AA catless X-pipes or Challenge Race X-pipes?

Zzhou · 02-08-2012, 11:06 PM

Hi, I am ready to get x-pipes added to my AA rear section. Here in IN we don't have any emission test, so I think I will just go catless. Will get the AA ECU tune. Now deciding between AA catless X-pipes and Challenge Race X-pipes. any different in power gains? Both has two res, and Challenge Race is litter chipper than AA, also are there any different in sound?

any input is helping me~

Rekrul · 02-08-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhouzitao

Hi, I am ready to get x-pipes added to my AA rear section. Here in IN we don't have any emission test, so I think I will just go catless. Will get the AA ECU tune. Now deciding between AA catless X-pipes and Challenge Race X-pipes. any different in power gains? Both has two res, and Challenge Race is litter chipper than AA, also are there any different in sound?

any input is helping me~

Do a search for my thread. They are both dual resonated.. probably very similar sounds.

aznkuja328 · 02-08-2012, 11:32 PM

if the challenge one was only a little bit cheaper, i would go with aa. (to complete your whole aa setup e.g. rear and ecu)

Zzhou · 02-08-2012, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rekrul

Do a search for my thread. They are both dual resonated.. probably very similar sounds.

I did lots of search, but no one compared the power gains side by side...

tom @ eas · 02-09-2012, 12:16 AM

Fitment is by far superior on the Challenge piece.

PAKMAN · 02-09-2012, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Fitment is by far superior on the Challenge piece.

agreed, just put mine on this week and it is awesome.

Zzhou · 02-09-2012, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznkuja328

if the challenge one was only a little bit cheaper, i would go with aa. (to complete your whole aa setup e.g. rear and ecu)

like $200 cheaper

Zzhou · 02-09-2012, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Fitment is by far superior on the Challenge piece.

I'm not too worried about the fitment, I think both of them is very good in terms of fitment.

pbonsalb · 02-09-2012, 06:58 AM

How about Mastermind? Looks very nice and is $300 cheaper. EAS sells them.

Zzhou · 02-09-2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

How about Mastermind? Looks very nice and is $300 cheaper. EAS sells them.

since it is new on the market， still need more feed back from user

pbonsalb · 02-09-2012, 09:01 AM

All the x-pipes are pretty much the same in terms of sound and performance. The question is just whether it has cats and how many resonators, if any.

Zzhou · 02-09-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

All the x-pipes are pretty much the same in terms of sound and performance. The question is just whether it has cats and how many resonators, if any.

Thanks, so these two will be about the same. Than I will pick challenge for cheaper price.

golfinz · 02-09-2012, 10:12 AM

What about the Mastermind x pipe? Its cheaper then both and I like the 'X' part of their pipe. A true 'X' (aka, four pieces of pipe welded together) is supposed to scavenge better then two pipes that are cut down the middle then welded together

pbonsalb · 02-09-2012, 10:45 AM

See Post #9 and #10. He wants to spend the extra money on a Challenge because it has been around longer. He does not seem to trust EAS's recent review and dyno test of the Mastermind:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=642948

Zzhou · 02-09-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

See Post #9 and #10. He wants to spend the extra money on a Challenge because it has been around longer. He does not seem to trust EAS's recent review and dyno test of the Mastermind:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=642948

I Ordered AA finally.. two reasons. #1 all my stuff are from them. #2 they took my offer.

edwinm3 · 02-09-2012, 05:12 PM

Good choice I have their x pipe, cat exhaust, filter, pulley. Just got it tuned at their shop yesterday and let me tell you day and night . Car sounds very nice. Best part to me is no more cold start problems. I hated that. Now when I start her up in the mornings it's a smooth start. No more complaints from neighbors about my car. Had 3 complaints already. It's only loud when you get on it and it's a nice tone/exotic. I have no drone and you can definitely feel the extra hp

edwinm3 · 02-09-2012, 05:14 PM

Forgot to mention my x pipe has their hfc's. I also have the straight pipes in my tool box for whenever I wanna go catless I can. Reason for doing cats is couldn't take the smell/fumes

Zzhou · 02-09-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwinm3

Good choice I have their x pipe, cat exhaust, filter, pulley. Just got it tuned at their shop yesterday and let me tell you day and night . Car sounds very nice. Best part to me is no more cold start problems. I hated that. Now when I start her up in the mornings it's a smooth start. No more complaints from neighbors about my car. Had 3 complaints already. It's only loud when you get on it and it's a nice tone/exotic. I have no drone and you can definitely feel the extra hp

had their rear section for 3K miles. drone 1500-2000 but I get use to it. ordered AA Tune with x-pipe. will report in few weeks. for the pulley, did you install it by yourself? i will get pulley next.

img · 02-09-2012, 11:23 PM

you made the right move,AA,Challenge and Masterminds are great pieces but since you got the tune and axle back fro AA.IMO it would be right to have all there stuff.

edwinm3 · 02-10-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhouzitao

had their rear section for 3K miles. drone 1500-2000 but I get use to it. ordered AA Tune with x-pipe. will report in few weeks. for the pulley, did you install it by yourself? i will get pulley next.

