X pipe in place of the stock H pipe - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

djtroy · 26th January 2008, 16:19

I took my car to the shop and I was looking to get the resonators removed for sound. The mechanic told me he can weld in an x pipe in place of the resonators but after reading on here it looks like the pipes do not crossover at the resonators. It looks like you need to either add straight pipes there or add an X pipe in place of the factory H section behind the clamps.
I am not trying to move the crossover location to where the resonators are because I read it was in that spot by design and it "could" hinder performance.
Question is can you get an x pipe in the stock location and how its very tight? I also heard it makes a much different sound with an X instead of an H. More of a Ferarri wail.

Kelleyo · 26th January 2008, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by djtroy

I took my car to the shop and I was looking to get the resonators removed for sound. The mechanic told me he can weld in an x pipe in place of the resonators but after reading on here it looks like the pipes do not crossover at the resonators. It looks like you need to either add straight pipes there or add an X pipe in place of the factory H section behind the clamps.
I am not trying to move the crossover location to where the resonators are because I read it was in that spot by design and it "could" hinder performance.
Question is can you get an x pipe in the stock location and how its very tight? I also heard it makes a much different sound with an X instead of an H. More of a Ferarri wail.

H pipes do not scavenge as well as Xpipes but they give a deeper "lumpier exhaust note". Xpipes kind of make the car sound like it has a 180 degree crank or header instead of 90 (hence the Ferrari like wail).

For the best comparison consider how Nascar racers sounded years ago (H pipes) versus how they sound today (Xpipes).

Here is more info from where it all started: http://www.drgas.com/articles/art_syncronicity.php
http://www.drgas.com/articles/art_sync.php
http://www.drgas.com/articles/cot.pdf

As far as where to install it on the M5 I guess you would need to dyno tune. I can't see why anyone would want an Xpipe and an Hpipe in the same system. I believe the Supersprit Xpipe is truly the way to go? I think it replaces the factory H and resonators all in one unit that was probably tuned on a dyno for the best location but correct me if I am mistaken (as I usually am HAH!). Others here probably have a better idea?

djtroy · 26th January 2008, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelleyo

H pipes do not scavenge as well as Xpipes but they give a deeper "lumpier exhaust note". Xpipes kind of make the car sound like it has a 180 degree crank or header instead of 90 (hence the Ferrari like wail).

For the best comparison consider how Nascar racers sounded years ago (H pipes) versus how they sound today (Xpipes).

Here is more info from where it all started: http://www.drgas.com/articles/art_syncronicity.php
http://www.drgas.com/articles/art_sync.php
http://www.drgas.com/articles/cot.pdf

As far as where to install it on the M5 I guess you would need to dyno tune. I can't see why anyone would want an Xpipe and an Hpipe in the same system. I believe the Supersprit Xpipe is truly the way to go? I think it replaces the factory H and resonators all in one unit that was probably tuned on a dyno for the best location but correct me if I am mistaken (as I usually am HAH!). Others here probably have a better idea?

Well if your right then the SS x pipe is really a no brainer because the factory H section is in a really tight spot and im sure its gonna be a pain to recreate that with an X in the same location.

mdbrewin · 26th January 2008, 22:05

Let me know what the sound or other changes that occur when you replace the resonaters with the SS Xpipe. I'm planning on doing it but was interested in finding out the sound changes etc.. Let me know.

s4kebomb · 26th January 2008, 22:40

I did the same setup.
Magnaflow x-pipe and stock muffler.
The sound characteristics and volume is pretty much the same.
From my observation, under 3000rpm it creates deep tone, above that it's pretty much muffled out by the stock muffler.

Is it worth it....well considering SS S-pipe is $400, yes it is.
But if I would do it over again, I would wait until I buy aftermarket mufflers and then install the x-pipe together to save on labor.

All in all, don't expect any major improvements in sound changes from the X-pipe w/ stock mufflers.

djtroy · 27th January 2008, 02:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4kebomb

I did the same setup.
Magnaflow x-pipe and stock muffler.
The sound characteristics and volume is pretty much the same.
From my observation, under 3000rpm it creates deep tone, above that it's pretty much muffled out by the stock muffler.

Is it worth it....well considering SS S-pipe is $400, yes it is.
But if I would do it over again, I would wait until I buy aftermarket mufflers and then install the x-pipe together to save on labor.

All in all, don't expect any major improvements in sound changes from the X-pipe w/ stock mufflers.

I have kelleners exhaust with resonators now and im sure almost 80% of people would think its perfect but I want it a bit louder.