Equal-length exhaust discussion: new S55 sounds

[M3ZCPNYC]

Does anyone know when AA will release their version?

[jrp73]

Originally Posted by M3ZCPNYC

Does anyone know when AA will release their version?

Nope, a few people have tried to contact them but I haven't heard anything since they posted that one video. It looks like Miltek will release theirs first so I'm looking into that

[AYF80]

Originally Posted by austinhuffzz

That didn't sound fixed at all to me.

[behindthen0thing]

Originally Posted by jamespheely

Nope, a few people have tried to contact them but I haven't heard anything since they posted that one video. It looks like Miltek will release theirs first so I'm looking into that

Why not get the original one that sounds better?

[shaddy]

Have you all heard the latest Milltek? I don't think it sounds very good...

[Ed_rx7]

Jeez.... they seem to be sounding very similar.:.. just goes to show how the AA midpipe changed the game.... and is still a viable cheaper option!

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by shaddy

Have you all heard the latest Milltek? I don't think it sounds very good...

They smoothed out the lawn mower sound. So instead of a Toro it sounds like a Honda. That isn't progress in my mind.

[whitstap]

Unfortunately taking the s55 sound with twin turbos from heavy metal to Mozart is not as simple as just equalizing the lengths before merging the exhaust gases... so many factors in addition to space constraints... rasp, drone, volume, resonances etc... don’t get me wrong EQ length is the answer it just seems that a lot of trial and error (aka R&D) is required to create a beautiful melody throughout the rev range and throttle positions (engine loads)... be patient someone will eventaully find a solution... plus the stock manifolds are not equal length before the turbos to begin with, but we all wish to keep the simplicity, driveability, and response of the stock (or hybrid) twin ewg setup... I know as enthusiasts all of us appreciate these threads, ideas, hard work and where this is going we just need to realize that if it was easy everyone would already have it... fingers crossed I’m optimistic that an affordable solution is around the corner (pun)... happy modding everybody

[Frode D]

Milltek sounds VERY raspy to me. Revs sounds good, but the takeoff...

[MyFragileHalogen]

Originally Posted by whitstap

Unfortunately taking the s55 sound with twin turbos from heavy metal to Mozart is not as simple as just equalizing the lengths before merging the exhaust gases... so many factors in addition to space constraints... rasp, drone, volume, resonances etc... don’t get me wrong EQ length is the answer it just seems that a lot of trial and error (aka R&D) is required to create a beautiful melody throughout the rev range and throttle positions (engine loads)... be patient someone will eventaully find a solution... plus the stock manifolds are not equal length before the turbos to begin with, but we all wish to keep the simplicity, driveability, and response of the stock (or hybrid) twin ewg setup... I know as enthusiasts all of us appreciate these threads, ideas, hard work and where this is going we just need to realize that if it was easy everyone would already have it... fingers crossed I’m optimistic that an affordable solution is around the corner (pun)... happy modding everybody

Perhaps due to so many variables like that to tune in limited time and money, factory exhaust setups are a bit more conservative? And perhaps a lot of difference what higher end (especially exotic) cars make is due to the fact that they have budget and time to figure out all that things in one factory rolled out package?

[whitstap]

Absolutely... boutique supercar companies and certain flagship models for the bigger brands (Lexus LFA, Porsche GT3 etc) have to deliver all those elements out of the box to justify the asking price/margins... I used to think that the M3 was a flagship model for BMW but unfortunately they don’t use the M cars that way anymore and have to rely on volume sales as the margins are so tight... so they focus more on function and performance to justify sales as opposed to form/feel/sound (hence the huge grills for the new models they simply function better is all I can figure? also AWD, auto trans, EPS, tiny twin turbos for diesel like efficiency and torque but no top end and funky sound etc...) luckily we still get some cool stuff here and there like the rear fenders on the F80 that were needed to fit the M4/5 drivetrain... even Porsche and Audi have been function > form for a long time as that is always how racing/competition is won... fortunately enthusiasts like us drive the aftermarket and have different priorities, they are not racecars, and the journey of modding and fixing what the oems left on the table is the challenge... love these forums and these threads that allow us to work together to address these issues w/out wasting too much time and $$$ (hopefully lol) trying the reinvent the wheel(s) (pun)

[DanMpower]

To me, the Top Gear exhaust sounds a bit tame, like too smooth and muffled almost like an N55 which doesn't particularly scream sporty/high performance.

The Milltek system sounds a bit too much like other S55 exhaust systems, way too raspy and if you see how the exhaust is laid out you'll understand why.

The Valvetronic system sounds fantastic so far, it has a sweet exotic warble in some of the rev range and has just enough rasp but not overwhelming.

The AA system from the single sound clip we have is by FAR my favorite, it sounds exotic and in the upper range sounds like a Porsche GT car.

[FlyingLow78]

So far, the TopGear system sounds the most mature to me. I don’t want manic screaming or raspiness, since I have to pass sound checks at the track and I’d like to retain my sanity en route. However, all parcel shipments to my part of the world have ceased due to the Coronavirus, so I’m SOL.

[ra2289]

Originally Posted by FlyingLow78

So far, the TopGear system sounds the most mature to me. I don't want manic screaming or raspiness, since I have to pass sound checks at the track and I'd like to retain my sanity en route. However, all parcel shipments to my part of the world have ceased due to the Coronavirus, so I'm SOL.

Well the plus side is, in the interim, you'll get to hear all the other systems that may drop soon. But yeah, that sucks. May be a while before the shipments start again.

[M3ZCPNYC]

Cmon active!!!!

[pattymtb]

Originally Posted by M3ZCPNYC

Cmon active!!!!

Seriously waiting patiently for AA to drop!!! Cash in hand lol!

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by tonino1

Seriously waiting patiently for AA to drop!!! Cash in hand lol!

Seriously, I need to purchase this exhaust before Corona Virus kills us all.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by doughboy

H pipe behind the diff.

They've done a nice job.

Sound is much smoother, sound lovely at idle and standing revs. But under load with valves open its has a loudish rasp comes in at 3.5 to 4.5krpm, which is just llike my old milltek did, but this sound better even so.

But at 5k it quietens up and seems to sing up to the red line.

hows your review a few weeks into it now? Efficient mode the exhaust sounds smooth so smooth on mine, and then the 4,000rpm valve opening even gives off such a nice blare at partial throttle. I wish it came like this from the factory.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by spool twice

hows your review a few weeks into it now? Efficient mode the exhaust sounds smooth so smooth on mine, and then the 4,000rpm valve opening even gives off such a nice blare at partial throttle. I wish it came like this from the factory.

I'm glad you asked, prompted me to post up.

After about 300 miles I'm really happy with it. Like you say it has a lovely deep smooth sound in efficient. I can "feel" the exhaust at low speed and idle, sounds like a proper I6, in an enclosed multistorey car park it sounds great.

With valves open the deep sound moves to a little rasp, but this has softened now the packing in the resonators has expanded I suspect. It has metallic edge to it that eases after 5K that I really like to open the windows to hear it.

Also this sound gets richer when the exhaust is really hot, which is a good excuse to go for a blast.

All in, it's not perfect but way nearer to it than the flat OE blare, and I'm really pleased I did a DIY for £250.

Now to try Decat DPs (which I have in the garage already)

[spool twice]

Yeah, mine sounded better after a few hundred miles as well, as if the packing "adjusted" itself, the hotter the exhausts gets, the nicer and "boomier" and brassier it sounds at that crossover rpm.

[Kilabyte]

Here's AA's offering:

[Kilabyte]

I dunno