Modified BMW 330 ZHP Stock Exhaust Sound

[pyreguy]

This may go without saying, but I love the stock exhaust note.

I was wondering if there was something I could do that wouldn't change the sound quality, but would increase the volume?

Like maybe get rid of a resonator or modify something somehow? Bonus if it's reversible in case I don't like the new sound.

I don't wanna buy any kind of aftermarket exhaust.

TIA

[jvr826]

Some people delete one or both resonators, but as I have read... low end torque suffers due to the reduced backpressure. I get exhaust envy at every autocross event when I hear all those E36 M3's out on course. It's just a bit more than what we have, but different too.

I gotta say, the ZHP exhaust is the perfect execution... throaty at low throttle openings and slow speed when you can enjoy it... quiet at freeway speeds when you don't want that annoying drone. It's this combination that has kept me from changing it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[Mtnman]

+1. i love the sounds at low speeds. glad i dont have them at highway speeds, and when i hammer down? mmmmmmmmmmm

[mimalmo]

I always go back to this one. Headers and a Borla cat-back system. It's loud but sounds great.


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

[az3579]

+1 on the OEM being the best exhaust I know of. Perfect sound, but just a little too quiet for its own good...
That Borla system is obnoxiously loud. I don't want authorities to hear me when I boot it, but I definitely want to hear some engine noise on the highway so I don't have to keep checking the speedo for my speed...


Let me know if you find something, Lance, in the event that you do go aftermarket.

[pyreguy]

Nah, no plans to go aftermarket.

[BCS_ZHP]

Lance,
I can vouch for the HKS exhaust system. We put it on my son's first BMW, an '00 323ci. I made him research it and he learned that the exhaust was pretty much useless unless you made it breathe better first. Plus, if both of those worked, then you needed to remap the S/W. So he ended up buying a package from Bimmerworld -- HKS catback stainless exhaust (2 into 1 and a dual exit), aFES intake, and the Shark Injector. Performance -- immediate and noticeable, his 170hp stock 2.5L now ran just about even with our '03 330cic. Rear end gears were identical, same with trannies (5 spds), but there's a couple of hundred pound weight difference between the coupe and conv, so my guess was he gained 25-35 hp. As far as sound, it was about the same as the ZHP but a slight bit louder on the low end of the RPM band. Highway speeds were definitely louder than stock but about the same as the ZHP. And its no where near as loud as Remus or Borla, you can run higher RPMs without the drone. Sorry that I never recorded it because we both loved the sound. He's contemplating it again, the package deal, for his '05 ZHP coupe but right now he has another more pressing financial need (can you say first speeding ticket which he will pay for along with the corresponding increase in our insurance policy). So he works part time at a golf course, he's a single digit handicapper, plus some of the older guys use him to hustle new cocky adults (he looks very young) and then they split the winnings with him. When the warmer weather comes he'll probaly earn enough from the two to finance a new exhaust.

[Johnmadd]

Gut the cat and find a really Really good place to get yearly inspections.

[jjcools]

Two things I have been thinking about.
I heard that using an x pipe in place of the resonator will keep the back pressure for the low end torque. Not sure, but a thought.

What about going with headers and keeping the rear stock. At least add a couple hp removing those crazy angles.

[mimalmo]

It's way too raspy.

Same car as the one I posted above before he got the Borla catback. This clip is headers only.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3iWdpdyjsw

[Marcus-SanDiego]

JJ, did you want me to post that video?

[jjcools]

Yeah, I am new to posting vids. Do you have the link there? It was just an interior of headers w/ stock exhaust.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

When you post a video from YouTube, you just want to grab the link that's created when you hit "share."

Then you come here and use the video link -- which is on the right side of the quick reply box. Looks like a film strip.


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

[danewilson77]

Gut the cat and find a really Really good place to get yearly inspections.

You know of one in the Burg?

[jjcools]

Thanks Marcus, I must have added a step somewhere.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Thanks Marcus, I must have added a step somewhere.

No problem, amigo.

[Nivo]

I think that the stock exhausts sound decent. aftermarket to me sounds like a 2.5L 4 cylinder with no x pipe to balance the pulses of both banks. problem i see is that the ZHP has like 2, 3 cylinder engines, sounds empty, tinny, raspy.

I would delete one of the resonator portions and add an X pipe. Or go from the manifolds back to a single to get a true inline 6 sound. most of the sound tuning would come from material of metal used, tube sizing, header design and muffler used.

[Johnmadd]

You know of one in the Burg?

