Exhaust Setup Dilemma - Corsa Rear Section, but its not enough!

[e86nut]

Hello!

I know this topic has been beat to death, but my setup is a bit different so thought it might be worth soliciting opinions.

I have a 2013 E92 Comp that is completely stock. I recently got a really good deal on a set of Corsa mufflers (300 bucks!) and while I like the sound, Im looking for a bit more volume and tone. For context, when I removed the stock muffler to install the corsa, I drove around for a day without the muffler to see what that would be like. Of course, anything below 4k rpm its unbearable - the drone, volume raspy-ness is atrocious. But over 5k RPM, it sounded absolutely mind blowing. Almost like a 458, which is crazy for a cross plan crank motor.

The corsa is great tone-wise but I'm looking for a little more volume and high rpm symphony. I'm also not too keen on doing like a bimmer-world x-pipe or any other catless x-pipe which would require a tune unless I have no other choice

My initial idea was purely to cut out the secondary cat and either weld a pipe in its place or a resonator. Any opinions on if that would help? Or any other thoughts in general? Thanks!


PS: this is a video of the M3 all stock without the rear muffler: https://youtube.com/shorts/iaWveTaaS7k?feature=share. Enjoy!

[MineralWhiteF80]

Welcome to the world of trial and error!! You basically need to find the sweet spot to you by removing cats and likely adding resonators in either the primary, secondary cat locations, or both locations depending on your taste.

Originally Posted by e86nut

I'm also not too keen on doing like a bimmer-world x-pipe or any other catless x-pipe which would require a tune unless I have no other choice

If you keep the X in the x-pipe in the factory location, it is not absolutely mandatory to get a tune if you go catless. You could make more power by getting a tune, but you definitely wont be slower!

Originally Posted by e86nut

My initial idea was purely to cut out the secondary cat and either weld a pipe in its place or a resonator. Any opinions on if that would help? Or any other thoughts in general

Removing secondary cats is one good place to start to add volume while still being emissions compliant and not having a check engine light on for "increased emissions." Getting rid of the cats is what is going to increase your volume the most, but at the expense of adding some rasp. Rasp isnt a bad thing as long as its "badass racecar rasp" and not obnoxious 350Z/G35/JDM 4cyl rasp.

Depending on your personal opinions of what resonators actually do (some say they tune unwanted noise out but do not affect the volume, some say they make the exhaust quieter and reduce unwanted high frequency noises), I think removing the secondary cats and replacing them with straight exhaust pipe is a good start but may not be enough increase for you.

Removing the primary cats and secondary cats and replacing with resonators will likely give you lots more volume with the least amount of rasp. I've seen several people rave about the "Six Resonator" x-pipe being great.

I personally have the Corsa axle back exhaust with just test pipes that remove the primary cats. It has great volume- its loud when you want it to be up top, sounds great when around town, but can also be quiet when cruising at light throttle. The possible downside are the addition of rasp and check engine light for emissions. I think the rasp is a really good rasp sound, but some disagree with any amount of rasp at all so

youtube.com/@thatwhitem4 if you want to listen to some in-car footage of my E92.

[drwankel]

Honestly, test pipes is probably what you want. Yes you will need a tune if you want to remove the check engine light, but its not too big of a deal, plus other benefits. The secondary cats do a good enough job at removing the smell, and there is little to no rasp with this setup. (stock resonators remain)

I'm in the Seattle area, and that is the combo I am running. Corsa + test pipes. If you want to hear it in person we could arrange something. Let me know.

[GinTonic]

Find a used Macht Schnell x pipe, and keep the stock x pipe in case you sell your car. A. you won't lose money on the MS x pipe if you ever choose to sell it, and you can revert back to stock if you choose to sell the car. Last, get a stage 2 tune. It is worth it for a lot of reasons discussed on the board.

[amrazM]

dont cut up your stock x pipe, any aftermarket x pipe will enhance the sound.

[bmwm3s65]

My first and only exhaust i have owned on my e90 m3 is the megan racing with test pipes. I love it, but i was interested in the corsa only if it were at least as loud as the megan. has anyone here owned both with test pipes? That is the biggest con i have heard with the corsa is that it is on the more conservative less loud side, slightly louder than stock.

[christoepurrr]

I have not owned a Megan Racing exhaust, but I can confirm that Corsa exhaust with a catless x-pipe is definitely loud (in a good way).

