AA single or EL midpipe

[tomci08]

So I'm looking to swap out the dinan x-pipe with a AA midpipe. Want something a tad bit louder and had my mind set up on the single however I am now questioning myself after the equal length midpipe was introduced. Looking to pair the midpipe with the dinan axle back and stock down pipes. Anyone have any insight/thoughts? Also if equal length do you recommend the resonated or non? Thanks in advance.

Tom

[TopJimmy]

Stock cats + AA single + Dinan/Remus = great low sound

Look for Tommy L Garage exhaust videos on YouTube.

PS: take the red pill...

[TimmyM56]

I'm probably a bit biased since I bought one but I love the classic inline 6 sound from the Equal Length midpipe from AA.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I had both on my personal M4. the single delivers the cleanest sound.

The equal length has a more aggressive and deeper tone that almost sounds non-turbo.

If you have stock downpipes, get the non-res
if you have aftermarket downpipe (even if its catted), get the resonated version

[bsmf8x]

Single sounds more exotic/aggressive. My personal choice tbh.

EL sounds more deep, just like a nice non turbo straight 6 as people say. It sounds more mature if that makes sense.

If you heard both flying by, the single sounds more classic S55. EL sounds like a completely diff car.


I love the s55 noise when it's not straight piped or excessively raspy (like a AWE track/MPE on stock downpipe sounds amazing to me) and the single is like that but it's less raspy. EL really doesn't sound like the s55 lol but people like it.

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by murdrdf82

Single sounds more exotic/aggressive. My personal choice tbh.

EL sounds more deep, just like a nice non turbo straight 6 as people say. It sounds more mature if that makes sense.

If you heard both flying by, the single sounds more classic S55. EL sounds like a completely diff car.


I love the s55 noise when it's not straight piped or excessively raspy (like a AWE track/MPE on stock downpipe sounds amazing to me) and the single is like that but it's less raspy. EL really doesn't sound like the s55 lol but people like it.

Well said. I do think Single turbo is by far, from my own experience

But have yet to hear EQ length in person, although Valvetronic is the winner for me for Equal length based on videos.

[tanmanbih]

Also have the same dilemma.. Have heard the AA equal length but on stock exhaust.. sounds deeper.. I’m leaning towards the EL but still waiting on few videos online.. seems like everyone just want to post a 10 second video..

I have MPE on mine.. also trying to see how that’s going to work out.. not sure if you have to cut the midpipe or the exhaust? Or do you even have to?

[deemack79]

Originally Posted by tanmanbih

Also have the same dilemma.. Have heard the AA equal length but on stock exhaust.. sounds deeper.. I'm leaning towards the EL but still waiting on few videos online.. seems like everyone just want to post a 10 second video..

I have MPE on mine.. also trying to see how that's going to work out.. not sure if you have to cut the midpipe or the exhaust? Or do you even have to?

[Makivelli]

I just had my AA el installed today and the difference is magical. It really gives it that straight six sound you come to expect from RBs, 2jz, and older m motors. It sounds so much happier to rev, it’s a much smoother sounding noise. Granted i went with the resonated version and ZCP muffler.

[spool twice]

EL because it sounds like an inline 6 and not an inline 3...

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Makivelli

I just had my AA el installed today and the difference is magical. It really gives it that straight six sound you come to expect from RBs, 2jz, and older m motors. It sounds so much happier to rev, it’s a much smoother sounding noise. Granted i went with the resonated version and ZCP muffler.

[tanmanbih]

Originally Posted by deemack79

Thanks actually have seen that but Im looking for a MPE + EL combo!

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by tanmanbih

Thanks actually have seen that but Im looking for a MPE + EL combo!

Car on the left would be the closest match to that combo. Mpe's tend to be more on the raspy tinny side imo.

[tanmanbih]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

Car on the left would be the closest match to that combo. Mpe's tend to be more on the raspy tinny side imo.

Interesting.. Theres another thread floating around with the EL non-res

Would it still be raspy even if its the Res version?

I have stock DP, and MPE exhaust.. which do you think sound best? Not really big into the raspyness.. so maybe res version? Also, im guessing I'll have to cut my MPE right? If i decide to go this route?

[YKIGI]

Originally Posted by tanmanbih

Interesting.. Theres another thread floating around with the EL non-res

Would it still be raspy even if its the Res version?

I have stock DP, and MPE exhaust.. which do you think sound best? Not really big into the raspyness.. so maybe res version? Also, im guessing I'll have to cut my MPE right? If i decide to go this route?

