** iPE Innotech F1 Evo Exhaust review (WITH videos) **

[MR///M3]

Hey guys,
I got my car two weeks ago today and had the iPE Innotech F1 evolution exhaust installed last Friday along with my RD springs. A whole picture thread of my car will be put up tomorrow in the picture section, so this thread is mainly just for my review of the exhaust. If you like what you see contact Eric@pyspeed.com for an awesome quote.

Packaging and physical quality:
The exhaust was packaged pretty well, not a problem at all with dents or scratches. The welds were awesome, very clean and neat. By looking into the F1 exclusive x-pipe, you can tell there was a lot of engineering involved in making it sound the way it does.

Install and ease of use of valvetronic system:
I got it installed at Autocouture Motoring and they did a fabulous job in the install. All the electronics are hidden and you can't tell the engine bay was touched at all. The valves work perfectly and close almost immediately when you press the remote's buttons. It is very easy to use.

Sound quality and daily-drivability:
To put all of this in perspective, I live in a pretty quiet town where everyone drives priuses and there aren't many loud sports cars, so my car would really stand out with the valves open (on top of that the cops in my area give tickets for anything). With that said here is my review of the sound: With the valves closed, it is VERY livable. After the cold start goes away, it is actually very quiet below 3,000rpms. After 3,000rpms it starts showing its personality. It has a very very exotic tone to it even with the valves closed (the videos don't really capture the high pitched sound in the high rpms, sorry about that). But, one could cruise around town below 3,000rpms at all times and not even be noticed by too many people (which I really like).

Now on to the valves open: With them open, it turns into a whole different animal. It is MUCH louder, but very refined and extremely exotic. My friends all say it sounds like a street bike. I really love the sound, it is definitely something that makes you smile every time you rip it. I can't say enough about how great the sound is. Also, with DCT and how quick it shifts, the downshifts and upshifts are intoxicating (this applies for valves closed too).

As for power gains:
I forgot to mention this earlier, but you don't need O2 sims for this exhaust or a tune (it doesn't throw a CEL). As for power, I definitely feel more power. The car feels very fast now. I honestly don't really notice any power loss with the valves closed though, but maybe I need more seat time (I've only driven about 100-150 miles with it so far).

Now for the moment you've been waiting for, the videos:

Sorry this one is really blurry, I focused on the remote so you guys could see what it looks like, and then it never refocused on the car):

[THE TECH]

Glad to see you finally got it on!

[Dellort_M3]

Nice vids. Sounds good.
btw what is the auto button on the fob for?

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Dellort_M3

Nice vids. Sounds good.
btw what is the auto button on the fob for?

I would guess that it keeps the valves closed unless you're on it full throttle.

[MR///M3]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Glad to see you finally got it on!

I know, finally!

Originally Posted by Dellort_M3

Nice vids. Sounds good.
btw what is the auto button on the fob for?

Thanks, the auto button opens up the valves past ~4000rpm.

[THE TECH]

Definitely sounds good. Prob way better in person.

[MR///M3]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Definitely sounds good. Prob way better in person.

Thanks, yea the iPhone's mic doesn't pick up the sound with the valves open past like 4-5k rpms. It gets more high pitched, its definitely something you have to hear in person.

[mshab356]

Sounds good. But judging from the second video, is it me or does the exhaust gas come out of the inner exhaust pipes when closed and outer pipes when opened? Seems odd to me

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by mshab356

Sounds good. But judging from the second video, is it me or does the exhaust gas come out of the inner exhaust pipes when closed and outer pipes when opened? Seems odd to me

Most exhausts are that way. The gases will normally flow out of one tip more than the other.

[MR///M3]

Originally Posted by mshab356

Sounds good. But judging from the second video, is it me or does the exhaust gas come out of the inner exhaust pipes when closed and outer pipes when opened? Seems odd to me

well they come out of the inners obviously when the outer ones are closed. The valves completely close off the outer tips. And when the valves are open, the exhaust gas comes out of all four, but it's going to look like it mostly comes out of the outer tips because the outer ones are pretty much straight pipes (so the gas will go through the path of least resistance and biggest opening, the outer tips).

also, it was 45 degrees out when I filmed it, so it looks like theres way more exhaust gas than there is.

[saeedg48]

jesus !

[mshab356]

I was just confused as to why it looked like that. My dad's X6M is that way, oem valvetronic exhaust. Figured it was that way, was just trying to confirm. Very nice exhaust! My favorite sounding one

[IMG]

Sounds awesome with the valves open !

[blackbeast535]

Damn... that sounds amazing!

[M3SQRD]

Sounds nice with the valve open...glad to see all of your stockpiled aftermarket parts finally being put to good use

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

Does your whole town hate you yet?

[JDM3]

Glad your enjoying it! Bart took me for a ride in one a few months back.....A little to loud for my tastes with valves open. Overall.....sick car! Needs a taste of ESS

[Dellort_M3]

That auto feature sounds cool.

op: any plans to do a rolling vid. Ive heard a kreissieg both revving stationary and driving. and from my experience, revving while not under load does not represent the exhaust well. Still sounds good, just doesnt do it justice.

[MR///M3]

Originally Posted by saeedg48

jesus !

Originally Posted by img

Sounds awesome with the valves open !

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

WOW!!!

Originally Posted by blackbeast535

Damn... that sounds amazing!

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by dbarnes

Sounds nice with the valve open...glad to see all of your stockpiled aftermarket parts finally being put to good use

Thanks Donnie! Yea I know, My garage looks so empty now without tons of boxes, although I still have my summer wheels in the boxes as well as 8 tires just sitting around

Originally Posted by mshab356

I was just confused as to why it looked like that. My dad's X6M is that way, oem valvetronic exhaust. Figured it was that way, was just trying to confirm. Very nice exhaust! My favorite sounding one

Oh ok. Yea the cold weather definitely exaggerates that look. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Sal@AUTOcouture

Does your whole town hate you yet?

Haha, I mostly cruise around town with the valves closed. I would definitely attract too much attention from cops with it open (there are normally 3-4 cops sitting around in their cars on my town's main street that I have to drive through every day). The install was flawless though Sal, thanks again!

Originally Posted by 1SICKM

Glad your enjoying it! Bart took me for a ride in one a few months back.....A little to loud for my tastes with valves open. Overall.....sick car! Needs a taste of ESS

Yea the valves open is something that you have to do on occasion, I couldn't drive all day every day with it open (the reason I absolutely LOVE the valve option, because with my stereo on just quietly cruising with the valves closed, I don't hear the exhaust at all.

Originally Posted by Dellort_M3

That auto feature sounds cool.

op: any plans to do a rolling vid. Ive heard a kreissieg both revving stationary and driving. and from my experience, revving while not under load does not represent the exhaust well. Still sounds good, just doesnt do it justice.

Yea I'll try to get one this weekend, I already have the perfect road in mind (I have to pick something somewhat isolated as to not piss people off haha). Or maybe Monday. I couldn't really do that by myself (the only reason I didn't film any like that), but I'll have a friend help out and film while I do some runs.

[MR///M3]

Link to pics of my car (sorry for the poor quality):

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...2#post10997082

[mkPOTO]

Great write up

[davramic]

I think you just helped sell me on this. Just wish my pocket book wasn't crying. Great vids!!