[Hotter]

Hi, is there a list of exhaust system parts that I need to change in order to get full 328i->330i performance (200kw/268hp 315nm/232tq)?

I want to keep close to OEM, that I would be able to pass vehicle inspection. What are the options?

(I already have 3stage intake manifold, EU air intake, ecu tune)

[bluewater328]

Ever thought of just getting an aftermarket free-flowing exhaust?

[neilvan]

I put the 330i catback on my brothers 328i. The piping after the resonator is larger 70mm vs 65mm and the muffler is a free-er flowing unit (think half way between 328 and PE).

Basically its a bolt on if you have it complete from the flange at the downpipe or you can cut and use clamps/weld anywhere in front(towards engine) of the resonator. The 330i exhaust is as large or larger than most aftermarket and you absolutely get an oem+ sound from it. Id recommend deleting the secondary cats or using a header and getting the best of it all.

[Hotter]

Originally Posted by neilvan

I put the 330i catback on my brothers 328i. The piping after the resonator is larger 70mm vs 65mm and the muffler is a free-er flowing unit (think half way between 328 and PE).

Interesting, where exactly are you getting these numbers?

I am trying to find them in part list but I see that 328i at has 55mm before silencer and 65mm after silencer:


330i seems to be the same, at least 65mm after silencer:

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by neilvan

I put the 330i catback on my brothers 328i. The piping after the resonator is larger 70mm vs 65mm and the muffler is a free-er flowing unit (think half way between 328 and PE).

Basically its a bolt on if you have it complete from the flange at the downpipe or you can cut and use clamps/weld anywhere in front(towards engine) of the resonator. The 330i exhaust is as large or larger than most aftermarket and you absolutely get an oem+ sound from it. Id recommend deleting the secondary cats or using a header and getting the best of it all.

How sure are you about the 328i exhaust being 65mm? (65mm is about 2.5”)

I have the AA N52 Muffler and their website says it’s made using 3” mandrel bent tubing and it bolted directly to my stock mid pipe, which makes me think the 328i midpipe is around 76mm (~3.0 inches).

I never measured the stock piping but it definitely seems larger than 2.5” (65mm) going from memory.

[neilvan]

Well I measured(Vernier caliper in multiple places) both exhaust systems when I had them and verified this to be right. Its possible the aftermarket system tapers down at the clamp section or is larger so its a slip joint.

Pre-resonator there are 2x 55mm(~2 1/8" pipes) and that's the same on both.

Post-resonator the 323/325/328 are 65mm(2.5") and the 330i is 70mm (2.75"). Realoem is wrong on the 65mm clamp working and that's what screwed me the first time I tried.

I had a 55mm clamp and 65mm clamp on hand; used the 55mm for pre-resonator and it worked but the 65mm rear clamp would not work on the 330i piping just before the muffler. I originally had just a muffler to swap out but once realizing that the post resonator pipe was a different diameter(visibly too) I had to sell and get a resonator back system.

[CTinline-six]

I've noticed a few E90 330i's that sounded ever so slightly different than my 328i. I figured it was because their cars had more miles and the exhaust was more worn.

My 328i is an N51, so it has larger piping from the resonator to the muffler. It's also verified by those who bought the AA exhaust since it had to be welded instead of clamped on the N51 cars. I wonder if a used 330i muffler would fit right up to my stock exhaust and give an OEM+ sound? I believe the 330i mufflers have the vacuum operated valve on the end.

I've been looking for something OEM+ like just a resonator delete since a friend has just a Magnaflow muffler and the drone is terrible.

[neilvan]

I've attached in order the 323/325/328 muffler, 330 muffler and the PE muffler.

You can kinda see that the 330i is basically the PE without the center section connecting it and its not 100% at the same angle/path; Still 10 million times better flow path than the snaking tubes of the other 328s.

the 330 muffler valve is naturally open so we left it; I looked into running the vacuum line and figuring out the wiring but its not worth it. With the secondary cats and the 330i muffler its very oem+ and some may still want it a bit louder even(in my brothers case an aftermarket exhaust was out of the question for passengers)

[bluewater328]

My only question is who cut open a Performance exhaust?!!

[E92_William]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

My only question is who cut open a Performance exhaust?!!

Doing it for the greater good lol

[CTinline-six]

Found a good condition used E90 330i muffler, I'll do a before/after video to compare them and post it up once I get the muffler swapped.

[Hotter]

I am also thinking to buy 330i muffler. If I would buy it (marked green), I would still need the pipes marked in red, correct? Is it possible to get them and weld? or I need to buy entire "Exhaust pipes with primary silencer" (1)?