[e86nut]

Originally Posted by drwankel

Honestly, test pipes is probably what you want. Yes you will need a tune if you want to remove the check engine light, but its not too big of a deal, plus other benefits. The secondary cats do a good enough job at removing the smell, and there is little to no rasp with this setup. (stock resonators remain)

I'm in the Seattle area, and that is the combo I am running. Corsa + test pipes. If you want to hear it in person we could arrange something. Let me know.

DM'ed you!

[vitalsigns]

I'd keep the Corsa and get a full Eventuri plenum, intake and airbox.

I have a Dinan exhaust and with the Eventuri set up, I have no desire for a louder exhaust.

[shadowblue]

e86nut, what did you end up doing? Sort of in a similar boat

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by shadowblue

e86nut, what did you end up doing? Sort of in a similar boat

Mine:

Corsa plus test pipes out back, CF airbox lid, CF plenum elbow with large K&n style filter and cabin air intake filter box delete up front. It’s a great blend of induction and exhaust music into the cabin without spending thousands of dollars on a carbon fiber plenum. It gets comically terrifying much above 6k rpm.

[GOFAST M3]

I'm about to start this expirement.

I currently have Borla ATAK with test pipes. It sounds great 90% of the time, but it's a bit too rowdy when really getting on the gas.

I recently purchased a used Corsa, and a used x-pipe with quad resantors to give me options to tune the sound to my opinion of perfection.

I am going to start with just replacing the muffler, and running the Corsa with the stock x-pipe w/test pipes.

If that's still too rowdy high in the RPMs, I will add GESI cats to the after market x-pipe and try that out.

Will report back in a week or two with how the COrsa compared to Borla, and how I like the Corsa with Test Pipes. I have a feeling that combo will be perfect.

[a5m]

Originally Posted by GOFAST M3

I'm about to start this expirement.

I currently have Borla ATAK with test pipes. It sounds great 90% of the time, but it's a bit too rowdy when really getting on the gas.

I recently purchased a used Corsa, and a used x-pipe with quad resantors to give me options to tune the sound to my opinion of perfection.

I am going to start with just replacing the muffler, and running the Corsa with the stock x-pipe w/test pipes.

If that's still too rowdy high in the RPMs, I will add GESI cats to the after market x-pipe and try that out.

Will report back in a week or two with how the COrsa compared to Borla, and how I like the Corsa with Test Pipes. I have a feeling that combo will be perfect.

The Corsa with test pipes seems to be the perfect combo so interested to hear your thoughts.

What GESi cats do you plan to use? The cheaper GESi 10025 cats that people used to use are apparently discontinued so a bit hard to find.

[GOFAST M3]

Originally Posted by a5m

The Corsa with test pipes seems to be the perfect combo so interested to hear your thoughts.

What GESi cats do you plan to use? The cheaper GESi 10025 cats that people used to use are apparently discontinued so a bit hard to find.

Yeah, I am predicting I'll really like the Corsa w/test pipes too.

Yes, those are the same cats I am thinking. I am not 100% sure on the diameter of the X-pipe I bought(used), so GESI 10025, 10030...one of those for sure.

I couldnt find them online either, but then checked GESI's website, and they seem in stock. $202-209 respectively on their site now.

https://www.gsportbygesi.com/g-sport...stems-products

I'll certainly report back, the Corsa is still stuck with USPS in California, but am excited to get it fitted when it arrives.

[m3s65b4.x]

Hi, can you describe sound difference between US domestic Corsa vs Active Autowerke Gen.2 mufflers, price tag 2700 vs 1600 USD
In this thread overall conclusions tends to appreciate Corsa exhaust.

[a5m]

Originally Posted by GOFAST M3

Yeah, I am predicting I'll really like the Corsa w/test pipes too.

Yes, those are the same cats I am thinking. I am not 100% sure on the diameter of the X-pipe I bought(used), so GESI 10025, 10030...one of those for sure.

I couldnt find them online either, but then checked GESI's website, and they seem in stock. $202-209 respectively on their site now.

https://www.gsportbygesi.com/g-sport-emissions-systems-products

I'll certainly report back, the Corsa is still stuck with USPS in California, but am excited to get it fitted when it arrives.

Ha, yea, looks like you can just buy from GESi directly. Well that's easy, check the manufacturer first lol.

Hope your Corsa comes in soon. It's such a good system. Shame it goes unnoticed.

[GOFAST M3]

Originally Posted by m3s65b4.x

Hi, can you describe sound difference between US domestic Corsa vs Active Autowerke Gen.2 mufflers, price tag 2700 vs 1600 USD
In this thread overall conclusions tends to appreciate Corsa exhaust.

