Sports exhausts.

Sports exhausts.

Author
Discussion

Kerry540

Original Poster:

55 posts

192 months

Wednesday 21st May 2008
quotequote all
I am thinking about getting a sports exhaust for the car. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my standard exhaust but I would really like a more sporty V8 exhaust sound. I don't want LOUD, and I don't want a 4 exit system, (or someone will think I am trying to make it look like an M5 and that would be TAT!) but either a single or twin outlet in the original position would be good.
I would also like no booming at motorway cruising speeds, (100-120 mph! ha ha).
I do not expect any power gains but certainly do not want to lose any if possible.
I am fed up driving a V8 that sounds like a hairdryer.
Anyone have any recommendations?

Kerry540.

Job38

1,968 posts

237 months

Wednesday 21st May 2008
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These guys did a custom exhaust for an 840Ci for a guy who runs one for BMW Magazine.
He put a clip on YouTube.

http://www.torqueflow.co.uk/

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Wednesday 21st May 2008
quotequote all
Job38 said:
These guys did a custom exhaust for an 840Ci for a guy who runs one for BMW Magazine.
He put a clip on YouTube.

http://www.torqueflow.co.uk/
But now he has had it made quieter as it became intrusive which I can appreciate.
If they could replicate the amount of dB a supersprint could make that would be ideal...

Kerry540

Original Poster:

55 posts

192 months

Wednesday 21st May 2008
quotequote all
Yes, I saw that article but this month it had to go back for being too noisy and I wasn't too impressed with the way the 2 additional silencers were fitted, staggered and out of alignment.
Other forum searches have also mentioned ill-fitting and knocking systems, no mandrel bends and other problems. Maybe I should look at a specialist system such as Supersprint or Magneflow, Remus or Eisenmann, rather than a universal silencer type system.

Kerry540.

Edited by Kerry540 on Wednesday 21st May 17:46

Job38

1,968 posts

237 months

Wednesday 21st May 2008
quotequote all
Yup, fairy nuff.

It seems a black art trying to get a good sound out of a BMW, I don't quite understand it.
Some of the best engines in the world, yet so few of them sound 'right'.

With Porsche is so easy.
Turn up at main dealer, order sports exhaust, part with folding, fit within a couple of hours, turn key - BIG smile.


I was at Silverstone at the weekend on a track day, Merc C63 AMG - sounded AMAZING, M3 - sounded like a vacuum cleaner.
I don't get it......

derin100

5,214 posts

244 months

Wednesday 21st May 2008
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I can hardly hear mine at all (which I prefer) because it's double-glazed! biggrin

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Wednesday 21st May 2008
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derin100 said:
I can hardly hear mine at all (which I prefer) because it's double-glazed! biggrin
I totally agree, part of the attraction is that it is so discreet and is whisper quiet (except at idle!).
However, having just done 1200 miles to Nurburg and back with a GT3, I am starting to lean towards a slightly louder exhaust. I am thinking Supersprint or Milltek. H+S or Eisanmann are just too much for day to day.
At full bore the GT3 sounded great but the M5 was positivley muted.
Shame it doesnt have the fancy 'active exhaust'.

Neil


parksie

303 posts

207 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
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One of the first jobs on my 840 was to fit a Supersprint,sounds just right , then I thought it was too quite so I had the resonator box removed ,big mistake as it was awefull at cruising speeds, so refitted a straight through resonator & a pair of G-Power racing Cats that did the job but a very expensive route!

Mr_Sukebe

377 posts

209 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
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My experience with other cars, was that changing the induction system was the best way to get "loud on demand", without deafening yourself when you just want to cruise.
Can't say I know much about aftermarket induction options, but that's the route I'd suggest.

Anyone got any thoughts?

8Tech

2,136 posts

199 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
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Most of the induction kits I have seen are far from ideal. They give an induction roar at the expense of drawing in cool air and filtering efficiency. They can cause MAF sensor failure due to oil leeching on the foam (Pipercross) and gauze (K+N) types if over-oiled and they do not enhance power.
You only get that induction roar on high throttle settings and on all the ones I have driven, the power delivery is less smooth.
Sorry, but induction kits are for the Saxo/Clio/106/Nova boys.

8Tech

Seb d

613 posts

198 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
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Just thought I'd chip in as that's my 840 (complete with wonky centre boxes...) that you guys are talking about smile In Torqueflow's defence, I reckon that if you asked for centre boxes from the off, it'd be far easier for them to incorporate them into the system thus resulting in a more symmetrical installation. Appearance aside, they've certainly done the trick and it sounds lovely and, for my tastes at least, is quiet enough on a cruise while remaining decidedly loud when you put your foot down. I keep meaning to put a new clip up of it on t'internet. I reckon that for most people the best all round option would be to either splash out on one of the aforementioned, off the shelf branded systems which keep the decibels down or invest in a pair of straight-through back boxes whilst leaving the rest of the system alone. The standard resonator is what kills the boom and I think that leaving it in would be a wise move if you don't want to go overboard. Whatever you decide to do, it's hard to make a V8, BMW or otherwise, sound pants, so you're pretty much guranteed to end up with a nice sounding system.

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Seb d said:
Just thought I'd chip in as that's my 840 (complete with wonky centre boxes...) that you guys are talking about smile In Torqueflow's defence, I reckon that if you asked for centre boxes from the off, it'd be far easier for them to incorporate them into the system thus resulting in a more symmetrical installation. Appearance aside, they've certainly done the trick and it sounds lovely and, for my tastes at least, is quiet enough on a cruise while remaining decidedly loud when you put your foot down. I keep meaning to put a new clip up of it on t'internet. I reckon that for most people the best all round option would be to either splash out on one of the aforementioned, off the shelf branded systems which keep the decibels down or invest in a pair of straight-through back boxes whilst leaving the rest of the system alone. The standard resonator is what kills the boom and I think that leaving it in would be a wise move if you don't want to go overboard. Whatever you decide to do, it's hard to make a V8, BMW or otherwise, sound pants, so you're pretty much guranteed to end up with a nice sounding system.
Yup, Id agree with you there, ba$tardising what they had already done probably wasnt the easiest for the chaps.
The thing is though is the price. A supersprint system will cost proably just under a grand. The E36 Evo one cost about £450 - but the V8 has 2 banks of cylinders.

How is the car currently running Seb? I read with interest every month.

Neil

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Mr_Sukebe said:
My experience with other cars, was that changing the induction system was the best way to get "loud on demand", without deafening yourself when you just want to cruise.
Can't say I know much about aftermarket induction options, but that's the route I'd suggest.

Anyone got any thoughts?
As mentioned, you can kill your MAF with these owing to the oil film on a K+N.
Also heat soak from the engine will greatly reduce power as the less dense air will always be pulled in as its an easier source.
You need to create a cold feed from outside somehow and shroud the filter somehow - a Dave.F kit worked well on my M3 Evo although a lot of the straight 6 noise became overpowered - I would imagine it would too on the V8.

Seb d

613 posts

198 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Neil.D said:
Yup, Id agree with you there, ba$tardising what they had already done probably wasnt the easiest for the chaps.
The thing is though is the price. A supersprint system will cost proably just under a grand. The E36 Evo one cost about £450 - but the V8 has 2 banks of cylinders.

How is the car currently running Seb? I read with interest every month.

Neil
I remember looking at numerous exhaust options prior to going with Torqueflow, though I'd already had a system off them in the past which I was really pleased with, and the Supersprint back boxes alone cost somewhere in the region of £700 and they didn't even look like they were fully stainless steel, which kind of put me off!

The car is running pretty well, thanks. There are a few bits and pieces that I want to sort out, like some broken trim in the boot and a few more expensive problems, like my front splitter which has almost split in half frown and at idle the car sounds like it's missing, which needs looking at. I kind of like it as it reminds me a bit of the slightly irregular idle you get from highly tuned V8s and the 840 is known for having quite aggressive cams which can cause a lumpy idle but it's not right. It's fine on the go, it's only at idle with the ventilation off that you actually notice it.

I have to say that I'm more in love with it than ever before. I took it for a week's driving holiday on the Isle of Man and while it would have been nice to have another 100bhp and a manual gearbox, it was still fantastic and I enjoyed driving it so much. And the amount of looks it got! I might as well have been piloting a flying saucer around the island!

