Just bought a PE, do i need other parts?

[Merbie]

Hey guys,

Ive finally managed to track down a PE exhaust.

Am i missing a Y pipe? i only have the back box.

Do i really need the Y pipe?

Cheers
Merb

[tracer bullet]

As far as what normally comes with it, yes, there's another piece - the y pipe and of course two clamps to go with it to bridge where the cuts are made.

As for if you need it - sorry I don't remember. I bought my car 6 months old and it was already installed. Someone else may know.

Here's one of many old threads that might shed some light? https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1040683

[drwillb]

I've run mine without the Y-pipe for the last 4 years. Reason being that I had been planning on doing a catless DP so I wanted to hear what it would sound like after the putting the DP on but still keeping the resonators. I could then add the Y-pipe as needed.

I have recently decided that I will not be doing the DP so the Y-pipe will be going on in the next few weeks.

How is the PE with no Y-pipe? Subdued. From inside the car, I always feel like there's not enough exhaust note, except for cold starts. On cold starts you do get a noticeable increase in noise inside and outside of the car due to the wastegate being full open. My plan was to also do MHD in order to kill cold start and manage increased noise in that manner. From outside, with no Y-pipe, the car sounds very nice as it pulls away.

So, you've got the PE, just put it on and then decide if you need the Y-pipe.

[dtla1]

I'm not sure I've heard a PE without the Y-Pipe. I will say I had my PE installed about a month ago now, with the Y-pipe, and it sounds great.

I would imagine the y-pipe helps to give that deeper, fuller tone that you get from a PE.

[Merbie]

Bollox! I guess I'm going to have to hunt down Y pipe any idea where to get one? I did buy this for a steal. How hard are these to fit?

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by dtla1

I'm not sure I've heard a PE without the Y-Pipe. I will say I had my PE installed about a month ago now, with the Y-pipe, and it sounds great.

I would imagine the y-pipe helps to give that deeper, fuller tone that you get from a PE.

When I bought my 135 PE for my 128, it didn't come with the Y pipe or hardware either. Although beaten up, the box was still factory sealed. I don't know if they are still offered as a complete set.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

When I bought my 135 PE for my 128, it didn't come with the Y pipe or hardware either. Although beaten up, the box was still factory sealed. I don't know if they are still offered as a complete set.

I thought I remember seeing somewhere (probably on here somewhere) that the PN for the PE changed at some point, and the newer PN for the 135i PE was for a kit like you describe. IIRC, the muffler section was also shorter and didn't connect using the OE flange, but instead was a cut and couple job, more like the 128i PE (I think?).

[tracer bullet]

I don't know that you have to have the Y-pipe. By that I mean that you don't have to have it to be able to remove the resonators. If I remember correctly, that is what it does, and the goal of providing it is to simplify the process a bit by supplying the necessary parts.

If you look under the car and find the resonators, you might be able to remove them yourself and install new sections of pipe with clamps on each end. Hopefully that description makes sense.

If you have a local shop specializing in exhausts they should be able to easily handle it as well with the bonus that you might get some welding and eliminate the clamps. Since you are asking to remove resonators, not catalytic converters, they shouldn't give you any trouble with the request. I wouldn't think it would cost much either.

[Dackelone]

Yes, OP you are missing the Y-pipe. It deletes the rear resonator just before the rear exhaust box. You will want the Y-pipe for the full effect of pops and bangs from the PE.

The exhaust couplers can be bought separately from a dealer. But they aren't cheap at ~$50 each. IF you car has some age on it... you might also replace the exhaust hangers as well.






PE Y-pipe...

factor resonator

135i OE(black exhaust tips) vs PE exhaust(chrome tips) rear sections...

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

PE Y-pipe...

Ahh, yeah, if it's that close it'd be hard to just cut out and replace. I thought there was a little more room.

I think I'm also mixing up models - is it true the N55 and N54 have different setups? I want to say the N54's have 2 small resonators further upstream? I could be wrong of course.

I didn't catch which setup the OP has - if there is a difference to begin with.

[Merbie]

Sorry i forgot to mention I have an n55! Does this make any difference?

[tracer bullet]

Dackelone's pictures are correct, for the N55 and N54 as well actually. I am remembering now, the N54 had some additional bulges in the exhaust plumbing but that was further upstream. Ignore my question on the differences - I wasn't clear and it doesn't actually matter either. Sorry.

So, anyhow, his diagram and first picture show you the main components (plus 2 clamps, not shown) that you need for the correctly performed installation. Clearly you are missing the Y-pipe portion.

The next 2 pictures show the y-pipe again and the original piece you would have in place now (a resonator which looks like a smaller version of the muffler). Makes an easy comparison.

You would indeed want a y-pipe, either from BMW or a decent exhaust shop that'll do custom work. You don't have to have it, but you won't get the full effect without it.

