Equal-length exhaust discussion: new S55 sounds

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

If they make these in house then I bet the cost bump is for the labor or OT they have to pay to pump these things out haha

Yeah if the extra $200 means they deploy quicker then fair enough. It just seems that they’re backlogged due to supply chain issues and it would just suck really bad if someone has to pay $200 more, get put in the back of the queue, and have to wait 2-3 months for a mid pipe. It’s effectively subsidizing the labor for those still waiting for their mid $200 cheaper mid pipe if that were the case

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by McBobby Jr

If you look back a few pages on this post, you'll see some people having issues with rattling or fitment. Another thing is ETA's for this midpipe are already set back a couple months. I hope that extra $200 will fix any of the previous issues I mentioned above and to help with Quality Control.

Oh yeah, I was not immune to rattles - after my third time re-tightening/re-positioning, mine have gone completely. FWIW I don’t think the quality is off, but it’s just a really tight space in certain areas so fitment may require some revisiting as the pipes adjust overtime/heat cycles

[CT_M3]

Originally Posted by six75LT

they did increase it by like $300 i think. would hope that would mean they could sort out the manufacturing and reduce the delivery times... but im sure it really just means they can boost their margins due to the insane demand for this (nothing wrong with that.)

There are 2 ways of looking at this:
1) Demand is high
2) Cost of materials has increased. If you've not paid attention, the cost of raw materials has really increased along with the specter of significant inflation in view (see cost of houses, lumber prices, food prices, bond markets). I personally think its a mix of the 2.

[bmwmdistrict]

Originally Posted by CT_M3

There are 2 ways of looking at this:
1) Demand is high
2) Cost of materials has increased. If you've not paid attention, the cost of raw materials has really increased along with the specter of significant inflation in view (see cost of houses, lumber prices, food prices, bond markets). I personally think its a mix of the 2.

This. Raw material costs are increasing substantially and combine that with the fact that this is the most popular midpipe on the market... price increase.

Sometimes I really just wish I got a single AA midpipe and could've had it within days. But oh well. Still waiting since February.

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by bsm.m4

This. Raw material costs are increasing substantially and combine that with the fact that this is the most popular midpipe on the market... price increase.

Sometimes I really just wish I got a single AA midpipe and could've had it within days. But oh well. Still waiting since February.

Trust me, you're going to love it. A single mid still sounds like a Pontiac

[bmwmdistrict]

Originally Posted by Kilabyte

Trust me, you're going to love it. A single mid still sounds like a Pontiac

That makes me feel a lot better about the wait... definitely don't wait a Pontiac sounding BMW

[dpgfunk]

If anyone is looking for the non-resonated section of AA EL pipes (not the entire midpipe), PM me. I have a set for sale as I recently switched to the resonated pipes.

Located in the LA area.

[six75LT]

question for anyone with any EL setup--how do the downshifts sound? are they more aggressive? stock ZCP downshifts sometimes sound like a weak, half-assed bark from my dog, its kinda sad.

[jimmydick]

Originally Posted by six75LT

question for anyone with any EL setup--how do the downshifts sound? are they more aggressive? stock ZCP downshifts sometimes sound like a weak, half-assed bark from my dog, its kinda sad.

It's pretty bad ass. EL transforms the car into what I wanted it to be. It can wear a tuxedo and push the button and it puts the wife beater on.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by CT_M3

There are 2 ways of looking at this:
1) Demand is high
2) Cost of materials has increased. If you've not paid attention, the cost of raw materials has really increased along with the specter of significant inflation in view (see cost of houses, lumber prices, food prices, bond markets). I personally think its a mix of the 2.

Active increased price on almost all their products. the equal length demand is very high, but the price increase is 100% due to material cost increasing

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by six75LT

question for anyone with any EL setup--how do the downshifts sound? are they more aggressive? stock ZCP downshifts sometimes sound like a weak, half-assed bark from my dog, its kinda sad.

If you already have a valve controller or unplugged the valves while open, ignore this first paragraph lol! So one thing that made a massive difference is the valve controller. I always wondered why sometimes downshifts sounded super weak in situations outside of 3/4K+ on the tach - after getting the controller and driving around with the valves forced open I realized it is because the valves are closed in a lot of situations even in sport/sport+. With the valves completely open, the down shifts sound really great all the time - very crisp, louder than stock, and with a sharp pop sometimes, especially since the secondary cat is deleted (you really hear random pops/bangs outside of burble settings). I can hear downshifts at 50mph below 3k tach with the windows down / wind blowing and they’re loud enough put putting around town that I often choose not to intentionally 3-2 down shift if people are around and enjoying themselves. The rev match is much more defined in these situations as well (no because it wasn’t before, just straight pipping w/ valves open will do that).

In terms of tone, any shift that lands below 3k has a slightly different tone than stock but most people probably won’t give it much thought. Still if you like traditional I6 then even below 3k it sounds more I6 than before. Really downshifting above 3k is where the magic happens - it’s a very clear difference and it makes you want to down shift in that range. I’ve hit a couple downshifts to 5.5/6k at speed and it’s freaking glorious

[slaughter.mode]

Here's a quick flyby video from stop > 2nd gear I just grabbed on the way home. It was a cul de sac so I couldn't really smash it...

