120 quid (GBP) thats about 200 dollars.

http://static.flickr.com/80/225037893_33258ff79c.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/84/225037892_0a091287d3.jpg
nice work,what kind of a spoiler is on the front?? very nice???

djfasteddie - Thanks.

Its the ACS body kit

Sorry mate I just saw this post, I missed it wasnt trying to be rude.

It was Stealth Systems in Southampton, ask for Simon. They have a good setup.

Sorry to you as well mate, I just picked up your post here are some more pics I have. I discussed the use of supports, fitter explained that it was unnecessary considering the difference in weight. Also he said if the stainless and welds are of good quality it wouldnt help improve it. I mentioned about movement under vibration resonance etc he again explained it really wasnt necessary. He has been absolutely right for me

Its been an excellent mod, As I said before a really really deep growl, no popping no rasping no clinking nothing. Well chuffed.

Nice one by Legion I see what he means if you compare them, look at the choice of places to cut, the weld joints, the material, the size and shape and angles of the X pipe itself Not something you might notice but once you do it highlights the possible problems for anyone getting it done.

http://static.flickr.com/88/241409374_5323f6cf16_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/95/241409362_74fb4fa43f_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/90/241409373_924eedf7ee_o.jpg

Can you send me a picture of your custom made X-pipe? The pics here don't show and if possible a sound clip. Thanks!

What happen to the Pix's....:dunno: