Deeper Exhaust tone

[HokieZHP]

Hey guys,

So I'm looking to make my exhaust sound a little deeper/meaner/growlier...you get the point. Although I don't have the money to buy a full exhaust. I was wondering what are some mufflers that would do the job? Borla? Flowmaster? Magnaflow?

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks

[static667]

Check out Turner Motorsports site. Link. (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E46/c-5-bmw-exhaust-systems-and-parts.aspx)

If you scroll down a bit, they have video posted of what a lot of the exhaust systems sound like. I don't have any personal experience with different systems, but I do know that Billy Boat Tri-Flow exhaust sounds awesome. Only problem is that you have to pay a fair chunk of change for that awesome.

[danewilson77]

http://www.modbargains.com/Rogue-engineering-IKON-exhaust-bmw-e46-3-series.htm

[05ZIPPYZHP]

I wanted that exact increase in noise. After looking around for mufflers and seeing the prices, I choose to do the $100.00 eBay headers and the sound is perfect. Deep low growl in the sub 2500rpm then a gentle rasp once you put the pedal down. Just my .02 though.

[HokieZHP]

Thanks for the link DW. I was thinking of a $200-$300 solution. I may do ebay headers though. I have heard some mixed reviews about them and how they sometimes cause an engine to act up. Any input on your experience with them?

[mimalmo]

I'd do headers and a catback but I'm not interested in tanning my face by the CEL so I'd probably just do a catback.

[spencers]

I'd do headers and a catback but I'm not interested in tanning my face by the CEL so I'd probably just do a catback.

A tune will solve that issue

[TRELO]

Magnaflow. Get the oval muffler dual round tips - welded on. 300 tops sounds amazing

[HokieZHP]

Trelo, do you have a link to that?

[Smilez]

you can cut off your muffler and put straight pipe after 2nd resonator

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/smilez23/DSC_1451.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/smilez23/DSC_1452.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/smilez23/DSC_1453.jpg

[HokieZHP]

hmmm tempting also...hows the sound? Any cabin drone?

[Smilez]

there is definitely cabin drone. it's awesome, but sometimes annoying :rofl:

[HokieZHP]

Well I do a lot of highway driving so I don't want a lot of cabin drone haha, even if it does sound amazing!

I am interested in that magnaflow muffler though. Any details on that Trelo?

[HokieZHP]

I've decide to keep the stock muffler for a while longer. But I may end up with an exhaust later in the year.

[az3579]

Would removing both resonators do anything to make our stock exhausts louder? Would it be a worthwhile thing to do if the sound is perfect just not loud enough?

[Hornung418]

Botond, you would want to kill yourself on the highway. I think the first one would be best and then a glass pack in place of the second one with the Performance Muffler to cap it off. Headers are a must :shify

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

[HokieZHP]

I did lots of research on this and from what I've read, removing resonators does make it sound better/little louder, however will lower backpressure resulting in loss in low-end torque. This can be remedied with an x-pipe insert where the resonators were which will raise the backpressure back to normal and control the sound slightly while still giving a more aggressive tone than stock.



I wanted to do headers until I saw the price of them...I can't justify $1k for headers. I was looking into eBay headers but not sure if I want to take the chance of them not working out right and causing problems.

[Hornung418]

Well if you know what you want to do, then do it. You'll find that back pressure isn't that important...unless Tom D shows his face here :shifty

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

[az3579]

Botond, you would want to kill yourself on the highway. I think the first one would be best and then a glass pack in place of the second one with the Performance Muffler to cap it off. Headers are a must :shify

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

Really? It would be that loud?
What is a glass pack? I keep reading this but am not understand what it does for sound. Is it kind of like a "resonator lite"?
Personally I will not be getting headers. (1) I do not like the rasp, and (2) they aren't allowed in STX if I remember correctly. Heck, I have to look up to see if a resonator delete and X-pipe would be allowed...


So why would I want to kill myself on the highway? I figured if anything it would just be audible over music and not ear shattering. I've been told that removing the resonators would have a *minor* effect on sound, only being slightly louder. I take it by your comment that it would be considerably louder?

