Quick question on the E46 328i exhaust???

[akash]

Hi Guys

Just a quick question. I was in Durbs this weekend and visited my uncle who bought himself a E46 328i (Auto) steptronic. He wants a better exhaust tone and wanted to change the back box.

I told him he should save the money a just remove the the pipe from the actuator that opens and closers the flap in the exhaust tail piece. We tested and it sounded much better.

I told him to put the pipe back into place until a find out from the forum if there will be any negative affects from doing this mod.

From what i have learnt from our forum members, the flap is just there to keep the car a bit quiter at idle speed.

But do you guys know of any negative affects in terms of exhaust back pressure and strain on the engine?

Thanks my brothers in arms:thumbs:.

Akash

 

[jeff_denning]

Personally, I'd rather do a de-cat first and take it from there Don't wanna make things sound too ricey.

 

[moranor@axis]

the flap is only for sound... i would not change the back box on an auto because tends to drone at low rpm...

rather do a decat and unplug the flap... if it is too noisy after the decat you can always plug the flap back in...

 

[akash]

So i gather that there is no negative affects to the engine or other components, dont think he wants to really go the decat route until the cats die.

Does'nt sound rice like a Far east fong kong exhaust, it has that 6 cyclinder growl at idle

 

[moranor@axis]

cats are dead when they put them in thats why the smell so bad...

 

[akash]

cats are dead when they put them in thats why the smell so bad...

Eish
:flyfun:

 

[jeff_denning]

So i gather that there is no negative affects to the engine or other components, dont think he wants to really go the decat route until the cats die.

Does'nt sound rice like a Far east fong kong exhaust, it has that 6 cyclinder growl at idle

As moranor said, there won't be a negative affect on the engine or back pressure, it just keeps things quieter.
Before your cats die, take em out. You'll see a small power gain as opposed to fiddling with the back box, with a better sound.

Edt: I'm taking the cats outta my E39 this weekend, so I'll have a before and after sound that I'll post up here for you to listen to.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Hey bud, Ive done both the golf tee mod, which is removing the ehaust flap pipe and did the decat. Dont remove the backbox. The drone will be unbearable.

If u want the flap to stay open just remove the pipe. Take a Golf tee and stick it down the pipe to block it and tie the pipe to your supporting beams or the bumper with cable ties. You can do the decat and fit straight pipes or boxes in its place and even replace the middle box. Will give u the raspy M3 type sound. If u still have trouble just drop a pm or ask here and ill be glad to help

 

[lucian]

Why must we drive around with dead cats?
I think they add value to the car cos of the platinum in them. Correct me if I'm wrong (about the platinum)

 

[ChrisBrand]

Hehe, yes about R450 more on your R100 000 car so you can sell it for R100 450. Akash if u can wait till the weekend ill upload a video so u can hear the sound.

 

[moranor@axis]

there is only about a gram or so in the cat... i was going to collect them to refine them, but the process involved is too costly to make it viable...

also is SA the plat content in the cats is lower... it seems they have cut costs because we dont have emissions testing... so if you have an imported car you may have 5g of plat in your exhaust... but its not worth that much because you still have to get it out...

 

[ekseniks]

What does the air filter do for the sound? Or is that performance?

 

[Sankekur]

The air-filter (oiled performance filters) ruin your MAF in the short term and in the long term your motor. Stick with paper filters, just replace it every time you do a oil change.

 

[ChrisBrand]

It helps with throttle response and alot with consumption. Won't notice a difference in sound with a panel filter.

 

[akash]

Sweet thanks for the info guys, will let my uncle know.