[JStang]

Within the last week I personally installed my Stett CAI and charge pipe with Forge DVs and 5" ETS intercooler. The final piece to the stage 2+ puzzle was a set of AR downpipes which I picked up during **********s black Friday sale. I ordered directly from Alan and this guy is the best vendor that I have dealt with thus far. Great Communication and he shipped quickly even during the Thanksgiving hustle and bustle. Thanks again Alan!!

I picked up the car after work yesterday and as soon as I walked into the door the guy who owned the shop was going on and on about how great the exhaust sounds now. The whole time he was talking I was thinking about the multiple threads that I read where people said the exhaust tone didn't change drastically.

He then asked me where I got the DPs and for how much. I told him that I had done my research and that most people agreed that AR offered the best quality DPs on the market for the N54 and that I got them for around $650 shipped during **********s' black Friday sale. He said they are worth every penny!

Apparently, he had installed DPs on another 335 before that had awful fitment. He said that he literally had to use a pry bar to get them fitted properly which was a pain because he didn't want to damage anything. He said that the fitment couldn't have possibly been better. Moral of the story, you get what you pay for and if AR DPs are in your budget do not hesitate to order them!

So off to the parking lot I went to flash from Stage 1 to stage 2+. Gotta love Cobb . After it was finished flashing, I started the car up and instantly noticed the change in the exhaust tone at idle. I couldn't wait for the oil temps to rise a bit so I could get after it. Of course, as soon as I entered the highway there was bumper to bumper traffic. Once it cleared up a bit I stepped on it and holy shit was it loud. I'm talking much much MUCH louder than with the factory DPs.

I am still not used to the liner throttle map but am starting to figure it out as I am used to the stock throttle mapping. I have noticed that the boost builds much more gradually than stock. Stock hits like a freight train where the linear is much more smooth. Once I learn to modulate the throttle a bit better I might decide linear is for me but for now I am still a stock throttle guy. It sounds like Cobb will be releasing new throttle maps on Monday which I cannot wait for.

The amount of power that my car is now putting down is unreal. I am ready to hit the track for the first time ever and I cannot wait to get out there! I plan to have a dynojet done in a week or two so you guys can see the difference between stage 1 stock and Stage 2 with FBO's.

Here are a couple of before and after cold start clips. I also plan on posting a few hard pulls so you guys can hear the Dinan exhaust which was originally pretty subtle unleashed!

Stock DPs


AR DPs

[Brey335i]

Congratulations man. Sounds like you're enjoying your new mods. AR DPs definitely fit perfectly.

[cn555ic]

Nice review. Sounds like it is a little raspy. If so add some resonators into the mix and it will be perfect

[Laid Black 335i]

Nice, based on the sound difference I'm guessing you went with Catless DP's?

[bmwm3redblack]

Ar dp's will change the sound anyway!!!

[JStang]

Originally Posted by Laid Black 335i

Nice, based on the sound difference I'm guessing you went with Catless DP's?

Yes sir!

[the2rz]

Nice!!

I'm getting my AR catless DP's installed today. I'm guessing with the exhaust and DPs I'm OK for Stage 2?

Not sure.

[rader1]

DPs are all you need for stage 2, but honestly i ran stage 2 for about three days then switched back to stage 1 V301 and im MUCH happier with that. I'll be trying out stage 2+ wednesday after i get the ETS FMIC installed. stage 2+ stock throttle should be available monday so i'm expecting a big difference

[JStang]

Originally Posted by the2rz

Nice!!

I'm getting my AR catless DP's installed today. I'm guessing with the exhaust and DPs I'm OK for Stage 2?

Not sure.

If you are Cobb tuned the Stage 2 requirements are intake or panel filter and downpipes. Exhaust is recommended but not required.

[JStang]

Originally Posted by rader1

DPs are all you need for stage 2, but honestly i ran stage 2 for about three days then switched back to stage 1 V301 and im MUCH happier with that. I'll be trying out stage 2+ wednesday after i get the ETS FMIC installed. stage 2+ stock throttle should be available monday so i'm expecting a big difference

Do you lose any power running stage 2 mods on the stage 1 flash?