Not far off getting it just how I want it - I'm booking it in for a remap very soon and I'm hunting around for some different wheels too.

Glad to hear that you enjoy reading about my misadventures - it's certainly cheaper than actually owning one! smile

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
It is the cosmetic stuff that can be the most costly, and the most irritating.
Im not sure what SS are made out of but they are hand made and apparantly and have a lifetime guarantee. Haven't ever tested this though. Milltek are about £1200 but sound awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCL4FWxGAl0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q4INrwvMu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoCn8MZvXHc


With regards to your idle, forgive me if you already know. Firstly I would clean the MAF sensors, http://www.louv.tv/cars/m5/MAF/ , as these can really affect the cars running. Secondly buy some carburetor cleaner and hose out the Idle control valve.(I dont have a guide for this). These are of course short term fixes but can help diagnose the fault.
Other guys with M5's have found that cam/crank position sensors cause lumpiness - but without a fault code popping up you could be chasing problems all day and spending more money...

Neil

Seb d

613 posts

198 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Neil.D said:
It is the cosmetic stuff that can be the most costly, and the most irritating.
Im not sure what SS are made out of but they are hand made and apparantly and have a lifetime guarantee. Haven't ever tested this though. Milltek are about £1200 but sound awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCL4FWxGAl0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q4INrwvMu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoCn8MZvXHc


With regards to your idle, forgive me if you already know. Firstly I would clean the MAF sensors, http://www.louv.tv/cars/m5/MAF/ , as these can really affect the cars running. Secondly buy some carburetor cleaner and hose out the Idle control valve.(I dont have a guide for this). These are of course short term fixes but can help diagnose the fault.
Other guys with M5's have found that cam/crank position sensors cause lumpiness - but without a fault code popping up you could be chasing problems all day and spending more money...

Neil
The Milltek system does sound nice but I think mine trumps it for in yer face V8 noize tongue out

Thanks for the tips regarding the idle - at least if I can't do it, I can give my local specialist a list to make sure they check every possible bit.

Kerry540

Original Poster:

55 posts

192 months

Tuesday 27th May 2008
quotequote all
Well, I thought I would report back that I took the plunge, and with such awful Bank Holiday weather, went to get my exhaust sorted at Phoenix Motorsport to see what they could do.

Whilst there I saw 3 cars that they are doing, an 850 with some new stainless rear boxes they have made, an old shape 540 with an anodized aluminium rear silencer and an amazing supercharged 850 CSi with their own exhaust system.

All had different types of sound but you just gotta hear that CSi!! Ye Gods. They all sounded fantastic though so I told them what I was looking for and the suggestion was to modify my own in "as new" condition exhaust.
Gerry suggested that as it was the sound I was after, not the looks, why try and fit twin pipes into a round cut-out in my rear valance, and why scrap a near mint, stainless genuine BMW exhaust. I agreed, and at around 1/3 the cost, and after hearing the other 3 cars, I left it with them.

Well, am I pleased? You bet! Not only does the car SOUND fantastic, like a proper sporting V8, (not like an old Yank V8 or TVR,) but there is no booming inside the car and I lost almost 50lb of weight from the car. It has a mild crackle like an E46 M3 when revved and has a really deep burble on idle and part throttle.

Apparently I have no more power because of the mods but I don't believe them because it does feel more powerful. Maybe the weight loss or maybe because it sounds faster? Anyway, it fits perfectly, sounds great and I saved a fortune so I am well pleased.

I bought a camcorder over the BH weekend with the money I saved so I will try and learn how to post either a video or sound clip.

Kerry540.

mjwscorpio

255 posts

210 months

Tuesday 27th May 2008
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Can you let me know how to find Phoenix Motorsport.

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Tuesday 27th May 2008
quotequote all
Will look forward to the video...

Neil

Seb d

613 posts

198 months

Tuesday 27th May 2008
quotequote all
Gerry is a top bloke who knows a thing or two about carswink I wager your new system sounds superb. Thought I'd just put a link up to a quick one I did with my new 'quieter' exhaust - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kMhN99rC7Msmile Oh, and here's the Phoenix Motorsport site - http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/

Edited by Seb d on Tuesday 27th May 22:31