Best complete setup?

[niqui]

First I just wanted to do tips, then just an exhaust, now my family seems to think it is wiser to do it all in one shot and get what i want instead of mixing and matching. So I am wondering what the best complete setup is, I am looking for power gains and no issues or errors, I dont plan on getting a tune. Who makes the best total package: xpipe, hfl cats, and exhaust??

Also, I dont want it to be much louder than stock, is this possible?
thks

[SV Concepts III]

Both Active Autowerke and Riss Racing offer complete options for your car that include the connecting X-Pipes, optional HFC and a muffler replacement system. It really depends on your budget and how aggressive you want the sound but you are smart to go with one manufacturer to ensure that it all works together.

[PunjabiM3]

There are a ton of options out there. Do your research...run some searches and see what you come up with. In the end this will provide you the best results and allow you to make the best decision. A few weeks ago I was torn between the various options, but after searching and getting in touch with a few vendors, I was able to eliminate the other contenders one by one to satisfy MY criteria. Your criteria may be different right...

[niqui]

Thanks for the input, yup i have been searching for a long time, my biggest concern is sound. I want big gains but not in the sound department, louder than stock is fine but not near an eisanman race or anything like that.
QUIET i guess is the key
a friend suggested doing hfc and xpipe and keeping stock mufflers, but wouldnt this still be very loud and impede gains significantly,

[PunjabiM3]

Originally Posted by niqui

Thanks for the input, yup i have been searching for a long time, my biggest concern is sound. I want big gains but not in the sound department, louder than stock is fine but not near an eisanman race or anything like that.
QUIET i guess is the key
a friend suggested doing hfc and xpipe and keeping stock mufflers, but wouldnt this still be very loud and impede gains significantly,

Given your criteria, I would do Fabspeed HFC's and resonated x-pipe along with either an Eisenmann Sport or Dinan muffler.

[JCtx]

With a full system even a quiet exhaust will be louder for sure, so you have to start with one of the quietest catbacks to begin with. Since very few companies provide full systems, I'd make sure their mufflers have a Helmholtz 'anti-drone' chamber, or the drone is going to drive you nuts.
AFAIK, only Active Autowerkes qualifies, but could be wrong. AA is not the quietest, but are considered mild, so that's probably your best bet IMO.

You should get other opinions shortly. Good luck.

[powertrip]

The most stealthy system I've ever heard is definitely the Akra. Great gains, light weight, nice mellow sound, but do you want to spend the coin ?

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by niqui

Thanks for the input, yup i have been searching for a long time, my biggest concern is sound. I want big gains but not in the sound department, louder than stock is fine but not near an eisanman race or anything like that.
QUIET i guess is the key
a friend suggested doing hfc and xpipe and keeping stock mufflers, but wouldnt this still be very loud and impede gains significantly,

I also think the Akrapovic will be your best bet since that is one of the more quieter full set-ups, and it also has the HFC's. The only thing you have to worry about is the $5k price tag I believe.

The AA full exhaust with the HFC's sounds close to their option with no HFC's I've read. And I think that may possibly be too loud for you.

[RENN Spec]

Akra is an amazing system but you'll be spending big bucks on it.

[J08M3]

Akra is nice, it fits most of your criteria.... Only problem is you will get a CEL code with it.

[niqui]

the akra at 5k includes an xpipe and hfl cats??/
i think the full aa system will be two loud for my tastes...
i was thinking of doing something like this maybe http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287239

but keep stock mufflers.

i heard with the right adapters the akra doesnt give the cel light>>

[askiles]

The stock muffler with no cats, is VERY loud at higher RPM's. It is not what you would call quiet. I had this for awhile, and I had to put the cats back on as it was way too loud.

-Andy

[niqui]

its either stock with tips, a bastuck exhaust, or the akra(and poverty).
what does it cost to install a full system like the akra.

[askiles]

I did the install myself on my rack, and it only took me an hour and a half to uninstall the stock system, and install the Akra. It is such a well built system, everything fit perfectly, and I encountered no problems at all. If you have a shop give you a quote, it should not be any more than 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

-Andy