Exhaust Mod - Resonator replaced w/ X-Pipe (video)

[insaini]

DO NOT straight pipe area 2, i just did it, brutal drone and rasp. Going tomorrow to get an xpipe added hopefully itll sound much better. Buddy at the shop said straight pipes or xpipe wouldnt be much different, i hope hes wrong.

[mwbunns4]

DO NOT straight pipe area 2, i just did it, brutal drone and rasp. Going tomorrow to get an xpipe added hopefully itll sound much better. Buddy at the shop said straight pipes or xpipe wouldnt be much different, i hope hes wrong.

I had area 2 straight piped and a magnaflow x pipe added just before it and it sounds excellent. No drone and a good deep sound. I recommend doing this to keep the drone away.

[insaini]

so you replaced the resonators with an xpipe and the center res with straight pipes?

[insaini]

got the xpipe put in today, sounds 100x better, loving the sound

[youS4]

got the xpipe put in today, sounds 100x better, loving the sound

Guess I was totally off about x-pipe vs. straight pipe. Good to hear that it's worth the extra coin to invest in an x-pipe

[drob23]

Got the magnaflow xpipe mentioned earlier here in the 2.25" mold. Just had it installed today and excited to hear it in person after work. Got quoted a little more than most - ~$150 for the install (1-1.5 hr at 90) - so roughly $250 out of pocket. Will report how it sounds, but IMO these exhaust youtube videos don't convey the overall effect. Heard an AWE res cat-back (w/ EC headers) in person and the sound was intoxicating . I'll be beside myself if it sounds 20% as good!

[BirdmanQ5]

Has anyone from Toronto done this? PM me please :) I'm very interested. Great thread OP

[BirdmanQ5]

Also, rookie question I'm sure, but can the installation of an X-Pipe cause any voided warranty, or TD1, or can it trigger a sensor on the computer? Any risks worth mentioning?

[KayS4]

Dont mention it and if they do say something it can void your exhaust warranty not so much TD1. TD1 is ECU modification.

[drob23]

Also, rookie question I'm sure, but can the installation of an X-Pipe cause any voided warranty, or TD1, or can it trigger a sensor on the computer? Any risks worth mentioning?

I think the only warranty you risk is the actual exhaust you're hacking up. Make no mistake, this is not a direct bolt on...the installation involves cutting out the stock resonator, custom piping the x-pipe (the angle isn't correct as you can see in an earlier picture) and making a custom hanger. Make sure that it's done in stainless steel. But given the nature of the beast, I wouldn't be surprised if there's issues 3 years from now due to corrosion etc. Icing on the cake is that by then, I should have a full milltek resonated catback!

Edit - there's no way they'll know unless you tell them or the cars on a lift while they're poking and prodding...

[YelloJello]

B8.5 S5 here. Wondering if there will be a difference in sound or drone between a 2.25" vs 2.5" X-Pipe? Any difference between brands, ie. Magnaflow vs Flowpro vs other cheapo Ebay brands?

And to clarify, most people are just putting in the X-Pipe in Section 2 for best results (aka Center Resonator)?

Also, when people are changing out the tips, stock tips need to be cut off? or tips slipped over the stock exhausts? Anyone with before and after photos?

[saxon]

nice thread, i might have to buy some resonators/ x pipes and experiment

[drob23]

B8.5 S5 here. Wondering if there will be a difference in sound or drone between a 2.25" vs 2.5" X-Pipe? Any difference between brands, ie. Magnaflow vs Flowpro vs other cheapo Ebay brands?

And to clarify, most people are just putting in the X-Pipe in Section 2 for best results (aka Center Resonator)?

Also, when people are changing out the tips, stock tips need to be cut off? or tips slipped over the stock exhausts? Anyone with before and after photos?

To answer your first question, I'd go with the magnaflow mainly because it's proven to work - it was only $90. I used the 2.25 because that's what the stock piping will mate with, but I'm sure a competent installer can do either. Yes, you are correct about the placement, number 2 is where I put it. At first, my local shop said the install couldn't be done, but after showing him the pic from earlier in the thread, he did it exactly the same as post #82 (thanks ovrboost2004). Without a doubt the best mod bang/buck at just south of $250 installed.

I'm not sure about the tips, also interested in what people are doing. I will admit that a part of me thinks it pretty chintzy to put tips on without the exhaust, but the look is great and I'm trying to put off the 2.5k it will take to get the real deal.