[E92_William]

Went to my backyard to check on my parts car 328 exhaust and indeed the pre resonator section is 55 or so mm (mine is 51-2 because the PO chopped this angled and can't measure it straight) and the pre muffler is 65mm like Neil said. That picture of the 328 muffler internals is horrible though! I'm getting a 330 muffler from the junkyard next time if there isn't a way to get PE internals to drop in mine.

Has anyone opened the resonators and compared them?

[Hotter]

Would 330i N53 exhaust fit to 328i?
It seems to be a bit different at least middle part?




Although, from this pic seems that N53 exhaust is the same as 328i? or its 325i N53 exhaust?
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...05&postcount=3

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

I've noticed a few E90 330i's that sounded ever so slightly different than my 328i. I figured it was because their cars had more miles and the exhaust was more worn.

I have a 325 and a 330 and can confirm that the 330i exhaust is just slightly different than the 325/328. It's most noticeable on cold start where it has a very nice deep mellow tone. Once warm it's not as loud but still a bit nicer sounding than the 325/328. It's NOT obnoxious and not loud by any means, just a slighly deeper and mildly more aggressive tone.

I also did the 'golf tee mod' which disables the vaccum flap so the valve is always open. I only did this because my valve was rattling at low throttle under load, so removing and plugging the vacuum line fixed that.

I wouldn't go out of my way and pay any large sum of money for a stock 330i exhaust since the sound isn't worth it in my opinion, but if you can get one cheap then why not.

[Hotter]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I have a 325 and a 330 and can confirm that the 330i exhaust is just slightly different than the 325/328. It's most noticeable on cold start where it has a very nice deep mellow tone. Once warm it's not as loud but still a bit nicer sounding than the 325/328. It's NOT obnoxious and not loud by any means, just a slighly deeper and mildly more aggressive tone.

I also did the 'golf tee mod' which disables the vaccum flap so the valve is always open. I only did this because my valve was rattling at low throttle under load, so removing and plugging the vacuum line fixed that.

I wouldn't go out of my way and pay any large sum of money for a stock 330i exhaust since the sound isn't worth it in my opinion, but if you can get one cheap then why not.

Which engines are of your 325 and 330? N52 or N53?

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by neilvan

I put the 330i catback on my brothers 328i. The piping after the resonator is larger 70mm vs 65mm and the muffler is a free-er flowing unit (think half way between 328 and PE).

Basically its a bolt on if you have it complete from the flange at the downpipe or you can cut and use clamps/weld anywhere in front(towards engine) of the resonator. The 330i exhaust is as large or larger than most aftermarket and you absolutely get an oem+ sound from it. Id recommend deleting the secondary cats or using a header and getting the best of it all.

Huh, I had no idea there was a difference in diameters. Also the 330i has the DME controlled exhaust flap - lots of guys try to force it open all the time, not realizing it is always open if you're going more than like 5mph anyway.

Just please don't be the guy with the muffler delete and burble tune.. ugh. It's like 1999-2002 is repeating all over again, only back in the day it was the Civics with fart can mufflers.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Hotter

Which engines are of your 325 and 330? N52 or N53?

Both N52, both with the magnesium valve cover.


330 built in 12/05
325 built in 6/06

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Just please don't be the guy with the muffler delete and burble tune.. ugh. It's like 1999-2002 is repeating all over again, only back in the day it was the Civics with fart can mufflers.

This isn't just affecting old E90s, this is apparently a thing now. I was "dining out" recently in an area of LA popular with the young rich kids and it's all obnoxiously loud exhausts that pop and backfire on deceleration. $50K cars have fart cans now.

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

This isn't just affecting old E90s, this is apparently a thing now. I was "dining out" recently in an area of LA popular with the young rich kids and it's all obnoxiously loud exhausts that pop and backfire on deceleration. $50K cars have fart cans now.

Where u go eat LOL?

[Hotter]

I have found the exhaust from E90 330i N52 190kw 2006. Real OEM shows that piping is the same across E9x, but for some reason rear muffler itself code is different for E90/E91 and E92/E93. Will E90 muffler be ok on E92?

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I have a 325 and a 330 and can confirm that the 330i exhaust is just slightly different than the 325/328. It's most noticeable on cold start where it has a very nice deep mellow tone. Once warm it's not as loud but still a bit nicer sounding than the 325/328. It's NOT obnoxious and not loud by any means, just a slighly deeper and mildly more aggressive tone.

I also did the 'golf tee mod' which disables the vaccum flap so the valve is always open. I only did this because my valve was rattling at low throttle under load, so removing and plugging the vacuum line fixed that.

I wouldn't go out of my way and pay any large sum of money for a stock 330i exhaust since the sound isn't worth it in my opinion, but if you can get one cheap then why not.

Yeah I found a 330 muffler on ebay for cheap so I'm going to try it. I don't want anything loud, just slightly better than the 328.