Titanium Forward X-pipe Offering (9lbs!)

[berns]

Hey guys,

I've always wanted the original Akra GT4 x-pipe, because I think the Akra axle back is too quiet and sounds better unresonated / uncatted. Also, always looking to make my car lighter. There really aren't any options if you want the lightest most free-flowing exhaust other than going 100% custom or Akra. So, in the interest of bringing something I want to see to the market, I've connected with an awesome fabricator in Washington, Nolan of NS Fab, who will be producing a limited run of 10 of these.

Here are the details:

• Forward X OR standard X location
• TiCon 2.5" titanium
• 8-9lbs all-in, including center brace
• Alluminum brace with bushing to replace the heavy factory steel brace
• Optional Resonators
• All hardware included, 100% bolt-on

While the forward X has been proven over the years, we don't see many of them. Most require the proper tuning to take advantage of the piece. I recommend Randy @ Epic, and have run his tune on my M3 since day one. Flawless, and consistently more powerful than any other NA M3 tuned by another party. If anyone wants an intro to Randy after buying this piece, I can make sure you get taken care of.

PRICING
Unresonated - $2800
Resonated - $3000

I'm only doing this because I literally just want to see more motorsport parts and less 70lb stainless systems with pie cuts and valves and buttons and burnt tips. This could lead to a full system being produced but for now, I'm just focusing on the X pipe so everyone can keep their rear section of choice.

If you'd like in on this, post up or send me a message and I'll help facilitate. The way it will work is you'll send a deposit ($1500), with the difference owed when the piece is ready to ship.

Below is an example of Nolan's last e92 X-pipe with stock X location. Since this was a local customer for a track-only car, it's all one-piece, but the produced part will be 3 pieces (2 mid-pipes and 1 x).





stock brace:


alum brace (upcoming version will be a bit beefier):

[Gossypiboma]

If its not a forward X I dont see the point if you want the best option. It adds no complexity as far as fabrication goes but gives amazing midrange and keeps top end power. Thats if you go with a quality tune like Epic.

[berns]

Originally Posted by Gossypiboma

If its not a forward X I dont see the point if you want the best option. It adds no complexity as far as fabrication goes but gives amazing midrange and keeps top end power. Thats if you go with a quality tune like Epic.

Fair. Been doing some more research and seems like the people want a forward X. Nolan is going to redesign the mount and x, put it together and build the jig. Hopefully this picks up some traction.

[jp1984]

I wish I could be a partner in this but I just got a new one and cant have 4.

If anyone buys one and doesnt like it, hit me up!

Looks quality, and to the fellows above, they had it right.

An Epic tune will complement this piece best and Randy is great.

[e9x_chucky]

I’m definitely interested in this and I’m also local to Nolan as well.

My car is supercharged and I have a ESS tune already, do you know if Epic offers a supercharged tune?

[berns]

Originally Posted by e9x_chucky

I’m definitely interested in this and I’m also local to Nolan as well.

My car is supercharged and I have a ESS tune already, do you know if Epic offers a supercharged tune?

You'd have to connect with Randy about that. Nolan can also make you a standard-placement X as pictured above. Let me know what you'd like to do -- feel free to message me directly.

[Hujan]

Love the idea for this. Any chance he could do one with 100 cell HJS cats instead of resonators? Essentially, Akra’s regular x-pipe but with a forward X, bigger tubes, and a resonator delete. That would be my dream setup.

[gh0stE92M3]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Love the idea for this. Any chance he could do one with 100 cell HJS cats instead of resonators? Essentially, Akra’s regular x-pipe but with a forward X, bigger tubes, and a resonator delete. That would be my dream setup.

Is this a larger diameter pipe compared to the akra? I have the akra evo now and have always wondered what the pipe diameter was. But I'm in deposit sent can't wait to hear what the akra rear is gonna sound with this.

[Gossypiboma]

A forward located X with Ti is going to be raspy as hell without good resonators.

[berns]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Love the idea for this. Any chance he could do one with 100 cell HJS cats instead of resonators? Essentially, Akra’s regular x-pipe but with a forward X, bigger tubes, and a resonator delete. That would be my dream setup.

Anything is possible with time any money

We'd need titanium cats or you'd have to have another slip joint and extra hardware.

[berns]

Originally Posted by Gossypiboma

A forward located X with Ti is going to be raspy as hell without good resonators.

The Akra mufflers do so much as it is, I really don't think this is going to be as insane. I've heard a completely straight through, unresonated, un catted akra and it's just got a tiny bit more bark. That's it. But maybe I'm wrong! In any event, I literally only drive my car to the canyons once a month or to the track, and whatever the organic sound is, I'll be enjoying it.

[911r]

Originally Posted by Gossypiboma

A forward located X with Ti is going to be raspy as hell without good resonators.

