[Intotheblue]

Let me preface by saying I want the cheapest muffler option that I can get, and getting a universal Magnaflow muffler (without built on tips) seems to fit the bill (plus I actually like the sound of it). I plan on keeping the stock resonator and deleting the 2nd cat if the shop will do it for me. My 2nd choice for an muffler would be the Ikon, but it doesn't sound $400 better than a cheapo Magnaflow.

My first question is, should I get a single inlet single out or a single in dual out? I hear there's a very slight loss in low-end torque by getting dual out, but the dual outlet seems to sound slightly better. Although it seems easier to add a fake dual exhaust tip versus 2 single tips.

Secondly, what inlet/outlet diameters should I be getting? Is there any performance gain going with a 3" muffler versus 2.5"? I see the AA muffler setup claims 5HP using 3" piping, but since the remaining stock exhaust is a 2.36in diameter, there shouldn't be any gains from going to 3" from 2.5" correct? (Edit: As I don't like the sound of the AA muffler at all, I'd probably stick with a 2.5" muffler in case that variable attributes to that particular sound).

I understand there's truly little performance to be gained from just swapping out the muffler, I'm scheduled to get an AA tune flashed to my car this week though and want to eek out every last HP/torque that I can (my only other performance mod being an AEF non-oiled drop in filter with charcoal delete).

[Taskmaster]

Magnaflow 3" in dual out

or

Borla in the same style.

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Magnaflow 3" in dual out

or

Borla in the same style.

Is there any reasoning behind that besides just the bigger is better mentality?

The clips of the Magnaflow muffler that are on this forum that I love are 2.25" piping, and the AA muffler that I don't like has the 3" piping. I'm just trying to understand how much the diameter has to do with the sound.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Is there any reasoning behind that besides just the bigger is better mentality?

The clips of the Magnaflow muffler that are on this forum that I love are 2.25" piping, and the AA muffler that I don't like has the 3" piping. I'm just trying to understand how much the diameter has to do with the sound.

Some, but are you doing it for power or sound? The AA is literally a muffler delete with a helmholtz resonator, with no baffling - the increase in power is pretty much because it's a free flowing pipe.

Here is a dyno before and after a muffler delete on a Z4 SI
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...highlight=dyno
before


after


Basically, you can gain a few more ponies with a better breathing muffler, a smaller pipe/muffler might have the opposite effect.

[Intotheblue]

Thanks. It seems the widest part of the PE exhaust is 2.5", give me a lot to think about.

Also its harder finding tips for 3" pipes, would 2 3.5" tips fit a 328i bumper or is it best to go with 2 3"?

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Thanks. It seems the widest part of the PE exhaust is 2.5", give me a lot to think about.

Also its harder finding tips for 3" pipes, would 2 3.5" tips fit a 328i bumper or is it best to go with 2 3"?

A 3inch in dual out, I imagine you can weld whatever you want for tips. I haven't measured personally, so I don't know.

[Taskmaster]

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...eaders-Writeup

[Route 16]

There's no difference in sizing. Whichever magnaflow muffler you get, it all sounds the same.

[Intotheblue]

Alright thanks guys, I think I've decided on the Magnaflow 12229, 3" inlet and single 3" outlet wit this tip, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-St...c00a64&vxp=mtr

Going with a single outlet will save me a few bucks of custom piping/tips, and if what I've read elsewhere online is true, ever so slightly better low end torque than a dual outlet.

I'll post results in a week or 2 (and impressions a couple weeks after that when my AA tune learns everything).

[Taskmaster]

Cool, I can't wait!

[Intotheblue]

Got my muffler installed yesterday, Magnaflow 12219, 3" in, single 3" out. Wasn't able to take out my 2nd cat yet. Total cost for muffler, stainless steel tips and install including mandrel bent pipes was $280.

Long story short, at this point I'm a little disappointed. Call me crazy, but the exhaust note is TOO deep, which ends up leading to some annoying cabin drone. I'll wait and see how the exhaust tone changes in a few weeks, and not that I plan on changing it out for something else, but I'm not as happy as I hoped. Having the tone be so deep means that I don't get the same open window enjoyment I would with a higher toned, more raspy exhaust (the crackle with dropping RPMs sounds nice though). In hindsight I should have probably gotten a 2.5" inlet and dual 2.5" outlet for the more aggresive sound vs deep. I'm pretty certain the 3" muffler size is what's giving me a sound similar to the AA exhaust that I don't like. Now granted the car sounds awesome from the outside, but I'd like a little more in-cabin enjoyment as well.

Pics and clips will come soon.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Got my muffler installed yesterday, Magnaflow 12219, 3" in, single 3" out. Wasn't able to take out my 2nd cat yet. Total cost for muffler, stainless steel tips and install including mandrel bent pipes was $280.

