Installed X-Pipe And Resonators PICS!!
 

Hi all,

I got back from the exhaust shop today. I used a local shop here in Northern VA. PM me if you want more info. I was going to go with just an X-Pipe, but I thought it might be raspy cold and possibility drone on the highway. It may or may not, but I only wanted to do this round once.

SO, I went with an eBay Stainless X-Pipe and 2 14" Magnaflow bullet resonators. The pipe size I went with was 2 1/2 inch. The OEM stuff is a tad smaller than 2 1/2, so this all fits easy with little modification. The entire package was less than 150.00 bucks.

Anyway on to the pics. :thumbup::thumbup:

Here is the OEM configuration. (I'm sure you have seen this)
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...OEM_lower1.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...OEM_lower2.jpg

Here is the OEM stuff coming off.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...Remove_OEM.jpg

Here are the eBay Stainless X-Pipe and 2 14" Magnaflow bullet resonators mocked up
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o.../X5_MockUp.jpg

A little cut and tacking
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...X5/X5_New1.jpg

A little trimming and some welding ready for install
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/X5/NEW_X.jpg

All done and installed :thumbup:
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...Installed1.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...Installed2.jpg

OK so how does it sound? GREAT! It's sound is DEEP. There is NO drone inside. There is NO cold rasp sound. It is not much louder than the OEM right now, until you get in it. Then it's defiantly got a bit more volume. The idle is very quiet, just deeper sound than OEM. I am sure after a few thousand miles it will get a tad louder and even deeper. Just like all Magnaflow stuff.

Performance: Not sure, I did not Dyno this set-up. It feels like there is some more midrange torque and defiantly more up on the top end.

Cheers all.

:rolleyes:

Great post and photos just don't see the benefit.

I wish I had time today for the dynos. That would be more scientific for the non-believers. I have seen gains (true dyno numbers) in many, many cars that install an H or X pipe. I have also never seen a loss with an X.(dyno proven)

I typically have seen ~10-20hp in all types of cars around the 350-400HP mark.(all brands and configurations of cars) Some much more some a little less.

It also does have a great sound and that is why wanted to give it a try.

:guinness:

My limited understanding is that you need to change the chip to get increased power.

i personally would cut the mufflers out and keep the tips with the same set-up you have done. Looks great, post some vids????

I hope the magnaflow does not make it sound like american muscle car.
Do you have sound clip for comparison?

excellent choice of tire. like them better than the diamaris?

thats right, you can only hear it.

No definatly not American sound. Just a nice clean deep sound. I will have to see what I can do for a sound clip. Hummm.. I must have someting here that will work for that :dunno: give me a few days to get someting working.

Yes they ROCK! Fantastic tire!! I have started a review on them, look for one of my posts.

will do. im a huge vredestein fan as well!

You don't see the benefit, you hear the benefit.

About your tires
 

• Sophisticated Longitudinal Design (SLD) - Thanks to this ingenious design, the Ultrac Sessanta is asymmetrical but its performance is not directional. This makes the tyre exceptionally quiet

Yup.. and i LOVE mine!!! Just put them on yesterday..

Take the camera which captures video and put it next to exhaust and record a video clip.

Very cool set up!

....on to the next!

RR:thumbup:

Ok the little lady took the X5 today. When she started it up, it had a GREAT DEEP tone. The deep that can rattle windows, if there was more volume.

She calls me and she noticed the diffrence. I got the :thumbup::thumbup: from her.

So I will try to get a video up soon. I have an SLR and that has no vids, still working on it.

So far :thumbup::thumbup: for that OEM+ mod

great mod..pretty cool to keep the oem mufflers yet straight through in the middle..stealthy, but I'm sure noticeable with the sound..I may go this route with my 3.0.

Steed, very interesting approach. I didn't even think these exhaust mods were "necessary" on a 4.8is because I thought it was already at full capacity on the exhaust side. Do you think the hp would continue to inch up if you swapped the mufflers as well? You still have the OEM mufflers and tips, right?

Stan,
Yes the 4.8 does have a good system from the factory. I just wanted to add a bit more. YES the OEM mufflers are on my list. I am looking for the right replacement. I think I have found a nice solution that might work at a good price. I still want to maintain the OEM+ look. YES performance will inch up with a replacement. Stand by for some more fun later. :)

And the verdict is...Supersprint?? Dinan?? Neither??:popcorn:

My vote is for neither. I may just keep the party going with Magnaflow. These straight through design is just like the big names and the cost is 1/4. I am thinking of replacing the OEM with some universal fit 3.5x7 dual outs. Then weld the OEM tips on. So far I have sourced down the parts @ 77.00/ea shipped. My guy here said he can get them to fix with minimal work. More to come :)

Hope you can post a sound clip. Check out this thread http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...xperiment.html or just click the link in my sig to hear my exhaust note in HQ sound!

FANTASTIC work!!!! I wish I had that set-up. Man I have some use for that. great work!!

That is the sound I am very close to. I will try to get some clips as soon as I source a cam with one. :thumbup::thumbup:

:thumbup: Looks awesome...and I am sure it sounds twice as nice as it looks!

I like my cars like my woman strong, smooth and silent.:D

looks great. but why didn't u just put the x pipe on and leave off the resonators for good? Would removing them affect the ride in anyway?

looks good sweet tires....

Woman silent? ;) That is Lexus country then, not BMW.

Steed any ideas where I can get an x pipe for my 4.6is???

I like my women like I like my coffee. Hot, Black and Strong.:cool:

Just kidding. light and sweet.

Thanks Zerochief

Hot is always good:thumbup: