[rackjuediger]

Any one here have any experience with CNT downpipes? Anyone running one with the stock exhaust? TIA

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by rackjuediger

Any one here have any experience with CNT downpipes? Anyone running one with the stock exhaust? TIA

Either no love, or no one is. I had the same curiosity. Most will disavow from afar because of what they have read. I have had several buddies purchase various exhaust pieces from CNT and Megan and have me install them and I must say I have never been disappointed. That said, I am a little more hesitant with the DP after reading the nightmares with VRSF.. wouldn't seem worth the $50 savings to go with CNT.

Anyone?

[sspade]

Why anyone would choose anything other than the Circuit Werks catless DP is beyond me.

Catless Downpipe:
A hollow pipe. Damn near zero engineering going on. It either fits or it doesnt. Find the cheapest one with solid build quality and move on.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by sspade

Why anyone would choose anything other than the Circuit Werks catless DP is beyond me.

Catless Downpipe:
A hollow pipe. Damn near zero engineering going on. It either fits or it doesnt. Find the cheapest one with solid build quality and move on.

There are other elements, like some offering like a heat controlling coating and things like that, but for the most part, +1. If it's made well and fits, cheaper is better.

[D041987]

I have installed PLM, Circuit Works, VRSF, off brand ebay, and ER pipes for this platform. Pipe is a pipe. Just use new gaskets and you wont have leaks. Get one with the Flex joint at the bottom. If you have issues get a refund and get another brand. There is always some failure rate on mass produced parts.

[rackjuediger]

I ordered CNT on Monday. It will be installed Tuesday so I will keep everyone posted. Are new gaskets required? Where can i order them from?

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by rackjuediger

I ordered CNT on Monday. It will be installed Tuesday so I will keep everyone posted. Are new gaskets required? Where can i order them from?

This thread goes through what parts you should have on hand during a DP install.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by rackjuediger

I ordered CNT on Monday. It will be installed Tuesday so I will keep everyone posted. Are new gaskets required? Where can i order them from?

I use getBMWparts.com for pretty much all of my OEM parts purchases.

Assuming you have an N26 ?

You will need the following three parts:

18307606136 (DP to turbo clamp)

18307628660 (DP to turbo gasket)

18307628660 (DP to mid pipe clamp)


I have the bolded item available for sale brand new if your interested. Will ship immediately. $18 via paypal, shipped.

[rackjuediger]

Originally Posted by sspade

I use getBMWparts.com for pretty much all of my OEM parts purchases.

Assuming you have an N26 ?

You will need the following three parts:

18307606136 (DP to turbo clamp)

18307628660 (DP to turbo gasket)

18307628660 (DP to mid pipe clamp)


I have the bolded item available for sale brand new if your interested. Will ship immediately. $18 via paypal, shipped.

I have N20. But I appreciate ya!

[Nd0udoinwork]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Either no love, or no one is. I had the same curiosity. Most will disavow from afar because of what they have read. I have had several buddies purchase various exhaust pieces from CNT and Megan and have me install them and I must say I have never been disappointed. That said, I am a little more hesitant with the DP after reading the nightmares with VRSF.. wouldn't seem worth the $50 savings to go with CNT.

Anyone?

vrsf downpipe is fitting fine, but the charge pipe is the piece with the fitment issues, my vrsf downpipe fit perfectly.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by rackjuediger

I have N20. But I appreciate ya!

That part is the same lol. So is the gasket.

Its the other clamp that's different.

Let me know if you find it cheaper!

[rjd_F30]

Forgot to link this thread:https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1541854 in my above post lol. But sspade got it for me anyway. Those three parts should be on hand, and since you're N20 the DP to MP clamp will be different. Just go to realoem.com, get the PN and go to your dealer for all three parts. I got all three for like $60 from my dealer.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

Forgot to link this thread:https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1541854 in my above post lol. But sspade got it for me anyway. Those three parts should be on hand, and since you're N20 the DP to MP clamp will be different. Just go to realoem.com, get the PN and go to your dealer for all three parts. I got all three for like $60 from my dealer.

