Did you change your midpipe for N55?

|2ed · 09-20-2011, 09:30 AM

I'm thinking of getting an exhaust. Already have a 4" dp. Is it worth to change the midpipe or just get an axle-back?

Im not looking for any weight-saving and dont think it will add any hp. Objective is to improve the sound.

1st choice is the Berk's race axle-back w/muffler delete.

Opinions please. Thanks.

bogart · 09-20-2011, 09:38 AM

There is a resonator in the mid-pipe, so leaving it compared to removing it will definitely change the sound. I have an iCarbon Catless DP and BMW Exhaust. The BMW Exhaust changes the mid-pipe to a straight pipe and adds the BMW muffler. It sounds absolutely incredible.

Vlaze · 09-20-2011, 10:03 AM

You might want to talk to Berk first. My buddy called them to order the race exhaust and they advised against it unless you want your car to be REALLY loud all the time. They said a lot of people that get the race version end up saying that its too loud. He got the street exhaust and it sounds fantastic.

cooler2442 · 09-20-2011, 10:28 AM

Yup, running a full berk system. Midpipes, axleback and then I also have a 4" downpipe. The sound is incredible especially during full throttle and in manual mode when you downshift. When I am cruising at 5-6k rpm the cars on each side are looking at me because of the sound.

As someone said earlier do not order the full race exhaust, it will be extremely loud. If you don't drive your car on a daily basis then it will be fine.

Berk makes great quality stuff for the price they are at.

|2ed · 09-20-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Yup, running a full berk system. Midpipes, axleback and then I also have a 4" downpipe. The sound is incredible especially during full throttle and in manual mode when you downshift. When I am cruising at 5-6k rpm the cars on each side are looking at me because of the sound.

As someone said earlier do not order the full race exhaust, it will be extremely loud. If you don't drive your car on a daily basis then it will be fine.

Berk makes great quality stuff for the price they are at.

Does it drone badly with windows up?

Dackelone · 09-20-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |2ed

I'm thinking of getting an exhaust. Already have a 4" dp. Is it worth to change the midpipe or just get an axle-back?

Im not looking for any weight-saving and dont think it will add any hp. Objective is to improve the sound.

1st choice is the Berk's race axle-back w/muffler delete.

Opinions please. Thanks.

The main gain(s) are increased throttle response (turbos spool up faster) and the louder sound/rumble.

cooler2442 · 09-20-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |2ed

Does it drone badly with windows up?

No, drone only occurs if your cruising at 2k rpm. Any other rpm range has no drone. So I pop my Dct into manual mode and shift myself. Doing this there is no drone. The drone itself isn't even to bad either.

dicker · 09-20-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |2ed

I'm thinking of getting an exhaust. Already have a 4" dp. Is it worth to change the midpipe or just get an axle-back?

Im not looking for any weight-saving and dont think it will add any hp. Objective is to improve the sound.

1st choice is the Berk's race axle-back w/muffler delete.

Opinions please. Thanks.

Do you want it to be deafeningly loud? The stock exhaust with the 4" DP is already pretty loud. Pick an axleback that you like and go with that. I have a 4" DP and the Rouge engineering exhaust and it sounds pretty nice, a lot of drone around 2k though (to be expected with the downpipe)

thebigragu99 · 09-20-2011, 01:21 PM

Imo the best setup is the stock exhaust with catless downpipes..It sounds awesome wot,and super quiet cruising around town or the hwy..I think this type of car would be to ricey if you got a super loud exhaust.The other thing is,theres no power gains from changing the stock one..It was cut open and tested,and they found it's really a resonator with packing stuffed in it.

bogart · 09-20-2011, 01:38 PM

i think you should run a 4-inch pipe from the DP all the way back... that is my plan next.

thebigragu99 · 09-20-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogart

i think you should run a 4-inch pipe from the DP all the way back... that is my plan next.

