Is that what decat does to the sound? Mine doesn't sound like that, but stock and still have cats
Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk
-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
The new daily - E46 330i Touring
- Thread starter Benji
- Start date
Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk
evnmopwr
Well-known member
What i done to mine is the following
Decatt ( all of them )
Kept the Small BMW Box in the middle
Installed a SPEED backbox.
will try to make recording for you to hear what mine sounds like
M3boi
Well-known member
The cats do filter out a lot of the raspiness, so once you remove them while keeping your stock rear muffler, it gets super raspy and meh.
Benji
Well-known member
Keen to see what this sounds like...I am struggling to understand the physics behind how it has become so raspy now. Not in the mood to throw more money at this car
Do you have an aftermarket manifold or just cut the cats out the stock manifold? Your car sounds good, maybe a bit too loud for my tastes...
Anyway, I took the car out for some beating yesterday out towards ATS motorsport. I was unceremoniously rewarded with a red battery light. This meant I needed to drive home even faster to preserve battery power, made it home on 11.5V... The engine seems to be coming alive with a bit of driving after initially feeling a bit "pap". Rings must be loosening up and ECU adapting to its new situation. I have not driven this car in so long, it is hard to compare the difference the manifold has made, but it does seem to be more responsive and pull a bit harder.
Culprit found. I dont think these brushes have seen 6000rpm in over a year, was maybe just a bit too much excitement for one day
An easy fix thankfully, but to all that is holy, can this please be that last breakdown on this car! 🤞
I also heard that just the branches alone will cause some rasp, back box will have to be changed to remedy the rasp. I have always hated rasp and its the only thing that put me off the S54.
I have a full Viper system on mine, branches and a free flow exhaust done by Abel - Did it back in 2015 and honestly, it sounds flipping fantastic.. Single best mod I ever did on the car, more than happy to meet up so you can give it a listen.
evnmopwr
Well-known member
Manifold was Opened, cats removed and Welded back up.
I have a set of 328i Headers i bought from @individj but never got round it installing them.
Mine is nice and deep sounding, but the only con would be the drone when on open road. That would annoy most people but i dont mind it
Wire in a ///m button lol
Benji
Well-known member
I am running a 330i exhaust which does still have the exhaust flap installed, so I experimented with cable-tying the valve into the closed position. The exhaust is significantly quieter but the rasp is still there, although quieter. I quite enjoyed the quieter exhaust which must mean I am getting older 
What I might do it reinstate the OEM exhaust valve system which will require me to run a vacuum line and a wire from the DME to the OEM solenoid.
One day when I have 4k burning a hole in my pocket, I might try something similar to the M3 "anti-rasp" pipe, which is just 2 resonators installed close to the headers. I will then probably complain that my exhaust is too quiet and will then proceed to deactivate the OEM exhaust valve system...
Anyway, I have done about 3000km on my "new" engine which has been performing much better than my old engine. Recently did a faultless 1500km trip and I am really enjoying this car a lot more than I used to. Oil pressure is a fantastic thing! It also does not seem to be using any oil...touching wood. However, engine knock now fixed, the suspension has started knocking with increasing severity and my 4th used powersteering pump (this one came with my new engine) is also getting louder by the day. I am using Liqui Moly 1100 ATF, is this poison for a PS pump or am I unlucky? These are the joys of old car ownership. You have been warned.
Anyway here is a gratuitous pic of one of the best looking cars out there, resplendent in the pink dust of Kathu
Next project involves wiring, something I seem to be doing a lot lately...
What I might do it reinstate the OEM exhaust valve system which will require me to run a vacuum line and a wire from the DME to the OEM solenoid.One day when I have 4k burning a hole in my pocket, I might try something similar to the M3 "anti-rasp" pipe, which is just 2 resonators installed close to the headers. I will then probably complain that my exhaust is too quiet and will then proceed to deactivate the OEM exhaust valve system...
Anyway, I have done about 3000km on my "new" engine which has been performing much better than my old engine. Recently did a faultless 1500km trip and I am really enjoying this car a lot more than I used to. Oil pressure is a fantastic thing! It also does not seem to be using any oil...touching wood. However, engine knock now fixed, the suspension has started knocking with increasing severity and my 4th used powersteering pump (this one came with my new engine) is also getting louder by the day. I am using Liqui Moly 1100 ATF, is this poison for a PS pump or am I unlucky? These are the joys of old car ownership. You have been warned.
Anyway here is a gratuitous pic of one of the best looking cars out there, resplendent in the pink dust of Kathu
Next project involves wiring, something I seem to be doing a lot lately...
evnmopwr
Well-known member
I try my best not to look at that Rear bumper. LOL
individj
Well-known member
youll find one
Benji
Well-known member
I cheekily had the touring parked on the lawn at the recent concourse event. Thank you to BMW Club and ITOO, it was awesome to attend at this beautiful location to see some really special cars on display. My SO enjoyed the event as well and helpfully pointed out all the different colors of the cars on display! I think my car was a very strong contender to win the overall best car at the show...if by best, I mean worst Patiently waiting for my trophy.. 🏆
Patiently waiting for my trophy.. 🏆What a MACHINE.
miss my e46 wagon so badly but neat ones are nearly 100k plus would need another 50k to bring it up to scratch.
The autoalex e46 m3 touring had me drooling and started the I want another fun car itch.
Benji, the wagon was one of the few cars that i always turn around to admire it after parking. Do you do the same ?
miss my e46 wagon so badly but neat ones are nearly 100k plus would need another 50k to bring it up to scratch.
The autoalex e46 m3 touring had me drooling and started the I want another fun car itch.
Benji, the wagon was one of the few cars that i always turn around to admire it after parking. Do you do the same ?
Benji
Well-known member
Every single time
Benji
Well-known member
Thank you
So in respect of Shitbox Bible 4, verse 6; Thou shalt upgrade thine shitbox before repairing it; I finally got around to fitting heated seats to the wagon. It was a bit more of a ballache than anticipated, but fairly easy once figured out.
I imported the switch module in August last year, an X5 donated bits of its wiring loom for the switch module and seat plugs as well as fuse holders and K-bus connectors to have a proper OEM installation with correct wire colours connected to the correct fuse locations. In the interests of self punishment, I went so far as earthing to the OEM earth blocks.
Anyway, I did not take pictures of the wiring process because nobody likes to see wires. I could have taken pictures of my warm nuts as evidence, but nobody wants to see that either, so these pics of the panel will have to do!
These nut warmers are the best I have experienced in my admittedly limited experience of nut warmers; they heat up within 2 minutes with no cold spots, even the adjustable thigh support is heated! Fantastic!
