Brilliant White DINAN Mid-Pipe Install/Review

[biglare]

Finally installed the much anticipated DINAN Mid-Pipe and matching software update. I already had DINAN exhaust, diff 3.62, springs and performance software, so once I heard that DINAN was coming out with one I just waited. I chose Ultimate Auto Works in North Scottsdale to perform the installation as they are the only authorized DINAN dealer in the North Phoenix area. I spoke with Greg Dalgarn, owner of Ultimate Auto Works to place the order and he kept me well informed of when the DINAN Mid-Pipe would be available, shipped and ready for installation. Greg worked with my schedule to perform the installation first thing on a Friday morning. The entire installation took about 4 hours including the installation of the Mid-Pipe Software, which is required by DINAN. This will eliminate the CEL as there are no cats with this mid-pipe setup.

The Review: When the car was first fired up it had the same deep note as before with only the DINAN rear exhaust, but when the RPM's were increased the beast was unleashed. At higher RPM's, above 6000, it screams like a race car. The sound was exactly what I was looking for. There is some slight odor as there are no cats.
Once on the street there is an immediate difference from before. It feels like there is more power right off the line. Through every gear in the DCT the car just continues to pull hard. I personally could not feel the dip that DINAN has stated, but a future dyno may show it. The downshifts are now more apparent as there is more sound from the exhaust now. It almost sounded like there was rev-matching throttle-blip downshifts similar to my old SMG-II E46 m3, which I loved.
With over 100 miles since the installation I am completely happy with my choice and look forward to every mile I drive. There is no drone and under normal city driving you will not even notice a difference in tone. However, if you decide to get on it, everyone will definitely know that you mean business.

Special Thanks to Greg Dalgarn and Ultimate Auto Works in North Scottsdale for the installation. I highly recommend them and their shop. http://www.ultimateautoworks.com/


On to the Pics! (sorry they are with my iPhone)


Here are some shots of the stock mid-pipes.















Here are some side by side pics of DINAN vs. Stock











Here is the DINAN mid-pipe installed









This was the only sight modification necessary. The heat shield portion of the tranny cover needed to be trimmed to allow for the o2 sensors to clear.







Video: Sorry this is the only video for now. (also with iPhone)





Hope you have enjoyed as I am loving every minute of it.

[Lemans_Blue_M]

Very good writeup...except for the lack a dyno graph to verify the hp/trq gains from this mod.

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by biglare

It almost sounded like there was rev-matching throttle-blip downshifts similar to my old SMG-II E46 m3, which I loved.

The DCT DOES have rev-matching downshifts. Are you saying you never knew this and couldn't hear it until you got the midpipe?

[the infamous...]

Brilliant upgrade and review. Sounds f***** RAW decent!!!

[biglare]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Very good writeup...except for the lack a dyno graph to verify the hp/trq gains from this mod.

Thanks! Sorry, the Ultimate Auto Works facility does not have a dyno yet. I plan on getting a dyno soon, but I have no baseline to compare against anyway. I know that I should have had baseline numbers too, but I took delivery of the car with so many mods already on it. Dyno coming soon for sure so I have a baseline from this point forward.

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

The DCT DOES have rev-matching downshifts. Are you saying you never knew this and couldn't hear it until you got the midpipe?

Yes, I was not able to hear the matching rev-matching downshifts until now. Also, the SMG-II tranny was more apparent due to the single clutch style. It sounds much better downshifting now for sure.

Originally Posted by the infamous...

Brilliant upgrade and review. Sounds f***** RAW decent!!!

Thanks! I am loving every mile of it. Another 50+ miles tonight and enjoyed every bit of it!

[H Bomb]

Maximum Horsepower Gain 23 @ 8200 rpm

Maximum Torque Gain 21 lb/ft @ 4800 rpm

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

Very good writeup...except for the lack a dyno graph to verify the hp/trq gains from this mod.

[H Bomb]

sweet can't wait to get mine next week. how do you like the diff??

[skoot3r]

Originally Posted by biglare

Finally installed the much anticipated DINAN Mid-Pipe and matching software update. I already had DINAN exhaust, diff 3.62, springs and performance software, so once I heard that DINAN was coming out with one I just waited. I chose Ultimate Auto Works in North Scottsdale to perform the installation as they are the only authorized DINAN dealer in the North Phoenix area. I spoke with Greg Dalgarn, owner of Ultimate Auto Works to place the order and he kept me well informed of when the DINAN Mid-Pipe would be available, shipped and ready for installation. Greg worked with my schedule to perform the installation first thing on a Friday morning. The entire installation took about 4 hours including the installation of the Mid-Pipe Software, which is required by DINAN. This will eliminate the CEL as there are no cats with this mid-pipe setup.

The Review: When the car was first fired up it had the same deep note as before with only the DINAN rear exhaust, but when the RPM's were increased the beast was unleashed. At higher RPM's, above 6000, it screams like a race car. The sound was exactly what I was looking for. There is some slight odor as there are no cats.
Once on the street there is an immediate difference from before. It feels like there is more power right off the line. Through every gear in the DCT the car just continues to pull hard. I personally could not feel the dip that DINAN has stated, but a future dyno may show it. The downshifts are now more apparent as there is more sound from the exhaust now. It almost sounded like there was rev-matching throttle-blip downshifts similar to my old SMG-II E46 m3, which I loved.
With over 100 miles since the installation I am completely happy with my choice and look forward to every mile I drive. There is no drone and under normal city driving you will not even notice a difference in tone. However, if you decide to get on it, everyone will definitely know that you mean business.

Special Thanks to Greg Dalgarn and Ultimate Auto Works in North Scottsdale for the installation. I highly recommend them and their shop. http://www.ultimateautoworks.com/


On to the Pics! (sorry they are with my iPhone)


Here are some shots of the stock mid-pipes.















