[dgzill]

The intent of this thread is to both review the axle back exhaust from Active Autowerke (AA) and provide some helpful hints on the installation of this piece. This is not a complete review as I will only cover what I thought were "holes" or unanswered question that I think may help that shopper who may be on the fence about buying this exhaust.

I am VERY happy with the product! Andrew at Active was great to work with and ultimately seems driven to provide us all with a better car experience via his product. On to the Install DIY and Review:

INSTALL: The packaging and product from AA is of top quality. I received the box very quickly and everything I needed was there ready to install. The instructions from AA are "adequate" and can be undertaken by anyone with some mechanical know how. The most nerve wrecking part is the cut but the provided instruction does a pretty good job of showing you how to measure. Luckily, I like to think I have some know how as I have been working on cars for several years now. The fist issue I had was THE EXHAUST INSTALL REQUIRES CUTTING YOUR STOCK EXHAUST PIPING!!!!! I failed to realize this until I had the car on jacks and actually looked at the stock piece. My fault! AA does clearly state cutting is required...I just failed to read. I admit, I panicked a bit but then calmed down and remembered a tool I used before to cut exhaust piping. The tool is pictured below and can be rented from your local autzone or equivalent.



This tool is much easier to use and provides a cleaner, more accurate cut then a sawzall or die grinder can. I measured just as the picture and instructions provided state and hooked up the pipe cutter and went to work.


You can see the line I made right at 9.5 inches...Here's an overall view


Tool attached. Once its wrapped around the pipe, rotate/tighten till it cuts all the way through. Only a quarter rotation is required so there is plenty of room available.



Be at ease and know that there is some wiggle room in the cut you make so measure as accurately as possible but know that there is probably Id say +/- 1/4 in of wiggle room. The pipe provided by AA slips over the top of the stock pipe.....

Now I will skip to the hanging of the muffler. The exhaust comes with two hangers used to bolt on to the stock hangers. The are great because they allow you to adjust the placement of the muffler to your liking. The tough part is that they are different and the instructions do not specify what side each one goes on and the direction they go (out to in/in to out with respect to the bracket going into the stock rubber hanger). Below are pics starting with the passenger side.




Driver's side


as you can see, the pin faces in and the two brackets are slightly different. Although I was able to figure it out, more detailed instruction would have saved 45 mins of trial and error.

I also had an issue with the alignment of the bolts that secure the stock solenoid. I could only get 1 screw in. Not a big deal, I believe one will suffice...just a issue I had.


A perk of the system is the adjustability of the tips. I staggered them similar to the OEM setup.


REVIEW:

The AA system sounds GREAT!...Nice deep tone with no drone at cruise. The butt dyno registers results similar to the dyno provided by AA. Torque comes on stronger and quicker and the car is more "peppy" through the power band especially on throttle application. Overall I am happy with the purchase. It has only been 1 day so I will update accordingly.

I Hope this DIY/Review filled some gaps left in the available info on this exhaust. Again, there are pics and videos available that are great sources for basic info however I wanted to provide my own perspective to help. Happy Modding!

[mike@x-ph.com]

AA products are always top Notch
+1 for @andrew@ActiveAutowerke

[Vitoco]

Nice write-up and good info! On another note, Im tired of these closeups so please take a few pics from a distance, so one can get a feel of how it actually looks on the car

[amf]

thank for the write up!! looks good.

[dgzill]

Originally Posted by Vitoco

Nice write-up and good info! On another note, Im tired of these closeups so please take a few pics from a distance, so one can get a feel of how it actually looks on the car

That's easy! I can get some pics up today

[SflBimmer8484]

Awesome! Thank you for DIY and the review !

[Vitoco]

Originally Posted by dgzill

That's easy! I can get some pics up today

[dgzill]

Here is a shot from futher away...kinda parked on a slant here

[Vitoco]

Those fat pipes are just what's missing on this car

[dgzill]

Originally Posted by Vitoco

Those fat pipes are just what's missing on this car

I'm thinking having the tips powder coated a high gloss black to match the oem sport line tips and the theme of the car

[amf]

i like the twin tips better than the single

[Vitoco]

Originally Posted by dgzill

I'm thinking having the tips powder coated a high gloss black to match the oem sport line tips and the theme of the car

TBH I'm not that big of a fan of black tips myself, but it could work well with the theme you're going for... but heck, maybe I'll do the same if it looks good

[amf]

Originally Posted by dgzill

I'm thinking having the tips powder coated a high gloss black to match the oem sport line tips and the theme of the car

that will look good. i have the sport line too. and i like the black tips on the factory oem tips.

[Chris@codemybimmer]

Do you know what that took is called?
i was looking to buy one for a while but no one at the hardware stores seems to know what im talking about

[dgzill]

Originally Posted by 1lyfe

Do you know what that took is called?
i was looking to buy one for a while but no one at the hardware stores seems to know what im talking about

Its called a "tailpipe cutter" I rented it from autozone. Im sure any other auto parts store will have it, dont think you will find one at a hardware store......good luck

[rustyminded]

can you tell me does it have a break in period like the performance exhaust ? do you feel the 10 whp the claimed ? Is it too loud ? I bought it a while but didn't install it yet.. can't wait to hear the difference

[dgzill]

Originally Posted by rustyminded

can you tell me does it have a break in period like the performance exhaust ? do you feel the 10 whp the claimed ? Is it too loud ? I bought it a while but didn't install it yet.. can't wait to hear the difference

What you really feel is the tq difference early in the power band. It's been 2 weeks with it on and there are a few cases where I think it may be a little to loud but overall it's just more agressive. Can't really speak to a break in period...no noticeable change so far....

[slmdgee]

Lol 10whp you guys will never feel! If you want to feel power tune your car.

[rustyminded]

Originally Posted by slmdgee

Lol 10whp you guys will never feel! If you want to feel power tune your car.

I already have st. 2 but I am still curious about the muffler

[rustyminded]

Originally Posted by dgzill

What you really feel is the tq difference early in the power band. It's been 2 weeks with it on and there are a few cases where I think it may be a little to loud but overall it's just more agressive. Can't really speak to a break in period...no noticeable change so far....

Thanks that's more than enough info.

[dgzill]

Originally Posted by slmdgee

Lol 10whp you guys will never feel! If you want to feel power tune your car.

great thread contribution

[bimmerillini95]

hey do you guys plug the sensor back in when installing or do you guys just leave the cable hanging?