Branches for e46 330i

[Sankekur]

I am very concerned about the sound, I don't want my car to droan (think Citi with 20" wheels and dustbin stuck to the back it), but I was assured by the guys I spoke to that it would not be the case.

I think it also has a lot to do with the engine, where a BMW 6cyl would naturally sound better than most smaller engines (refering back to Citi mentioned previously), so I am relatively confident that the sound would be good. Also when you remove the cats you'll get more of that scratchy BMW 6cyl sound, like an M3 has, personally I like this but some might not (is one of the reasons why I want to do the exhaust, love the sound of the M3). These are just my opinions combined with things I've read or heard so if someone has a better knowledge of these things please correct me.

I've heard that the cats are basically past their live at about 75 000k's, and yes I do think it is worthwhile to remove them.

 

[ryan88A]

thanks...i am new to this forum. I have been looking for a BMW forum in SA for ages. so i am happy i found this one.

I have heard some loud and bad sound 6 cyl BMW's. they just fit a massive box on the back and it sounds so fake.
i am probably going to try the 328 branch, if it does not fit i will just get the cats gutted.

i know some people dont like the M3 sound...i personally LOVE it. so if it sounds anything close to that i will be happy.
good luck with your efforts.

on the filter side i fitted the K&N pan filter. Works well. I did not feel much difference in performance, or sound. But in the long run it works out cheaper to clean the K&N then replace with the OEM paper filter.

I am also concerned that in the long run SA will get wiser to emision control...and do tests on the emisions of exhausts. and we may need to fit the cats back into our cars. If this ever happens it will be a costly excersize!!! they do this in America. so over there they sell performance cats... but in SA there are so many other things they need to police and control, i doubt it will happen anytime soon.

 

[STREETRACER]

WHO DOESNT LIKE AN M3's SOUND????????????? :dropjaw:

 

[Coisman]

Speakin about sounds...
how about the sound of the M5 and M6???

 

[Sankekur]

WHO DOESNT LIKE AN M3's SOUND????????????? :dropjaw:

You have a point , just remember there are some real crazy people around

Speakin about sounds...
how about the sound of the M5 and M6???

Nothing wrong with their sounds, but I guess I will need more than an exhaust to make may 6 sound like a 8 or 10, but I wouln't say no

 

[Arbee]

TNT cuts your branch above the cats and builds a down pipe with a full catless TNT freeflow to the rear! and i only use BMC panel replacement filters!

Hi Bud, Im interested in doing this asap. Please PM details?

@ San and MSM, lets make it a 3 for 1 special? LOL

 

[moranor@axis]

cats are bad

 

[marc]

It seems like this is a super popular thread. I am also in the market for some aftermarket branches. But in cape town which seems to be difficult to find a place to do this. So looking for nebody from the cape who knows of a reputable place to do this conversion. I already have a full aftermarket exhaust done but now looking for a branch upgrade as like I've read the cats get blocked up and my milage is at 165k so it's a good excuse to get rid of them

 

[Fuzzy]

Hi there Sankekur.

R3000 + Vat for a Viper Performance Branch including decat. Excluding mini cats (Lamda foolers).

@Don, sorry, not sure whether I was allowed to highlight this.

Ciao Fuzzy

 

[Sankekur]

TNT cuts your branch above the cats and builds a down pipe with a full catless TNT freeflow to the rear! and i only use BMC panel replacement filters!

Hi Bud, Im interested in doing this asap. Please PM details?

@ San and MSM, lets make it a 3 for 1 special? LOL

I wonder if TNT would give a discount in such a case? :thinking:

Either way, it would depend on whether you guys (msm, Mr_Arbee) want to go for it.

---

Hi there Sankekur.

R3000 + Vat for a Viper Performance Branch including decat. Excluding mini cats (Lamda foolers).

@Don, sorry, not sure whether I was allowed to highlight this.

Ciao Fuzzy

Thanks for the info Fuzzy, I am just wondering is the Viper branch better than the TNT branch? (And how is it better)

 

[moranor@axis]

im pretty sure they all the same

 

[msm]

Hi Bud, Im interested in doing this asap. Please PM details?

@ San and MSM, lets make it a 3 for 1 special? LOL

I wonder if TNT would give a discount in such a case? :thinking:

Either way, it would depend on whether you guys (msm, Mr_Arbee) want to go for it.

Have to pass on that.

Currently got a set of 328i catless headers sitting in my garage. Spoke to the guys at Xcede/Powerflow (Randburg) and going to fit them on. At the same time, going to remove the centre cats. Don't want to ditch the full exhaust at this stage - only the cats.

Just do not have time to leave the car with them for the full day, as I work in Centurion (drop off, get to work, pick up, etc is my biggest challenge).

 

[Sankekur]

Shot man :thumb:

 

[moranor@axis]

sank if you going full free flow you should get aftermarket branches... there is no point in making more noise if you not getting maxium gain from the noise... if you just decating then oem catless (328i ect) is fine

msm get a move on i did not sell you them so they could sit in the garage

 

[Sankekur]

Yup my plan is to do the whole the whole thing, performance branch + full freeflow.

 

[Carbon M3]

Just a quick note on the dreaded drone.

I got a wildcat fitted to my 93 Camry in 2003 when they had a workshop in Durban.

The guy there said the best way to make sure that you don't get a drone is to match the original volume and placement of the silencers.

The exhaust that he did matched the exact size and position of the original exhaust (incl backbox) except the boxes where all freeflow.

The car is absolutely silent when cruising, and only when you accelerate do you here that deep freeflow tone.

 

[Arbee]

@ MSM, cool bud. I spoke to Allistar at Powerflow, he says the cats on the headers are the main cause of a cracked head. Hence he advised doing the branch before software, my car was booked in for software but now im going to do the branch before...

My bru in law's E46 M3 Cabrio is getting a exhaust and software treatment tomorrow with Powerflow/Excede! Cant wait to take it for a spin after...

@ San, im keen bud. Im ready to do the branch asap.

@ Streetracer, where is this that does the downpipe and exhuast?

 

[Sankekur]

Mr_Arbee, consider yourself PM'd

 

[Bmw.wp]

Interesting thread. i am also considering to free some more power on my car.

did you guys did the upgrades and are you happy. there is no places around here in Northern Cape that knows what they doing or rather who i trust with my car so seems i have to travel to jozi for any of these mods.?