E 93 Resonators vs HFC

Curly71 · 12-13-2023, 07:29 PM

Hey everyone, I recently bought an 2009 E 93 that came with an Eisenmen Sport exhaust and Cats deleted. While I would like to get high Flo Cats to try and tame the drone a bit, really don't want to spend $3K. Any thoughts on adding some resonators to help. I live in Indianapolis and there are no emission testing so can get by without Cats, and the car was tuned without...
Thanks

M3SQRD · 12-14-2023, 11:19 AM

I have two e92 m3s. One with full AA with/HFCs and the second has an Akra with HFC setup. I have the option to turn the AA setup without cats and, personally, I just don’t like the sound (and smell). My personal recommendation would be to add HFCs over a second pair of resonators. I don’t think the resonators will give you the sound you’re looking for. Good luck with your decision between cats and resonators.

GtiGyver · 12-14-2023, 02:01 PM

I agree.
I installed HFC after having previously gone catless, and I'd never go back.
All the rasp and smell is gone, and it's just so much easy to deal with every day.

Curly71 · 12-17-2023, 08:06 PM

Appreciate both responses. I have been in contact with IND who sell a Macht Schnell x pipe that they can add HFCs to which all said and done would be around $2500. I hate to spend that kind of money not knowing, but do think it would be an upgrade regardless

nrubenstein · 12-18-2023, 11:29 AM

It's worth noting that a stock midpipe with the primary cats deleted (i.e. test pipes) gets you probably 90-95% of the benefit of a catted x-pipe for a lot less money.

theletterm · 12-20-2023, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curly71

Appreciate both responses. I have been in contact with IND who sell a Macht Schnell x pipe that they can add HFCs to which all said and done would be around $2500. I hate to spend that kind of money not knowing, but do think it would be an upgrade regardless

$2500?!?!

The x-pipes $1000, right? You can buy a pair of GESI cats for like $400 and have a muffler shop weld them in for you

https://www.stainlessbros.com/Gesi-G...EPA_p_779.html

Tragiclil · 12-20-2023, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

It's worth noting that a stock midpipe with the primary cats deleted (i.e. test pipes) gets you probably 90-95% of the benefit of a catted x-pipe for a lot less money.

Why is that? Mostly because of the secondary cats? Is drone/rasps smell tamed on stock x-pipe with text pipes due to secondary cats and resonator?

perry_dg · 12-21-2023, 03:38 PM

I decided to keep my stock mid-pipe and primary cats with my Dinan rear section, but I removed the secondary cats.

No emissions/visual testing issues for CA smog. No rasp, no smell. In fact in my opinion, it enhanced the already subtle, but deep growl that the Dinan gave to the car, and further amplified that smooth exotic "howl" tone that comes into volume at certain RPM's.

I love how it turned out personally, I daily drive my car and it's very livable with the capability to engage that good ol' "BMW owner" mode when I want to step on it a little and let the downshifts growl a bit.

Curly71 · 12-22-2023, 12:52 PM

Regarding the cost for HFC to be added to the X pipe, the link sent does show a decent price for the cats, but those are 300 cell cats, vs the ones I’m looking at are 400 cell, which are much more expensive (and from what I can tell are considered street legal) the 300s are not…
My big thing is trying to tame the drone…

12-13-2023, 07:29 PM	#1
Curly71 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	E 93 Resonators vs HFC Hey everyone, I recently bought an 2009 E 93 that came with an Eisenmen Sport exhaust and Cats deleted. While I would like to get high Flo Cats to try and tame the drone a bit, really don't want to spend $3K. Any thoughts on adding some resonators to help. I live in Indianapolis and there are no emission testing so can get by without Cats, and the car was tuned without... Thanks
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12-14-2023, 11:19 AM	#2
M3SQRD Major General 3384 Rep 7,052 Posts Drives: E92 M3,G20 330ix,F22 240iX,F82 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (12)	I have two e92 m3s. One with full AA with/HFCs and the second has an Akra with HFC setup. I have the option to turn the AA setup without cats and, personally, I just don’t like the sound (and smell). My personal recommendation would be to add HFCs over a second pair of resonators. I don’t think the resonators will give you the sound you’re looking for. Good luck with your decision between cats and resonators.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-14-2023, 02:01 PM	#3
GtiGyver Lieutenant 70 Rep 462 Posts Drives: 2009 Space Grey E90 328i MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal iTrader: (3)	I agree. I installed HFC after having previously gone catless, and I'd never go back. All the rasp and smell is gone, and it's just so much easy to deal with every day.
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12-17-2023, 08:06 PM	#4
Curly71 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Thanks Appreciate both responses. I have been in contact with IND who sell a Macht Schnell x pipe that they can add HFCs to which all said and done would be around $2500. I hate to spend that kind of money not knowing, but do think it would be an upgrade regardless
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-18-2023, 11:29 AM	#5
nrubenstein Captain 569 Rep 801 Posts Drives: E30 M3/E36 M3/E46 M3/E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (2)	It's worth noting that a stock midpipe with the primary cats deleted (i.e. test pipes) gets you probably 90-95% of the benefit of a catted x-pipe for a lot less money. __________________ 2011.75 E90 M3 \| 2006 GMC Sierra LBZ \| 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT \| 1995 M3 S50B32 \| 1990 325is \| 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1996 911 Turbo \| 1989 325iX
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12-21-2023, 03:38 PM	#8
perry_dg Private 80 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2013 Mineral White E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Dublin, CA iTrader: (0)	I decided to keep my stock mid-pipe and primary cats with my Dinan rear section, but I removed the secondary cats. No emissions/visual testing issues for CA smog. No rasp, no smell. In fact in my opinion, it enhanced the already subtle, but deep growl that the Dinan gave to the car, and further amplified that smooth exotic "howl" tone that comes into volume at certain RPM's. I love how it turned out personally, I daily drive my car and it's very livable with the capability to engage that good ol' "BMW owner" mode when I want to step on it a little and let the downshifts growl a bit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2023, 12:52 PM	#9
Curly71 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Regarding the cost for HFC to be added to the X pipe, the link sent does show a decent price for the cats, but those are 300 cell cats, vs the ones I’m looking at are 400 cell, which are much more expensive (and from what I can tell are considered street legal) the 300s are not… My big thing is trying to tame the drone…
	Appreciate 0 Quote