Maybe:innocent

[Rovert]

Guys, be a rebel and just do OEM - no exhaust! :D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3dD4JF2yR8

I felt like I was 10 years old! But after the video I sealed it all back up immediately. LOL

[az3579]

That's reeeeeeeally loud. All it sounds like to me is a car with a hole in it's exhaust. lol

[mimalmo]

All that rasp is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

[Rovert]

It sounds like a hardcore M3 rasp that scares anyone walking outside within a 5 mile radius. It scared me but I was having a great time being a rebel for 15 minutes. Whenever I passed a girl I put the clutch in and cruised pass at idle....I didn't want to cause any heart attacks or hearing problems. LOL. The sound made me feel like I gained 100HP though!

[adb1028]

I'm happy with the stock ZHP sound but it could definetly be louder. One thing that has caught my attention is a muffler delete. It sounds pretty damn good and won't cost that much either



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[mimalmo]

I hear ya Alex but I hate the thought of hacking up my exhaust in case I don't like the new sound and want to go back.

[az3579]

I hear ya Alex but I hate the thought of hacking up my exhaust in case I don't like the new sound and want to go back.

What can be cut can also be welded...

[kaboom]

Nobody makes a header that brings all six into one? Because that's what we need in order to get the sound reasonable. I can't stand that rasp that these cars with aftermarket exhaust has!

Ian

[mimalmo]

Every E46 header I've seen is six into two, including on the M3.

[pyreguy]

The muffler delete is intriguing...

[adb1028]

The muffler delete is intriguing...

It really is. I might just have them cut the muffler off and drive around for a bit and see if I like it. If I do, then I'll finish the job and get tips put on, but if I dont, I'll just have them weld the muffler back on. It shouldn't cost that much to have them cut it off to test (maybe $40?).

The whole concept of cutting off your muffler just sounds so ghetto to me, which is kind of holding me back.

Another option would be to replace the ZHP muffler with a Magnaflow #14815 muffler, those sound pretty good too.

[pyreguy]

I've never heard a magnaflow that wasn't raspy..

[adb1028]

Here's a muffler delete on a 328. It sounds pretty damn good to me, but might be too loud for my taste.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYhRq0T3eI&feature=player_embedded&tracker=False

There's some good info in this thread:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=745244

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I did a muffler delete on my 528. Was too loud for my tastes. My eisenmann exhaust (race) on my 335 is a good kind of loud. The muffler delete just sounds too amateur to me. Like you did it in the garage or something.

[pyreguy]

So far, leaving it stock is winning for me.


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[az3579]

No muffler sounds awfully cheap IMO. I hear cars around here without mufflers all the time (because people are too frickin' cheap to fix their exhausts on their crappy little Corollas) and makes it sound like you just don't care.

[Rovert]

I have an option to get a used Eisenmann for my car for $800 installed. I looks a bit beat up as in the previous owner backed into a concrete block and scraped the bottom tip a bit with one tip mildly disfigured from the impact. Is it worth it?? I wonder how much better than Supersprint it would be.

--Trevor--

[az3579]

Trevor,
I was browsing YouTube and saw your video on the Supersprint exhaust. I have to admit, that sounds pretty darned sweet, now that I'm listening to it again.
Could I ask that you make a video of the noise level at a 70mph or so cruise? My main concern is this: I want to hear the engine, but do not want it to be obnoxious...

Pretty please??? :)

[Nivo]

My solution to my Sound problems here in Massachusetts.http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=532&d=1299775629

[Rovert]

Trevor,
I was browsing YouTube and saw your video on the Supersprint exhaust. I have to admit, that sounds pretty darned sweet, now that I'm listening to it again.
Could I ask that you make a video of the noise level at a 70mph or so cruise? My main concern is this: I want to hear the engine, but do not want it to be obnoxious...

Pretty please??? :)

I made the videos. I just have to edit them and upload. I'll see if I can edit while I'm in the plane! :)

[az3579]

Looked up the pricing on the Supersprint and is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than I want to spend. Sucks, because I love that sound!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Looked up the pricing on the Supersprint and is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than I want to spend. Sucks, because I love that sound!

Agree on the Supersprint sound. I became a fan of SS about 9 years ago. Can't go wrong. They are $$, though.

[Rovert]

Here are the videos: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1728-Supersprint-Exhaust-sound-clips

[az3579]

I've shifted my attention towards Magnaflow and Borla. Problem is, I don't know how many different "models" each manufacturer has, and many times it's hard to find the right kind of video on YouTube.

[adb1028]

I would check out the Borla catback, Botond. They sound awesome.



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[cparker]

Any more developements on this subject? I too am looking for a bit more volume without too much coin and I'm concerned about sound quality.

[GreenFrog]

I'm personally a fan of the UUC TSE3 exhaust, which isn't cheap either.

[tripod06]

i am in LOVE with the Borla Exhaust and Headers. what do you think an upgrade like that will cost?

[mr hish]

you may consider what am saying is funny but i kind of relate the zhp sound to an electrican chain saw :p it is amazing!!