BMW x5 4.8is (e53)- X-pipe or Straight Pipe?? PLEASE HELP
 

Hey Guys,

I am removing the resignators on the my 2006 bmw x5 4.8is to give it a more aggressive sound. I feel the stock is good but can be alot better. I like mean sounding machines - like the oldschool Ford Mustang Cobra.. Love it!

I have to options to go with - either a 1.) X-Pipe or a 2.) Straight pipes

I look around the net & people claim the Stright Pipes is the most aggresive sound you can get - others say its too much as it sounds like a Machine Gun. In addition people state using stright pipes does not create backpressure & torque can drop. Others say to use the x-Pipe as it still sound great, but filters some of the unwanted sound & creates back-pressure which helps torque.

If you guys had/have a 2006 BMW x5 4.8is -- which option would you go with?? STRIGHT PIPES?? or do a X-pipe???

Please guys let me know which I shoukd pick.. I love aggressive sound - but if it sounds retarded I dont know if I want it.. Let me know which one you guys would go with... .. Thank you so much for your input.. its greatly appreciated....

X

I suggest searching and listening to some sound clips (here and youtube). It will help you decide for yourself.

While straight pipes are more aggressive, I think you will be happier using the X-pipe. The x-pipe doesn't have as much cracking/popping so its smoother sounding.

Here's my 04 4.8 but its not the best representaion. The engine was cold and the audio function on the camera was crappy.

2004 BMW 4.8is X5 only with X-pipe - YouTube

I have X-pipe. There are quite a few threads here on X-pipe install. I had also posted one on the exact X-pipe to get.

Thank you so much for our input guys.. I was just not sure which one to get.. Scratching my head for the past 2 days looking at diff videos on youtube from x-pipe/straight pipe x5's trying to figure out which one to get.. From what it looks I'm shifting more towards the x-pipe from what you guys state... the straight-pipe might be too much.. If anyone else can confirm on the x-pipe being superior over straight-pipes.. I'll get it installed tomorrow.. Again all your input is appreciated..

I'm going to do a H-pipe on mine. I already bought the SS tubes, SS mig wire etc, it's just the time that is missing.

A straight pipe is loud, but is not a nice sound since the exhaust pulses of each cylinder banks of the V8 are separated the whole lenght. It's a bit like having 2X a 4 cylinder engine... sort of. A friend of mine had a 1983 modified Toyota 4X4 with a high power Chevy small block in it, and he had straight pipes. It was loud but not like a muscle car, it had a higher note, but not like a M3. Hard to explain, but I didn't like it.

A member here said he lost some torque using a X-pipe (but gained some HP at higher revs), and since he is (like me) using his X5 for towing, he decided to remove the X-pipe and install a H-pipe. He regained all of the torque, and the sound was great.
Since the H-pipe connects both left-right tubes, the sound is like a V8. Mustangs do use H-pipes from factory and they sound great (to my ears at least.)

From what I read on some Mustang forums, a X-pipe will give more HP to the expense of torque, and the sound will have a higher pitch tone, more raspier. The H-pipe will keep the torque and no HP gain, and the sound will be more of a low frequency.
I know that most people go with a X-pipe, but I like to do things differently ;)

I plan on doing H pipe as well. I don't like losing torque, and the mustangs do sound good. Same with me, no time.

I just seen a nice vid on youtube of a mustang with a x-pipe & then a h-pipe.. The h-pipe has a deeper growl to it for sure but the x-pipe does sound very good as well.. hard decision... ehhhh ... The x-pipe has better gas exhaust share as the H pipe shape at high RPM is almost like straight pipe.

Mustang Exhaust - H VS X Pipe - YouTube
Magnaflow & H pipe vs Flowmaster & X pipe on cammed mustang - YouTube

X pipe bro...
:iagree::iagree::iagree:
i like sound of mustangs....on a FORD.....but not that sound on a x5 :stickpoke:stickpoke....lol....German sound tend to have a lower deeper tone...more aggresive...:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
BMW X5 4.4i Bastuck ESD + Racing MSD sound - YouTube

You just hit the mark pnoyako85.. Your def right about what you just said.. Thank you so much guys... X-pipe it is... :) .. coming from a few people you cant be wrong - especially LeMansX5....... on that 4.8is the x-pipe will be joy all the way home from the shop.. and I can finally scare the shit out of these god damm cats around my neighborhood. VROOOM! :D

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:LMAO!!!

