[JayD]

Looking at either one of these downpipes. Designs are different but quality seems similar, no fitment issues that I could find online. I do like the support brackets that the AA downpipes have. Pros/cons to the support brackets? I know there are gaskets where the downpipes mate with the rest of the OEM exhaust but what about at the turbo housing? Are there gaskets there as well? BMW's online catalog seems to show some kind of o ring gasket where the downpipe mates to the turbo assembly. Any tricks for attaching the clamps at that juncture as well? Seems that is one of the harder steps in this DIY job.

thanks

Jay

[SflBimmer8484]

Hi,

There are only gaskets where the downpipe mates with the stock exhaust.

The v-bands should be pretty easy when put on correctly. Just be sure to check that the v-bands are not in the way of the waste gates.

It is kind of hard to explain how to install it in text which is why we include a full step by step instruction sheet.

If you need any more help feel free pm me

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

Hi,

There are only gaskets where the downpipe mates with the stock exhaust.

The v-bands should be pretty easy when put on correctly. Just be sure to check that the v-bands are not in the way of the waste gates.

It is kind of hard to explain how to install it in text which is why we include a full step by step instruction sheet.

If you need any more help feel free pm me

+1

Gaskets only between down pipe and rest of the exhaust. Most DP manufacturers also supply the bolts that mate the downpipes to the exhaust. On the turbo side there is no gasket and you re-use the factory hardware.

Mike

[5soko]

Support bracket is a nice feature to have as its like the OEM.. But i have heard of a few AA DP guys having fitment issues and a problem getting the turbo clamp around there downpipes, there a few forum members aswell, maybe AA has revised the DP at on point.

I personally run the CP-E as the quality and fitment is 100%.. did the install myself.. i highly recommened them.
CP-E's also have a stainless bellmouth castings on the DP's. Not only do they look really cool and built amazingly clean but they are functional. "The thick-wall castings help retain exhaust energy as well as prevent cracking from the thousands of thermal cycles daily driven vehicles endure."

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by 5soko335i

Support bracket is a nice feature to have as its like the OEM.. But i have heard of a few AA DP guys having fitment issues and a problem getting the turbo clamp around there downpipes, there a few forum members aswell, maybe AA has revised the DP at on point.

I personally run the CP-E as the quality and fitment is 100%.. did the install myself.. i highly recommened them.
CP-E's also have a stainless bellmouth castings on the DP's. Not only do they look really cool and built amazingly clean but they are functional. "The thick-wall castings help retain exhaust energy as well as prevent cracking from the thousands of thermal cycles daily driven vehicles endure."

We had a batch that had a thick flange and required a wider clamp. The issue was fixed and they should have absolutely no fitment issues.

[Fundahl]

Gotta love this V-band new-school stuff.

I'm still living in the land of the 4 and 5-bolt turbo setups.

[Zasquatch]

cp-e pipes are gorgeous and the bellmouths allow for the smoothest possible transition out of the turbo.

I personally wouldn't use the support brackets even if the downpipes come with them welded on. My thought is that the OEM pipes have a flex section, and most aftermarket pipes do not. When getting rid of this flex joint, I am more comfortable leaving a little play in the exhaust. If you bolt up that support bracket, you are making things even more rigid than they should be... in my opinion at least.

[bryce]

my vote is for CP-e downpipes in this comparission. although, you can get matt schnell or vrsf downpipes for the same or less money. they are 3" up to the flange, while the CP-e downpipes just have a 3" bell mouth casting. the CP-e downpipes are beautiful and very well engineered, however.

[Beemw335]

Id go with vrsf if you want good quality and fitment
If you want top of the line go ar design.

[werke-t]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

We had a batch that had a thick flange and required a wider clamp. The issue was fixed and they should have absolutely no fitment issues.

I just purchased a set of your pipes used, I pm'd you about getting some of these clamps, I might need the wider ones you carry.

Thanks, Travis

[ar design]

Originally Posted by Beemw335

If you want top of the line go ar design.

[rader1]

I have the AAs and there was zero install issues and no issues since install.

[wren57]

So you don't have to replace the o-ring between the turbo and downpipe? Is that the consensus? I swapped out my OEM DPs for an aftermarket set, about to swap to a different aftermarket set (got a good deal on coated ones). Can I really reuse the OEM hardware for the 3rd time now?

[rader1]

There is no o-ring between the DP and turbo. I would use new DP to midpipe gaskets.

[wren57]

Well, what is #3?

[E90SoFlo]

Thats an O-Ring, you reuse the one thats on there.

Why not go with VRSF? Its much cheaper and they are a great piece.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

See PM