First impressions are AWESOME - for someone who's been stock for 8 months, it's night and day. The volume is quite audible both inside and outside, and gets a little raspy once you rev it out. Drone is for sure increased, but not a big problem at about 2.1k RPM, which is roughly where I am cruising at 80 MPH in 7th. From memory, it's def not as loud as AWE res + EC headers, and the sound is more raspy than the growl I remember. But the volume is there, and the fart is louder, hard to say if it matches the levels of Jeff's car, will update next time we meet.

For the record, this resonator is heavy as all hell, probably 15-20 lbs

[mecheng]

No before and after, but for those interested here's my post with a vid after getting it installed today.

[tins5]

Is this the exact product (or something I can use) for this mod?
http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-1079...ow+x+pipe+2.25 - Using Amazon since I have a gift card to use up :)

[SuperCereal 3.0]

Is this the exact product (or something I can use) for this mod?
http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-1079...ow+x+pipe+2.25 - Using Amazon since I have a gift card to use up :)

Just to bump you...

I'm still researching x-pipes, I was thinking about either the Tru X-pipe or Tru X-crossover but I'm not sure which is the correct one. From what I'm reading it looks like the 2.25 Tru x crossover is the right one for my situation

Here's the link http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/02xypipes.asp

[Creatre]

No before and after, but for those interested here's my post with a vid after getting it installed today.

Wow. Sounds great. Ugh. Now I gotta do this.

[saxon]

No before and after, but for those interested here's my post with a vid after getting it installed today.

i was thinking about replacing the downpipe resonators with larger ones and going with the magnaflow 10790 in place of the stock center muffler since i am DSG

any pics and can you confirm what xpipe you went with

thanks

[drob23]

Just to bump you...

I'm still researching x-pipes, I was thinking about either the Tru X-pipe or Tru X-crossover but I'm not sure which is the correct one. From what I'm reading it looks like the 2.25 Tru x crossover is the right one for my situation

Here's the link http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/02xypipes.asp

The issue with the Tru x-pipe is packaging. Regardless of which one you choose, it will be a non-trivial installation because the center resonator makes a 45 degree turn from input pipes to output pipes (look at my pic just above), so someone will need to reroute the piping either way. The crossover x-pipe will be a lot easier to do this with than the tru x-pipe.

Regarding the placement, this is completely just non-backed theory, but I think it matters *exactly* where you place the x-pipe. A lot of the sound shaping seems to be based on balancing the pressure waves (and reflections from mufflers) from the exhaust gases. Since these are longitudinal waves, the *exact* location of the x-pipe will dictate some kind of boundary condition constraint and thus heavily influence the physics of the waves. This in turn will change how it sounds, and probably dictate exactly where in the engine power band the "rasp" comes into play, and to what affect.

My point is I don't think you should expect your car to sound exactly like the others, and pay special attention to whether you want to mount the xpipe exactly where the resonator is, or mount it just behind the downpipes and then straight pipe the section with the center resonator. I wish I had researched this subtlety more, because I do feel my car is a little on the raspy side. This is in contrast to a complete system like AWE or the OEM exhaust, where there is obviously uniformity amongst different cars regarding component placement.

[saxon]

where did you place your x pipe?

i was thinking of placing it right behind the down pipe resonators and running a straight pipe where the center muffler was

[JCN83]

Same question! Please let us know.

Update: Looks like this is it - just ordered one. Hope to have installed tomorrow or Saturday:)

Is this the exact product (or something I can use) for this mod?
http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-1079...ow+x+pipe+2.25 - Using Amazon since I have a gift card to use up :)

[drob23]

where did you place your x pipe?

i was thinking of placing it right behind the down pipe resonators and running a straight pipe where the center muffler was

Stuck mine where the center resonator is, I'll take a pic when I get the chance, thought I had one but can't find it.

[mecheng]

The issue with the Tru x-pipe is packaging. Regardless of which one you choose...

Agree with this exactly. I opted to go with a custom shop that fab'd the x-pipe on-site out of stainless as opposed to going with the pre-fab'd offerings from the various companies. Like you mentioned drob, I think this resulted in a system that is quite a great deal less raspy than other videos I watched, and why no two versions achieve the same note.

Saxon - I'll throw up photos when I get them and you can see where they placed them, but essentially directly in-place of the center resonator. Placing it directly behind the fore resonators off the downpipes is exactly where AWE places theirs, and from what I've read placing it as early in the system is favored so you may like this spot.

I'd have to think that no matter where the placement you'll always get some rasp unless you put in a glasspack to eliminate the high frequency resonance. Saxon, if you go for it be sure to document appropriately.

