Test pipes or no?

[maesd74]

This has been talked about over and over again, but I'm on my iPhone and you can't search. Is it worth the smell and sound to save a few bucks and get test pipes? I have a 2011 E90 ZCP DCT....thoughts? I've heard plenty of YouTube sound clips and they only confuse the issue. Just your thoughts please...thanks for your help.

D.

[mkPOTO]

Originally Posted by maesd74

This has been talked about over and over again, but I'm on my iPhone and you can't search. Is it worth the smell and sound to save a few bucks and get test pipes? I have a 2011 E90 ZCP DCT....thoughts? I've heard plenty of YouTube sound clips and they only confuse the issue. Just your thoughts please...thanks for your help.

D.

It depends on what your looking to do. I want catless for the power, and honestly the smell doesn't bother me much. It also can change the sound of your exhaust note. All depends on what your looking to do.

[Ezio]

i am new to this engine. but know a lot about Lsx engines. It will for sure smell more, specially if you are not tuning. If you stand behind your car you would probs smell it more. after a WOT run you will smell it.

overall its not THAT BAD, but on a BMW i would go high flow cats.

[tom @ eas]

Yes, yes.............................yes. Get them

[maesd74]

Yes, want the power AND will get a tune from Mike Benvo. I have a two year emissions window so I think it's the best economical and quickest way to add power.

[kaiv]

This should answer all your questions:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=756575

Cliffs:

_more power
_no smell
_minor increase in volume

[rjd598]

You save more than a few bucks

[Top_Gear]

Wondering the same thing.

But this mod appears to be irreversible as it requires cutting the OEM exhaust. I am sure that at some point I will want to return the car to stock with no visible signs of "surgery" showing underneath

[carter2]

I was looking for the same question and now got the answer!

[Dovetonsils]

It will for sure smell more, specially if you are not tuning. If you stand behind your car you would probs smell it more. after a WOT run you will smell it.

[Munit]

There is virtually no smell since you have your secondary cats in place. Alternatively get a Xpipe and high flow cats which replace both sets of OEM cats and also has minimal smell.

Only time it really smells if you delete both sets of cats

[M3PO]

It's a lot of bucks saved, not much smell (secondaries still in), and the same or more power than x-pipes costing more than 5x as much.

IMO, I don't know why you wouldn't unless you have ~$1500 burning a hole in your pocket and you just gotta have shiny pipes where you'll never seem them.

[anacondatp]

for guys with test pipes, what do you do when it comes time for smog test?

[aus]

Originally Posted by Top_Gear

Wondering the same thing.

But this mod appears to be irreversible as it requires cutting the OEM exhaust. I am sure that at some point I will want to return the car to stock with no visible signs of "surgery" showing underneath

I would imagine you could clamp the stock cats back in place for the smog check? And hopefully they won't be too careful with the visual inspection.

Also, any decent exhaust shop could weld the stock cats back in. Shouldn't be more than an hour of weld time if you bring it into them.

[aus]

Has anyone had any problems with leaking at the clamps? Someone mentioned it about the Turner pipes, but I think he was talking out of his ass since he didn't own them?

.

[dunocarmet]

It will for sure smell more, specially if you are not tuning.

[W Cole]

Originally Posted by anacondatp

for guys with test pipes, what do you do when it comes time for smog test?

I think in CA they are getting rid of the "sniffer" test so as long as you have ODBII readiness you may be ok?

There is the visual inspection but a lot of places only look under the car with a mirror and may not notice..

[binky]

Test pipes and K&N filter, great cheap mods.

[e92livin]

I have some questions about this myself if i were to get test pipes and delete the secondary cats and resenators also would the gains b the same as a catless x pipe ?

[aus]

Originally Posted by e92livin

I have some questions about this myself if i were to get test pipes and delete the secondary cats and resenators also would the gains b the same as a catless x pipe ?

The question you should be asking is, what kind of gains will you REALLY get by deleting the secondary cats???

[M3GTC]

Pondering doing the same and getting test pipes my question is how will a BMW dealer react to this? Warranty issues?

[ERinEC]

Originally Posted by anacondatp

for guys with test pipes, what do you do when it comes time for smog test?

I'm interested to know this as well. Do you just have the cats welded back on prior to the test?