[viperguy212]

Hey all,

I'm planning on putting in a new CTS downpipe into my 2014 335xi (EWG) this spring and I've been having the internal debate about purchasing new v-band clamps as part of the install.

It seems like some do but a lot don't. Any feedback from you guys that have done in the install?

My car has 40k on it and I'm in the northeast so I wouldn't be surprised if its a bit crusty down there. It's about $60 for 2 new clamps so If I could avoid the added cost that be great but if not I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Thanks!

[rocklobsta1109]

I didn't buy one for the first 2 times I had my downpipe on and off ( for emissions) now that I'm about to reinstall it again, I bought a new gasket/Vband combo from ECS tuning.

The old one gets a little bent up after it goes on and off a few times.

[paimon.soror]

its a small price to pay for added security against leaks. At the very least get a bottom clamp with the integrated gasket.

[badbread]

I think the concern is this piece getting mangled up:

[IMG]https://i0.wp.com/*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG-20180208-WA0004.jpeg[/IMG]

Inside the vband:
[IMG]https://i2.wp.com/*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG-20180208-WA0002.jpeg[/IMG]

Check out my install guide in the link below, I personally didn't change it, but the next time I think I will have to.

[viperguy212]

Originally Posted by badbread

Check out my install guide in the link below, I personally didn't change it, but the next time I think I will have to.

Your the reason I wound up with the CTS downpipe to begin with lol

[viperguy212]

Originally Posted by rocklobsta1109

I didn't buy one for the first 2 times I had my downpipe on and off ( for emissions) now that I'm about to reinstall it again, I bought a new gasket/Vband combo from ECS tuning.

The old one gets a little bent up after it goes on and off a few times.

This is partially my concern also. I’ll have to take my downpipe off in a year. Maybe I’ll look to replace them then.

[jgoens]

I have taken my DP on and off a couple times and will say the lower clamp should be replaced each time but the upper one is re-usable.

[the dope steez]

I'll let you know tomorrow when I pull everything apart! I bought a new lower clamp because of the likelihood of those little tabs getting bent out of shape, but I plan to reuse the upper clamp

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by the dope steez

I'll let you know tomorrow when I pull everything apart! I bought a new lower clamp because of the likelihood of those little tabs getting bent out of shape, but I plan to reuse the upper clamp

Yeah, those little tabs get all bent up...one time I took my new lower clamp back off because it didn't look right and they were bent, so I bent them back in place and no exhaust leak. Pretty simple stuff, but like a CP more labor intensive.

[the dope steez]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Yeah, those little tabs get all bent up...one time I took my new lower clamp back off because it didn't look right and they were bent, so I bent them back in place and no exhaust leak. Pretty simple stuff, but like a CP more labor intensive.

Yea so I just got everything all wrapped up - to address the OP question the upper v band was fine to reuse but the lower did get messed up. I had a new one in the waiting so all good. The DP is a bit of a pain, mainly because of the upper bolt. But if you get a short extension on your 13mm socket you can get it on and loosen it off one ratchet click at a time.

Car on lift at 10 am, off the lift at 4:30 with a new inter cooler, charge pipe and down pipe (and bm3 flash). This included a quick run to grab a random socket we were missing and a lunch break. I took my dad for a test drive and he said it felt as powerful as his Tesla, so I'll consider that a win!

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by the dope steez

Yea so I just got everything all wrapped up - to address the OP question the upper v band was fine to reuse but the lower did get messed up. I had a new one in the waiting so all good. The DP is a bit of a pain, mainly because of the upper bolt. But if you get a short extension on your 13mm socket you can get it on and loosen it off one ratchet click at a time.

Car on lift at 10 am, off the lift at 4:30 with a new inter cooler, charge pipe and down pipe (and bm3 flash). This included a quick run to grab a random socket we were missing and a lunch break. I took my dad for a test drive and he said it felt as powerful as his Tesla, so I'll consider that a win!

