test pipes vs full x pipe

[GewoW]

hi all

just wondering if anyone has any experience with a direct comparison between test pipes removing primary cats (eg turner test pipes) vs a full X pipe removing primary + secondary cats (eg bimmerworld, with resonators) in terms of sound difference.

will the full x pipe produce a significantly louder sound than the test pipes or is it negligible?

i would be matching this with an OEM exhaust.

thanks for your help

[BOOF-M3]

X-Pipes typically sound better. There was a used Gintani pipe with high flow cats for sale. That's the route you want to go. Also it will be a bolt on as opposed to cutting your existing pipe.

[GewoW]

thanks for the input. is the sound amplitude much different between the 2 options?

[BOOF-M3]

X-Pipes are typically exotic sounding. $2,500 new compared to $300 or $400 new. All a test pipe is doing is removing your cats. X-Pipes do that and make sound better. If you are looking for loud then get a test pipe and do the OEM muffler mod. If you want a cool sound get a well made X-Pipe with HFC.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

X-Pipes typically sound better. There was a used Gintani pipe with high flow cats for sale. That's the route you want to go. Also it will be a bolt on as opposed to cutting your existing pipe.

Thats all subjective. Test pipes with the right rear section sound just as good.

If I was the OP find a used OEM xpipe and do the test pipes and save a ton of money.

Dave

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Thats all subjective. Test pipes with the right rear section sound just as good.

If I was the OP find a used OEM xpipe and do the test pipes and save a ton of money.

Dave

Agreed, everything is subjective. Once all 10,000 members weigh in and give him our opinion on the subject he can then make an educated decision. But as stated OP, you get what you pay for, you may have paid $30k for your used M3 but it's still a $75k high end automobile. Treat her right and pickup a nice sounding X-Pipe, then add a stage 2 tune.

[GewoW]

Fair enough. That being said the prices to me are not insanely different. 400$ for turner pipes + potential need for a new stock x pipe if you don't want to cut the one on the car, vs bimmerworld x pipe at 1050$.

My main question is if the x pipe will be significantly louder than a simple test pipe, because my home track has sound regulations. The sound i'm not too worried about because I'm sure they will both sound great

[Dave07997S]

The bimmerworld would be louder. No secondary cats. Also would probably have more rasp. The secondary cats don't cost hardly any horsepower, but do act as a secondary set of resonators.

[codinge90]

Most catless race x pipes are going to be an actual straight pipe with a possible set of resonators. You'll literally get the same sound with test pipes and secondary cat delete. Most people don't understand that all "race exhausts" are usually a full straight pipe on the x pipe (no primaries, secondaries or resonators) to a muffler. The muffler is really the determining factor or sound pitch and loudness. IMO I like test pipes with oem modded muffler or m performance, it sounds similar to stock but above 3k rpm is screams. But to answer your question, it really depends on the x pipe you're looking at. X pipes sometimes have high flow cats, a set of resonators, a set of secondary cats, the cheaper ones are usually a straight pipe so as I mentioned earlier you can do test pipes with a secondary cat delete and there will be no gain difference and a slight sound difference since you'll have resonators. If your fine with a louder setup and a bit more rasp go full catless x pipe, if you want a slight to medium increase in sound and a good jump in performance test pipes is the way to go.

[GewoW]

Ok I think this put my question to bed. This is what I suspected, so it's good to have the confirmation.

Part 2 to my question is which X pipes have the X in the same location as the BW one? I have read that there is data showing that it's the best placement, so I am wondering if there is any other that has it there.

And last part 3 to my question is where can I get a HFC that I can add to an Xpipe if i wanted to go that route? Magnaflow? Is there a specific model?

Thanks guys you've been very helpful

[monterey]

Ok i just checked out a car with evolve x pipe with gintani software and corsa exhaust. Then a second car with rogue resonated test pipe with secondary cats in place also with corsa exhaust on alex alpine stage 2 software. Both cars sound very similar. You can barely hear it when its not under a load but very nice when you do push it.

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by GewoW

Ok I think this put my question to bed. This is what I suspected, so it's good to have the confirmation.

Part 2 to my question is which X pipes have the X in the same location as the BW one? I have read that there is data showing that it's the best placement, so I am wondering if there is any other that has it there.

And last part 3 to my question is where can I get a HFC that I can add to an Xpipe if i wanted to go that route? Magnaflow? Is there a specific model?

Thanks guys you've been very helpful

ESS and Gintani. From what I observe the X location moved further forward gives you more high pitched exotic sound.
I currently have the ESS catless and while I hate the smell, I can't get enough of the sound. No way any test pipe combo will give you such note.
Look it up on YouTube, there are a few vids with ess xpipe.

I am not saying you should look exactly for ess xpipe, mine had a few fitment troubles and one of the resonators has already disintegrated. But I am staying with it either way sounds the best imo.

