I finally got to see the Cyba Tips installed on another vehicle so I decided I'd go ahead and get them for my E92.
This mod is purely cosmetic. They feature burnt tips and larger diameter. PM Cyba for the cost of the tips. The cost is what I deem reasonable for 4 Exhaust tips that include installation hardware. You might even say "Good" deal when you consider the M Tax.
The Tips:
They arrived in a box from Taiwan. I got mine what I consider quickly for something that came from overseas - Cyba didn't tell me that. I wasn't in a hurry so it didn't bother me.
The 4 tips were wrapped individually in Bubble wrap baggies with the 4 required rivets per tip in small reclosable bags inside the tips. The bubble wrap was sealed with tape. Parts arrived unscathed.
Once you remove the tips from the bags the burnt finish is also protected in plastic wrap just up to where the burnt finish ends. I left this on during installation to prevent any tool contact to this area.
The holes for the rivets are pre drilled. More on that during the installtion part.
I think the tips overall are a quality piece. There is a seam weld, but it looks like a quality weld, and it's minimal in appearance and finish.
Installation:
I considered removing the exhaust system off the car. It's heavy and I'm working solo and I really didn't want to do that again. I did the exhaust mod previously so I decided I would just "drop" the rear section. Everyone's experience and tool/facility access will make this very different. I had access to a lift, an exhaust jack and pretty much any tool I may have needed.
If you drop it as I did you end up with this:
Visit the Exhaust Removal DIY Sticky in the DIY section. You pretty much do every step up to the Removal of the clamps from the mid pipe. If you can get an angle Drill (Highly recommended!) You won't need to disconnect the exhuast at the differential area. I didn't have one so I had to so I could get more droop.
Tools used just for removing and installing the tips:
9/64 Drill Bit (I used new titanium Bit, but I don't recommend it. Just get a four pack of inexpensive black oxide tips that you don't feel bad about breaking or discarding. Rivet drilling is murder on drill bits) You don't want to use too large of a drill bit because the rivets wont swell up properly if the hole is too large.
This is why you use bits you don't mind parting with, luckily Home depot will exchange this -
Drill, fully charged. Or keep a pare battery nearby. I used a medium Torque setting. My Makita goes to 20, I set it at 10. It didn't bind once during drilling. I think if your cordelss drill is about the size of most current impact drivers this may also work within the space you have.
Rivet Tool. This was my first time riveting something. I'm amazed at how simple and effective it is. I kinda want to rivet everything now.
Good light source. I was in a fully lit shop, but I definitely recommend good lighting so you can see if you penetrated the rivet. Just because the head broke off doesn't mean you're done.
Hand protection and Eye protection. There's lots of small metal particles going everywhere.
Pliers. To remove the old rivet heads that get wrapped around your drill bit. Sometimes the rivet heads will stack up like coins but all that does is make your drill bit get hotter and less effective. These are hot and sharp as hell after you remove them - you don't want to remove them with bare hands. Unless you like that sort of thing.
Removing the old Rivets:
Drill those bitches out! There are four per tip. At 2:00, 4:00, 8:00, 10:00.
It goes without saying that the topside rivets are the hardest to get to. This is where having an angle drill or a compact drill makes a huge difference between easy and contortion.
Drill through the rivet completely, it's not uncommon for the bottom of the rivet to still be holding the tip on even if the rivet head is gone.
Get it right and you end up with this per side
Stock vs Cyba:
The tips are straight cut, not rolled.
You can see the difference in diameter. I didnt' measure, but they appear to be the same length
The OEM tip fits within the Cyba Tip
Riveting the new Tips:
The ball end goes into the hole, the Long end goes to the rivet tool. Follow the instructions for your rivet tool. Mine was a Snap-On and it only required a squeeze and a half to fully rivet and snap the pin.
When the Pin breaks off you should have this -
Occasionally the Rivet won't set flush before riveting, so a tap on the backside of the rivet tool will help seat the rivet when that happens -
I riveted one at a time, at opposite ends in efforts to keep everything straight. You can use the "line" left from your old tips as a guide if you are centered or not. Or tape a line.
Done, without a diffuser:
I took this opportunity to reinstall my rear diffuser more securely. The tips are larger in diameter and I don't want it burning my diffuser you'll probably want to do the same.
Done with a Duffuser in place:
Done:
Final impressions:
I'm happy with the result overall. I don't think it made a huge change to the appearance of my car honestly. Without a diffuser they probably are less obscured. I still like them though and prefer them over the plain stock ones. The exhaust looks more like it sounds now.
The job itself is not difficult. But dealing with the smaller space with the dropped exhaust added to the complexity, and frankly was the only reason any effort was required. Angle Drill - borrow or rent it. It will make this much smoother for you.
It was quite simple to install, and I appreciated the completeness of the product Cyba is offering. I think sourcing the proper rivets would have been a little annoying, and I'm glad they were provided. The furthest right tip may be off a little on my installation. But I think that was me and not the tip. That's why I mentioned using the "line" left from the stock tips to make sure you are in the same place as the original. I'll redo this eventually. My car is due for tires soon so I'll probably knock it out then while it's on a lift.
My methods may not be the best way, but I'm sharing with you how I did mine with the resources at my disposal. I'm sure everyone has an opinon or other method they feel is better - because internet... Do what's easiest for you. Hopefully there's enough here to make you more confident doing it yourself and avoid any pitfalls that may occur. It's quite fun to work on cars, even if the results are simple.
Good luck with your own installation!