The res and non res smooth out the tone and eliminate most rasp. The resonated would definitely remove the most. Keeping stock downpipes will also save you from introducing unwanted rasp. In this equation however, your MPE rear is a inherently raspy design. If you truly want a setup with very little rasp you’d want stock downpipes a resonated EL midpipe and a different rear. I’d recommend Borla, magnaflow, or AA 3 can axle back. All 3 are very smooth when paired with an EL midpipe.

IF you want smooth (non rasp) but a little more volume. Get this same setup but non res vs the res.

GL

[bmwmdistrict]

Originally Posted by YKIGI

The res and non res smooth out the tone and eliminate most rasp. The resonated would definitely remove the most. Keeping stock downpipes will also save you from introducing unwanted rasp. In this equation however, your MPE rear is a inherently raspy design. If you truly want a setup with very little rasp you’d want stock downpipes a resonated EL midpipe and a different rear. I’d recommend Borla, magnaflow, or AA 3 can axle back. All 3 are very smooth when paired with an EL midpipe.

IF you want smooth (non rasp) but a little more volume. Get this same setup but non res vs the res.

GL

I've heard the AA 3-can/signature exhaust produces a lot of drone. Tommy L Garage dumped that exhaust setup pretty quickly because the drone was so bad.

[YKIGI]

Originally Posted by bsm.m4

I've heard the AA 3-can/signature exhaust produces a lot of drone. Tommy L Garage dumped that exhaust setup pretty quickly because the drone was so bad.

The sig exhaust, altho it uses the same three can, is not EL.....

EL makes all the difference

Also the 3 can has a huge delete can in the middle. Paired with the correct dps and mid there is Zero chance that rear could be anything but smooth.

[Tommy L Garage]

I heard EL in person - hated it. Too high-pitched and farted a lot.

Single has deep tone and no farts. That’s my choice

[bmwmdistrict]

The EL seems to have a ton of hype, and I haven't been too impressed by it myself although I'm completely going off of online videos and not in person.

[YKIGI]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

I heard EL in person - hated it. Too high-pitched and farted a lot.

Single has deep tone and no farts. That’s my choice

I don't know what to say bros. I don't agree at all

As more EL setups hit the net (not just AA) you will see its a more modern, and refined sound. Way more engineered. WHEN DONE RIGHT! Most people mess up the downpipe and rear configurations. That's not the midpipe's fault.

The SINGLE is sloppy. WHY, because no single midpipe can handle 2 inline 3 cylinders running on 2 separate turbos and variable timing. NO WAY to make a consistent sound with ONE pipe

COME ON NOWWW

Please stop defending old setups just cuz that's what your used to and don't want to buy more exhausts lol And face the fact that you still don't have the best sound you could have. That's just the truth

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by YKIGI

The sig exhaust, altho it uses the same three can, is not EL.....

Sorry guys but the AA signature does not use the 3-can. Sig extends the single midpipe concept into a full 3.5in pipe cat-back and a 1-can rear. I have it on my car with ER sport cats. It does not drone...it's just Low&Loud. I love the race car sound and usually don't listen to the radio.

[bmwmdistrict]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

Sorry guys but the AA signature does not use the 3-can. Sig extends the single midpipe concept into a full 3.5in pipe cat-back and a 1-can rear. I have it on my car with ER sport cats. It does not drone...it's just Low&Loud. I love the race car sound and usually don't listen to the radio.

Originally Posted by YKIGI

I don't know what to say bros. I don't agree at all

As more EL setups hit the net (not just AA) you will see its a more modern, and refined sound. Way more engineered. WHEN DONE RIGHT! Most people mess up the downpipe and rear configurations. That's not the midpipe's fault.

The SINGLE is sloppy. WHY, because no single midpipe can handle 2 inline 3 cylinders running on 2 separate turbos and variable timing. NO WAY to make a consistent sound with ONE pipe

COME ON NOWWW

Please stop defending old setups just cuz that's what your used to and don't want to buy more exhausts lol And face the fact that you still don't have the best sound you could have. That's just the truth

Thanks for clarifying guys and as for EL vs single, it's obviously down to individual preference.

I'm not saying I'd never buy the AA EL, in fact I just watched a few videos online of a Dinan x AA EL that sounded incredible. So clearly it's a matter of what hardware is paired up for optimal sound.

I agree if you replace the downpipes it really does always sound awful.