Yes the pulley I installed myself, its a breeze

Zzhou · 02-10-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwinm3

Yes the pulley I installed myself, its a breeze

My skills are not advanced.. never did this kind of DIY before..

edwinm3 · 02-10-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhouzitao

My skills are not advanced.. never did this kind of DIY before..

It's really not hard at all.

02-08-2012, 11:06 PM	#1
Zzhou Lieutenant Drives: 2012 E92 SSII ZCP DCT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: West Lafayette,IN/Shanghai,China Posts: 522 iTrader: (0)	AA catless X-pipes or Challenge Race X-pipes? Hi, I am ready to get x-pipes added to my AA rear section. Here in IN we don't have any emission test, so I think I will just go catless. Will get the AA ECU tune. Now deciding between AA catless X-pipes and Challenge Race X-pipes. any different in power gains? Both has two res, and Challenge Race is litter chipper than AA, also are there any different in sound? any input is helping me~
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02-09-2012, 12:16 AM	#5
tom @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 8,852 iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 ESS VT2-525 Z4MC [0.00] 2011 ESS VT2-625 M3 [0.00]	Fitment is by far superior on the Challenge piece. __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com tel 866.669.0705 \| ca: 714.369.8524 x22 \| fax: 714.908.1796 Blog \| Facebook \| YouTube \| Flickr \| Twitter

02-09-2012, 05:12 PM	#16
edwinm3 Captain Drives: 2008 JEREZ BLACK M3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Doral Posts: 762 iTrader: (2)	Good choice I have their x pipe, cat exhaust, filter, pulley. Just got it tuned at their shop yesterday and let me tell you day and night . Car sounds very nice. Best part to me is no more cold start problems. I hated that. Now when I start her up in the mornings it's a smooth start. No more complaints from neighbors about my car. Had 3 complaints already. It's only loud when you get on it and it's a nice tone/exotic. I have no drone and you can definitely feel the extra hp __________________ AA Exhaust, AA X Pipe, AA SSK, AA Geen Air filter, AA Pulley, AA Tune

02-09-2012, 05:14 PM	#17
edwinm3 Captain Drives: 2008 JEREZ BLACK M3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Doral Posts: 762 iTrader: (2)	Forgot to mention my x pipe has their hfc's. I also have the straight pipes in my tool box for whenever I wanna go catless I can. Reason for doing cats is couldn't take the smell/fumes __________________ AA Exhaust, AA X Pipe, AA SSK, AA Geen Air filter, AA Pulley, AA Tune

02-09-2012, 11:23 PM	#19
img VT3 Drives: E36 M3 Track car,Ess E90 M3 DD Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Couch Posts: 5,866 iTrader: (5)	you made the right move,AA,Challenge and Masterminds are great pieces but since you got the tune and axle back fro AA.IMO it would be right to have all there stuff. __________________ NO FEAR.NO LIMITS.NO EQUAL Ess VT3 LC built motor,Volk TE37SL,Challenge modefied Xpipe,Akra axle back CF tips. LOW BOOST 60-130 6.7 sec

02-08-2012, 11:32 PM	#3
aznkuja328 Private Drives: 10 JB E92 M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 90 iTrader: (1)	if the challenge one was only a little bit cheaper, i would go with aa. (to complete your whole aa setup e.g. rear and ecu)

02-09-2012, 06:58 AM	#9
pbonsalb Major Drives: 08 E90 M3, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 1,172 iTrader: (3)	How about Mastermind? Looks very nice and is $300 cheaper. EAS sells them.

02-09-2012, 09:01 AM	#11
pbonsalb Major Drives: 08 E90 M3, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 1,172 iTrader: (3)	All the x-pipes are pretty much the same in terms of sound and performance. The question is just whether it has cats and how many resonators, if any.

02-09-2012, 10:12 AM	#13
golfinz Lieutenant Drives: 2007 335 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: usa Posts: 554 iTrader: (3)	What about the Mastermind x pipe? Its cheaper then both and I like the 'X' part of their pipe. A true 'X' (aka, four pieces of pipe welded together) is supposed to scavenge better then two pipes that are cut down the middle then welded together

02-09-2012, 10:45 AM	#14
pbonsalb Major Drives: 08 E90 M3, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 1,172 iTrader: (3)	See Post #9 and #10. He wants to spend the extra money on a Challenge because it has been around longer. He does not seem to trust EAS's recent review and dyno test of the Mastermind: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=642948

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