I was just talking about that with my friend on the phone !!!We think it;s gonna be extremely loud,and drone!!You have to remember that the downpipe tapers down at the end ,so you'll have to cut the flange off and make it a full 4inch to make it flow even threw the back.Has anyone done this yet??

dicker · 09-20-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigragu99

Imo the best setup is the stock exhaust with catless downpipes..It sounds awesome wot,and super quiet cruising around town or the hwy..I think this type of car would be to ricey if you got a super loud exhaust.The other thing is,theres no power gains from changing the stock one..It was cut open and tested,and they found it's really a resonator with packing stuffed in it.

I ran this for quite a while, it's great in the car and flow wise, but it kinda sounds raspy and unrefined. My Rogue exhaust is actually not any louder, but it sounds much cleaner.

Brian@bavarianx · 09-20-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogart

i think you should run a 4-inch pipe from the DP all the way back... that is my plan next.

Yikes... I hope it's bearable for daily driving!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicker

I ran this for quite a while, it's great in the car and flow wise, but it kinda sounds raspy and unrefined. My Rogue exhaust is actually not any louder, but it sounds much cleaner.

Axleback definitely cleans up the rasp and muffles it nicely

1on135_deal · 09-20-2011, 11:28 PM

i wanna get downpipes as well =o but no one really awnserd the poor guys question does changeing your mid pipes add hp+

thebigragu99 · 09-21-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1on135_deal

i wanna get downpipes as well =o but no one really awnserd the poor guys question does changeing your mid pipes add hp+

Around 13 whp! The power comes from removing the rear cats,and for no restriction don't add resonators ..

|2ed · 09-22-2011, 07:24 AM

Thanks for sharing guys. I think im going with the berk race if im keeping the car.. Anyway shipping is the same for full setup or just axle back only.

HP Autosport · 09-24-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |2ed

I'm thinking of getting an exhaust. Already have a 4" dp. Is it worth to change the midpipe or just get an axle-back?

Im not looking for any weight-saving and dont think it will add any hp. Objective is to improve the sound.

1st choice is the Berk's race axle-back w/muffler delete.

Opinions please. Thanks.

Mid-pipe will add minimum power on the N55, it's mainly for sound. Along with the muffler delete, it will be really loud. For a street car, we recommend the street system.

///S55 · 09-25-2011, 08:47 AM

Is it better to just skip the midpipes and get downpipes, even though midpipes are cheaper

Dackelone · 09-25-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Mid-pipe will add minimum power on the N55, it's mainly for sound. Along with the muffler delete, it will be really loud. For a street car, we recommend the street system.

Errr... Ummm... I thought we were talking about using N55 mids on a N54!

HP Autosport · 09-25-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Errr... Ummm... I thought we were talking about using N55 mids on a N54!

Well, if you were to use the N55 mid-pipes on the N54, you will most definitely see some power increase, as the two secondary cats are eliminated from the system.

|2ed · 09-26-2011, 09:41 AM

i want the exhaust to be really loud. I do have the 4"dp now... it sounds great on Wot.... but abit too quiet while cruising...

guys, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Pablito1702 · 09-26-2011, 07:52 PM

Does anyone have any real or butt dyno info to support the power gain of N55 mid pipe on N54? I have the BMW performance exhaust (PE) and besides the potential performace boost, I really like this concept for three reasons: 1) it adds the resonator back into the system which is removed as part of PE exhaust install. While the resonator delete is part of the sound enhancement (burbling, general volume), it does IMO contribute to some minor drone, 2) the N55 midpipe would bolt directly to the PE muffler section thereby eliminating the clamp connection and 3) allows you to choose any number of axle-back mufflers that are designed to directly connect to the mid-pipe.