Sorry, I've never heard either in person actually, and my opinions below are from listening to videos alone.

I think the AA is deeper, closer to the Borla, and possibly with mild drone.

The Corsa, will have a more exotic sound, with no drone at all.

I searched and found a used Corsa system, in very good condition, and it was $1550 shipped to my house. They're out there for sure if that's really what you want.

Depends what tone you are after, I am looking for something different(have Borla now) and closer to the high pitch exotic sound.

Good Luck!

[GOFAST M3]

The Exhaust has arrived, and has been cleaned up.

Prepping for the obligatory 'stealth' modifications by painting the back facing section satin black.

Still working a solution for new tips, but I am hoping to make the below M Performance replicas work. Waiting for some replies on dimensions.

https://xxiituning.com/products/bmw-...779cc61a&_ss=c

I may have to go the route of a y-pipe w/tips like it comes stock, may go with something like the below as a back-up plan.

https://monacoms.com/bmw-m-performan...-exhaust-tips/

I should be able to get this installed Friday morning, enjoy it while I figure out my path on new tips.

[GOFAST M3]

I replaced the Borla with the Corsa last Friday.

It's a little quieter, not a huge difference, but I can imagine it would not be loud enough with a completely stock x-pipe.

The Corsa with test pipes is perfect, IMO.

It sound similar to the Borla w/Test Pipes, a little more refined, and a little more tame in the higher RPMs.

Not a huge difference, still screams when you get on it, just smoothed it out and gave me more what I was looking for.

I love this car!!

[a5m]

Originally Posted by GOFAST M3

I replaced the Borla with the Corsa last Friday.

It's a little quieter, not a huge difference, but I can imagine it would not be loud enough with a completely stock x-pipe.

The Corsa with test pipes is perfect, IMO.

It sound similar to the Borla w/Test Pipes, a little more refined, and a little more tame in the higher RPMs.

Not a huge difference, still screams when you get on it, just smoothed it out and gave me more what I was looking for.

I love this car!!

Nice to hear you like the Corsa. Surprised it compares similarly to the Borla. Are you running test pipes? I may have missed that. Corsa has such a unique tone compared to everything else but maybe some of that is lost when changing from the factory X-Pipe setup.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by GOFAST M3

I replaced the Borla with the Corsa last Friday.

It's a little quieter, not a huge difference, but I can imagine it would not be loud enough with a completely stock x-pipe.

The Corsa with test pipes is perfect, IMO.

It sound similar to the Borla w/Test Pipes, a little more refined, and a little more tame in the higher RPMs.

Not a huge difference, still screams when you get on it, just smoothed it out and gave me more what I was looking for.

I love this car!!

GOFAST M3 if there's a 'next time' for a new config... suggest Supersprint, very exotic, unique tones, luv'em

> Sound levels offered => from tame to terrifying

Headers Back System, F1 Race - "Full Beans"- no cats, no resonators:

1. Header back pipes (replaces catalytic converter)
2. X-pipe + center pipe
3. F1 Race Lightweight cans

...certain you won't be disappointed

[GOFAST M3]

Originally Posted by a5m

Nice to hear you like the Corsa. Surprised it compares similarly to the Borla. Are you running test pipes? I may have missed that. Corsa has such a unique tone compared to everything else but maybe some of that is lost when changing from the factory X-Pipe setup.

Yup, I was surprised too. The Borla is deeper for sure, but the overall sound is very similar with the Borla being a touch more unrefined, which may be due to its loudness. Interestingly, my mechanic said the Borla is a nicer system overall too. On top of that, its adjustable to fit e90 or e92. Very well designed.

If staying stock otherwise, the Borla catback is perfect for this platform IMO.

I do have test pipes.

Originally Posted by smokinjoe64

GOFAST M3 if there's a 'next time' for a new config... suggest Supersprint, very exotic, unique tones, luv'em

> Sound levels offered => from tame to terrifying

Headers Back System, F1 Race - "Full Beans"- no cats, no resonators:

1. Header back pipes (replaces catalytic converter)
2. X-pipe + center pipe
3. F1 Race Lightweight cans

...certain you won't be disappointed

Thanks!

I have a quad resonted x-pipe in the garage, I may add some HF cats to that one day and see how it sounds, but I plan to stick with the Corsa.

I will see how satisfied I am in a few months.

It sounds amazing right now though, not sure I can justify spending more money. Not before selling the Borla haha.

I will post an update if I do though.