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      07-28-2019, 04:02 PM   #1
lowkey_domm
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If you had to choose one...

I'm trying to decide what exhaust I'm going to purchase. Here are my current 3 I'm interested in buying. (2008 E92 M3)

(1) ACM Test pipes w/ Megan Racing Exhaust (*Best bang for buck arguably)

(2) ACM Test pipes w/ Valvetronic Exhaust (*This is what I think I'm going to buy)

(3) ACM Test pipes with Armytrix OR Borla Exhaust (*This is what I've been told to buy)

What I want: Those german eagles to be heard from a mile away. I do not want straight pipe sounding, I prefer that foreign type of sound but with the ring from an NA V8.
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      07-28-2019, 04:42 PM   #2
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Test pipes are loud and smell bad. You will hear the eagles and more I am sure. If you are sure of that part, My pick is #2. Id add 2 sets of resonators too, to help make it less raspy. Its the best of all worlds when you can control the noise at the push of a button.
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      07-28-2019, 04:44 PM   #3
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Borla ATAK (not S!) produce a proper V8 song. Was a tad loud for my taste but again a very nice tone. From what I hear the test pipe only increase volume while keeping that tone.
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      07-28-2019, 05:55 PM   #4
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Best bang for the buck would be test pipes and gutted muffler. You still have secondary cats and resonator so it's not a straight pipe.
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      07-28-2019, 06:17 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mvy View Post
Test pipes are loud and smell bad. You will hear the eagles and more I am sure. If you are sure of that part, My pick is #2. Id add 2 sets of resonators too, to help make it less raspy. Its the best of all worlds when you can control the noise at the push of a button.
I'm used to test pipes and smell of fuel.. but I can't stand rasp... I may just order the Valvetronic and go from there see if I need it any louder? Any specific brands out there for resonators I can add if I feel its too raspy up top?
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      07-28-2019, 09:23 PM   #6
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Megan with testpipes sound really good but it isn’t very loud. Go valvetronic if you want noise.
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      07-28-2019, 09:31 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mvy View Post
Test pipes are loud and smell bad. You will hear the eagles and more I am sure. If you are sure of that part, My pick is #2. Id add 2 sets of resonators too, to help make it less raspy. Its the best of all worlds when you can control the noise at the push of a button.
I have test pipes and have ZERO smell. This misinformation actually kept me from getting them for months, but I finally did it and was pissed the fuck off that people said this so much without even knowing. Total fake news. Literally zero difference with test pipes for me. Quit peddling fake news...

I wish I did this earlier (thanks fake news), but I have resonated test pipes and the 2 pipe OEM mod and it screams like a monster when I want it to... cruising around, it's stealthy AF. but if I were going to go with my ideal setup it would be the test pipes with a Corsa...

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      07-28-2019, 10:35 PM   #8
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Corsa Corsa Corsa. with testpipes of course. Zero drone and perfect amount of pitch with the factory x-pipe.
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      07-29-2019, 01:38 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GORDON.M3 View Post
Corsa Corsa Corsa. with testpipes of course. Zero drone and perfect amount of pitch with the factory x-pipe.
This. Constantly getting compliments on this setup at the track, even from 991 GT3(/RS) owners (I offer to trade of course). With the rear seat and trunk floor panel out it also sounds amazing in the cabin with the windows up.
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      07-29-2019, 04:24 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wfdeacon88 View Post
I have test pipes and have ZERO smell. This misinformation actually kept me from getting them for months, but I finally did it and was pissed the fuck off that people said this so much without even knowing. Total fake news. Literally zero difference with test pipes for me. Quit peddling fake news...

I wish I did this earlier (thanks fake news), but I have resonated test pipes and the 2 pipe OEM mod and it screams like a monster when I want it to... cruising around, it's stealthy AF. but if I were going to go with my ideal setup it would be the test pipes with a Corsa...

Im not going to argue with the trolls about their fake news and such, but I've had test pipes and they make exhaust smell like raw fuel. Period. Its a fact, not based on conjecture when you remove cats you remove the exhausts ability to mitigate odors. Its the reason I went to HFCs.
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      07-29-2019, 06:23 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mvy View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by wfdeacon88 View Post
I have test pipes and have ZERO smell. This misinformation actually kept me from getting them for months, but I finally did it and was pissed the fuck off that people said this so much without even knowing. Total fake news. Literally zero difference with test pipes for me. Quit peddling fake news...

