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      01-28-2013, 10:37 AM   #1
Dackelone
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Thumbs up DIY installing N55 mid pipes on a N54...

Hi Guys - so many people have asked about this mod. I thought I would throw together a little DIY on my install. The main benefit of deleting the N54's secondary cats is more flow, better faster spool up of the turbos, and a louder more deeper tone of the exhaust note. I really like the way the exhaust note has changed. As far as power goes... its hard to say. I suppose deleting the secondary cats is good for a few HP on the top end. I know when I go WOT... the exhaust now has some BARK to go with all its grunt. The the response time from off boost to on boost - seems better now. Throttle response feels slightly sharper.


N55 mid pipe BMW part number: #18307599743 current price is around ~$333 for the mid pipe thru Tischer BMW or United BMW, or the like. I paid 330 euros over a year ago. So its way cheaper now as you can see. Back then the mid pipes were selling for over $420.


I would also HIGHLY recommend you to buy these parts...

two new front mid pipe gaskets #18307553603 ~$18 each
new copper hex nuts 4@ #11621711954 (my old ones were really rusted) for the front gasket. I am not 100% sure of this part number since my dealer had a hard time figuring out what size copper nuts my car used. Ask your dealer to be sure!

new rear exhaust gasket ring #18117553130 ~$26


I also bought new springs and collar bolts for the rear muffler section, but I did not need to use them. The reason I bought them is I read some posts here that when removing the rear muffler, these bolts and springs tend to break. I did not want to be caught without these parts. They weren't that expensive, so I also bought them.

2@ Spiral spring #18307790610 ~$11 each
2@ Hex screw/bolt with collar #18307561670 ~$3 each


You will need a 13mm deep 1/2 inch or 3/8th's socket/ratchet for the front down pipe gasket nuts.

You will also need a rather large E-socket (reverse torx bit), I think it was an E18 socket. ? You should have a LARGE breaker bar... because you need to remove the X-brace under the rear exhaust/mid pipe area. This was the hardest part of the swap. It really wasn't hard using a lift and using air tools. I think I also used an 18mm 1/2 socket on the X-brace.

I would also have one hand some 3M scotch pad to clean up the old down pipe and rear exhaust bevel. Also having some WD40 or liquid wrench would help as well. ALWAYS use new fasteners. You can see my old DP gaskets... they were only on my car for about a year... and they just fell apart when I removed them.

I found out that the mid pipe nuts need to be torqued to 21Nm or about 15 ft/lbs. Also the same value for the rear muffler section to mid pipe bolts/springs. So keep that in mind not to over torque your new hardware(nuts).

Here are my pics of my install...
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N54 on top, N55 mids bottom...
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and some videos....


NOTE: My car is totally stock except for a DME re-flash from... MS Tuning.de 380 PS and 520Nm

While the N55 mid pipe does make more mid range and high end power(were talking just a few HP) I did feel that I lost some low end grunt under 3K. Especially in the 1,500 to 3K range. A few months after installing the N55 mids I switched back to N54 mids when I installed a BMW Performance Exhaust. See the later pages in this thread for my thoughts on the PE.


before... N54 mids...




after... N55 mids...


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      01-28-2013, 11:12 AM   #2
ripper0306
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Nice DIY !
I have to do it on mine
Thanks for the part numbers.
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      01-28-2013, 12:12 PM   #3
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Nice write up. Sound is great I love it really nice. Congrats what about butt dyno?
I thought it can give tons of drone but it is just deeper sound...
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      01-28-2013, 12:13 PM   #4
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great DIY and information as always dack.

I have a question. Whats the difference between this and getting a muffler shop to just cut out the secondary cats and put a small tube in their place?
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      01-28-2013, 12:54 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenkirby21 View Post
great DIY and information as always dack.

I have a question. Whats the difference between this and getting a muffler shop to just cut out the secondary cats and put a small tube in their place?
No difference really. But I did not want to touch the OE N54 mid pipe. That sucker sells for something like $2,300!!!! And what would happen IF you ever needed to pass a visual state emission inspection? Thats why I bought the N55 mids.

I think its better to just buy the N55 mid pipe. Its made so well and you will have ZERO fitment or quality issues with it. It was a no brainer for me.
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      01-28-2013, 12:58 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RimasRS View Post
Nice write up. Sound is great I love it really nice. Congrats what about butt dyno?
I thought it can give tons of drone but it is just deeper sound...
No it doesn't drone at all. It IS louder driving the car though. And then when you go WOT (full gas) the exhaust is really loud!! When the weather gets better I will shoot a video with my GoPro on the Autobahn.

As for the butt dyno... it feels stronger to me. Espcially in the mid and high rpm range. Under 1,500 it might have lost a wee bit, but after that the engine just pulls stronger - I think. Maybe its all in my head. I like the deeper sound with the N55 mids.

