[scbim]

Thinking about modding the exhaust on my e93 335i and hoping to get some input on the aftermarket muffler situation.

My buddy was telling me because the N54 is turbocharged it requires a certain amount of pressure in the exhaust system so I'm curious about that and any general recommendations or advice.

This will be my first time modding exhaust on a car so I'm pretty clueless - looking to achieve a deeper rumble, but nothing crazy loud. I'll be on the freeway a good bit and often exceed 100 so avoiding any obnoxious droning at those speeds is optimal.

Again, I really have no idea what I'm doing so I'm all ears. Feel free to link any other threads you think might be helpful as well.

Cheers!

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by scbim

Thinking about modding the exhaust on my e93 335i and hoping to get some input on the aftermarket muffler situation.

My buddy was telling me because the N54 is turbocharged it requires a certain amount of pressure in the exhaust system so I'm curious about that and any general recommendations or advice.

This will be my first time modding exhaust on a car so I'm pretty clueless - looking to achieve a deeper rumble, but nothing crazy loud. I'll be on the freeway a good bit and often exceed 100 so avoiding any obnoxious droning at those speeds is optimal.

Again, I really have no idea what I'm doing so I'm all ears. Feel free to link any other threads you think might be helpful as well.

Cheers!

First, there is no requirement for back pressure on a turbo car. Actually the less you have the better.

There are some cheaper aftermarket exhausts out there like VRSF street exhaust, but from the ones I've heard....they all just sound cheap and raspy.

What I did (may or may not be want you want)......is went with downpipes, and swapped the secondary c&ts for vibrant resonators, did the "golf tee mod" on the exhaust, and left the stock mufflers alone.

I think it's the perfect sounding exhaust for a daily driver (that's just my opinion). It's a little louder at startup compared to the stock exhaust, it flows much more without the c&ts, no drone on the highway, but when you get the rpms up over over 3K or so, it really comes along as starts sounding pretty loud.....but it's nice, tight, and deep....not thin and raspy like many of the aftermarket exhausts I've heard.

Another thing you can do if you want it even louder is the PI Muffler Mod (look it up).....it's basically gutting the factory mufflers to make them louder.

Just please...whatever you do, don't be one of those guys that run around with a straight piped exhaust that sounds like a riced out Honda

[scbim]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

There are some cheaper aftermarket exhausts out there like VRSF street exhaust, but from the ones I've heard....they all just sound cheap and raspy.

What I did (may or may not be want you want)......is went with downpipes, and swapped the secondary c&ts for vibrant resonators, did the "golf tee mod" on the exhaust, and left the stock mufflers alone.

Thanks for the input! Can't delete the cats because I live in CA, but this sounds about the kind of mod I'm looking for. Definitely don't want anything super loud, just...louder than it is now with a little more throat.

If your setup gets loud at 3k that might be a bit much; thinking I'd prefer closer to 4 or even 5k. Wondering if a similar setup plus the cats would achieve that goal, not sure how much noise they dampen.

[335i54n]

I would try the vrsf muffler delete, then if its too loud add some mufflers. theres also dinan catback

[whyzee125]

If you're keeping stock cats in place, the 335is exhaust is the best sounding IMO and it's super cheap. They're usually like $300 used on the forums and sounds way better than the aftermarket ones.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

I would try the vrsf muffler delete, then if its too loud add some mufflers. theres also dinan catback

The main problem with Muffler delete is drone, PE mod or aftermarket mufflers don't have that issue.

[Yotaismygame]

Stick with stock. I went down this road. Lets face it the twin turbo n54 is not a good sounding motor. Not enough muffling and it gets really rattlie and drones alot. I do have the VRSF street exhaust with a vibrant resonator and catless DP's. I'm not sure the sound is any different than PE mod stock. If it is its barely louder. I would just stay stock if I did it again. I tried deleting mufflers for resonators and it was terrible. Now the n55 without mufflers sounds pretty dang good.

[riczon.335i]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

If you're keeping stock cats in place, the 335is exhaust is the best sounding IMO and it's super cheap. They're usually like $300 used on the forums and sounds way better than the aftermarket ones.

I went this route, found a donor car 335is with 60k on the clock, bought the mufflers and installed them on my car. Love the sound way better than my stock ones.

[scbim]

Originally Posted by riczon.335i

I went this route, found a donor car 335is with 60k on the clock, bought the mufflers and installed them on my car. Love the sound way better than my stock ones.

Interesting, sounds kind of crazy to rip out the whole system just to put in another stock muffler lol. Do you have a sound clip?

[scbim]

Originally Posted by Yotaismygame

Stick with stock. I went down this road. Lets face it the twin turbo n54 is not a good sounding motor. Not enough muffling and it gets really rattlie and drones alot. I do have the VRSF street exhaust with a vibrant resonator and catless DP's. I'm not sure the sound is any different than PE mod stock. If it is its barely louder. I would just stay stock if I did it again. I tried deleting mufflers for resonators and it was terrible. Now the n55 without mufflers sounds pretty dang good.

I feel ya. PE mod is appealing; I checked out some sound clips on Youtube and it sounds pretty good. Significantly louder than stock but still relatively tame and smooth. Might end up going this route. Either way, definitely good info, thanks for the advice man.

[riczon.335i]

Originally Posted by scbim

Interesting, sounds kind of crazy to rip out the whole system just to put in another stock muffler lol. Do you have a sound clip?

Yeah my original mufflers gave up the ghost that's why I went this route, I will post clips later today when I am off work.

[Navykiller]

Avoiding drone was my main concern too. My brother had a 2011 WRX hatch that was straight piped and it was insufferable at speeds over "Engine off"

I have non obstructed downpipes, and everything else stock.
Bigger turbos so its a bit louder and more pronounced, but stock turbos was fine too.
335is so I do have a different muffler.

6th gear cruising theres some exhaust noise, but no drone. On it, then it makes noises. If you hold it around 4k rpms, then there is without a doubt noticeable noise, but once again, no drone.

[whyzee125]

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I think my stock 335i with DP's, and secondary cats swapped out for vibrant resonators sounds louder than that....but not by much. It sounds a little tighter....less burbly, maybe that's from the resonators? I will try to get a video one of these days.

[Navykiller]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

I think my stock 335i with DP's, and secondary cats swapped out for vibrant resonators sounds louder than that....but not by much. It sounds a little tighter....less burbly, maybe that's from the resonators? I will try to get a video one of these days.

If hes completely stock exhaust, they arent loud. WHat I mean is, they are definitely louder than a regular 335, but not enough for you to go like, "Wow, those are definitely aftermarket"

When cats are removed they become MUCH louder. Ill get a video, but not sure quality of my phone to sound record (S22 Ultra) Keep in mind it will not be cold, it will be a warmed up start up