From Loud to obnoxiously loud to Civil and the in between (some exhaust setups )

[ms372]

For the past few years, I have been playing around with my exhaust setup. It all started with the need for a more pronounced sound for the symphony of our beloved s65 engine. As you all know, the M3 has one of the quietest exhaust systems on any performance car!


Meisterschaft GT2 (muffer only)

I started with a somewhat of a loud exhaust; something most people here would consider too loud: the Meisterschaft GT2. In comparison to all the race exhaust I’ve heard (muffler only), it is by far the loudest and best sounding! However, I wouldn’t recommend it for a DD as it drones around the 2-3k range like every other race exhaust.

Meisterschaft GT2 and Challenge sport x-pipe

In search for more power, I decided to add the Challenge sport x-pipe. I picked the sport since it retains the secondary cats. I figured I would be ok with the extra sound and that it wouldn’t be too much, but boy was I wrong! The car went from pretty loud to obnoxiously loud! I couldn't go past 3k rpm in the city. It recorded over 110 dB. Downshifts were ear-piercing ! Even though I loved it, I couldn’t drive it on the street or on a track (you would get black flagged in no time).

OEM stock exhaust + challenge sport x-pipe

During the transition into my current setup, I was running the stock muffler with my challenge sport pipes. This setup is perfect if you want the extra power. I had zero rasp with the stock muffler, but I hated the look of the stock muffler. The car simply looked incomplete!


Akrapovic slip on + challenge sport x-pipe

Finally, the final setup was my challenge x-pipe with an Akrapovic slip on: a piece of art!! It is loud just right! There is no drone whatsoever. It is civil both on the highway and on the streets with a deep throaty sound. At WOT, it opens up perfectly when you give it some gas. The only downfall to the akra slip on is that I had to get adapters in order for it to fit my challenge x-pipe. All in all, I am loving my new exhaust more and more!!

[crabman]

Nice job, thanks for taking the time.

[E92M3GT]

Good !

How about the sound of the Akra slip on with stock X pipe ? Ok or a bit too quiet ?

[momo3605]

Originally Posted by E92M3GT

Good !

How about the sound of the Akra slip on with stock X pipe ? Ok or a bit too quiet ?

Yea, it's really quiet. I heard this setup side by side with my dinan+test pipes and mine is definitely quieter than most setups, but the akra slip sounded like a vacuum. Super quiet.

[HPF_E92]

Excellent job !! Good documentation for all of us. That GT2 was really loud, almost blew my work laptop's speaker hah.

[catherineanh]

the current exhaust setup sounds great in person.

[HPF_E92]

I still don't understand how the GT2 is so loud with just an axle back setup. I kinda like how exotic it sounded tho.

[ms372]

Originally Posted by E92M3GT

Good !

How about the sound of the Akra slip on with stock X pipe ? Ok or a bit too quiet ?

Akra alone will be too quiet, just deeper than the stock muffler. I didnt go with a full evo as i like my sport x-pipe and it gives me the option of going quad resonated by just switching the secondary cats for some resonators. i also like the sound from the SS x-pipe more than a full titanium.

[ms372]

Originally Posted by HPF_E92

I still don't understand how the GT2 is so loud with just an axle back setup. I kinda like how exotic it sounded tho.

i think the acoustic of the exhaust makes it this loud. Im pretty sure it as loud or louder than a muffler delete.

[W///]

Been there too. Going through various stages of exhaust and just can never seem to get it right. Too loud, too quiet, too raspy haha.

I do like the tons of my catless Borla a lot. Looking at full catless (+4 resonators) combined with Eisenmann Race. I'm a little scared it'll be just a tad too loud for me

[GOLFFRR]

nice thanks for the vids

[ms372]

Originally Posted by HPF_E92

Excellent job !! Good documentation for all of us. That GT2 was really loud, almost blew my work laptop's speaker hah.

Thanks, i should of put a warning before that video.

[ms372]

Originally Posted by W///

Been there too. Going through various stages of exhaust and just can never seem to get it right. Too loud, too quiet, too raspy haha.

I do like the tons of my catless Borla a lot. Looking at full catless (+4 resonators) combined with Eisenmann Race. I'm a little scared it'll be just a tad too loud for me

a guy i know has ER with challenge sport, it sounds great and not extremely loud. Quad resonators will keep the rasp in check! try it and if anything you can always add some cats instead of two of the resonators.

[BURAKUSTA]

Anyone have kreissieg level 5 with primary cat delete ?

[Longboarder]

Wow that GT2 is insanely loud. Not being able to go over 3K RPMs had to be a deal breaker.

Love the progression and the end sound with the Akra and Challenge X.

[Sales@Evolve]

Many people tend to go from very loud, not being able to live with it and then start progressively go quieter and quieter.
Many enjoy their cars more like this.

Great thread and thanks for putting this up.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Sal@Evolve

Many people tend to go from very loud, not being able to live with it and then start progressively go quieter and quieter.
Many enjoy their cars more like this.

Great thread and thanks for putting this up.

I went from too loud, too quiet, about right but could use a bit more volume, now maybe full catless Eisenmann Race.

I hope I don't go completely full circle.

[Sales@Evolve]

Originally Posted by W///

I went from too loud, too quiet, about right but could use a bit more volume, now maybe full catless Eisenmann Race.

I hope I don't go completely full circle.

That will be loud!

You all need valve exhausts. Best of both worlds.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Sal@Evolve

That will be loud!

You all need valve exhausts. Best of both worlds.

Oh I know. I'm just hoping it's not unbearable loud, but it's a dangerous risk. Especially considering I'm fully catless.

I would love an Evolve system, trust me. It's just out of my league at the moment unfortunately

[Sales@Evolve]

Originally Posted by W///

Oh I know. I'm just hoping it's not unbearable loud, but it's a dangerous risk. Especially considering I'm fully catless.

I would love an Evolve system, trust me. It's just out of my league at the moment unfortunately

It will be very very loud. We have customers here with this setup.

Evolve Test pipes + Valve Rear Section brings the cost right down and almost the same power gains as a full X-pipe +/3-5hp.

I never thought of the above idea before actually.... sounds like a plan!

[ms372]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Wow that GT2 is insanely loud. Not being able to go over 3K RPMs had to be a deal breaker.

Love the progression and the end sound with the Akra and Challenge X.

yes, couldnt enjoy the car ! it just felt too slow.. the moment i took off the muffler the car just felt faster.

[Route 16]

Would the combination of challenge x-sport pipe and meist...GTC EV controlled muffler (~$4200) work in your favor? Quiet and loud at the flick of a switch?