Now IF only I had a BMW PE with some pops and gargling, I'd be a happy camper.
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      01-28-2013, 02:42 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
No it doesn't drone at all. It IS louder driving the car though. And then when you go WOT (full gas) the exhaust is really loud!! When the weather gets better I will shoot a video with my GoPro on the Autobahn.

As for the butt dyno... it feels stronger to me. Espcially in the mid and high rpm range. Under 1,500 it might have lost a wee bit, but after that the engine just pulls stronger - I think. Maybe its all in my head. I like the deeper sound with the N55 mids.

Now IF only I had a BMW PE with some pops and gargling, I'd be a happy camper.
Some news now you have GoPro nice thingy.
Even now I heard gargling definitely will go same way for mids. Congrats again and your black lines looks awesome on your silver.
I think also Gun Metal/graphite wheels would be pure art
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      01-28-2013, 08:06 PM   #8
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Out of curiousity, is the flange from the exhaust section to the mid pipe a 3'' donut flange?
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      01-28-2013, 08:37 PM   #9
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Dackel, you've done it again
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      01-29-2013, 09:41 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Weasel410 View Post
Out of curiousity, is the flange from the exhaust section to the mid pipe a 3'' donut flange?
I think it is less than 75mm's/3 inches. I looked on RealOEM.com but it doesn't show the ring gasket's diameter. You could order that gasket and measure it. (# 18117553130) I know the N55 mid pipes measure 58 mm's for the most part.



135i, N55 mid pipes measure 58mm in outer diameter.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=722393
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      01-29-2013, 10:23 AM   #11
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Nice write up, thanks!
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      01-29-2013, 05:34 PM   #12
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Nice writeup mate. Thanks.
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      01-29-2013, 05:43 PM   #13
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What were you reasons for choosing this over an aftermarket product?

Did you compare costs?

Was your choice based on negating fitment issues?

Thanks!
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      01-30-2013, 03:52 AM   #14
Dackelone
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5teN View Post
What were you reasons for choosing this over an aftermarket product?

Did you compare costs?

Was your choice based on negating fitment issues?

Thanks!


I wanted a slightly louder exhaust and I wanted an original quality part with zero fitment issues. Plus I didn't have to worry about (possible)shipping damage since it came the next day to my dealer from bmw ag.
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      01-31-2013, 11:07 AM   #15
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I just completed my install 2 days ago; it was rather simple and that mounting bracket mid way down the pipe really comes in handy when re-installing the MP. On the other hand, the N55 MP with the Berk RP is crazy loud! The popping and gurgling sound is bad ass but I wish I the increase in db wasn't there... Grrr "Can't do nutin!" lol
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      01-31-2013, 11:12 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
I wanted a slightly louder exhaust and I wanted an original quality part with zero fitment issues. Plus I didn't have to worry about (possible)shipping damage since it came the next day to my dealer from bmw ag.
Awesome thanks Dackelone. I appreciate hearing your reasoning.

I just started reading the forum again and am thinking of the next modifications I'd like to make to my car...
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      02-02-2013, 11:30 PM   #17
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Dack,
By any chance do you still have the donut gasket? If so, could you please measure the ID, OD, and height? Thanks!

For future reference, the axel back OEM tubing is about 2.75'' diameter.
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      02-03-2013, 04:51 AM   #18
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Installing N55 Mids + Resonator Delete

Installing N55 mids + BMWPE Resonator delete (PE axle-back previously fitted) on N54 135i.


Job for today?

Install these:



Onto this:



By removing this:



Cutting off this:



Sanding down these:





Making sure I didn't F-up the cuts like this:



Fitting like this:



Sounds like this:



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      02-03-2013, 04:58 AM   #19
Dackelone
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamJay View Post
Installing N55 mids + BMWPE Resonator delete (PE axle-back previously fitted) on N54 135i.

Nice work!

I moved your thread here so more people can find it in the DIY section.
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      02-03-2013, 05:00 AM   #20
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Oh I see, it's confusing because we're logged in/posting at the same time . I thought I posted in the wrong place.

Thanks Dackel!
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      02-03-2013, 01:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Weasel410 View Post
Dack,
By any chance do you still have the donut gasket? If so, could you please measure the ID, OD, and height? Thanks!

For future reference, the axel back OEM tubing is about 2.75'' diameter.
Ok, here you go... I took some pics today.

OD is about 78mm's and ID is about 65mm's. 78mm's is just over 3"!



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      02-03-2013, 10:07 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Ok, here you go... I took some pics today.

OD is about 78mm's and ID is about 65mm's. 78mm's is just over 3"!
Thank you sir! I'm trying to find the appropriate flange to weld up my own exhaust. The last thing I want to do is hack up my stock catback.
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