Exhaust Shopping Frustration

[aTron12]

Don't get me wrong, the resonator will quite it down a bit, but it will still be a straight through exhaust. It's really up to what you think is loud I guess lol. There are plenty of set ups on YouTube, search BMW 14815 and you'll be able to find set ups with the stock cat + muffler only and set ups with resonator + muffler only.

If you want to be heard go with a resonator + 14815. If you want to be a couple clicks up from stock, go with IE plus stock cat.

Also keep in mind the longer the resonator the quieter it will be. I went with the 22in magniflow over the vibrant because it was cheaper and will quiet my setup more.

Very helpful. I want to hear my exhaust, just not blow my sanity when cruising while announcing to the world (including the cops), "LOOK at me!"

Will a 22" resonator fit with a stock cat and muffler? And you are saying that this will quiet the muffler more than the Vibrant Ultra Quiet resonator?

I checked out many YouTube videos but it's really difficult to decipher how loud or quiet the exhaust is because of the way it is recorded. This sounds really nice and european but he claims to have no resonator-- just a cat and muffler + it is the day of install...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_EyKlaSvw

Thanks

[AnimalE30]

I don't think you'll be able to fit much with a cat, the splash guard after the cats that covers the drive shaft is pretty shallow. The vibrant is 4.5in tall from top to bottom. Not only is the space shallow, but it's only a foot or so long.

Check out the picture of the flipped e30 on the tech page, it will give you a good idea of what you have to work with.

Edit: as far as that video goes, he was blipping the throttle there - it will be much louder when he actually steps on it lol

[aTron12]

Alright, this gives me enough info to be educated when talking to the muffler shop. I'll go down and see what my options are. The IE at this point in the game is sounding pretty easy, inexpensive and a good way to test the waters of aftermarket exhaust. Maybe if I want more after awhile, I'll go balls out and do a custom exhaust.

cheers,

adam

[AnimalE30]

Good to hear. Also, I just realized you're in Cali, you better keep that cat on lol.

[Holland]

Do not like my magnaflow, too loud, raspy, and the worse part is the drone.

[aTron12]

Do not like my magnaflow, too loud, raspy, and the worse part is the drone.

Have you changed your setup?

[ROLLingKING]

yea ive been hearing a lot of up and down reviews on the magnaflow...stromung or whatever seems to be ill of you have the money!

otherwise im going with vibrant or like a HKS or megan racing type of exhaust.
im having a hard time with this also. all the info is confusing and it seems like most setups come out raspy

[aTron12]

yea ive been hearing a lot of up and down reviews on the magnaflow...stromung or whatever seems to be ill of you have the money!

otherwise im going with vibrant or like a HKS or megan racing type of exhaust.
im having a hard time with this also. all the info is confusing and it seems like most setups come out raspy

Stromung sounds beautiful but too expensive. Supersrsprint is really nice too. I see 'em used from time to time. The rasp is definitely taken care of by the resonator. The ultra quiet resonator from Vibrant seems to really control the rifling and rasp you get when just doing cat to muffler. My search is more about how to control the volume of the muffler which will mostly likely control the rasp. If you have any thoughts, lemme know!

adam

[mRodiek]

All the best sounding ones are stupid expensive, Im not puting an $800 exhaust on my $1300 car.

PM some people near you & ask for a ride to hear their exhaust, make some friends in the process.

[aTron12]

All the best sounding ones are stupid expensive, Im not puting an $800 exhaust on my $1300 car.

PM some people near you & ask for a ride to hear their exhaust, make some friends in the process.

Good idea. I was thinking about that as my next step...

[mRodiek]

Anything short of that is all speculation, even youtube videos...

I can tell you a remus muffler is quiet, too quiet, maybe the catback is different but again... $1200

[M-technik-3]

They are 700 from BAV /\ yes they are quieter but that is to conform to Austria strict 90 dB rating at wot.

They go on sale in the spring, I have had mine since 02 and it's doing great so far. When I had it coupled to a M50 it made sound when you wanted it and was nice for driving on a daily basis. Now it's on my verty and top down you can still converse between each other.

[aTron12]

They are 700 from BAV /\ yes they are quieter but that is to conform to Austria strict 90 dB rating at wot.

They go on sale in the spring, I have had mine since 02 and it's doing great so far. When I had it coupled to a M50 it made sound when you wanted it and was nice for driving on a daily basis. Now it's on my verty and top down you can still converse between each other.

That's what I'm talking about! So maybe I should be looking into quieter aftermarket sport mufflers instead of wrestling a magnaflow to the ground? I wonder what the db comparison is between the Remus and Ireland's? I imagine Remus is a step louder.

[aTron12]

Also is Stromung on par, volume wise, with Remus?