NEW 1 OWNER....modding already

[08_128i]

hey guys, just picked up an 08 128i. 50k miles, 6-spd manual. this is my 3rd BMW....i had a 92 525i a long time ago, as well as a 98 M3 4dr. both cars were totalled by someone else!!! my ex-girl was driving the 5 series, ran a red light and got t-boned. my M3 was parked on the side of a main road and some idiot in a stolen car running from police lost control and absolutely smashed the rear end pushing it into another car that was parked directly in front. so hoping this 1 series lasts me a little longer than the other 2.

anyway, already starting doing some aftermarket upgrades. i just bought a BMS powerbox which delivered to me yesterday, i plan on installing it this weekend. along with that from Burger Motorsports i grabbed a modified clutch valve. finally, i just purchased today an AFE Magnum Force stage 2 cold air intake which i will be awaiting delivery of.

my question is exhaust related.....this car is my everyday summer driver and i don't want a racey loud obnoxious exhaust, but i want to do something to open up the exhaust flow a bit. i've seen some threads about resonator delete and/or high-flow cats. a friend of mine has an 05 M3 and claims he noticed a huge difference in power and tone with just the resonator delete. what do you guys suggest??

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by 08_128i

my question is exhaust related.....this car is my everyday summer driver and i don't want a racey loud obnoxious exhaust, but i want to do something to open up the exhaust flow a bit. i've seen some threads about resonator delete and/or high-flow cats.

Welcome to the forum!
Your mod list is missing a Clutch stop, also from Burger- see their ebay store. It will pair nice with the clutch valve.

About exhaust. Popular mods on e9x is to delete the secondary cats. on 128i it is harder because of their location.

I think you will be happy with a Maganaflow exhaust- it changes the resonator into their own and saves weight.

To remove secondaries, i think the best bet is to adapt a 135i midpipe like the n55 or after market to fit 128i. Just use a 135i specific axle back and you are good. Check the classifieds for n55 midpipe, riss racing, maddad midpipe, Afe midpipe or AA tuning midpipe(?), and other used systems. The gain is 5 hp and 10 torque in my case for a custom exhaust that i bought second hand.

Otherwise I think Headers will be the next recommended item. about 20 hp, 20 tq, more with tune

[08_128i]

thanks for the info.....i was conteplating the clutch stop as i did see it on the website, but i don't tend to push the clutch all the way down as it is, so didn't really think i would benefit from installing one. my clutch catches right at the top so i have an idea of how far i need to depress it without going all the way down for a smooth gear change. but it is a cheap enough mod, and i'm sure it helps so maybe i'll pick one up.

i was also checking out the magnaflow system, but man $700 hurts compared to a simple resonator delete job. but i am sure the power gains are more substantial with the full exhaust. would a resonator delete and a secondary cat delete still pass emitions testing??

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by 08_128i

thanks for the info.....i was conteplating the clutch stop as i did see it on the website, but i don't tend to push the clutch all the way down as it is, so didn't really think i would benefit from installing one. my clutch catches right at the top so i have an idea of how far i need to depress it without going all the way down for a smooth gear change. but it is a cheap enough mod, and i'm sure it helps so maybe i'll pick one up.

i was also checking out the magnaflow system, but man $700 hurts compared to a simple resonator delete job. but i am sure the power gains are more substantial with the full exhaust. would a resonator delete and a secondary cat delete still pass emitions testing??

depends on how they do emissions testing.

The secondary cats have no sensors so they would pass OBDII tests if you remove them.

[08_128i]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

depends on how they do emissions testing.

The secondary cats have no sensors so they would pass OBDII tests if you remove them.

good to know, thanks!

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by 08_128i

but man $700 hurts compared to a simple resonator delete job.

A recent thread used a vwvortex coupon code to discoutn it to be near 550
Search vvwvortex. Im sure its easy to spot

[631twentyeighteye]

better yet, buy a cheap 135i axle back and have it custom fitted to your 128 mids for less! cost me 300 for the active autowerke 135 axle back, and 200 to have it fitted to my car.. the sound is glorious.

[pdisher]

If you need a shop that can do anything for reasonable cash check these guys in Quincy, Massachusetts


http://www.exhaustrepairsouthshorema.com/

[08_128i]

awesome guys, my first thread and already so helpful and informative!!

regarding the 135 axle back, isn't that dual exhaust?? if so i imagine i would need to change my rear bumper to accomodate??

EDIT: just looked them up and they are single exhuast, 10-4

BTW, i bought the clutch stop for good measure.

