To Y pipe or not to Y pipe is the question

[Unrealgraphix]

Just got done installing the bmw performance exhaust. By all means I really like the sound but want it alil louder. I have ppk 1 and want the crackles and gargles alil louder. I didn't install the y pipe cause I was reading about drone. Just reaching out to u guys on your opinion. Does the y pipe make it louder and is the drone that bad. And if it does make it louder how much would u say. Thanks guys.

[Solo_M_Tech]

If you don't want to install it I will buy it from you.

[e36addict]

Even Y-pipe with stock muffler is excellent. I highly recommend installing it, makes everything much better, and drone is hardly even noticeable. For me, at least.

[gemini.m3]

I had these same reservations and let me tell you.. go Y-Pipe.. I did the Y-Pipe and the first time I got in the car I was like wtf? I thought it was going to be so much louder, keep in mind most of these videos found online are right at the bumper by the exhaust.

With the windows up I can barely tell the difference between stock man. Maybe I just got used to it, but there is absolutely ZERO drone that is noticeable to me anyway.

I went back and forth on this for awhile, almost even pulled the plug on the exhaust before I actually installed it.. it is worth it. If you don't install it, there is almost no point to the PE IMO, though opinions may vary. You're not getting any 'power' from the exhaust so if you're not going for the full sound why even go that route, that is what convinced me.

[Esteban]

Go Y-pipe. You'll get a little more sound out of your exhaust. I have no trouble with drone.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by e36addict

Even Y-pipe with stock muffler is excellent. I highly recommend installing it, makes everything much better, and drone is hardly even noticeable. For me, at least.

+1,000!!! DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jmz135]

Is there anywhere to purchase just the y-pipe? I'm thinking about cutting off the resonators on my n55 mids and installing the y pipe.

[potxoli]

I'd love just the Y-pipe too.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by potxoli

potxoli

Originally Posted by jmz135

Is there anywhere to purchase just the y-pipe? I'm thinking about cutting off the resonators on my n55 mids and installing the y pipe.

Noop. BMW doesn't sell that y-pipe separately. Sometimes you find a member here selling one used for $150 to $200. Your best bet is to have a local muffler shop make you up something(custom).

Dack

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by jmz135

Is there anywhere to purchase just the y-pipe? I'm thinking about cutting off the resonators on my n55 mids and installing the y pipe.

If you keep an eye out a Y-pipe pops up on here every couple months. I bought mine new off a forum member a few months ago. Totally worth it! Perfect tone and gurgles/pops. Drone is very minimal IMO.

[wjk_glynn]

I initially experienced drone with the PE + y-pipe + PPK1 on my N54 6MT.

It happened under load, between about 1,800 and 2,300 RPM. To my ear it was effing-obnoxious and I was going to back it out. But for various reasons I didn't get around to doing that.

But then... after a few months... the drone seems to have considerably reduced, to the point that I actually quite like it. I don't know why, but I speculate that it's one of:

1. There's a "sooting" effect that changes the nature of the sound after some miles
2. I've simply gotten used to the sound, and I'm not so sensitive to it anymore
3. Some combination of the above

Maybe there's manufacturing variation in the tuning ports/baffles, varation from one person's hearing to another, etc...

But (IMO) one can't definitively say whether you will, or won't, hear drone.

Clearly some people hear it and clearly others don't -- and that's with either the N54 or N55 motors, or the Auto/DCT/6MT transmissions.

Having said all that, my impression is that the majority don't hear the drone. But I don't have a good feel for the size of that majority (55/45 vs. 90/10) assuming that's true.

Karl.

[MightyMouseTech]

Only time I get drone is if I am in 6th gear at too low of a speed, like 90 km/hr. Lets me know I should be in 5th at those speeds.

[Unrealgraphix]

Thanks guys gonna throw it on this weekend.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Thanks guys...... lol

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by wjk_glynn

It happened under load, between about 1,800 and 2,300 RPM.

Spot on, although, as you said, once sooted up, it's less intrusive, and even then isn't that bad to be honest.....as you're through the drone before you have thought about it in all reality.
It's not as if it's a constant continual drone like you get with many aftermarket exhausts.