Here are some side by side pics of DINAN vs. Stock











Here is the DINAN mid-pipe installed









This was the only sight modification necessary. The heat shield portion of the tranny cover needed to be trimmed to allow for the o2 sensors to clear.







Video: Sorry this is the only video for now. (also with iPhone)





Hope you have enjoyed as I am loving every minute of it.

Great review!

[biglare]

Originally Posted by H Bomb

Maximum Horsepower Gain 23 @ 8200 rpm

Maximum Torque Gain 21 lb/ft @ 4800 rpm

Yeah, those are the number from DINAN and my butt dyno tells me there is a definitely an increase in power.

Originally Posted by H Bomb

sweet can't wait to get mine next week. how do you like the diff??

I like the diff and have not had any issues with it. You don't stay in 1st or 2nd too long, but it jumps off the line. The cruising RPM is a little higher, but I can still get 18+mpg on the highway. Congrats on getting your mid-pipe next week.

[SCCAForums.com]

The Dinan Mid-Pipe almost looks identical to the Borla Mid pipe... check out this link.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292162

Congrats... looks good!

Dave

[H Bomb]

cool good news. they only make one for the 6 speed, i see they make 2 for the DCT. you chose the shortest one right?? i wonder how much shorter that is then the one for the manual?

thanks

H

Originally Posted by biglare

Yeah, those are the number from DINAN and my butt dyno tells me there is a definitely an increase in power.



I like the diff and have not had any issues with it. You don't stay in 1st or 2nd too long, but it jumps off the line. The cruising RPM is a little higher, but I can still get 18+mpg on the highway. Congrats on getting your mid-pipe next week.

[hamad]

sound awesome

[Mr.Metak2you]

Originally Posted by skoot3r

Great review!

Please try not to reply with all the photos attatched, it's a bit of overkill. Thanks.

[cpiguy]

Sounds fantastic. I just ordered the full exhaust along with all the other Dinan goodies. I noticed from the video that it was smoking quite a bit. Is that what I should expect. The reason I ask is my wife is very sensitive to exhaust fumes and smoke. She'd never go near the car if it smokes.

Thanks man

[biglare]

Originally Posted by H Bomb

cool good news. they only make one for the 6 speed, i see they make 2 for the DCT. you chose the shortest one right?? i wonder how much shorter that is then the one for the manual?

thanks

H

I ordered the 3.62 diff for the E90 M3 DCT. Not sure if that helps.

Originally Posted by cpiguy

Sounds fantastic. I just ordered the full exhaust along with all the other Dinan goodies. I noticed from the video that it was smoking quite a bit. Is that what I should expect. The reason I ask is my wife is very sensitive to exhaust fumes and smoke. She'd never go near the car if it smokes.

Thanks man

It was smoking because that was the initial startup after the install and the first time any exhaust gases were passing through the mid-pipes. There is no smoking now, but there is a little smell pulling into the garage. I back into my garage, so it is more prevalent than if I just pulled straight in. Congrats on of your DINAN mods to come!

[cpiguy]

Thats great news. Thanks man. I'm getting pretty excited!!!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by H Bomb

... i wonder how much shorter that is then the one for the manual?

4.10, which is waaaay too short for the DCT gearing in most applications.

Dave

[H Bomb]

so which one of the two is closer to the one they make for the man??

http://www.dinancars.com/store/home.php?cat=800

so your sayin the 4.10 they make for my car will be to short for daily use?? or just if they made that for the DCT??

thanks

Originally Posted by dcstep

4.10, which is waaaay too short for the DCT gearing in most applications.

Dave

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by H Bomb

so which one of the two is closer to the one they make for the man??

http://www.dinancars.com/store/home.php?cat=800

so your sayin the 4.10 they make for my car will be to short for daily use?? or just if they made that for the DCT??

thanks

I'm not sure that I understand your question. Is your car a 6MT or a DCT? The 4.10 is for the 6MT, while the 3.62 and 3.45 are for the DCT.

The 6MT and the DCT have entirely different gear ratios, with the DCT being much lower in the first two gears, in particular. Some people say that the 3.62 is too low for the DCT, but that depends on how you plan to use it. (It'll work and feel faster, but is actually slower in the 1/4-mile). Anyway, if the 3.62 is marginally or arguably too low for the DCT, then the 4.10 is going to be way too low, such that 1st gear wouldn't even be needed to get rolling. Also, that would likely confuse the DCT's computer no end.

So, the 4.10 is superb for the 6Mt. I've got it and love it. If you want to change the FD on a DCT you should search the threads about that to help you decide which you'll like most. There's been lots of discussion here.

Dave

[freshwhite335]

Your threads are always so informative and details. I can't speak for everyone but I'll say I really appreciate it. Ordering my ///M in December. Would love to get Brilliant White but the car is a present from my parents, to ask for a $5000 paint job would be so wrong. It really is such a beautiful car though.

[biglare]

Originally Posted by freshwhite335

Your threads are always so informative and details. I can't speak for everyone but I'll say I really appreciate it. Ordering my ///M in December. Would love to get Brilliant White but the car is a present from my parents, to ask for a $5000 paint job would be so wrong. It really is such a beautiful car though.

Thank you for the kind words. That is what I believe this forum is all about. Helping one another and sharing our experiences for the passion that we have for our cars.

As for your $5000 custom paint request, seems like there may be enough time to come up with $5000 before you place your order. Looks like it may be time to pick up some extra side jobs to make the $5000 may be in order. It will be worth it in the long run for sure and you will appreciate it all that much more. Best of luck!

[Easternedge]

Sounds Siiick!!! Makes Me Wish I Had A V8...