[08_128i]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

better yet, buy a cheap 135i axle back and have it custom fitted to your 128 mids for less! cost me 300 for the active autowerke 135 axle back, and 200 to have it fitted to my car.. the sound is glorious.

what exactly would need to be "fitted"?? i imagine just a reducer since the 135i axle back is 3"?? and as far as flow, i imagine it would be recommended to remove the resonator in addition to the axle back for more power gain?

[Apiasto]

Don't be fooled the magnaflow isn't a true cat back... It's a secondary cat back... Its just the axle back piece and the resonator... It goes up to the secondary cats... That being said I thought it was worth it for 500-550 (shipped) but 700 plus shipping seemed to much for me ... The gain was definitely noticeable and sound is right up your alley... It's loud enough to be heard but not loud enough to be obnoxious or annoy you on long trips... The coupon code was for Hottexhaust.com and it was vwvortex (I bought mine in December and paid 498 or so shipped... Welcome to the forums and best of luck with the car!

[631twentyeighteye]

Originally Posted by 08_128i

what exactly would need to be "fitted"?? i imagine just a reducer since the 135i axle back is 3"?? and as far as flow, i imagine it would be recommended to remove the resonator in addition to the axle back for more power gain?

Yeah my resonator was cut off as well. The mids were cut just behind the resonator, a flange was welded on so i can bolt on any 135i axle back, incase i ever want to go back to a stock exhaust(135i stock that is). That includes a reducer as well.

[08_128i]

Originally Posted by Apiasto

Don't be fooled the magnaflow isn't a true cat back... It's a secondary cat back... Its just the axle back piece and the resonator... It goes up to the secondary cats... That being said I thought it was worth it for 500-550 (shipped) but 700 plus shipping seemed to much for me ... The gain was definitely noticeable and sound is right up your alley... It's loud enough to be heard but not loud enough to be obnoxious or annoy you on long trips... The coupon code was for Hottexhaust.com and it was vwvortex (I bought mine in December and paid 498 or so shipped... Welcome to the forums and best of luck with the car!

well your couplon code didn't work, but they were offering a coupon for any order offer $500 as a spring promotion. so i just got the magnaflow exhaust for $575, free shipping to my door. that works for me!! i'm pumped!!

hoping the intake, exhaust and powerbox will all compliment each other nicely!!!

[Apiasto]

Should be a decent set up... I have an 08 manual with magnaflow and active tune feels great ... I'm thinking about gutting the secondaries since when you cut your midpipe you'll see its about 10-14 inches down from the cats.. I wanna do the charcoal filter delete with a drop in k&n... And then saving up for supersprint headers and a re tune (maybe after a disa manifold :P)

[08_128i]

sweet, i'm gonna talk to the guy installing the exhaust and see if he could delete the secondary cat for me while he's under there.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Apiasto

Should be a decent set up... I have an 08 manual with magnaflow and active tune feels great ... I'm thinking about gutting the secondaries since when you cut your midpipe you'll see its about 10-14 inches down from the cats.. I wanna do the charcoal filter delete with a drop in k&n... And then saving up for supersprint headers and a re tune (maybe after a disa manifold :P)

Arent you concerned about the smell if you do a no cat system??

[08_128i]

well that's why i'm gonna talk to my mechanic and see what he suggests....i was thinking if i leave the primary cat which has the O2 sensor i may be okay as far as fumes. but i'll see what he says. it may not be worth it, will have to look into that more.

[i128]

BMW performance exhaust is the best sounding one bar none.... that is if you want to keep it sounding civil while cruising on the highway.

[TheSt|G]

Just keep in mind a muffler will yield zero real HP, so make sure you are doing it because you like the sound.

Welcome fellow E36 M3 owner.

[08_128i]

yeah i do want a more aggressive tone so that's really the reason for the exhaust mod, just don't want it to sound like a 85 civic with a cherry bomb on it. i have read alot of people saying they do notice a difference from just deleting the resonator?? my friend deleted the resonator from his M3 and said he noticed a difference as well. down the line maybe a header and down tube will be in order with hi-flow cats, we'll see.

[Greenkirby21]

Let us know how the removal of secondary cats go. I've always wondered what it would sound like without them

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by 08_128i

yeah i do want a more aggressive tone so that's really the reason for the exhaust mod, just don't want it to sound like a 85 civic with a cherry bomb on it. i have read alot of people saying they do notice a difference from just deleting the resonator?? my friend deleted the resonator from his M3 and said he noticed a difference as well. down the line maybe a header and down tube will be in order with hi-flow cats, we'll see.

Different engines make power in different areas. The S65 makes no power from headers but gets serious gains with mid pipe work. Our engines get serious gains with headers but not much elsewhere.

Given that our secondaries are like a free set of race cats, I would focus on areas that improve sound and give a significant power gain, like the aforementioned headers.