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      05-07-2018, 03:24 AM   #1
JoeyM0915
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Straight pipe vs Exhaust N20

I have a 2014 328i and am wondering if it would be better to get straight pipe or and exhaust. Opinions on what would be better?
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      05-07-2018, 07:03 AM   #2
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Definitely get a proper exhaust. MPE, Remus, AWE, all good systems. It's of course up to your personal preference, but I don't really like the way the N20 sounds with a straight pipe or muffler delete.
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      05-07-2018, 09:01 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyM0915 View Post
I have a 2014 328i and am wondering if it would be better to get straight pipe or and exhaust. Opinions on what would be better?
Depends on the route. I went with a muffler delete and then when it came time to go catless, I went with an AWE Midpipe/Quad Muffler. Even with just the muffler gone, it droned like a MFer at low RPM and I had to drive in sport (Which I already do anyways lol). Don't know how the guys who have a muffler delete AND catless do it tbh. If you plan to go catless, you can actually do that first and leave the stock muffler on. Quiet at idle and normal driving, but sounds pretty nice on WOT. That would hold you over till you had the time/budget for a proper exhaust, whether it be AWE/Remus/MPE
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      05-07-2018, 11:03 AM   #4
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Taking notes... as Im in the same boat...

Dont want to deal any lights on the dash with a catless dp. Is there a 100% fix for that?

What about the HFC route? Guaranteed no SES message or not?

Trying to do my homework before buying anything...

How about midpipe change, any exhaust note difference?
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      05-07-2018, 11:10 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Taking notes... as Im in the same boat...

Dont want to deal any lights on the dash with a catless dp. Is there a 100% fix for that?

What about the HFC route? Guaranteed no SES message or not?

Trying to do my homework before buying anything...

How about midpipe change, any exhaust note difference?
CEL can be fixed with a flash tune... Some talk of an O2 spacer, but not sure of reliability. HFC will still give a CEL.

Changing the midpipe depends. Most people do it to get a different resonator and get rid of the stock cat, but I've heard of people deleting the second cat and keep the stock midpipe.
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      05-07-2018, 02:15 PM   #6
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I have a Remus muffler and I deleted the second cat. Car sounds great. I wouldn’t get rid of the resonator because I like a smooth non raspy tone.

You need to be careful because it’s a 4 cylinder and it’s easy to ruin the tone. Straight pipes are for v8s.
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      05-07-2018, 04:37 PM   #7
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Quote:
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I have a Remus muffler and I deleted the second cat. Car sounds great. I wouldn’t get rid of the resonator because I like a smooth non raspy tone.

You need to be careful because it’s a 4 cylinder and it’s easy to ruin the tone. Straight pipes are for v8s.
Any pictures from underneath?

Do you have an N20 or N26?

I have the N26 which I believe has a slightly different (more restrictive) exhaust. Would love to open that up a bit but dont want to have to deal with CEL or failed emissions tests.
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      05-07-2018, 05:23 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Any pictures from underneath?

Do you have an N20 or N26?

I have the N26 which I believe has a slightly different (more restrictive) exhaust. Would love to open that up a bit but dont want to have to deal with CEL or failed emissions tests.
You can kill off the 2nd cat and should be okay. But the biggest restrictor is the main cat. :/
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      05-07-2018, 05:41 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BunkerJ View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Any pictures from underneath?

Do you have an N20 or N26?

I have the N26 which I believe has a slightly different (more restrictive) exhaust. Would love to open that up a bit but dont want to have to deal with CEL or failed emissions tests.
You can kill off the 2nd cat and should be okay. But the biggest restrictor is the main cat. :/
Is there an o2 sensor behind the second cat?

Seems like that would be an easy/cheap thing to try to remove and see what happens...

Any N26's out there with a stock exhaust - that have removed second cat? Any emissions issues? Any sound improvement?
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      05-07-2018, 05:50 PM   #10
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I am catless with a muffler delete. Sounds pretty nice outside. Slowly getting used to the drone inside
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      05-07-2018, 05:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Is there an o2 sensor behind the second cat?

Seems like that would be an easy/cheap thing to try to remove and see what happens...

Any N26's out there with a stock exhaust - that have removed second cat? Any emissions issues? Any sound improvement?
Haven't removed my second cat yet (hopefully soon) but there is no o2 sensor on secondary so no cel but for emissions in CA im unsure
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      05-07-2018, 09:13 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Any pictures from underneath?

Do you have an N20 or N26?

I have the N26 which I believe has a slightly different (more restrictive) exhaust. Would love to open that up a bit but dont want to have to deal with CEL or failed emissions tests.
I have an n26. No CEL. I’ll try to snap a pic tomorrow.
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      05-07-2018, 09:15 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Is there an o2 sensor behind the second cat?

Seems like that would be an easy/cheap thing to try to remove and see what happens...

