VRSF 3" Downpipe Installed/Review

Cleanest135i · 01-27-2012, 06:11 PM

Hey guys so I ordered a set of VRSF 3" downpipes and I finally got around to installing them today. Lets start off with the install, it took me about 3 hours to get it done but overall it wasn't that difficult just a very tight space to work in I installed the band clamp in the wrong place so it was hitting the waste gate actuator and wasn't boosting fully but I fixed that and its all good now. I installed the cobb stage 2 drive map(called cobb and this was the map they said to use since in CA we have shitty gas) and started the car up, the cold start was definitely louder than stock but once it warmed up it sounded pretty much the same. I drove it around for a few minutes to let it warm up and then found an open stretch of road and let it rip. Now that I have the band clamp installed right I can definitely feel the difference it sounds much better and the power feels a lot better as well. The sound at WOT is louder than stock but not crazy loud, a friend of mine has a really nice camera with a boom mic so I will take some video of it on Monday and post it up. I have to say that for the price these downpipes are awesome and I would definitely spend the money again.

int2str · 01-27-2012, 06:18 PM

I installed my MachtSchnell 3" DPs yesterday and also switched to the "Stage 2+FMIC" map.

My impression is about the same. The car actually seems a bit more tranquil now. Especially in 3rd gear. I do think the reason is that the power delivery is smoother now than it was before.

But I haven't done a full log yet. I'll do a 3rd gear run tonight and will check the log to see if the car has gotten any quicker and to make sure that the timing isn't pulled out.

1-2MANY · 01-27-2012, 06:26 PM

maybe the car is adapting to the tune/ dp?

Cleanest135i · 01-27-2012, 06:52 PM

Ok so I got the code again and it says p30FF; pre controlled boost control, boost pressure to leak from pressure line; error on loader 2. and when I was checking the boost levels I was only at about 7-8LBS. Any idea why this would happen from installing downpipes?

pnosker · 01-27-2012, 07:38 PM

Sounds like the band clamp on the front is hitting the wastegate arm. Common mistake during installation. Check that. It's what connects the DP to the turbos.

Cleanest135i · 01-27-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnosker

Sounds like the band clamp on the front is hitting the wastegate arm. Common mistake during installation. Check that. It's what connects the DP to the turbos.

That sounds like it could totally be it thank you I will check that when I get back home.

Cleanest135i · 01-30-2012, 10:53 AM

So after having these in for a few days now I am really liking them. The car feels great and sounds better. I am going to get an exhaust soon as well because its not quite at the tone/sound level I like but I am happy with my purchase and if anyone is looking to get some downpipes I highly recommend these.

Kazar · 01-30-2012, 08:46 PM

So you're using these with an otherwise stock exhaust right now?

EINSER M · 01-30-2012, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleanest135i

So after having these in for a few days now I am really liking them. The car feels great and sounds better. I am going to get an exhaust soon as well because its not quite at the tone/sound level I like but I am happy with my purchase and if anyone is looking to get some downpipes I highly recommend these.

thnx for the review. good to know.

Cleanest135i · 01-31-2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazar

So you're using these with an otherwise stock exhaust right now?

Yea everything else is stock right now but I definitely plan on doing an exhaust and maybe midpipe down the road. But if you want some good extra power with not a lot of noise then this is a great mod.

Kazar · 01-31-2012, 11:03 AM

Sweet, I'd have to go for the one with race cats though. I'd be too scared to get nailed at some point without the front cats on. I've heard of people having issues with the rear cats going out when the front ones aren't on to.

John@Akuma · 01-31-2012, 03:11 PM

Secondary acts should suffice, if they are well made. Should not be an issue to run with only those.

J

Experimental · 02-01-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazar

I've heard of people having issues with the rear cats going out when the front ones aren't on to.

Can you cite where you heard that please? I'm interested in knowing more.

Kazar · 02-01-2012, 12:00 PM

I read it here a couple times on the boards, I don't have the exact threads though.

Tiago@VRSF · 03-16-2012, 01:57 AM

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to post your experience!

