[bmw22915]

Edit: Sound Clips Below!

Hello All,

I just wanted to share about all the things I have done to my car (only engine and exhaust) and the order I did them in + what my opinions are.

1. Dinan Midpipe

Part and Install: ~575$

The Dinan Midpipe really opened up the car's exhaust and helped a lot more sound emanate from the rear. *I would say the sound increased about 50%. *Installation is very simple and can be done at home but as always, everything is easier with a lift. *It should take a shop no more than an hour to install. One problem I encountered after installing the Midpipe is having the pipe touch the heatshielding. *All my tech had to do was rotate the pipe X-degrees. Very simple bolt on mod. **note: you will have to make a cut where the Midpipe meets the muffler. *The midpipe will delete both resonators.

2. Dinan Elite

Part and install: ~1500$

Being a brand new car, warranty is a concern of mine. I started off with a JB+ and I was going to upgrade to the JB4; however, I went with the Dinan for piece of mind. Initially, I could feel the car being more responsive, but I wasn't that impressed with the tune. *As time went on, I noticed more power every day (up to a certain point). *I do believe the JB4 is more versatile and the way to go if you are not concerned with warranty. *My dealer installed the Elite for me in under an hour and I am pleased with this tune. This pairs very nicely with the Dinan Midpipe.

3. BMS Intake

Part and Install: ~190$

I was hesitant to spend ~200 dollars for very small hp and tq improvements (if any at all). Buuuuut here I am. *As many others have pointed out, the sound alone is intoxicating. The sound of the turbo spooling up and the "whooshing" sound pleases the ears. *If sound is important to you, I would highly recommend. If not, I wouldn't worry about this mod. *I installed this myself in under 10 minutes.

4. CG DS-1 Catted DP

Parts and Install: ~900$

This is probably my most love-hate mod. *I decided to go catted as I do not want the smell in my daily driver. *CG has said their test car has not had a CEL for 10000+ miles and that this product was specifically designed and tested to not produce a CEL. *Unless you have a pre-firmware 8 JB4, this should be a concern. *The install took about two hours (B58). ***Please make sure you buy the gasket piece beforehand ~20$** My tech attempted to reuse the original gasket, but it just flakes off. *After the install, the exhaust was approx 30-35% louder. At this point I'm thinking about adding a resonator to reduce the raspyness of the exhaust. *The car makes a lot more "pops" and they are definitely louder. You can hear the turbo from the exhaust as well. *Power gains are there and you can tell, but it's nothing too spectacular.

5. Vibrant Performance Resonator

Parts and Install: ~100$

After the downpipe Install, I wanted to reinstall a resonator to quite the car down a little and to take the raspyness out. I bought a Vibrant Performance Resonator 1794 and had that installed towards the muffler of the car. The raspyness is gone and the car is reasonably quieter. The exhaust-turbo sound has been reduced and almost eliminated, but this is the trade off. The resonator has a 3 inch inlet/outlet and the Dinan Midpipe is 3.25 inch. My local muffler shop compensated for this and he was able to weld on the resonator without any issue. I won’t be returning to that shop, but that’s a story for a different day.


Overall, I believe this is the perfect daily driver. There is no drone while driving and the engine performs how it should from factory. Overall the next steps are all cosmetic and I think I’m done with any power/performance upgrades.

[G.Newt]

I have the CG DS-1 and brought it to my usual muffler shop. All I did was hand them the downpipe, no $20 gasket, and they performed the install in about an hour and half. I'm not sure what you're referring to.

I haven't noticed any issues with my downpipe at all.

[JayDD007]

I've had my CG DS-1 downpipe installed for around 20k miles now, still no cel. Gasket is not absolutely mandatory to replace but is recommended by bmw when the downpipe is removed.

[bmw22915]

Hm interesting. My tech said he couldn’t get the gasket out due to the gasket flaking and I even saw it flake off. I guess it’s just for the better to spend an extra 20$ for a new gasket. Other than that, the downpipe has been flawless. I really like having the resonator though. Adds a nice touch in junction with the downpipe

[Antec800]

There’s only one cat btw the small looking muffler after the downpipe is just that

[bsas340i]

Any plans on putting it on a dyno?