I've heard an x-pipe similar to this (forward x, no resonators) paired with an Akra and it was absolute perfection. Generally mufflers control rasp more efficiently and resonators are there for tonal control. Resonators function by altering the frequency of the pressure wave, and do not simply cancel out or mitigate rasp (although it is possible). Pretty common misconception.

[Gossypiboma]

I agree with the above if one is using an Akra rear muffler. I have a forward X with Akra rear and its amazing. My comment was meant for someone using any other rear muffler as I've not heard another rear exhaust muffle the rasp as well as a Akra does.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by berns

Anything is possible with time any money

We'd need titanium cats or you'd have to have another slip joint and extra hardware.

I’ve got both and would be down for titanium cats if your guy can pull it off!

[Gossypiboma]

Originally Posted by 911r

I've heard an x-pipe similar to this (forward x, no resonators) paired with an Akra and it was absolute perfection. Generally mufflers control rasp more efficiently and resonators are there for tonal control. Resonators function by altering the frequency of the pressure wave, and do not simply cancel out or mitigate rasp (although it is possible). Pretty common misconception.

I dont pretend to know the science behind it, but I can tell you that a BW non resonated xpipe has a butt load more rasp than their resonated version. Its definitely not a simple misconception.

[slcook54]

I'm with Hujan, but will also wait for a full system. I see this option gaining a lot of traction since Akra went EOL and there aren't other Ti options on the market. I'd prefer to run cats for street use, don't mind the cost or the weight penalty.

I'm also running Laguna, would be cool if Nolan could fab some Laguna pipes. Most days are limited to 90-92db

[berns]

Good info here and this is why we have options!
Again, this project was born because I have an Akra rear and want a proper Ti x pipe with a bit more boom and less weight. Resonated is safe to say for anyone that's concerned or not running an akra rear.

[berns]

Hey guys -- good news! Deposits received and enough material ordered for 10-12 of these. Nolan has been working on the forward X design and integrated aluminum center bracket. We're working together to make this a beautiful piece with stock-like fitment. No sacrifices, lots of support and a beautiful design.

More good news: Spoke to Randy from Epic, and we're going to slap the first one on my car to dial in a new tune just for our forward X design. I'll dyno my car before and after so we can some solid data.

Thanks for the support and we have a few spots left. Whether you'd like a standard X to retain your current tune or a forward X, with or without resonators, we can do it.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by berns

Hey guys -- good news! Deposits received and enough material ordered for 10-12 of these. Nolan has been working on the forward X design and integrated aluminum center bracket. We're working together to make this a beautiful piece with stock-like fitment. No sacrifices, lots of support and a beautiful design.

More good news: Spoke to Randy from Epic, and we're going to slap the first one on my car to dial in a new tune just for our forward X design. I'll dyno my car before and after so we can some solid data.

Thanks for the support and we have a few spots left. Whether you'd like a standard X to retain your current tune or a forward X, with or without resonators, we can do it.

Great update. Any word on a version with cats instead of resonators?

[berns]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Great update. Any word on a version with cats instead of resonators?

This piece was intended to be a race part. Cats complicate things because nobody makes them in titanium, so the only way they're getting on there is with extra joints and hardware. slip joints or v-band, both of which are also adding time and cost. If you're absolutely keen on joining this run, pick out the cats you'd like to use and I'll get a quote from Nolan to see if it's doable.

[ganz]

Originally Posted by berns

Hey guys -- good news! Deposits received and enough material ordered for 10-12 of these. Nolan has been working on the forward X design and integrated aluminum center bracket. We're working together to make this a beautiful piece with stock-like fitment. No sacrifices, lots of support and a beautiful design.

More good news: Spoke to Randy from Epic, and we're going to slap the first one on my car to dial in a new tune just for our forward X design. I'll dyno my car before and after so we can some solid data.

Thanks for the support and we have a few spots left. Whether you'd like a standard X to retain your current tune or a forward X, with or without resonators, we can do it.

Hi berns, thanks for organizing this. Would this represent Randy's first "forward X" tune? I know that some of us running forward X (like ESS and BW) have had a little sluggishness / hesitation at lower RPM on other vendor's tunes. Is low-mid range RPM responsiveness something Randy will address?

[Gossypiboma]

Originally Posted by ganz

Hi berns, thanks for organizing this. Would this represent Randy's first "forward X" tune? I know that some of us running forward X (like ESS and BW) have had a little sluggishness / hesitation at lower RPM on other vendor's tunes. Is low-mid range RPM responsiveness something Randy will address?

Randy has been providing proper tunes for the forward placed X for probably more than a decade. His tune is arguably the best out there. What i find funny is people purchase the BW xpipe but then cheap out and don't buy the Epic tune that was designed for that exact xpipe, instead they go with whatever $500 group buy tune is available that month.