Twinspoppa has a Vid of his 4.8is xpipe somewhere here.....

i dnt know...but if that is not enough..you can take the cats out...(2) of them the other 2 have the sensors....but should be happy with the x....

I gotta hear this in person. You guys put so many doubts in my head with all those "I Agree" icons. Damn.

JTMC's video is probably the best example of the x-pipe sound. Though I think it might be a tad deeper in real life.

2004 X5 4.8is X-pipe- YouTube

Ohh man now that effin sounds great... I mean it's one off those exhaust notes you go like demmmnnn!! Hehe good stuff.. Def installing a xpipe tomorrow or following day.. Will record a clip once it's done :) .. After having the 4.8is for 3 years this is something I have to install

goodluck bro...you'll definitely enjoy the sound..

Is it just me or does it sound raspy? How does it sound under load? How about inside windows closed and opened?

My 2¢; Personnally, I bought a 4.8is for the added power over a 4.4i. I'm not ready to loose power just for sound.

It has been explained here on this forum and I also I read on other performance forums how a X-pipe works.
It benefits of an exhaust pulse from the left bank croosing the X-pipe and 'pulling' ou sucking on the right bank to help the upcoming right pulse etc. As you can see, the timing of pulses crossing the X-pipe is very critical to have that suction effect. To achieve that 'good timing', the exhaust tubes length need to be the same lenght on both banks. Since our X5s do have a longer runner of tube on the left side, that pulse synchronisation is losted.
On our X5s, depending where the X-pipe is installed (more forward or rearward) the rpm at which the 'sucking' effect will happend will differ but won't be the whole rpm range.
Having pulses crossing the X-pipe from the left and right side at the same time will create a 'collision' or disrupted flow.

Regarding the H-pipe, there is just a minimal flow crossing at 90° in the middle section and this is the way the sound of the V8 is equalized. The H-pipe is not designed for a sucking effect like a X-pipe, so it rely on the middle section to tune the sound, not increase performance.

I know this is all theory, but exhaust design is a complex thing.
I am really surprised to hear many owners talking about the nice sound of an X-pipe and never one of them mentionned some lost of power. :dunno: (exept one that switched to an H-pipe)

Yes, it sounds raspy because its cold and not under load. When its warmed up and under load it is MUCH smoother and sounds awesome.

Here's a video I just took this morning. Unfortunately, same conditions - cold and not under load. Yes, it will sound raspy. I will try and take a video when its warmed up so that people can really hear the difference.

BTW .. do NOT have your speaker up too loud after you hear the startup (love the growl!). The wife guns its good unexpectedly and its like a banshee. :)

2004 BMW X5 4.8is stock with x-pipe - YouTube

When it comes to a loss of power from the x-pipe, I could not say either way. I haven't noticed a loss of power but I do not tow or even drive it daily. I have no regrets doing the x-pipe.

It always sounds different on a cold engine when you start in morning and the sound gets better after the engine heats up.
On a cold winter morning, you may wake-up your neighbors when you start in the morning. ;)

Same here. No loss of power, it actually feels more power though.

Lol I love that start up sound. Holy crap.

Yes please try to get a warmed up sound, and maybe under load. Thanks.

X pipe

So true! :D

Twins are you still running the crossover or did you switch to the pipe? I know we had a thread about those before. Still haven't put mine on because supposedly the crossover doesn't help sound as well.
Oh here it is.

Scott

X-Pipe sounds good...

I strongly prefer the sound of a straight pipe to an x-pipe. Straight sounds more deep and throaty, x sounds more smooth and high pitched. Could almost be mistaken for a straight 6 in my opinion.

Mine sounds very deep...

I love my straight pipes. The mufflers restrict sound so much.

Looking back and checking again, I think they are one and the same. So, I was incorrect in that thread. Sometimes they call it just "Tru-X pipe" other times they call it "Tru-X Crossover pipe". I still have the same thing. I didn't change anything.

Its the universal version of the "Tru-X Crossover pipe" that looks different. All the others are the same.

Man, I can't live with losing any torque. But those sounds are great. No, no, I think H-Pipe vids are in order too.

The magnaflow x-overs are alright and do the job, but if you want a true performance x-pipe I would look into burns x-overs. They come in a variety of lengths and diameters.

Have you heard straight pipes?

