X pipe questions.

Chriskm3 · 10-26-2012, 06:45 PM

I was at a Local muffler shop and I noticed that for a fraction of the price they can assemble a full xpipe with HFCs and resonators for a fraction of Aa and other brands out there. I questioned the quality of parts but was assured that all is equivilant to most of the units on the market. Please forward your kind two cents on this topic. Thanks.

CarbonFoot · 10-26-2012, 07:04 PM

I'm sure your local shop can build a decent one for you, but for my money, I'd go with design that has been proven. Power, sound, fit and durability are all factors I would consider before buying an x-pipe. Have a custom one built just leaves a lot of unknowns on the table, which I for one wouldn't be comfortable with.

Stronghammer · 10-26-2012, 07:13 PM

The guys at my local shop say the same thing. I still have a stock midpipe but when the time comes to switch it out I may let them fabricate a custom x pipe for me.

MikeE92M3 · 10-26-2012, 07:31 PM

I bought this:http://www.carid.com/universal-exhau...FQWe4AodV2kA0Q

And just had him build off of it.

pbonsalb · 10-26-2012, 08:35 PM

You can buy a Top Speed x-pipe for about $500. Can't fabricate one for that. Maybe for twice as much, but it won't be twice as good.

Chriskm3 · 10-26-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

You can buy a Top Speed x-pipe for about $500. Can't fabricate one for that. Maybe for twice as much, but it won't be twice as good.

This I exactly why I started this. Please provide factual points not just opinions.
Everyone knows that each time a product exchanges distributors and suppliers price increases. Plus you pay for the polished finished as well. If someone knows for sure that AA or Dinan applies a perfected method of producing such item then I will pay their price. Otherwise if its just the polished finish with a badge on the tip then it's a different story.

pbonsalb · 10-27-2012, 10:33 AM

I have been running the top speed x-pipe for a year. Paid $475 shipped. It was too loud since it has no cats and no resonators so I added 4 resonators. They cost $200 plus $150 for welding. I did the cutting and tack welding and test fitting. I think top speed sells one now with two resonators but I wanted 4 for extra civilization.

I could have made an x-pipe or modified a stock pipe or bought a much more expensive brand name pipe, if I thought the expense and result would be worthwhile.

Chriskm3 · 10-27-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have been running the top speed x-pipe for a year. Paid $475 shipped. It was too loud since it has no cats and no resonators so I added 4 resonators. They cost $200 plus $150 for welding. I did the cutting and tack welding and test fitting. I think top speed sells one now with two resonators but I wanted 4 for extra civilization.

I could have made an x-pipe or modified a stock pipe or bought a much more expensive brand name pipe, if I thought the expense and result would be worthwhile.

is this on a stock exhuast or aftermarket? have you noticed an HP increase after the swap>?

pbonsalb · 10-27-2012, 12:52 PM

Absolutely on the power increase. I did a pulley first and believed I could feel that. The gain from the exhaust was more dramatic. I did not think it lost anything on the bottom end. I totally believe the +20 to +25 rwhp results most people get from a catless x-pipe. My rear exhaust is stock. I have yet to see any dynos of gains from rear exhaust changes, though people seem to like the sound changes. Even BMW makes no power gain for its $4000 rear exhaust, and claims only a more powerful sound. I daily drive the car so I want a civilized sound.

I have not been on the dyno to verify, but I will say that I thought the car was a bit slow before and now I think it is OK for a driver. It goes pretty good.

gatorfast · 10-27-2012, 02:05 PM

If you are looking to save a buck why not just have the shop cut out your oem cats/resonators and replace with HFC/straight pipes? That would by far be the most cost effective option.

Chriskm3 · 10-28-2012, 12:20 PM

Muffler shop will not remove primary cats. I tried. It's not a budget issue but more of cost effectiveness. I refuse to pay 2000 for a xpipe when fabricating equivalent piece for 1/3 is more logical.

MikeE92M3 · 10-28-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriskm3

Muffler shop will not remove primary cats. I tried. It's not a budget issue but more of cost effectiveness. I refuse to pay 2000 for a xpipe when fabricating equivalent piece for 1/3 is more logical.

I agree. However, turner motorsports re-released their test pipes. Best price around. They ship next week.