09-20-2011, 09:30 AM	#1
\|2ed Private First Class 24 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 135i N55 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SG iTrader: (0)	I'm thinking of getting an exhaust. Already have a 4" dp. Is it worth to change the midpipe or just get an axle-back? Im not looking for any weight-saving and dont think it will add any hp. Objective is to improve the sound. 1st choice is the Berk's race axle-back w/muffler delete. Opinions please. Thanks. Last edited by \|2ed; 09-20-2011 at 09:36 AM..
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09-20-2011, 09:38 AM	#2
bogart Lieutenant Colonel 117 Rep 1,664 Posts Drives: E82 N55 DCT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: STL, MO iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [7.06]	There is a resonator in the mid-pipe, so leaving it compared to removing it will definitely change the sound. I have an iCarbon Catless DP and BMW Exhaust. The BMW Exhaust changes the mid-pipe to a straight pipe and adds the BMW muffler. It sounds absolutely incredible. __________________
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09-20-2011, 10:03 AM	#3
Vlaze Private 4 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2011 135i MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (1)	You might want to talk to Berk first. My buddy called them to order the race exhaust and they advised against it unless you want your car to be REALLY loud all the time. They said a lot of people that get the race version end up saying that its too loud. He got the street exhaust and it sounds fantastic.
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09-20-2011, 10:28 AM	#4
cooler2442 Brigadier General 480 Rep 4,154 Posts Drives: 1/18 Monte Carlo Blue E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (6) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00]	Yup, running a full berk system. Midpipes, axleback and then I also have a 4" downpipe. The sound is incredible especially during full throttle and in manual mode when you downshift. When I am cruising at 5-6k rpm the cars on each side are looking at me because of the sound. As someone said earlier do not order the full race exhaust, it will be extremely loud. If you don't drive your car on a daily basis then it will be fine. Berk makes great quality stuff for the price they are at.
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09-20-2011, 01:21 PM	#9
thebigragu99 Banned 45 Rep 828 Posts Drives: 135 tuorbbo Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: nyc iTrader: (1)	Imo the best setup is the stock exhaust with catless downpipes..It sounds awesome wot,and super quiet cruising around town or the hwy..I think this type of car would be to ricey if you got a super loud exhaust.The other thing is,theres no power gains from changing the stock one..It was cut open and tested,and they found it's really a resonator with packing stuffed in it.
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09-20-2011, 01:38 PM	#10
bogart Lieutenant Colonel 117 Rep 1,664 Posts Drives: E82 N55 DCT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: STL, MO iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [7.06]	i think you should run a 4-inch pipe from the DP all the way back... that is my plan next. __________________
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09-20-2011, 11:28 PM	#14
1on135_deal First Lieutenant 18 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	i wanna get downpipes as well =o but no one really awnserd the poor guys question does changeing your mid pipes add hp+ __________________ "you blink I shift" DCT
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09-22-2011, 07:24 AM	#16
\|2ed Private First Class 24 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 135i N55 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SG iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing guys. I think im going with the berk race if im keeping the car.. Anyway shipping is the same for full setup or just axle back only.
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09-25-2011, 08:47 AM	#18
///S55 Lieutenant 34 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Is it better to just skip the midpipes and get downpipes, even though midpipes are cheaper __________________ Add1cted
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09-26-2011, 09:41 AM	#21
\|2ed Private First Class 24 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 135i N55 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SG iTrader: (0)	i want the exhaust to be really loud. I do have the 4"dp now... it sounds great on Wot.... but abit too quiet while cruising... guys, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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09-26-2011, 07:52 PM	#22
Pablito1702 Pablo 39 Rep 263 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	Does anyone have any real or butt dyno info to support the power gain of N55 mid pipe on N54? I have the BMW performance exhaust (PE) and besides the potential performace boost, I really like this concept for three reasons: 1) it adds the resonator back into the system which is removed as part of PE exhaust install. While the resonator delete is part of the sound enhancement (burbling, general volume), it does IMO contribute to some minor drone, 2) the N55 midpipe would bolt directly to the PE muffler section thereby eliminating the clamp connection and 3) allows you to choose any number of axle-back mufflers that are designed to directly connect to the mid-pipe.
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