[Merbie]

Would this work?

https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/bm...ust-v1.aspx#!/

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Merbie

Would this work?

https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/bm...ust-v1.aspx#!/

That looks like it would work! I'm not sure I've read/heard of anyone else using that piece, but it looks super nice.

Like tracer bullet , a local exhaust shop could also make something work for you. Might be a good idea to get a quote to see what it would take to go either route.

[Merbie]

Mega! I used to be a welder/fabricator before trading it in for my desk job so I'm sure I could knock something up. I'll keep you guys updated! I really appreciate all your responses. In the mean time I assume you can't buy the Y pipe direct from BMW anymore? Also do any of you guys have the measurements for the PE Y pipe?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Ahh, yeah, if it's that close it'd be hard to just cut out and replace. I thought there was a little more room.

I think I'm also mixing up models - is it true the N55 and N54 have different setups? I want to say the N54's have 2 small resonators further upstream? I could be wrong of course.

I didn't catch which setup the OP has - if there is a difference to begin with.

N54's have TWO main cats and TWO post cats.
N55's only have ONE main cat.

Initially, I always wanted a PE but couldn't bring myself to buy one. So at first I thought hey... maybe I could install the N55 mid pipe and have a poorman's PE. Nope. That was a $400 loss.

You can see my pics here...
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...=797160&page=5


Here are the highlight pics - since at this time I had the N55 mids installed on my car and I wasn't too happy. Basically deleting the secondary cats made the car really LOUD at WOT but not too much louder at part throttle. But I felt like the car lost some power bellow 3K rpms and the exhaust just wasn't sounding good. I needed to get a PE.

It's like someone said here on the forums... the PE is the most over priced, stainless steel exhaust around, but I LOVE IT!! Certainly a MUST HAVE mod in my opinion.

PE y-pipe sitting on top of my N54 mid pipes. Just before I cut the mid pipe to install the PE's y-pipe section.






The hardware that came in the PE kit. Two exhaust clamps for cutting into the N54 mids to delete the rear resonator. And the square box contains a new exhaust O-ring that goes between the mid pipe and rear PE exhaust box/muffler.





N55 mid pipe. No secondary cats.


N54 top, N55 mids lower...
See how the N55 mid pipe does not have any secondary cats!









Here is me driving around Southern Bavaria with my PE... Car is basically stock except for a German flash tune 380 PS and 520Nm and an open V-Max.

Originally Posted by Merbie

Mega! I used to be a welder/fabricator before trading it in for my desk job so I'm sure I could knock something up. I'll keep you guys updated! I really appreciate all your responses. In the mean time I assume you can't buy the Y pipe direct from BMW anymore? Also do any of you guys have the measurements for the PE Y pipe?

BMW never sold the y-pipe separately. You only got one when you ordered a PE system. That's why the y-pipes are really rare to find one for sale.

DIY installing N55 mid pipes on a N54...
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797160

Measuring on my N54 mids...

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

See post #21...
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797160



For those of you that have a N55 and want more exhaust sound... a friend of mine who has a N55 135i... he installed a 200 cell main cat and kept everything else stock. Damn his car sounded good when we drove thru the Alps every summer. His car did smell a little bit on cold start ups. But we both liked each other's exhaust note.

Also w=one thing with the PE... it will sound better over time. Everyone says this but I wasn't sure until I noticed it too. Once you drive about 10K to 20K miles on the PE... the carbon builds up inside the exhaust and deepens the exhaust tone for the better. The PE really is a must have MOD.


Dackel

[Merbie]

Thanks for the awesome reply dackel! I've been looking for a PE for what seems like forever and came across the one pictured in eBay on Tuesday, I paid £270 and its nrand new so i am pretty pleased! Ive got in touch with an exhaust shop to see if he can make it, thanks for the measurements dackel! I'll keep all you dudes posted!

[Merbie]

P.S. I think ive tracked down the exhaust clamp and gasket parts.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-sea...8+11+7+553+130

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/18307560779

[Merbie]

Received the muffler today all looks good other than a dent tip! Any ideas on how to remove this? Also does anyone have the part numbers for the correct gaskets, nuts bolts, sealing ring and exhaust hangers?

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Merbie

Received the muffler today all looks good other than a dent tip! Any ideas on how to remove this? Also does anyone have the part numbers for the correct gaskets, nuts bolts, sealing ring and exhaust hangers?

I had my local shop massage out a dent in my exhaust tip, not sure how they did it.

Exhaust Bolts: 18307561670
Springs: 18307790610
Gasket: 18117553130

[Merbie]

Ive just bought the exhaust gasket as my bolts don't look too bad!

Ive had a quote to produce a Y pipe from my mate at fusion fabrications: https://www.fusionfabs.co.uk/

Quote of around £300 to make it and fit it.

[Merbie]

Any of you guys need exhaust putty to assemble? or should the gasket seal it up well enough on its own?