Yep... all about $20 a piece. For some reason my dealer is not part friendly.

getbmwparts.com always beats them.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Good luck OP

[rackjuediger]

Update: I just went to my local dealership and picked up everything I need for $80. Not bad for getting everything the same day and not having to wait a week for the parts. The downpipe will be getting installed tonight.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by rackjuediger

Update: I just went to my local dealership and picked up everything I need for $80. Not bad for getting everything the same day and not having to wait a week for the parts. The downpipe will be getting installed tonight.

Good job... agree, coulda saved a twenty and bought online but theres a certain value to getting the parts on demand at a parts counter - from a BMW professional.

Out of curiosity - do the part numbers match up with what was suggested? Will help others who use this post as a guideline for their own DIY.

[rackjuediger]

Originally Posted by sspade

Good job... agree, coulda saved a twenty and bought online but theres a certain value to getting the parts on demand at a parts counter - from a BMW professional.

Out of curiosity - do the part numbers match up with what was suggested? Will help others who use this post as a guideline for their own DIY.

Yes for the most part. Ill find my receipt and post it later. Of course I had to get the N20 version of a part or two since you have an N26 but for the most part they were spot on. Thanks!

[rackjuediger]

Update 2 Downpipe Installed!

Took about 2-3 hours but I got it done! The biggest issue was fitment however. I cut 8 quarter inch slices into the midpipe connection and lightly pressed in to fit the downpipe into the midpipe. I don't know if CNT suggested it be welded instead since the downpipe exit was the same size as the midpipe. I wish I took photos but completely forgot. Performance wise the car absolutely rocks. Pulls harder than before and has some nice pops and burbles when letting off at low rpm. Ended up not needing the gasket and clamp I bought from my local dealership since the original ones were in great shape. Theres no exhaust leaks and the turbo fitting fits perfectly I should add. And I plugged In the top o2 sensor as well.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Either no love, or no one is. I had the same curiosity. Most will disavow from afar because of what they have read. I have had several buddies purchase various exhaust pieces from CNT and Megan and have me install them and I must say I have never been disappointed. That said, I am a little more hesitant with the DP after reading the nightmares with VRSF.. wouldn't seem worth the $50 savings to go with CNT.

Anyone?

I don't mean to hijack this thread but we have a little over 120 of our revised N20 downpipes out in the wild and after the latest revision I'm happy to say we have 100% success with each and every one

[sspade]

Circuit Werks N20/N26 downpipes on eBay for $160, shipped.

Guaranteed to fit. Why pay more for a hollow pipe?

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

I don't mean to hijack this thread but we have a little over 120 of our revised N20 downpipes out in the wild and after the latest revision I'm happy to say we have 100% success with each and every one

What was the revision?

Either way, happy to hear that. Hopefully the trend continues

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by sspade

Circuit Werks N20/N26 downpipes on eBay for $160, shipped.

Guaranteed to fit. Why pay more for a hollow pipe?

Believe me, based on the experience we've had prior to our latest and final downpipe revision, I can confidently say that it's very easy to mess up a downpipe on these cars.

The N20 downpipe is the WIDEST and one of the longest downpipes BMW has designed and it only takes a single millimeter or two in any direction to turn a downpipe into a door stop.

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

What was the revision?

Either way, happy to hear that. Hopefully the trend continues

We made a couple of major revisions to the jigs used to both create and verify fitment as well as additional quality control steps in order to ensure the product will fit each and every time. Most importantly we've incorporated the use of a 3d scanner to verify the jig remains true.

Our jigs have been significantly improved (reinforcement, CNC fittings to simulate OEM connections) which guarantees relative flange angles as well as flange dimensions. Before a N20 DP or CP sees the inside of a VRSF box, each and every unit is fitted to two separate jigs. Afterward, they are manually measured and inspected by a separate VRSF employee. If they pass we then use a 3d scanner on a few units as well as the jig to ensure it's within spec. If for ANY reason the part doesn't pass any of these steps it's scrapped.

The verification/QC step takes a bit longer now than it used to but improving upon the process has vastly improved quality and has significantly decreased our defect rate across the board. I'm really appreciative of the feedback we've received from the community thus far, without it we wouldn't have been able to improve and expand our lineup.