[danewilson77]

Well if you know what you want to do, then do it. You'll find that back pressure isn't that important...unless Tom D shows his face here :shifty

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

Oh...the trial and tribulations of Tom D.

[Hornung418]

BP, the drone would just get annoying. Not loud, but just like when J. Clarkson drove the Ferrari 612 and had that obnoxious buzzing caused by the windscreen wipers being bent. Glass packs are fiber'glass' packed resonators that provide a louder tone with out the drone! LOL rhyming...

[Mike V]

Active AutoWerke. I had their Gen 3 catback on my 95 M3 and I absolutely loved it. It's expensive at $800+ and not the most attractive ( muffler looks like a coffin but the tips look great) but it sounded so good with no drone, even up to 85 mph cruising speeds. Outside the car, it sounds amazing. Inside the car, it's barely louder than stock. When you want to hear the sweet symphony, simply roll the window down or crack the sunroof. :)

I even had a cop tell me (after giving me a speeding ticket) that the car sounded great. Heheh.

[az3579]

BP, the drone would just get annoying. Not loud, but just like when J. Clarkson drove the Ferrari 612 and had that obnoxious buzzing caused by the windscreen wipers being bent. Glass packs are fiber'glass' packed resonators that provide a louder tone with out the drone! LOL rhyming...

I think I might need an actual definition of "drone". I always thought that drone is just that you constantly hear the engine, even at cruising speed. I don't mind this; I want to hear the engine ever so slightly with music on a normal volume so I don't have to look at the speedo, but quiet enough not to be annoying even with the music off. Perhaps I guess it just comes down to personal preference? I supposed it's reversible if I don't like the decible levels. I assume this wouldn't be near the 87dB (I think) noise limit Lime Rock is enforcing now, right?

[Hornung418]

No, it's not going to be that loud. Just slightly annoying I would imagine.

[bcleaver]

I did a custom 3" with a single glasspack in it just past the headers. It was much quieter than I thought it would be and just added some low rumble and a good sound at WOT, with very little highway drone (IMO). The whole thing cost around $200.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=090-WoEJ1fE

[Hornung418]

Need videos of WOT...

[az3579]

Need videos of WOT...

This - need videos!

[bcleaver]

This - need videos!

I'll try to get some this weekend out at the track.

[HokieZHP]

has anyone put an e46 m3 muffler on their ZHP? My mechanic had one he said I could have if I wanted to use it. Any thoughts?

[Hornung418]

Hokie, do you need the spare tire well? That's gonna be cut out and welded over if you install an M3 rear muffler. Wouldn't waste the money on a car you've had for a week. Maintenance is more your speed for the first couple months of ownership.

[HokieZHP]

Hokie, do you need the spare tire well? That's gonna be cut out and welded over if you install an M3 rear muffler. Wouldn't waste the money on a car you've had for a week. Maintenance is more your speed for the first couple months of ownership.

Yeah that's true.

I didn't think about that. I actually re-thought it after I posted and decided against it.

[az3579]

I haven't seen anyone put an M3 muffler on their non-M E46, actually.

[Johal E32]

what do you guys think of a Highline exhaust? my cousin said this is a affordable exhaust that sounds great! Let's just say I can get one for a good 55% off ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkRKhfi6nK4

[az3579]

Personally, I can't stand the sound of the Highline. Far too loud, IMO.

[Johal E32]

really? I have never heard one in person so I wouldn't know. Would it drone when I'm cruising on the freeway when I'm in 6th?

[az3579]

really? I have never heard one in person so I wouldn't know. Would it drone when I'm cruising on the freeway when I'm in 6th?

Listening to the noise it makes in that YouTube video, I would have no doubt that it would drone. If it's that loud with only partial throttle, you most certainly will hear it.

[holyc0w]

I've been looking through the exhaust options. The Highline has me the most curious, though I can only find videos of the catback and not the axleback version.

Many of the options seem to sound very similar to stock and some worse. I'm guessing the non-ZHP cars don't have this problem.