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      06-23-2026, 09:52 PM   #1
greentrbo95gst
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X-Pipe

Hey guys, I am somewhat new to the e90 world. I curently have a F90, G80 and the new CS Handshalter on order. Daily is an IX M60. I've always wanted te get into an e90. I had a e92 for a short stint, but not long enough to learn it.

The car is a 2011 m3 with dct in IB. It has a Valvetronic rear section.
I want to get more aggressive sound and looking for an X-pipe that will provide that. Do not want to go full catless and don't want to have a CEL.
Can I ditch secondary cats without having a CEL.
What do you guys recommend for my goals? TIA
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      06-24-2026, 09:58 AM   #2
a5m
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Had to reply seeing that username. Had a red 95 GS-T. Miss that car.

Anyway, post O2 sensors are before the secondaries, so no affect on CEL by removing them. In fact many do that to get some more noise without it being overly aggressive.

Limited options for aftermarket primary cat setups. aFe, Fabspeed and Active Autowerks make some, with AA offering a new flat cat similar to OE that doesn't present any clearance issues. They don't advertise it on their site for some reason but it is a ceramic unit guaranteed to not throw a CEL. They've successfully been using it on the G8x cars.

Impressive stable there btw. F90 is one of my modern favorites.
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      06-25-2026, 09:34 PM   #3
greentrbo95gst
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a5m View Post
Had to reply seeing that username. Had a red 95 GS-T. Miss that car.

Anyway, post O2 sensors are before the secondaries, so no affect on CEL by removing them. In fact many do that to get some more noise without it being overly aggressive.

Limited options for aftermarket primary cat setups. aFe, Fabspeed and Active Autowerks make some, with AA offering a new flat cat similar to OE that doesn't present any clearance issues. They don't advertise it on their site for some reason but it is a ceramic unit guaranteed to not throw a CEL. They've successfully been using it on the G8x cars.

Impressive stable there btw. F90 is one of my modern favorites.
Haha, thanks man. That was such a long time ago.
I converted mine to GSX with a 2.3 stroker and a GT42R turbo. I can't believe I still remember.
Thanks for the advice. I ordered the AA one.
I just swapped a full M5 CS into my F90. Love that car.
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      06-26-2026, 02:26 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SauAuto View Post
Secondary cat delete should be fine CEL wise.

With that rear section I’d probably do a resonated x-pipe. Gives it a lot more sound without going full catless
I ended up getting the AA signature mid pipe with high flow cats.
Hopefully in connection with the Valvetronic exhaust it will sound great.
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