[hackR]

Have a Corsa exhaust and a stage 2 tune...Just switched from AA catless xpipe (2 resonators only) to AA test pipe and OEM exhaust with secondary cat & resonators...what a difference!...catless was wayyyyy too loud and raspy (whatever the heck that means?!) - especially under engine load...with the test pipe and OEM secondary cat & resonators it's deep and exotic like...at all loads and rpms...no drone...if catless is a 10 and stock is a 3, i'd say that the test pipe with OEM back is a 7 with sound level...besides the sound level the tone is 100% better!

[monterey]

I just heard the gintani x pipe with dinan exhaust. It was so quiet. Very nice tone though.

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by monterey

I just heard the gintani x pipe with dinan exhaust. It was so quiet. Very nice tone though.

I've experienced that setup and it is a favorite of mine. It is well behaved when you are not on it.

[TimberWolf_3063]

I've gone through the following setups:

- Stock (duh)
- OEM Mod muffler
- OEM Mod muffler w/ full AA x-pipe (no cats)
- Stock muffler w/ full AA x-pipe
- AA test pipes w/ OEM Mod muffler.

Stock: refined, but quiet.
OEM Mod muffler: Great sound. Still refined, not as quiet - very worthwhile mod.
OEM Mod w/ AA x-pipe: LOUD. Great sound at certain RPMs, metallic and raspy as hell at others. Too much for everyday use. Smell.
Stock muffler w/ AA x-pipe: Muddy and indistinct. Worst out of all of them.
OEM Mod w/ test pipes & stock x-pipe (current set-up): AWESOME. Great scream with just the SLIGHTEST hint of rasp at high RPMs, almost Italian resonance at 3500-4000 rpm, BLAPS on downshifts (DCT), and still quiet enough at low RPM to not wake up the whole neighbourhood.

The AA x-pipe was resonated, which did very little - but retaining the secondary cats really helps to clean up the sound and smell, while giving up very little power.

I have some sound bites of the different setups which I will try to upload when I return home (out of the country ATM), but I hope this helps meanwhile!

[GewoW]

Originally Posted by TimberWolf_3063

I've gone through the following setups:

- Stock (duh)
- OEM Mod muffler
- OEM Mod muffler w/ full AA x-pipe (no cats)
- Stock muffler w/ full AA x-pipe
- AA test pipes w/ OEM Mod muffler.

Stock: refined, but quiet.
OEM Mod muffler: Great sound. Still refined, not as quiet - very worthwhile mod.
OEM Mod w/ AA x-pipe: LOUD. Great sound at certain RPMs, metallic and raspy as hell at others. Too much for everyday use. Smell.
Stock muffler w/ AA x-pipe: Muddy and indistinct. Worst out of all of them.
OEM Mod w/ test pipes & stock x-pipe (current set-up): AWESOME. Great scream with just the SLIGHTEST hint of rasp at high RPMs, almost Italian resonance at 3500-4000 rpm, BLAPS on downshifts (DCT), and still quiet enough at low RPM to not wake up the whole neighbourhood.

The AA x-pipe was resonated, which did very little - but retaining the secondary cats really helps to clean up the sound and smell, while giving up very little power.

I have some sound bites of the different setups which I will try to upload when I return home (out of the country ATM), but I hope this helps meanwhile!

This is very very helpful. Thank you. Those clips would be very appreciated!

[pbonsalb]

I’d like to see a dyno comparison of a stock x-pipe, an aftermarket x-pipe with no cats, one with 2 high flow cats and one with 4 high flow cats. I don’t think I have ever seen that. What I usually read is people saying there is little difference between a stock x- pipe with test pipes in place of the front cats and a fully catless aftermarket x-pipe. Seeing a dyno of at least those two would be interesting.

[M3 Number 86]

just get the Macht Schnell xpipe. reasonably priced, does the job.

No xpipe is worth 2k at all.

otherwise test pipes (don't look at the overall price vs an xpipe because a test pipe at $300/$400 is still an M-tax rip off; I got test pipes for my Evo ix years ago for $50, since it's just a piece of pipe with flanges lol).

[GewoW]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

just get the Macht Schnell xpipe. reasonably priced, does the job.

No xpipe is worth 2k at all.

otherwise test pipes (don't look at the overall price vs an xpipe because a test pipe at $300/$400 is still an M-tax rip off; I got test pipes for my Evo ix years ago for $50, since it's just a piece of pipe with flanges lol).

I will likely end up with the rogue test pipes, because they have resonators

[strokemycocktus]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I'd like to see a dyno comparison of a stock x-pipe, an aftermarket x-pipe with no cats, one with 2 high flow cats and one with 4 high flow cats. I don't think I have ever seen that. What I usually read is people saying there is little difference between a stock x- pipe with test pipes in place of the front cats and a fully catless aftermarket x-pipe. Seeing a dyno of at least those two would be interesting.

Evolve have made such comparison - dyno with test pipes vs dyno with their catless x-pipe. Difference in hp was marginal.
But, I think test pipes will never sound as good as a full x-pipe, especially one of those with the X section moved further forward. I have the ESS xpipe and the exhaust note is so good and exotic
I'd rather spend 2k on an x-pipe than an axle back.

[pbonsalb]

Where is the dyno? What I read are people repeating the claim, but I wanted to see the dyno supporting the claim.