[2000S4]

How does the car sound?

[mecheng]

How does the car sound?

[ASDBS]

damn, that sounds pretty good.
I'm super tempted.
only thing is the stock tips are still too small :(

[mecheng]

damn, that sounds pretty good.
I'm super tempted.
only thing is the stock tips are still too small :(

Agreed, but when you start adding up the cost of a strictly cosmetic change you're getting too close the price of a fully fledged system. The point of the mod is a cheap alternative.

[Bobbyru]

Anyone live near Morristown NJ that has done this?....I would love to hear it in person.
Any problem with NJ inspection regarding loudness?

[lenti]

this mod did cost me abou 90 bucks, very cheap mod
and you will not regret it at all :)
i love the sound of my Xpipe mod so yes i would recommend it to all of you who wants to wait for a full exhaust system
or for thoose who only wants to have a much better sound than the OEM.

[Eticket1337]

I will be doing this mod in a few weeks... X-pipe, 4 new double wall stainless tips installed for 300.00 plus tax... Still beats the heck out of a 2K plus system...

[JCN83]

So...I've got an install question.

I received the parts today and called three local shops. None of them could tackle this install because of the custom pipe work (and bending) required.

Looks like I need to track down a shop that has the tools to do this work (custom work / bending / etc.). I'm really impressed that some of you have found shops to do custom exhaust work for $90 - $150. It seems like a straight-forward install. Cut out the resonator, weld the x-pipe in-line, but, although there isn't much, there is custom bending and pipe-work involved and not any muffler shop can do this. The pics in this thread indicate what I'm referencing.

Parts in hand - just don't know where to go! Have a few leads on shops that do custom exhaust work - hopefully one of them comes through.

[Wusty]

I'm thinking of possibly doing a variation of this on my Stasis DSG exhaust, I want to make it a bit louder. My exhaust already has an X pipe right after the downpipes so what do you think, eliminate the center resonator & straight pipe it or add a 2nd X pipe?

[Wusty]

Well....this experiment was a win & fail. WIN = The sound was awesome! On throttle it's a beast. FAIL = if you're just cruising and say 70 MPH cruise on the freeway.....droning from hell! What I did is since my Stasis exhaust already has an X pipe, I just had the center resonator cut out and replace with straight piping. I'm going to drive it during the weekend but more than likely I'll be going back to the shop to have them put my center resonator back in :-( Live & learn.

[ASDBS]

anyone in Vancouver have this mod?
would love to hear it in person!

[drob23]

So...I've got an install question.

I received the parts today and called three local shops. None of them could tackle this install because of the custom pipe work (and bending) required.

Looks like I need to track down a shop that has the tools to do this work (custom work / bending / etc.). I'm really impressed that some of you have found shops to do custom exhaust work for $90 - $150. It seems like a straight-forward install. Cut out the resonator, weld the x-pipe in-line, but, although there isn't much, there is custom bending and pipe-work involved and not any muffler shop can do this. The pics in this thread indicate what I'm referencing.

Parts in hand - just don't know where to go! Have a few leads on shops that do custom exhaust work - hopefully one of them comes through.

When you ask them, make sure to show a picture of the other installations. A lot of them are quick to balk at the idea of a non-bolt on exhaust mod, especially since they spend most time working on beaters. If you show them the pic and tell them that many have been doing it, pride will take over and I think they'll do it, just make sure they do it in stainless steel.

[saxon]

the problem is getting a shop that can do exhaust and is willing to tig weld it.. no sense in stainless steel and mig welding which will rust

[JCN83]

When you ask them, make sure to show a picture of the other installations. A lot of them are quick to balk at the idea of a non-bolt on exhaust mod, especially since they spend most time working on beaters. If you show them the pic and tell them that many have been doing it, pride will take over and I think they'll do it, just make sure they do it in stainless steel.

Thanks. Headed to an actual exhaust shop this afternoon...they should be able to handle no problem. I'll report back afterward. Appreciate the help!

[JCN83]

Hahah, like a few others have said...this is the best $180 mod I've ever done. Plain and simple, the car sounds gnarly!

It should have come like this stock:) If you're reading this and on the fence, just do it. I honestly couldn't see spending money on a full exhaust when you can get this type of volume and tone from the oem exhaust for less than $200. Great, great mod.

[drob23]

Haha, well done, enjoy the noise!

[Meehow]

Did you guys weld or clamp the "x" pipe into place. I'm looking into doing this mod, soon.