[scott135i]

Originally Posted by JStang

Do you lose any power running stage 2 mods on the stage 1 flash?

No. And dynos have proven this

[JStang]

Originally Posted by scott135i

No. And dynos have proven this

Interesting

[rader1]

Originally Posted by JStang

Do you lose any power running stage 2 mods on the stage 1 flash?

Nope, the car feels faster on stage 1 stock throttle map IMHO. But thats because the car is just sooo much more responsive. I am very excited to hear stage 2+ is coming out of beta and will be available in stock throttle mapping. I imagine it will blow the minds of people that jumped to stage 2+ beta from another tune and never experienced the stock throttle map, assuming its like the difference between stage 1 linear and stage 1 stock.

[the2rz]

Been reading up and think DP and exhaust are needed for Stage 2. Intake is recommended.

[JStang]

Originally Posted by the2rz

Been reading up and think DP and exhaust are needed for Stage 2. Intake is recommended.

Just read directly on Cobb's site that to run Stage 2 only requires DPs and recommends intake and exhaust. Stage 2+ requires DPs, FMIC, intake and recommends Exhaust.

http://www.accessecu.com/cgi-bin/dow...ORT%20v301.pdf

[bmwm3redblack]

I don't remember exactly, but some forum members wrote that the exhaust sound is the same after installing dp's. But As we can hear from this video it differs!!!!!!!))

[Laid Black 335i]

Originally Posted by the2rz

Nice!!

I'm getting my AR catless DP's installed today. I'm guessing with the exhaust and DPs I'm OK for Stage 2?

Not sure.

Originally Posted by rader1

DPs are all you need for stage 2, but honestly i ran stage 2 for about three days then switched back to stage 1 V301 and im MUCH happier with that. I'll be trying out stage 2+ wednesday after i get the ETS FMIC installed. stage 2+ stock throttle should be available monday so i'm expecting a big difference

I just switched to Stage 2 after getting Catless DP's installed because Stage 2 was the only way to get the "Service Engine Soon" light to turn off.

Originally Posted by COBB Tuning

Hardware Requirements
Please see the hardware requirements for these Stage2 and Stage2+FMIC maps below:

Stage2 – Intended for vehicles equipped for the following hardware:
•Requires upgraded high-flow downpipes (catted or catless are acceptable)
•Upgraded cat-back exhaust system recommended, but not required
•Upgraded intake system (DCI, panel filter or otherwise) recommended, but not required

Stage2+FMIC – Intended for vehicles equipped for the following hardware:
•Requires upgraded front-mount intercooler (FMIC)
•Requires upgraded downpipes (catted or catless are acceptable)
•Requires Upgraded intake system (DCI, panel filter or otherwise)
•Upgraded cat-back exhaust system recommended, but not required

[rader1]

Originally Posted by Laid Black 335i

I just switched to Stage 2 after getting Catless DP's installed because Stage 2 was the only way to get the "Service Engine Soon" light to turn off.

Yeah, stage 1 the SES light will come on after a couple drive cycles. But all you have to do is clear the codes and the light will go away for a litttle while. Rumor has it stage 2 will be available out of beta sometime today.

[JStang]

Originally Posted by bmwm3redblack

I don't remember exactly, but some forum members wrote that the exhaust sound is the same after installing dp's. But As we can hear from this video it differs!!!!!!!))

I haven't heard anyone say that it doesn't change at all but I have heard a lot of people say it isn't anything drastic. You should hear this thing under load! I will post up a video this week.

[ar design]

Awesome!! Enjoy!!!

[ModBargains.com]

Glad to hear that your happy with the AR Design downpipes. Thanks again for your order/support and for posting up the review and sound clips!!

[805beemer]

Originally Posted by JStang

I haven't heard anyone say that it doesn't change at all but I have heard a lot of people say it isn't anything drastic. You should hear this thing under load! I will post up a video this week.

Its louder on your car cause you have the dinan exhaust. On my car with the added resonater on the e90 and stock exhaust the ar dp's were barely noticeable after being installed. Would love to hear some more vids of your car though!