EL Mid to Single Mid

[M3SQRD]

I have the AA single mid paired with the AA triple-can axle back muffler setup since 2016. There’s zero drone and absolutely no buzzing.

[deemack79]

Originally Posted by mbb2000

I tried catless and it was definitely the worst sound to come out of the car. I'd consider carted dp but catless was too much. I have to admit E85 smells pretty good lol!

Resonated is the key. Buddy of mine had the exact same setup except non res DP’s and his car sounded completely diff than mine.(shittier) My car sounded the same with cats, just no spool sound.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I have the AA single mid paired with the AA triple-can axle back muffler setup since 2016. There’s zero drone and absolutely no buzzing.

Very underrated setup, sounds excellent and should be more popular

[SteveYem]

I just purchased a MAD single midpipe to pair with my stock cats/downpipes and stock Competition rear muffler, but now I'm sitting here wondering if I should have gone with the EL midpipe instead.

Oh well....time is short. I'll try the MAD single pipe and see how it goes.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Very underrated setup, sounds excellent and should be more popular

I absolutely agree! It sounds great for a s55. I haven’t thought about switching the exhaust setup in over eight years.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I absolutely agree! It sounds great for a s55. I haven’t thought about switching the exhaust setup in over eight years.

Whenever I recommend this setup to customers, I face pushback because it's not commonly talked about on the forums. I tell them to trust me on this one, they'll be happy with the outcome. Some take my word for it, others don't

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Whenever I recommend this setup to customers, I face pushback because it's not commonly talked about on the forums. I tell them to trust me on this one, they'll be happy with the outcome. Some take my word for it, others don't

I’ve not had one person who’s heard it in person say they don’t like the sound. This is coming from several of my brutally honest friends who own f8x.

I bought it without hearing it and I was ecstatic when I heard it for the first time. I have an AA full setup on one of my e92 M3s and it gives off an exotic scream at 8.6k rpm (raised redline) with a Karbonius CF plenum! I love both of my AA setups.

[F82_Em4]

OP, Is coldstart with valves closed much louder than stock coldstart? I just bought EL non res but afraid to get it installed because i don't want to wake up my roommates. I have stock dp and zcp package

[SteveYem]

Originally Posted by F82_Em4

OP, Is coldstart with valves closed much louder than stock coldstart? I just bought EL non res but afraid to get it installed because i don't want to wake up my roommates. I have stock dp and zcp package

I’m about to find out for myself today, except in my case it’s a non-resonated single midpipe. I’m also on stock downpipes and ZCP rear muffler. That said, for the past few weeks I’ve had my exhaust valves permanently open so all of my cold starts have been with valves open. When I install the midpipe I plan to plug the valves in again so my cold starts will be with valves closed. I’m hoping stock with valves open is around par with midpipe and valves closed, noise wise. Will report back soon.

[F82_Em4]

Please do report back, i would love to hear the outcome as i am on the fence about it!

[SteveYem]

Originally Posted by F82_Em4

Please do report back, i would love to hear the outcome as i am on the fence about it!

Ok! I got my MAD single mid pipe (AA knockoff) installed today and I can say that the cold start with valves closed is not much louder, if any, than the stock ZCP exhaust with valves closed. Maybe a hair louder, but I think it’s negligible. When I switch into Sport or Sport Plus modes (or set the valves to Open using BimmerLink) it becomes noticeably louder.

I think the valves and the stock rear muffler have a lot to say about the overall volume of the exhaust note.

[F82_Em4]

Thank you for the feedback, i will get it installed next weekend. Worst case i will just roll my car out of garage lol

[SteveYem]

Adding some anecdotal feedback for anyone’s reference: With stock downpipes, MAD single midpipe and stock ZCP rear muffler, my observation is that the sound is very much like the stock ZCP sound, just louder across the rev range and with a particular boost in volume, bordering on ‘boominess’, in the ballpark of 2800-3500 rpm. If you are looking to change the tone of the exhaust note, as opposed to just changing the amplitude of it, then IMO a single downpipe with stock downpipes and stock rear muffler is not the option for you.