Exhaust Advice (E46 330i)

[msm]

Need some exhaust advise again .... but I'm on a bit of a budget as I just bought my bike this month too :mmm:

First, thanks to moranor for this little pressie that I collected today (328i Catless Header):

I want to have the rest of the exhaust done at the same time (and place) that fits the header. So far, from my limited knowledge, it seems that I have 3 options for the rest of the system:

1) Replace the exhaust cats with straight pipes.
Pro's: Cheapest route
Cons: Not sure what is would sound like. Might be too tinny and if I go to option 2 or 3 later, it's a waste of time doing this.

2) Replace the exhaust cats with muffler/resonator box.
Pro's: Still cheap, but should sound much nicer than straight pipes.
Con's: Not 100% sure what it would sound like.

3) Replace the entire exhaust with a decent free flow
Pro's: Should have maximum performance and sound benefit
Cons: Most expensive option

I'm currently leaning towards option 2, but I'm not sure what the effects of back pressure, etc is on these options and if I will lose any low end torque (this is important as I have an automatic).

Lastly any advise on who I can take the car to. Preference given to someone close to Midrand/Centurion and someone that has worked on E46's before as the guys also need to fit the header (which is a b!tch to get to on these cars).

 

[Sankekur]

Personally I would go for option 3, as this will be optimal in terms of performance. But it depends on what you want from the exhaust system, if the decat is the main thing that you want to do, and you don't want more than that then obviously you should either go for 1 or 2, out of them I would go for 1, I just like the tinny sound (sound more like an M3)
But if your goal is to do the entire exhaust, it might be a good idea to just do it all at once rather than decat now then the full exhaust later, of course you have to save up a bit more, but then you are done.

I have spoken to a couple of guys, and have heard a lot of good things of TNT, I have also spoken to one of the guys at TNT and he sounded like he was pretty clued up his stuff. TNT is probably the route I will go.

 

[moranor@axis]

i have a full free flow on my car and it is quite loud under 3000 rpm over 3000 it seems to get less resonance so it does not drone which is good news for highway driving but not good news form my neaighbers

from what i researched before i did my exhaust bmws respond well to having less backpressure so there is no effect on low down tourque...
i have not noticed any differnce in my car but i still need to get it onto a dyno so i can see the gragh

i would go for option 2 with a golf T mod i like a deep sound

 

[Arbee]

MSM,

I did a decat on my car, replaced the exhaust cats with straight pipes. I only get the tinny M3 sound when the car is cold, ive heard it only once though, cos i dont drive my car hard when cold. Decat on stock exhaust sounds lovely. Im sure it will sound even better with decatted headers...

Thanks
Arbee

 

[andrewbuch]

ARBEE's car sounds awesome

 

[Arbee]

ARBEE's car sounds awesome

Thanks :wave:

You coming on Saturday to RGM?

 

[andrewbuch]

Nope....