That bolt on the upper clamp was easy to get off for me as it lines up directly with a hole in the wheel. The biggest pain in the ass for me is just holding the DP and getting the upper in the right spot--helps having two people but last time I did it solo. Just a tiny space and things have to seat perfect.

[matty088]

What's the part number. I guess I ordered wrong part

[rocklobsta1109]

Originally Posted by matty088

What's the part number. I guess I ordered wrong part

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/18307620349/

[TwantoFamilio]

I ordered the CTS Turbo Catless 4" Downpipe for N55 (EWG).

Mine came with a single nut/bolt combo to mount it? Are those the only parts that should've come with it? I assume I'm reusing existing nut/bolt from the factory downpipe?

I read guidance and will at least be purchasing a lower V band clamp. Thank you!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by paimon.soror

its a small price to pay for added security against leaks. At the very least get a bottom clamp with the integrated gasket.

+1

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by TwantoFamilio

I ordered the CTS Turbo Catless 4" Downpipe for N55 (EWG).

Mine came with a single nut/bolt combo to mount it? Are those the only parts that should've come with it? I assume I'm reusing existing nut/bolt from the factory downpipe?

I read guidance and will at least be purchasing a lower V band clamp. Thank you!

Is the nut/bolt you are referring to for the support bracket? Not sure if CTS turbo has that.

When i replaced mine with fabspeed i had the gasket, top vband, and lower vband on hand. I ended up only using the new lower vband - that is pretty much unavoidable due to the way it clamps. I reused the top vband and even the gasket. My car is from CA and relatively low miles however you you might want to have those parts on hand as well. The only place there is a separate nut/bolt is for the side support bracket. I reused stock ones there as my fabspeed didnt come with anything.

[TwantoFamilio]

It's the bolt pictured here. Mine also came with a nut. I feel like they are just extra because from watching install videos and reading instructions the factory mounting points are used.

Thanks for the reply!

[Davidschu]

Originally Posted by viperguy212

Hey all,

I'm planning on putting in a new CTS downpipe into my 2014 335xi (EWG) this spring and I've been having the internal debate about purchasing new v-band clamps as part of the install.

It seems like some do but a lot don't. Any feedback from you guys that have done in the install?

My car has 40k on it and I'm in the northeast so I wouldn't be surprised if its a bit crusty down there. It's about $60 for 2 new clamps so If I could avoid the added cost that be great but if not I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Thanks!

I also live in the northeast did my down pipe a few months ago. 2013 n55 pwg with 60k at the time. I bought both the upper and lower clamp and I'm glad I did because the old ones were so rusty both of the nuts snapped when taking them off. So I definitely recommend getting both clamps if you live in the north east

[Liandri]

I just did a downpipe yesterday, live in the Northeast. I probably could have reused the clamps, but bought new ones with the downpipe anyway. The upper clamp became a little twisted coming off, but could have been reused if necessary. You will need a new upper gasket anyway though and the lower clamp contains an integrated metal sealing washer so might as well do it once and do it right

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Liandri

I just did a downpipe yesterday, live in the Northeast. I probably could have reused the clamps, but bought new ones with the downpipe anyway. The upper clamp became a little twisted coming off, but could have been reused if necessary. You will need a new upper gasket anyway though and the lower clamp contains an integrated metal sealing washer so might as well do it once and do it right

I find it is easier if you leave the upper clamp sitting on the turbo when you remove the DP. Then you put the new DP up and have someone reach from the top to help align the upper clamp over the turbo and DP.

The upper gasket can be reused if it doesnt look crushed or damaged in any way. I was more concerned to try and remove mine and fit the new one than just leave the OEM, and mine doesn't leak or have any issues. But again, have it on hand and see how it looks when you get in there.

Bottom clamp pretty much 100% needs to be replaced.

[regomellor]

Sorry for my ignorance. Are the upper and the lower clamps the same or are they different?

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by regomellor

Sorry for my ignorance. Are the upper and the lower clamps the same or are they different?

Completely different, see this thread: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7#post28586077

and this post https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...16&postcount=6