10-26-2012, 06:45 PM	#1
Chriskm3 Colonel 59 Rep 2,186 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	X pipe questions. I was at a Local muffler shop and I noticed that for a fraction of the price they can assemble a full xpipe with HFCs and resonators for a fraction of Aa and other brands out there. I questioned the quality of parts but was assured that all is equivilant to most of the units on the market. Please forward your kind two cents on this topic. Thanks.
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10-26-2012, 07:04 PM	#2
CarbonFoot Lieutenant 37 Rep 421 Posts Drives: 2024 M3 CS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: CA - Bay Area iTrader: (3)	I'm sure your local shop can build a decent one for you, but for my money, I'd go with design that has been proven. Power, sound, fit and durability are all factors I would consider before buying an x-pipe. Have a custom one built just leaves a lot of unknowns on the table, which I for one wouldn't be comfortable with.
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10-26-2012, 07:13 PM	#3
Stronghammer Lieutenant 42 Rep 590 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: south carolina iTrader: (3)	The guys at my local shop say the same thing. I still have a stock midpipe but when the time comes to switch it out I may let them fabricate a custom x pipe for me. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 MR July 11 ED Sept 11 PCD Mods: ESS VT1, MS test pipes, 19 BBS CH-R, Eibach pro springs, Painted reflectors, carbon fiber grills, Painted side markers with dark tinted lenses, 30% tint, Arkym rear diffuser, Innotech axle back exhaust, Performance spoiler
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10-26-2012, 07:31 PM	#4
MikeE92M3 Captain 39 Rep 623 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (5)	I bought this:http://www.carid.com/universal-exhau...FQWe4AodV2kA0Q And just had him build off of it. __________________ 2008 (07/08) E92 M3 BPM Stage II Tuned by Mike Benvo, 6MT, Turner Test Pipes, Magnaflow Custom Catback Exhaust (Magnaflow X Pipe, secondary cat delete, Aero Resonators and Helmholtz Chambers),Vorsteiner CF Lip, Hamann Style CF rear diffuser, CF Rear Decklid Spoiler, BMW Performance Kidney Grills, CF Side Grills, OEM GTS Wheels, K&N Drop-In Filter, GP Thunder 8k Angel Eyes, Painted Reflectors.
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10-26-2012, 08:35 PM	#5
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5212 Rep 10,594 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	You can buy a Top Speed x-pipe for about $500. Can't fabricate one for that. Maybe for twice as much, but it won't be twice as good.
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10-27-2012, 10:33 AM	#7
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5212 Rep 10,594 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I have been running the top speed x-pipe for a year. Paid $475 shipped. It was too loud since it has no cats and no resonators so I added 4 resonators. They cost $200 plus $150 for welding. I did the cutting and tack welding and test fitting. I think top speed sells one now with two resonators but I wanted 4 for extra civilization. I could have made an x-pipe or modified a stock pipe or bought a much more expensive brand name pipe, if I thought the expense and result would be worthwhile.
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10-27-2012, 12:52 PM	#9
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5212 Rep 10,594 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Absolutely on the power increase. I did a pulley first and believed I could feel that. The gain from the exhaust was more dramatic. I did not think it lost anything on the bottom end. I totally believe the +20 to +25 rwhp results most people get from a catless x-pipe. My rear exhaust is stock. I have yet to see any dynos of gains from rear exhaust changes, though people seem to like the sound changes. Even BMW makes no power gain for its $4000 rear exhaust, and claims only a more powerful sound. I daily drive the car so I want a civilized sound. I have not been on the dyno to verify, but I will say that I thought the car was a bit slow before and now I think it is OK for a driver. It goes pretty good.
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10-27-2012, 02:05 PM	#10
gatorfast Major General 4992 Rep 6,860 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	If you are looking to save a buck why not just have the shop cut out your oem cats/resonators and replace with HFC/straight pipes? That would by far be the most cost effective option.
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10-28-2012, 12:20 PM	#11
Chriskm3 Colonel 59 Rep 2,186 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	Muffler shop will not remove primary cats. I tried. It's not a budget issue but more of cost effectiveness. I refuse to pay 2000 for a xpipe when fabricating equivalent piece for 1/3 is more logical.
	Appreciate 0 Quote