Dual straight pipe exhaust pipes on 535i
#21
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Thanks for the kind words about the wagon.
If you want power then focus on downpipes first as they are the most restricting. The oem 335i cat-back system has been proven to flow very well and support 700whp levels so I would expect similar performance from the 535i catback. IMO the only issue with the oem system (or "performance" systems) is they sound terrible. But if you are only worried about performance catless downpipes and stock cat-back will be your best performance bang for the buck. You can try playing around with
The best of both words is a custom single 3" or 3.5" system. High flow and great sound.
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Evan
BMW N54 E61 Exhaust Clips - YouTube
BMW 135i exhaust video - YouTube
If you want power then focus on downpipes first as they are the most restricting. The oem 335i cat-back system has been proven to flow very well and support 700whp levels so I would expect similar performance from the 535i catback. IMO the only issue with the oem system (or "performance" systems) is they sound terrible. But if you are only worried about performance catless downpipes and stock cat-back will be your best performance bang for the buck. You can try playing around with
The best of both words is a custom single 3" or 3.5" system. High flow and great sound.
![Cool](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/cool.gif)
Evan
BMW N54 E61 Exhaust Clips - YouTube
BMW 135i exhaust video - YouTube
#22
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Your wagon is easily the best sounding N54 I've heard in any platform, no raspyness and more turbo spool noise than I've ever hear before. Do you have a build thread or some details I can look at to copy it? Is there something about the wagon that makes it different? I WANT this noise lol.
https://5series.net/forums/e61-touri...ve-all-135223/
#23
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Your wagon is easily the best sounding N54 I've heard in any platform, no raspyness and more turbo spool noise than I've ever hear before. Do you have a build thread or some details I can look at to copy it? Is there something about the wagon that makes it different? I WANT this noise lol.
The build thread linked in the last post is great for all wagon mods but this may be more helpful for exhaust specifics.
Evan
Pictures, Video, and Details of my Custom Exhaust System. - N54Tech.com - Your Source for International Turbo BMW Racing Discussion
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I lucked out with the exhaust build, conceptually the design makes sense but I have heard many other single-pipe systems which don't sound good, I attribute it to the fabricator and clean work. The turbo spool is my favorite, part it HOWLS, I love it.
The build thread linked in the last post is great for all wagon mods but this may be more helpful for exhaust specifics.
Evan
Pictures, Video, and Details of my Custom Exhaust System. - N54Tech.com - Your Source for International Turbo BMW Racing Discussion
The build thread linked in the last post is great for all wagon mods but this may be more helpful for exhaust specifics.
Evan
Pictures, Video, and Details of my Custom Exhaust System. - N54Tech.com - Your Source for International Turbo BMW Racing Discussion
Thank you! I have worked my way through most of your build thread, great work, so much detail and the detours you take to get it just right is what this is all about!
Right now I Just have muffler delete, I do think it sounds better than average for the same reason. Very clean piping from the axle back through the tips, somehow if it looks cleaner, it sounds cleaner. I'm sure there's some physics to back that up
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#25
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Thank you! I have worked my way through most of your build thread, great work, so much detail and the detours you take to get it just right is what this is all about!
Right now I Just have muffler delete, I do think it sounds better than average for the same reason. Very clean piping from the axle back through the tips, somehow if it looks cleaner, it sounds cleaner. I'm sure there's some physics to back that up
. However, I don't think I'll be going catless anytime soon, I used to swap the whole system in and out for smog in my Subarus and I just don't feel like doing that on the BMWs I'm thinking of leaving all cats and going as big and smooth as possible straight back. 3, possibly 3.5" from the rear cats through to the tips (No resonators). Are you aware of anyone running this set up?
Right now I Just have muffler delete, I do think it sounds better than average for the same reason. Very clean piping from the axle back through the tips, somehow if it looks cleaner, it sounds cleaner. I'm sure there's some physics to back that up
![Wink](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wink.gif)
I have never heard of anyone running 3 or 3.5" from the 2ndary cats. It would be an extremely awkward setup as the piping from the DPs to the 2ndary cats is oem and about 2.4" or so, not to mention cats would be a huge bottleneck for flow and would negate any potential gains from the larger piping.
Evan
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When I referred to clean, although design simplicity is important, I was mainly referring to pipe junctions and welds (skilled fabricator).
I have never heard of anyone running 3 or 3.5" from the 2ndary cats. It would be an extremely awkward setup as the piping from the DPs to the 2ndary cats is oem and about 2.4" or so, not to mention cats would be a huge bottleneck for flow and would negate any potential gains from the larger piping.
Evan
I have never heard of anyone running 3 or 3.5" from the 2ndary cats. It would be an extremely awkward setup as the piping from the DPs to the 2ndary cats is oem and about 2.4" or so, not to mention cats would be a huge bottleneck for flow and would negate any potential gains from the larger piping.
Evan
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When I referred to clean, although design simplicity is important, I was mainly referring to pipe junctions and welds (skilled fabricator).
I have never heard of anyone running 3 or 3.5" from the 2ndary cats. It would be an extremely awkward setup as the piping from the DPs to the 2ndary cats is oem and about 2.4" or so, not to mention cats would be a huge bottleneck for flow and would negate any potential gains from the larger piping.
Evan
I have never heard of anyone running 3 or 3.5" from the 2ndary cats. It would be an extremely awkward setup as the piping from the DPs to the 2ndary cats is oem and about 2.4" or so, not to mention cats would be a huge bottleneck for flow and would negate any potential gains from the larger piping.
Evan
How loud would your exhaust be if you had catless downpipes, and a muffler delete? I currently have a cobb stage 1 tune and some cone intakes. Also would adding just the catless downpipes alone add a big difference to the sound?
Thanks man
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I did some searching but couldn't find anyone that ran duals on this car. Nothing on youtube either.(only single side straight pipe)
I've heard it on a 530xi and it sounded perfect to me.
Has anyone done this or heard it in person? I'm considering it but not sure how it would sound on an N54 motor.
I've heard it on a 530xi and it sounded perfect to me.
Has anyone done this or heard it in person? I'm considering it but not sure how it would sound on an N54 motor.
#30
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I've got a 2008 528xi... did duals, from cats/headers back. I didn't want to go too loud, so I had them cut out the OEM res and installed dual res underneath to dual pipes. I had previously done a muffler delete.
https://5series.net/forums/e60-e61-p...3/#post1607652
https://5series.net/forums/e60-e61-p...3/#post1607652
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