Long story short, at this point I'm a little disappointed. Call me crazy, but the exhaust note is TOO deep, which ends up leading to some annoying cabin drone. I'll wait and see how the exhaust tone changes in a few weeks, and not that I plan on changing it out for something else, but I'm not as happy as I hoped. Having the tone be so deep means that I don't get the same open window enjoyment I would with a higher toned, more raspy exhaust (the crackle with dropping RPMs sounds nice though). In hindsight I should have probably gotten a 2.5" inlet and dual 2.5" outlet for the more aggresive sound vs deep. I'm pretty certain the 3" muffler size is what's giving me a sound similar to the AA exhaust that I don't like. Now granted the car sounds awesome from the outside, but I'd like a little more in-cabin enjoyment as well.

Pics and clips will come soon.

So put on a resonator (which I'm sure you propably removed) Sound clips and pictures please.

[Ali-E90]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

So put on a resonator (which I'm sure you propably removed) Sound clips and pictures please.

Original post by OP said he wanted to keep his resonator in, but delete his 2ndary cats... and then that he hasn't yet gotten around to removal of the 2nd cats.

Perhaps OP can clarify.

I'm curious as well because I'll be removing my 2nd cats soon, don't want to remove my resonator, and am also considering options for a slightly louder/deeper muffler without doing a full exhaust.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Ali-323i

Original post by OP said he wanted to keep his resonator in, but delete his 2ndary cats... and then that he hasn't yet gotten around to removal of the 2nd cats.

Perhaps OP can clarify.

I'm curious as well because I'll be removing my 2nd cats soon, don't want to remove my resonator, and am also considering options for a slightly louder/deeper muffler without doing a full exhaust.

True, I didn't remember that.

[Intotheblue]

Yep I kept my resonator. This particular shop won't do cat deletes but I know another shop that will, will see if it affects the sound at all.

I wanted the shop to do 3" mandrel bent pipe from the resonator to the muffler to replace the S bend near the axle with its stock pinch points, but they recommended against it because they said the stock piping was such good quality. Guess they felt I wouldn't get any gains by doing so even though they'd make more money.

These are the tips I bought, and are exactly what I had in mind when starting my search: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221689940580...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

For a deep sound, this setup would be the way to go (especially considering the price point). Its definitely not loud except when you punch it, but you can always tell its not stock. I'm just fine with the volume considering it should get louder after break-in, I just feel the deep tone makes it sound too much like a Japanese import (yes, not all sound like bumble bees). I can't say I like as much raspiness that the PE exhaust has, but if I were to do it again I would go with the Magnaflow 12158.

Also the current resonating frequency of the muffler FEELS annoying at idle in the cabin with the windows down, but I've read the resonance will move higher up the RPM band with time.

[AceOnShake]

pix of it installed and underneath. You use factory hangers?

[Intotheblue]

Pics in an hour. I'm not too sure what they did about the hangers since they had to install the muffler at an angle, but how they have it hung could definitely be contributing to drone/resonance inside.

Anyone with a youtube account want to PM me their email so I can email a video to upload?

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Yep I kept my resonator. This particular shop won't do cat deletes but I know another shop that will, will see if it affects the sound at all.

I wanted the shop to do 3" mandrel bent pipe from the resonator to the muffler to replace the S bend near the axle with its stock pinch points, but they recommended against it because they said the stock piping was such good quality. Guess they felt I wouldn't get any gains by doing so even though they'd make more money.

These are the tips I bought, and are exactly what I had in mind when starting my search: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221689940580...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

For a deep sound, this setup would be the way to go (especially considering the price point). Its definitely not loud except when you punch it, but you can always tell its not stock. I'm just fine with the volume considering it should get louder after break-in, I just feel the deep tone makes it sound too much like a Japanese import (yes, not all sound like bumble bees). I can't say I like as much raspiness that the PE exhaust has, but if I were to do it again I would go with the Magnaflow 12158.

Also the current resonating frequency of the muffler FEELS annoying at idle in the cabin with the windows down, but I've read the resonance will move higher up the RPM band with time.

I don't think the muffler piping size will change the tone.

[Intotheblue]

TheAxiom, think of the difference between a trumpet and a tuba. The initial piping from the mouth piece is around the same diameter for both. The piping for the trumpet only starts to expand at the horn, whereas the tuba's piping diameter starts to enlarge further before the horn, increasing the wavelength (and amplitude) and lowering the frequency.

Aceonshake, upon inspection 2 of the factory hanger points are used.

[DickBlisken]

Post some pics!

[Intotheblue]

When cold, the tailpipes actually retract about a half an inch so they sit flush with the bumper.

[Intotheblue]

Cold startup

Driving

Parking garage

Warm statup