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I Did It Today....Straightpiped The Secondary Cats

4949 Views 23 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  nlpamg
I met up with Vadim today and we took the car in. I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm totally happy with the results. For the first few miles the car was bumping redline and shifting hard into 2nd (ESP blinking and all), but after a few miles it's back to normal.

It's a bit deeper at topend, and it's only noticeable past 4k rpm. This car should have come like this from the factory.

As for the performance gains, I'm not sure if it's revving quicker at topend or the sound difference is making it feel quicker, but I'm happy with the results. It got even louder about an hour later.

Vadim, thanks for your time, and both your cars are simply awesome.
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WOOOOHOOOO!!!! that is always my first mod.
I'm still confused. Are the secondary cats, resonators?
:clap: :thumbup:
newton said:
I'm still confused. Are the secondary cats, resonators?
No, they're between the resonators and primary cats. They are about 8 inches of non-monitored (no O2 sensors) cats.
Nice...any sound clips available bud???
NM...I just saw the other thread....
Roupin said:
Vadim, thanks for your time, and both your cars are simply awesome.
anytime :thumbup:

thank you, i need to take you for a less "sticky" ride in the m3 :drive: :eek:hnoes:

nice to hear it got louder :thumbup: :clap:
im sure it gained a couple hp and tq
change mufflers :D
it sounds really good, its a very nice engine :dunno:
It's a nice engine, very smooth, kinda weak...but no matter what, it will always sound like a V6. I'm trying to get it deeper, without the annoying note of the Nissan 350Z/Infiniti G35.

That's why I want to change the intake next. Depending how loud the intake is, then I'll decide how much louder I can go on the exhaust.
it will help you take full advantage of the intake/chip w/ a less restrictive exhaust.

do 2 3/4in back from the headers w/ e55 resonators (anyone know the pipe diameter?) and some free flowin mufflers
The E55 is 2-3/4 all the way through if I remember correctly.

How about just popping in a full E55 exhaust? That way it will flow, but it won't be loud.... :dunno:
+1 on Roupin's thoughts. It is 2.75 on each side. LOL, I think you and Vadim have complete opposite concepts of where you are wanting to go. Vadim is hardcore and wants to SCREAM at you and you are wanting a V6 benzo to sound like your long lost big block V8!!

The E55 system is indeed quiet for the level of restriction. It all depends on how much you want to spend. I know a few that have done it.
How much does a complete E55 catback go for? I know everyone sets a different price, but I'm just looking for a ballpark.
jangy said:
+1 on Roupin's thoughts. It is 2.75 on each side. LOL, I think you and Vadim have complete opposite concepts of where you are wanting to go. Vadim is hardcore and wants to SCREAM at you and you are wanting a V6 benzo to sound like your long lost big block V8!!

The E55 system is indeed quiet for the level of restriction. It all depends on how much you want to spend. I know a few that have done it.
Vadim was trying to talk me into straightpiping the whole thing with 3" pipes right there :rofl:
Vadim hates mufflers. He's a true racer at heart.

You looking for a new cat back? Why not hit up some of the guys that got aftermarket ones and buy theirs. I'd assume $1500ish, since aftermarket ones are around $2500?
Charles just got the Eis Race, he may be willing to sell his off?
$1500 for an exhaust on this car isn't gonna happen. The 5 horses it'll free up aren't worth the cash. Keep in mind it's just a 3.5L V6, so it's not like it's heavily restricted in there. Plus I won't be keeping this car at the end of the lease term, so this stuff is just for my immediate enjoyment.

If the intake turns out to be very loud, I'll pull out the resonators as well and pop in an X-pipe. The intake howl will mask most of the exhaust note (I hope).
Honestly, I don't think you have power to gain from the exhaust. You looking for top end? If so, maybe. But you will kill what little grunt you had. I thought you just wanted noise.
i know I won't gain much power from the exhaust, since it's a puny V6 breathing through a good-sized dual exhaust. I just wanted more noise, which I got. I like the fact that it's mild and after 4k rpm it starts to get louder. I'm guessing the resonator will also emphasize that same idea as well, without sounding retarded.

Low end power is also a bit stronger now for some reason too. The car is burning out a bit more off the line.

Any experience with deleting the resonators on a V6? I'm curious how it'll sound.
full eisenmann race exhaus system?

Yo Roupin,

I have one of these in pretty mint condition... seriously. =). And about tuning, the 350s we've been doing so far have made 20+ to the wheel.
niiiiiiiice! I just saw the other thread and that sounds meeeeeean!

where'd you guys have it done at?
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