Guys, so I installed a H pipe after all.. (Cheers Turbo_Bimmer!) :) The shop said it will sound better over a x-pipe.... Maybe it was easier for them to do? or maybe they already had a H- pipe in stock.. who knows.. but they went ahead installed the H-pipe (3hrs labor + 80 bucks for the Hpipe) all I have to say is holly bejesus... once I got to the shop started it up it sounded almost like it did with the resonators.. but if you rev the 4.8is up the sound is the most sexy thing I have ever heard of in my life... it is simply like a wild animal is about to devour its food.. and the funny thing is that it seems quiet when just idling.. almost like before with the resonator... but once you hit the gas... all that changes... It has a nice deep v-8 sound to it when driving around normally (cruising) but once you rev pass 2500rpm the monster growl comes out & its insane!... I'll try to post a vid over the weekend.. so went with H-pipe after .. :) maybe in the future i'll switch it up to a x-pipe to see the difference... but for now Im happy & thats all that matters... and for the loss of power... i dont feel any difference.. I feel like the engine breathes easier & actually revs faster.. :D

GLad your Happy...enjoy the sound.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup :

Please make a vid when you get a chance. I am almost certain I want an H-Pipe as well. All the X pipes that I heard have a decent amount of rasp. Not my stile at all. Thanks in advance.

:drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool:
Now, if I can finish my kitchen renos and find some time to install mine.
Can't wait to hear that sound on mine also, :thumbup:

Congrats!!! Do the vid tonight, I can't wait to here the beast!

Instead of starting another thread I thougth i'd ask in here.

All this talk of h-pipe and x-pipe i'm still undecided as to what to go with but I having trouble finding anywhere UK based that actually sells them?

Any help from any possible UK guys for X5 performance parts at fair prices..most looknig at the x-pipes etc

thanks

ITs comments like this that scare me..

Basically want a SL/CL/C/E AMG Merc sound..Muffled beffy low revs with a bit of a scream up top but generally bassy and beefy even wen driven round at 1500-2500rpm.

Standard is just too quite at the moment esp at tickover.

I really like twinpappas sound X pipe.I presume my 4.6is with same mod will sound 99% the same?

yup........your in UK....i'll volunteer to help a carnut get the Xpipe and ship it out to you?>......lol...just saying..provided with the $$$...im willing to go get it for you and ship it...that way you can have a happy SAV.

So there not possible to get in the UK ?

I noticed searching on UK ebay theres hardly any performance parts for sale..New or used..
:(

oh man...I guess so.....if you cant find any..just let us know.

It is possible to get them in UK as well. Just need to know the right people in Uk who has X5 which already is xpiped.

Guys so I finally made a video for you to watch.. first is the video like 1 minute.. then I made a better video next day (longer) but cut out the video to reduce file size just audio since this is all we want to hear anyways.. So there you go guys... H-pipe install on a 4.8is (2006) -- enjoy & let me know what you guys think...

1.) VIDEO & AUDIO: IMG 0747 - YouTube
2.) AUDIO ONLY (next day): BMW x5 48is hpipe - YouTube

Let me know what you think... I might install the x-pipe in future to see difference but for now IM happy

Bmw...what happen to your diffuser?....i see it missing?>

H pips sound good as X pipe..

First video sounds way better. The second has some sort of rattling.

That sounds less raspier than the X-pipe. Your cam must have great audio to record that close and not get any breakup.

i wonder if you can do H pipe and X pipe altogether?>...just a thought..

You could .... but why?! LOL!

Sound-wise, based on that first audio I would go with H-pipe.

However, because we don't have a true head-to-head comparison recorded from the same cam - its really hard to truly know how they compare. I'd love to have an X-piped vehicle next to his and recorded with the same cam.

:stickpokejust the thought..lol.....

I hear ya.

I'm really surprised there's not as much raspiness with an H-pipe. I would have thought there would be MORE compared to an X-pipe.

:iagree:
Need to find someone with X-pipe close to him and do the comparo. The placement of X-pipe also matters. Some install in center with extension pipes on both sides of X-pipe and others have done X-pipe at very beginning with extension afterwards, replacing the resonator.

it will in the BMW MEET Bimmerfest.....

Twinspoppa got the GOOD NEWS...we Can Tailgate Everyone!!!!.........I have a 14" grill....pretty small but good enought for burgers. and dogs...as the food their is about $8 for dogs i believe last year....i know its pretty expensive....we'll park at the end close to the hiway for us tailgaters..lol....

Pnoyako
my boy
Twinspoppa
Eugene

are in so far..we can all chip in maybe we'll need another portable grill if its alot of people...but thats good we can do it...

The H pipe does sound better. How is the torque now with it in place? And did you remove the resonators? Awsome.

