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      02-04-2012, 12:13 PM   #1
nicoz
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N55 midpipes vs aftermarket?

What and why? Thoughts?

Thank you
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      02-04-2012, 03:20 PM   #2
Papethova
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Working on a total straight pipe now, similar to the Borlas (no cats no resonator) I had on the 135. Only difference I may up it from 2.25 to 2.5 in diameter.

Should be ready on Tuesday or Wednesday... in the meantime I am driving with NO mid pipes LOL
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      02-04-2012, 06:15 PM   #3
Franklin Joseph
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N55 will be the cheapest route (without hacking the stock midpipe)

I have the berk midpipe...gives a nice rumble, not too loud.

Curious to see what your straight pipe sounds like Papethova...is it gonna be bolt on (with the stock type flange) or a slip on?
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      02-05-2012, 01:03 AM   #4
Papethova
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Franklin Joseph View Post
Curious to see what your straight pipe sounds like Papethova...is it gonna be bolt on (with the stock type flange) or a slip on?
Bolt on to replace the OEM perfectly and easily. I am having a jig made so I can replicate it for anyone who would like one.

My Borlas on the 135 were straight pipes, very similar to these, and I loved the sound and power gains. They however wont bolt right in and up to the stock muffler... or in my case potentially an Akra slip on.
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      02-05-2012, 01:07 AM   #5
cooler2442
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Aftermarket mid pipes will sound better than the N55 one. I have a Berk full straight pipe with midpipes while my friend has just the berk straight pipe exhaust and N55 midpipe. His car sounds like a trucker while mine sounds much deeper / more aggressive. This is on an N55 engine but it still shows an example of what different mid pipes do.
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      02-05-2012, 10:04 AM   #6
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Can't comment on the aftermarket pieces, but I'm running the N55 midpipe. Deeper exhaust note with occasional "burble" and drone almost altogether eliminated.

Neil
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      02-05-2012, 10:29 AM   #7
Papethova
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Anyone know how much the material matters? Is sound going to be different with aluminized vs stainless vs Ti?

Im also thinking about going to 2.5s instead of 2.25s anyone with experience on that (as far power gains or losses)?
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      02-05-2012, 11:38 AM   #8
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materials = cost...depends on what price point you want to be in.

any thoughts of going with a Y from downpipe to a single pipe? maybe oval pipe? (assuming it will lower the weight)
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      02-05-2012, 10:04 PM   #9
Papethova
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Franklin Joseph View Post
materials = cost...depends on what price point you want to be in.

any thoughts of going with a Y from downpipe to a single pipe? maybe oval pipe? (assuming it will lower the weight)
precisely why I was asking.... I dont want to spend extra $$ on this project to just save a few pounds because I think an Akra is in the immediate future for me. However if it will impact the sound I will consider it.

As far as the Y near the DPs... well to get the volume (3 dimensional space not decibals) of two 2.5 diameter pipes I would need a single 3.75 inch pipe. I dont know how easily that will fit in the space. I dont want to stray from the round piping because I dont know how that affects turbulence and flow. If you or anyone has expertise in the area and can show me the benefits of it I will consider it.

There is significant weight saved between the OEM mid pipe and these, but yes there are a few pounds that can still be saved by going with a different material (Ti) or single larger pipe. I just dont know if the $$ or trouble is worth it for those last few pounds, especially as I said an Akra is most likely right around the corner.

Last edited by Papethova; 02-05-2012 at 10:12 PM..
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      02-05-2012, 10:28 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papethova View Post
Bolt on to replace the OEM perfectly and easily. I am having a jig made so I can replicate it for anyone who would like one.
Let me know about these when they're done.

Still can't decide between N55 midpipes (cheapest), aftermarket (best sound I guess)... and now your straight midpipes.

BTW do midpipes with or without res throw CEL?

Thanks again for your help guys
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      02-05-2012, 10:33 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicoz View Post
Let me know about these when they're done.

Still can't decide between N55 midpipes (cheapest), aftermarket (best sound I guess)... and now your straight midpipes.

BTW do midpipes with or without res throw CEL?

Thanks again for your help guys
I should have something by weeks end.

They will not throw a CEL. Just remove 4 nuts and 3 bolts, swap the gasket to the straights and re-tighten the 4 nuts and 3 bolts. You do need to remove 6 bolts to remove a brace too.

If they sound anything like the borla straights did on my 135 I will be beyond happy. The Borla doesnt swap out with the OEM because it doesnt Y at the end. Closest ones available would be what meisterschaft has.
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      02-05-2012, 10:33 PM   #12
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No CEL with midpipes. Both sets of O2 sensors are on the downpipe.
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      02-06-2012, 07:27 PM   #13
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Ok thanks.

Keep us posted!
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      02-07-2012, 03:16 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papethova View Post
I should have something by weeks end.

They will not throw a CEL. Just remove 4 nuts and 3 bolts, swap the gasket to the straights and re-tighten the 4 nuts and 3 bolts. You do need to remove 6 bolts to remove a brace too.

If they sound anything like the borla straights did on my 135 I will be beyond happy. The Borla doesnt swap out with the OEM because it doesnt Y at the end. Closest ones available would be what meisterschaft has.
i better be the first one you call after youve got them installed
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      02-07-2012, 10:24 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EINSER M View Post
i better be the first one you call after youve got them installed
You might have to wait a little longer. Im confused about something...

My calculations show the volume for two 2.25s to equal one 3.375. Trying to determine why someone would make a dual 2.5 since the bottle neck for the 2.25s was and is the 3 inch pipe connecting the Y to the muffler.
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      02-07-2012, 10:42 AM   #16
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What do you guys think about resonated vs non-resonated? I'm not too concerned about drone, I have some unmuffled catless vehicles.

I just want whatever sounds most "mean" or "raw". Not "farty" or "buzzy".
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      02-07-2012, 10:28 PM   #17
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Should be around 3.25...
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      02-09-2012, 04:45 PM   #18
nicoz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ianf View Post
I have MadDad mids which will be fitting in a few weeks
Where did you buy those... and how much.. if you don't mind!?

Thanks
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      02-11-2012, 08:44 AM   #19
nicoz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Papethova View Post
You might have to wait a little longer. Im confused about something...

My calculations show the volume for two 2.25s to equal one 3.375. Trying to determine why someone would make a dual 2.5 since the bottle neck for the 2.25s was and is the 3 inch pipe connecting the Y to the muffler.
Any news?
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      02-11-2012, 01:35 PM   #20
Papethova
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicoz View Post
Any news?
It became cost prohibitive. Also, I couldnt decide what really needed to be done... 2.25s vs 2.5s, totally straight with no cats or resonator vs resonator like the maddad or N55 pipes.

I am looking at different options now, if anything develops I will provide updates.
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      05-05-2013, 10:47 AM   #21
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Hi,

sorry for the bump, but i noticed your calcs are pretty good, but you forgot one important thing about the cross sections of the pipe, which is flow restriction.

2 2.25" or 2.5" pipes will have more restriction friction wise on the flow, than a 3" or a 3.25" single pipe.

2 2.5 pipes have almost 2 times the friction of the 3.25" single pipe.

more friction = more heat, we dont like it, even if its on our exhaust.

im doing a 3.25" single midpipe soon,
if thats going to be hanging too low on the car ill just do a 3" midpipe.

i have a N55 engine with CP-E 5" downpipe [it was a bargain]
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