I wish I did this earlier (thanks fake news), but I have resonated test pipes and the 2 pipe OEM mod and it screams like a monster when I want it to... cruising around, it's stealthy AF. but if I were going to go with my ideal setup it would be the test pipes with a Corsa...

Im not going to argue with the trolls about their fake news and such, but I've had test pipes and they make exhaust smell like raw fuel. Period. Its a fact, not based on conjecture when you remove cats you remove the exhausts ability to mitigate odors. Its the reason I went to HFCs.
The secondary cats take care of the smell for me, the only time I've ever smelled just a slightly stronger exhaust is if I'm in my garage and the car is running for a few moments. Other than that, nothing ..
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      07-29-2019, 06:33 AM   #12
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Valvetronic all day
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      07-29-2019, 06:33 AM   #13
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Test pipes in place of the front cats do not lead to a raw fuel smell, and those are the only test pipes sold. If you also remove the rear cats, you will get a fuel smell that you may notice at times, like on start up or at idle with the windows open but you won’t smell it when you are moving.
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      07-29-2019, 11:03 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartledoo View Post
This. Constantly getting compliments on this setup at the track, even from 991 GT3(/RS) owners (I offer to trade of course). With the rear seat and trunk floor panel out it also sounds amazing in the cabin with the windows up.
I have a Valvetronic setup but I want a Corsa bad still... Nothing really compares to the Corsa cans when you have a catless setup.
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      07-29-2019, 11:14 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mvy View Post
Im not going to argue with the trolls about their fake news and such, but I've had test pipes and they make exhaust smell like raw fuel. Period. Its a fact, not based on conjecture when you remove cats you remove the exhausts ability to mitigate odors. Its the reason I went to HFCs.
You're the fake news this time bud.
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      07-29-2019, 12:22 PM   #16
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If you guys are smelling fumes anywhere in the cabin after pulling out of your garage / parking spot, you have a small exhaust leak. I had a small leak and since re-seating the pipes and getting a proper seal, I have not smelled the test pipes at all.

Edit: OP, have you already purchased the test pipes?

Last edited by chocstraw; 07-29-2019 at 01:07 PM..
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      07-29-2019, 08:37 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wfdeacon88 View Post
The secondary cats take care of the smell for me, the only time I've ever smelled just a slightly stronger exhaust is if I'm in my garage and the car is running for a few moments. Other than that, nothing ..
This only a little smell on startup in garage when cold. The rear cats have to come to temp before they work.
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      07-29-2019, 10:05 PM   #18
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Well now I’m torn between the valvetronic or corsa... I’ve only heard great things about the corsa but I love the idea of being able to turn in and off the noise with the valve control.
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      07-30-2019, 03:23 AM   #19
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I literally just went through the same process you did and end up pulling the trigger on the Valvetronic Exhaust. It's going on the car tomorrow.

I'm going to see how it sounds first before I put ACM test pipes on as well. Happy to send, share vids once it's on the car.
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      07-30-2019, 06:27 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TYNKUP View Post
I literally just went through the same process you did and end up pulling the trigger on the Valvetronic Exhaust. It's going on the car tomorrow.

I'm going to see how it sounds first before I put ACM test pipes on as well. Happy to send, share vids once it's on the car.
Dude that would help me SO much! Did you buy your exhaust new or used? How much you spend to install? Im def going valvetronic cant decide if I want to put the ACM test pipes on or not.
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      07-30-2019, 06:52 PM   #21
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I would imagine the valvetronic to be the heaviest option but also the best quality as it's made by supersprint and probably the option I would pick out of that lot.

Plus I'd prefer handmade in Italy and dyno proven over robot made in Taiwan and not proven. Have you checked out Evolve's tour of the Supersprint factory on YouTube?

Edit: assumed you were talking about evolve's e-tronic valvetronic. If not, check it out
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      07-30-2019, 11:37 PM   #22
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I sure wonder why BMW included big primaries if they don’t do anything but act like a resonator/muffler!
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