These are going to be back in stock in about 3 weeks for anyone looking to place a pre-order

01-27-2012, 06:11 PM	#1
Cleanest135i Private 11 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (3)	VRSF 3" Downpipe Installed/Review Hey guys so I ordered a set of VRSF 3" downpipes and I finally got around to installing them today. Lets start off with the install, it took me about 3 hours to get it done but overall it wasn't that difficult just a very tight space to work in I installed the band clamp in the wrong place so it was hitting the waste gate actuator and wasn't boosting fully but I fixed that and its all good now. I installed the cobb stage 2 drive map(called cobb and this was the map they said to use since in CA we have shitty gas) and started the car up, the cold start was definitely louder than stock but once it warmed up it sounded pretty much the same. I drove it around for a few minutes to let it warm up and then found an open stretch of road and let it rip. Now that I have the band clamp installed right I can definitely feel the difference it sounds much better and the power feels a lot better as well. The sound at WOT is louder than stock but not crazy loud, a friend of mine has a really nice camera with a boom mic so I will take some video of it on Monday and post it up. I have to say that for the price these downpipes are awesome and I would definitely spend the money again. Attached Images Last edited by Cleanest135i; 01-28-2012 at 03:33 PM..
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01-27-2012, 06:18 PM	#2
int2str Captain 80 Rep 655 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2)	I installed my MachtSchnell 3" DPs yesterday and also switched to the "Stage 2+FMIC" map. My impression is about the same. The car actually seems a bit more tranquil now. Especially in 3rd gear. I do think the reason is that the power delivery is smoother now than it was before. But I haven't done a full log yet. I'll do a 3rd gear run tonight and will check the log to see if the car has gotten any quicker and to make sure that the timing isn't pulled out.
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01-27-2012, 06:26 PM	#3
1-2MANY First Lieutenant 46 Rep 394 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (3)	maybe the car is adapting to the tune/ dp?
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01-27-2012, 06:52 PM	#4
Cleanest135i Private 11 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (3)	Ok so I got the code again and it says p30FF; pre controlled boost control, boost pressure to leak from pressure line; error on loader 2. and when I was checking the boost levels I was only at about 7-8LBS. Any idea why this would happen from installing downpipes?
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01-27-2012, 07:38 PM	#5
pnosker ti fan 67 Rep 273 Posts Drives: 14 12C \| 17 X5 50i \| 19 M2C Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 McLaren 12C Sp ... [0.00] 2017 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 535xi Touring [10.00] 2008 BMW 135i [10.00]	Sounds like the band clamp on the front is hitting the wastegate arm. Common mistake during installation. Check that. It's what connects the DP to the turbos.
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01-30-2012, 10:53 AM	#7
Cleanest135i Private 11 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (3)	So after having these in for a few days now I am really liking them. The car feels great and sounds better. I am going to get an exhaust soon as well because its not quite at the tone/sound level I like but I am happy with my purchase and if anyone is looking to get some downpipes I highly recommend these.
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01-30-2012, 08:46 PM	#8
Kazar Enlisted Member 0 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2009 135i with M Sport package Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	So you're using these with an otherwise stock exhaust right now?
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01-31-2012, 11:03 AM	#11
Kazar Enlisted Member 0 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2009 135i with M Sport package Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Sweet, I'd have to go for the one with race cats though. I'd be too scared to get nailed at some point without the front cats on. I've heard of people having issues with the rear cats going out when the front ones aren't on to.
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01-31-2012, 03:11 PM	#12
John@Akuma 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW135 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (0)	Secondary acts should suffice, if they are well made. Should not be an issue to run with only those. J
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02-01-2012, 12:00 PM	#14
Kazar Enlisted Member 0 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2009 135i with M Sport package Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I read it here a couple times on the boards, I don't have the exact threads though.
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03-16-2012, 01:57 AM	#15
Tiago@VRSF 2093 Rep 43,350 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Doral, FL iTrader: (99) Garage List 2014 F30 328xi [0.00] 2015 F82 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 Ducati 1199 Pa ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Great review! Thanks for taking the time to post your experience! These are going to be back in stock in about 3 weeks for anyone looking to place a pre-order
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