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by Antec800

There’s only one cat btw the small looking muffler after the downpipe is just that

The downpipe has one and isn’t there a secondary cat + resonator in the Midpipe? It’s been a while since I’ve had my Dinan Midpipe

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by bsas340i

Any plans on putting it on a dyno?

one word... xdrive

I haven’t found a 4 wheel dyno near me

[mike@x-ph.com]

Nice mod list OP

[G.Newt]

Originally Posted by bmw22915

one word... xdrive

I haven’t found a 4 wheel dyno near me

You're in CO, same as me. There are a few AWD dyno shops. There's even one here in Fort Collins, a small town.

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by G.Newt

You're in CO, same as me. There are a few AWD dyno shops. There's even one here in Fort Collins, a small town.

I just haven't found one yet I recently moved to the Westminster/Broomfield area two months ago so I'm still feeling out the area.

[jalkster]

Originally Posted by bmw22915

The downpipe has one and isn’t there a secondary cat + resonator in the Midpipe? It’s been a while since I’ve had my Dinan Midpipe

no the stock midpipe doesnt have a cat. those are 2 resonators

[DrifterX]

Very nice list of mods bmw22915 I assume you experienced a CEL with the DS catted downpipe?

Originally Posted by jalkster

no the stock midpipe doesnt have a cat. those are 2 resonators

Yeah, I agree with this; I've seen too much mixed info that there is a second cat in the stock mid-pipe. Otherwise I don't think the MPPSK, which essentially becomes a straight pipe from the downpipe in some situations, would pass emissions compliance for BMW to be able to sell publicly.

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by jalkster

no the stock midpipe doesnt have a cat. those are 2 resonators

Ahhh thank you for the info, that's good to know. It's been about a year since I've had the midpipe in and my memory seems to have failed me haha

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by DrifterX

Very nice list of mods bmw22915 I assume you experienced a CEL with the DS catted downpipe?



Yeah, I agree with this; I've seen too much mixed info that there is a second cat in the stock mid-pipe. Otherwise I don't think the MPPSK, which essentially becomes a straight pipe from the downpipe in some situations, would pass emissions compliance for BMW to be able to sell publicly.

Thanks

No CEL with the DS-1 DP and that's one of the reasons I went for it vs. the many catless DPs on the market (no JB4 for me to clear the codes). I hear firmware 8+ will not clear CEL codes anymore.

[Thus]

I really like the idea of adding the Vibrant resonator to remove raspiness.

In my opinion, straight pipe 340i setups are WAY too harsh sounding. They just sound angry and abrasive and lack refinement or dynamic acoustic range. Here's an example of the harshness:

Do you have any audio of your exhaust setup?

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by Thus

I really like the idea of adding the Vibrant resonator to remove raspiness.

In my opinion, straight pipe 340i setups are WAY too harsh sounding. They just sound angry and abrasive and lack refinement or dynamic acoustic range. Here's an example of the harshness:

Do you have any audio of your exhaust setup?

I’ll upload some clips when I get home tonight! Sounds magnificent even with the stock muffler on.

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by bmw22915

I’ll upload some clips when I get home tonight! Sounds magnificent even with the stock muffler on.

Progression of exhaust from what I had on my phone...

Starts out w/ Dinan midpipe + BMS intake
Then goes to Dinan midpipe + BMS intake + CG Catted Downpipe
Then goes to Dinan midpipe + BMS intake + CG Catted Downpipe + VP Resonator

[G.Newt]

Originally Posted by bmw22915

I just haven't found one yet I recently moved to the Westminster/Broomfield area two months ago so I'm still feeling out the area.

You should join the "Colorado N5x" group on Facebook. Pretty big group we have, plenty of friendly and knowledgeable people. You can ask questions, inquire for labor/skills, or have fun. Always doing meet-ups and 1/4 mile drag racing. Overall a good community.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Looks like a nice list of parts.. Car should definitely be a bunch of fun to drive!

Mike

[bmw22915]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Looks like a nice list of parts.. Car should definitely be a bunch of fun to drive!

Mike

Sure is, Mike!

I always look forward to getting in the car every morning

[Thus]

Originally Posted by bmw22915

Progression of exhaust from what I had on my phone...

Starts out w/ Dinan midpipe + BMS intake
Then goes to Dinan midpipe + BMS intake + CG Catted Downpipe
Then goes to Dinan midpipe + BMS intake + CG Catted Downpipe + VP Resonator

This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I think this might be my favorite 340i exhaust setup.