Also I'm running 60% boost reduction in 1st and 2nd (Vargas Turbo with full bolt-ons and a Stage 2 tune). It has no traction. Ever. Even with 305x30x20 PS4s...I refuse to drive around on 18" drag radials.

[TacoJova]

Originally Posted by dpgfunk

If anyone is looking for the non-resonated section of AA EL pipes (not the entire midpipe), PM me. I have a set for sale as I recently switched to the resonated pipes.

Located in the LA area.

Was it a big difference?

[bmwmdistrict]

Originally Posted by the_ghost

Here's a quick flyby video from stop > 2nd gear I just grabbed on the way home. It was a cul de sac so I couldn't really smash it...

Also I'm running 60% boost reduction in 1st and 2nd (Vargas Turbo with full bolt-ons and a Stage 2 tune). It has no traction. Ever. Even with 305x30x20 PS4s...I refuse to drive around on 18" drag radials.

OMG this sounds amazing!! Thanks for posting, please post more when you can.

[McBobby Jr]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

If you already have a valve controller or unplugged the valves while open, ignore this first paragraph lol! So one thing that made a massive difference is the valve controller. I always wondered why sometimes downshifts sounded super weak in situations outside of 3/4K+ on the tach - after getting the controller and driving around with the valves forced open I realized it is because the valves are closed in a lot of situations even in sport/sport+. With the valves completely open, the down shifts sound really great all the time - very crisp, louder than stock, and with a sharp pop sometimes, especially since the secondary cat is deleted (you really hear random pops/bangs outside of burble settings). I can hear downshifts at 50mph below 3k tach with the windows down / wind blowing and they’re loud enough put putting around town that I often choose not to intentionally 3-2 down shift if people are around and enjoying themselves. The rev match is much more defined in these situations as well (no because it wasn’t before, just straight pipping w/ valves open will do that).

In terms of tone, any shift that lands below 3k has a slightly different tone than stock but most people probably won’t give it much thought. Still if you like traditional I6 then even below 3k it sounds more I6 than before. Really downshifting above 3k is where the magic happens - it’s a very clear difference and it makes you want to down shift in that range. I’ve hit a couple downshifts to 5.5/6k at speed and it’s freaking glorious

So with valves forced on and fully catless, when downshifting even with burbles off you can hear some pops and bangs?

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by McBobby Jr

So with valves forced on and fully catless, when downshifting even with burbles off you can hear some pops and bangs?

So I'm still running the stock primary cats but don't have the secondary cats & resonator. Yeah there are some pops & bangs here and there even though I don't have any burbles. This is probably the result of some random natural fuel overrun. It's never multiple pops in sequence like a burble tune - they're completely isolated and random. I have DCT and the shifts themselves sound much more pronounced at low speeds w/ valves open, in S2/3 it sounds like a clutch pack clamping rather than slipping or planetary clutches

[McBobby Jr]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

So I'm still running the stock primary cats but don't have the secondary cats & resonator. Yeah there are some pops & bangs here and there even though I don't have any burbles. This is probably the result of some random natural fuel overrun. It's never multiple pops in sequence like a burble tune - they're completely isolated and random. I have DCT and the shifts themselves sound much more pronounced at low speeds w/ valves open, in S2/3 it sounds like a clutch pack clamping rather than slipping or planetary clutches

I figured, before burbles even existed many engines would have pops and bangs here and there. My Uncle has a Gen 2 Viper with a MagnaFlow exhaust and it crackles quite a bit and it's completely stock besides the exhaust.

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by McBobby Jr

I figured, before burbles even existed many engines would have pops and bangs here and there. My Uncle has a Gen 2 Viper with a MagnaFlow exhaust and it crackles quite a bit and it's completely stock besides the exhaust.

I like natural exhaust pops, but a popcorn tune is the equivalent of a 1.6 Honda with an ebay exhaust and ebay brake flashers IMHO, I cringe at that, then again many ricers have gotten enough money to buy cheap M3s these days, 335s seem to be infected by it around here

I have the BM3 burbles set to off or OEM (I forget) and it still pops and bangs in the low gears and gunshot cracks with the non resonated mid when getting into boost and letting off which actually sounds cool according to people.

[McIntoshMotorSports]

Here's my setup with stock downpipes and no other mods. Man does equal length change the game. Couldn't go 24 hrs with stock exhaust lol

[shaddy]

I'm surprised there aren't any other EL mid pipe options yet! With AA increasing the price and delays I feel like there's good opportunity for some competition. Trying to hold out to see what else hits the market but sound clips are sounding good!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by shaddy

I'm surprised there aren't any other EL mid pipe options yet! With AA increasing the price and delays I feel like there's good opportunity for some competition. Trying to hold out to see what else hits the market but sound clips are sounding good!

it's not easy to copy/manufacturer that's why


The price increase applies to all manufacturers due to material/shipping/taxes cost going up.

[slaughter.mode]

Here's a quick blip of the exhaust sound while using the BM3 antilag feature...I didn't punch it longer because I saw a 50.