I like it! :thumbup:

The H-pipe mod is now a higher priority in my todo list :D

yes resonator was cut out (removed) & a stainless steel h-pipe with straight connector in middle (not arched) was added in the resonator's place - that was the only work that was done.. 3hrs labor.. $430 or something like that the shop charged.. Torque is almost identical - i cant feel a substantial difference - and this maybe because I feel like the HP went up by a bit.. I feel if I floor the car it breathes so much easier - exhaust gases flow out easier & guts down the line faster... The RPMs go up to 5,500 alot faster it feels.. it picks up speed a bit faster then before... maybe its just a feeling but it seems to be true.. i felt maybe before I had a little extra tap (torque) power in lower level rpm - but its almost unnoticeable (unless maybe your towing or something).. before it felt like it had a little more ummppp in lower RPM - a little more pull - but now it revs faster... with the H pipe I feel there is increase in HP... so i guess it evens it out??? --- maybe torque fell by a very very very small margin - but HP def increased by a noticeably margin... thats my feeling atleast... would have to dyno it to be 100% sure but this is what I feel driving the car for the past week....

You going to Bimmerfest? If so, we can record yours and mine with the same cam and at least get a better comparison.

BMW4.8is...roll with us ..were meeting at exit 11 south side rest stop on the trnpke around 6-7am...

Too raspy for me. How about the h-pipe without the resonator removed? Would that work?

Improved Exhaust.......>>>>
its music to my Ears........


BMW X5 Exhaust - YouTube

Daaayaamn. I think I would be kicked out of the house with that. I already get bitched at idling my car in garage, but damn. A bit too loud no?

oh its dayyaaaaaaaam loud as a freight train coming down on you....got to love it everytime i pass by under passes.......

btw ...SLick..your coming with us right this 9/15?

lol s.pipe

What did you do to achieve that sound?? H-pipe?? Or something else?? Sounds good :) sounds mean :)

pnoyako85 - just x-pipe?? or any other work you had done?? ... I spoke to John Thorne
from - thorneymotorsport.co.uk - they have their own exhaust now for the 4.8is and not the SS, its a custom made system to give a better noise and power.. race cats and smaller silencers, adds power and torque and of course a lovely noise. They want $4200 for it... so Im considering either buying theirs or having a local shop redo my entire exhaust system.. I have H pipe & love it - but feel like I can get a even better sound/power out of this beast

resonator delete x pipe,bigger tubes and i change my tips to the 4.8is look.....with Dinan tuning

Guys here I took another short vid of a couple of small revs (500-4000 RPM) inside the cabin. (H-pipe)

BMW x5 4.8is H-pipe install revv's - YouTube

*note I am recording of Iphone so quality is not great but you can get a sense of this beast... I didnt wanna rev pass 4k in park but it sounds even better past 4,000 RPM :) at approx 5000 RPM it even has an added effect :)

H-pipe diameter?
 

That sounds the Balls !!! What size pipe is it and did you in stall it closer to the engine or further back after the flanges? Does anyone know where to buy a H-pipe online?

cant VIEW>..private?

i dnt know if you saw my recent already...
BMW X5 Exhaust - YouTube

Why not? I Rev to 5.5-6k all the time. Do it and make a vid. These cars scream sweet nothings at that RPM.

Oh can't view. private

^^^^ yup agreed..cnt view too man...

Ok I'm gonna have a solid compare video up next week or so to settle this same car, same cam... etc.

Right now I have a 4.8i with cats but no resonators and no mufflers with an H-Pipe straight out.

Next week (tuesday) I'm switching out the H-Pipe for an X-Pipe only.

We will see the difference this one single variable makes shortly.

until then this is my current cat's to h-pipe only no res no mufflers videos.

Rev with cats and h-pipe only:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f6uvN181yA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGL7oLHbp6w


Highway cruise w/ cats and h-pipe only:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtR7fVZwyvc

Normally, even stock 4.8 N62s have about 230-235 whp or like 330-335 bhp instead of 350 claimed bhp. I saw a dyno chart with 225 whp AFTER remapping. On the same dyno my 4.6is with Hartge headers cats delete and "sporty" resonators showed 242 whp with 95-100 hp driveline loss but immense 500 nm (368 lb fts) of tourque only at 2700 rpm, the N62 4.8 could acchieve only 440 nm or 325 lb ft.

In near future I'll put the cats back (because supercharged engine needs even more back pressure) and will do another measurement before supercharger installation.

Removal of resonator (or even both - muffler and resonator) on n/a engine will cost you a loss of another 20 whp, so the result will be a loud car wich sounds like 600 hp, having like 60-70 hp less, than manufacturers claim.