Any N26's out there with a stock exhaust - that have removed second cat? Any emissions issues? Any sound improvement?
I did the Remus muffler first, and the sound difference was very minimal. Deleting the second cat was night and day difference.
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      05-08-2018, 12:21 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BunkerJ View Post
Depends on the route. I went with a muffler delete and then when it came time to go catless, I went with an AWE Midpipe/Quad Muffler. Even with just the muffler gone, it droned like a MFer at low RPM and I had to drive in sport (Which I already do anyways lol). Don't know how the guys who have a muffler delete AND catless do it tbh. If you plan to go catless, you can actually do that first and leave the stock muffler on. Quiet at idle and normal driving, but sounds pretty nice on WOT. That would hold you over till you had the time/budget for a proper exhaust, whether it be AWE/Remus/MPE
Mhh i have everything deleted its not that bad . i don't really get drone like that only in eco pro mode i get drone idk could be the piping set up or it might be the tune i have ... only down side was those morning cold starts but i flashed that out.
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      05-08-2018, 08:56 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nemobanks View Post
Mhh i have everything deleted its not that bad . i don't really get drone like that only in eco pro mode i get drone idk could be the piping set up or it might be the tune i have ... only down side was those morning cold starts but i flashed that out.
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Drones pretty bad in Eco/Comfort where you're higher gear and lower RPM, slow acceleration. That's what forced me to drive in Sport originally, so I wouldn't get drone. Granted that's what I do now anyway, I wanted something with a good tone. Just felt like the delete was lacking a voice. It was loud as hell, but lacking that satisfying tone. Comes with time I suppose lol.
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      05-08-2018, 09:12 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BunkerJ View Post
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Drones pretty bad in Eco/Comfort where you're higher gear and lower RPM, slow acceleration. That's what forced me to drive in Sport originally, so I wouldn't get drone. Granted that's what I do now anyway, I wanted something with a good tone. Just felt like the delete was lacking a voice. It was loud as hell, but lacking that satisfying tone. Comes with time I suppose lol.
Agreed, quality over quantity in terms of noise. I'd rather have a quiet but well-toned exhaust over a loud but weed-wacker-esque sound. Then again, sound is as subjective as it gets, and some people are into the sound of the muffler delete on these cars. OP, do whatever sounds best to you!
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      05-08-2018, 09:17 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjdnyy224 View Post
Agreed, quality over quantity in terms of noise. I'd rather have a quiet but well-toned exhaust over a loud but weed-wacker-esque sound. Then again, sound is as subjective as it gets, and some people are into the sound of the muffler delete on these cars. OP, do whatever sounds best to you!
Agreed. I'm not saying it sounds "bad", per say, I just wasn't a fan of the drone and tone.
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      05-08-2018, 10:19 AM   #18
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Cant speak for this platform specifically but I originally went with a muffler delete on my last vehicle which was a V6. Hated it and went back to the shop within 48hrs to have Magnaflow resonated x-pipe and dual mufflers installed. Basically a custom made made catback exhaust utilizing stock tips. Because of this experience, I will likely never do a muffler delete again. Definitely more science going on within a properly set up exhaust system than some might think. Not unheard of to actually reduce performance with poorly chosen exhaust modifications. Thats why Im trying to do some homework before deciding. Obviously the safest route would be to buy a complete catback exhaust set up from a reputable brand but that is also the most $$$.

May start with removing my secondary cat. And then if that doesnt do it, buy a quality axel back...
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      05-08-2018, 10:43 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Cant speak for this platform specifically but I originally went with a muffler delete on my last vehicle which was a V6. Hated it and went back to the shop with 48hrs to have Magnaflow resonated x-pipe and dual mufflers installed. Basically a custom made made catback exhaust utilizing stock tips. Because of this experience, I will likely never do a muffler delete again. Definitely more science going on within a properly set up exhaust system than some might think. Not unheard of to actually reduce performance with poorly chosen exhaust modifications. Thats why Im trying to do some homework before deciding. Obviously the safest route would be to buy a complete catback exhaust set up from a reputable brand but that is also the most $$$.

May start with removing my secondary cat. And then if that doesnt do it, buy a quality axel back...
Agreed. A good route to not spend an extra $500 on a midpipe is to delete the secondary cat and keep the stock midpipe. Then replace the muffler with an axle-back.
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      10-16-2018, 04:41 PM   #20
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Quick question n20 do not have secondaries cats just to be clear, so instead of a sec cat delete I would do a straight pipe directly into my muffler? Would I get some type of burbles? Would it be res delete straight to muffler or cat delete then res then muffler?
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      10-16-2018, 05:28 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rillaaa View Post
Quick question n20 do not have secondaries cats just to be clear, so instead of a sec cat delete I would do a straight pipe directly into my muffler? Would I get some type of burbles? Would it be res delete straight to muffler or cat delete then res then muffler?
You have to delete the cat to get the most burbles. You will have some from a muffler delete though.
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      10-16-2018, 05:31 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BunkerJ View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rillaaa View Post
Quick question n20 do not have secondaries cats just to be clear, so instead of a sec cat delete I would do a straight pipe directly into my muffler? Would I get some type of burbles? Would it be res delete straight to muffler or cat delete then res then muffler?
You have to delete the cat to get the most burbles. You will have some from a muffler delete though.
The n20 only has one cat correct? So the resonator stays? I'm planning on keeping the muffler since I swapped it for a 335 axle back.
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