With very few back pressure you flush the cylinders with the fuel-gas mixture, so the burning process is wrong and also your cats won't last long due to very wet AND air-rich exhaust gases, which will burn in exhaust and not where they supposed to burn. The lambda sensors first will read wrong parameter and then also die, because of overheating.

If you considering of removing the parts of exhaust you have to correct the lambda values AND shift the lambda sensors further from the engine (but still it will be just a give a ball park action with very iffy result).

So IMO if you're considering a exhaust tuning the only appropriate way is to play with the muffler.

Nick..so your Advice is to get a High Flow Cats and Resonators for E53's?.....

Amen to this. I've done all this exhaust screwing around on previous cars. Enough to realize that this is just noise, and nothing positive performance wise. Every time I did an exhaust mod, I had it dynod. I lost power every damn time. Only improvements you can get, is with big buck exhaust systems, that were tested, tuned, and dyno proven to show extremely mild results. Really not worth it. You wanna go faster, lose some weight. You want people to look at you go slow, screw with your pipes.

No. What he's saying is if you're messing around with the exhaust, especially for performance purposes, use mufflers (so that you have enough back pressure and don't lose performance).

Even just for better sound, use the mufflers.

Basically, if your X is mostly stock or not heavily performance modified. changing the stock exhaust is probably going to net you lost power.

I have stock exhaust but replaced only the resonator with an x-pipe for the nice sound - didn't care too much about the performance hit.

If you don't have at least headers, you probably don't need to mess with the stock exhaust for performance gains.

That said, who doesn't like modding? :rofl:

oh i see.....although now..i Need opinion..on changing Cats......what is the best out there?>>............i may need new cats..and looking around and there alot of them out there..i heard FD 200 Cell are good...but what is really good ?..

Sorry, I have no clue. However, you can't go wrong with the stock ones. ;)

We all know what can happen when you start modding. Sometimes its tricky trying to make new things work together with the existing - the fit, performance, looks, reliability, etc.

Especially if you're the first one doing something. :D

The N62 has Euro 4 emission standards, so 200 cell aftermarket cat could be risky in terms of passing the emission inspection. Normally, the afermarket high-flow cats could be used on cars having Euro 3 emissions standard, but I've heard, there's no such a thing as emissions control in many US states.

Since my X5 is registred in Russia, I did remove the cats, but installed some simple devices, which supposed to homogenise the exhaust flow, so the back pressure was there and I also installed very simple devices insted of stock resonator. Afterwrds my engine was remapped and I haven't seen any significant gains even with very rare Hartge headers exept for a huge torque increase at low rpms, but I suppose, this torque increase has nothing to do with exhaust, but rather with software, which had very mild tune especially at low rpm to spare the weak gearbox.

First I got measured 323 bhp with approx. 100 hp driveline loss having Hartge headers, cat-dummies, and these so called "sporty" resonators (which are basically tubes with some mesh inside around).

On the dyno chart you can see the huge torque increase after tune (more than 100 nm (75 lb ft) on some rpms.

Now with manual gearbox I have even less driveline loses and so more whp and also about 50 kg (110 lbs) less weight.

Next year I'll put the 200 cell cats and will do another dyno session.

My message was just not to mess around with exhaust, because the stock one is properly designed and tested in interaction with controlling electronics.

Putting an X-Pipe on my X5 4.8is
 

Magnaflow 2.25". I did mine closestto the engine,,.. Personally it does not matter i think its just preference maybe u can do it inthe middle leave room just incase u want to do cat downpipe to it will be easier for mechanic

Sounds "GREAT" :thumbup: :D

Stright pipe here ⬇️⬇️

https://youtu.be/wk8IMKE6inE

I like the sound of that. I like it a lot. I see we are in the UK? Where did you get your pipe done and what did they do please? I am based in Kent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I recently had the X-pipe installed on my 4.8is and holy shit is it awesome. One of the best mods for this car by far in my opinion. The startup sounds is amazing. The x gives it a really deeper throatier v-8 sound. I will post a sound clip and provide link

Can someone please triple confirm 4.8is N62 has 2.25" OD or ID piping?

2.25

opinions on doing this for a 3.0i model? x-pipe and res delete with stock mufflers...

Won't experience the same sound as a V8. 3.0i is a inline 6

I researched a few people who did this a stock 3.0i and it actually sounded worse, def not going to tamper with it as many people on here said it probably won't be worth it

:iagree: