New wrinkle on age-old exhaust question

[bigbilly]

Like many, I'm looking at adding an aftermarket cat-back exhaust to my e36 (328iC).

Two questions that I can't find answered in the FAQs or in other posts:

1. Any thoughts on the *installation* of cat-backs? Which are easy-peasy (bolt on) and which require a hacksaw (shudder)?

In the "classic" 1/2003 European Car 10-system runoff, I remember seeing that UUC got dinged for fit and installation challenges (2/5 - and they skip this stat on their homepage - gotta love marketing).

2. Any thoughts on pros/cons of aftermarket exhausts for a 'vert? Should I start stocking up on ibuprofen now?

I'm thinking of getting either a B&B Tri-Flow (on sale now at Bavauto) or a UUC Twin Silencer. Answers to these questions for these two models in specific would be appreciated.

Thanks -

BB

[-ursa-]

Both of the systems that you mentioned are on the loud side of the e36 exhaust spectrum.

A Superspint full stainless is one of the nicest exhausts for the e36. The tone is mellow under low acceleration but has a great tone at WOT.

Contact http://www.bavarianperformancegroup.com/ as they have some of the best pricing on Supersprints around.

[bigbilly]

So how easy is it to install one of these? Is it bolt on or otherwise?

I'm no mechanic, but am handy with tools. As long as I don't have to cut anything - and more importantly, as long as it *fits* stock - I'm game.

BB

[-ursa-]

install is very easy. I would get new exhaust hangers and bolts to make your life easier. It should take the average DIY person around 2 or 3 hours (taking time).

[STEVE36]

Don't you have a 328is not a 328iC??

[bigbilly]

I have a 328 convertible (iC). I take it Ursa has an is.

Does it matter? (I'm not being flippant - really - does it make a difference?)

BB

[NeverLeaned]

If you read the 1/03 article closer, they knocked a non production version of the UUC. (it had yet to be released and was still considered a prototype)

Lots of people here are UUC owners and are very happy with them..... Im 90% sure I will be owning a UUC TSE once the salt is off the road this spring

[themadhatter]

from my own personal experience, you don't want a loud exhaust on your vert. you'll be wanting to kill yourself on long drives and the short ones will start taking their toll on your sanity as well.

if I were you, I'd go shopping for a Supersprint, Remus or Stromung system. those three sound great and aren't very loud - they are in the middle to quiet range.

-Ron

[bigbilly]

Ursa - thanks for the tip. I've tried the link and asked them to send me info.

NeverLeaned - that's what I'm hoping for. Any UUC owners awake out there? Any thoughts? Bueller? Bueller?

BB

[-ursa-]

exhaust install is the same for (vert., 4dr, coupe). The ti is the only different e36 exhaust.

[bigbilly]

Ron -

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions. That's what I'm worried about. I guess I'm skittish about these after reading the 1/03 article, but as NeverLeaned mentioned pre-production parts may be what's giving me heartburn.

Time to swallow hard and just place an order, I guess...

Thanks -

BB

[bigbilly]

Also, anyone have a scorpion exhaust who'd be willing to comment?

[STEVE36]

I have a 328 convertible (iC). I take it Ursa has an is.

Does it matter? (I'm not being flippant - really - does it make a difference?)

BB

Nope, doesn't matter. I just never see it written that way.

For info on the Scorpion exhaust, check out my thread here:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...Exhaust+Review

Steve

[Rob Levinson]

Although it's not "published" on our website, it's no secret that UUC has completed development of a Corsa RSC™-based system for the E36.

RSC™ is "Reflective Sound Cancellation™", a patented design where the tuning elements are calibrated to cancel the targeted sound waves with perfectly inverted waveforms. The result is "open pipe" performance with whisper-quiet operation at the rpm/throttle points where you want it to be subdued. Read more about RSC™ here:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/tse3/arsctech.htm

Much like our E46 exhaust (click here for E46 details), the fundamental design specification is nearly stock volume at cruise, but an awesome on-throttle sound that remains fully SAE J1169 standard 95dB sound limit compliant for states that have introduced legislated sound controls.

As has been suggested earlier in this thread, I would recommend a quieter exhaust for a Cabrio. The third UUC choice to be available in early '05 will be the optimum choice for that sort of application.

[bigbilly]

Rob -

Thanks for the insight into new UUC products.

As I've read elsewhere, exhaust mods for performance/hp gains are pointless (except maybe when coupled with intake and chip mods - but please, let's not get into that here everyone...). With that said, exhaust mods are primarily for sound/timbre changes.

Am I reading your post right - and to put in simple terms that my feeble mind can understand at this hour - these new RSC exhausts will be louder at throttle (i.e. as I accelerate through each of the gears) but will mellow out at cruise (i.e. when applying constant throttle)? So I only hear the growl when having fun with the gas, but don't have to reach for my Advil when cruising on the highway at a constant speed?

That would be super cool, but the Aero engineer in me is somewhat skeptical.

And while I have your attention - any comments to the points raised in the eurocar review of the UUC exhausts about the difficulties in fitting them? Was this because the exhausts used for the test were pre-market?

Thanks - and hope this gets in before the servers turn to pumpkins.

BB

[Rob Levinson]

Am I reading your post right - and to put in simple terms that my feeble mind can understand at this hour - these new RSC exhausts will be louder at throttle (i.e. as I accelerate through each of the gears) but will mellow out at cruise (i.e. when applying constant throttle)? So I only hear the growl when having fun with the gas, but don't have to reach for my Advil when cruising on the highway at a constant speed?

You read that correctly.

Keep in mind that RSC is not like conventional muffler with baffles or wrapped perforated pipe... these tuning elements are really high-tech masterpieces that really do exactly as advertised.

For an example, download this video showing various acceleration and cruising activities in the E46 and 323 and . The 2.5l and 3.0l M54 engines in the E46 have virtually the same characteristics as the M52 engines. Note that the loudest sound at steady-state cruising is the wind noise:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/TSE3/UU...celeration.mov

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/TSE3/UU...ing_Medium.mov

- Rob

[bigbilly]

Rob -

Nice clips. Thanks for posting the links. They sound good to me, and yeah I hear what you mean about wind noise.

It's enough to convince me to wait a bit longer. When will these be out for the e36? And will these be bolt-on?

Any chance of getting in line for one of these now?

BB

[Rob Levinson]

It's enough to convince me to wait a bit longer. When will these be out for the e36?

Production design has been finished; now it's a question of fianl dB testing (that SAE J1169 standard that we will comply with) and then setting up for production and production time. This is strictly an estimate, not a guaranteed availability date... we're shooting for late January.

And will these be bolt-on?

Absolutely. No cutting, no welding, the only installation tools will be a socket set.

Any chance of getting in line for one of these now?

We don't take pre-orders until the final price is determined and we have a solid availability date. However, if you are interested and would like an update when available, please send an e-mail to info@shortshifter.com with E36 RSC in the subject line.

- Rob

[bigbilly]

Thanks Rob - sent an email. I guess I'll just focus on swapping out my headlights in the meantime.

BB

[bigbilly]

Rob - any update on the e36 RSC? I've got money to burn...

BB

[ACS320i]

if youve gotta vert.... get something quiet
i highly reccomend supersprint

[LWRNCE]

AA Gen 30 min job.

[themadhatter]

any e36 exhaust should be a 30 minute bolt up...maybe a bit longer if you've got rusty bolts. a second person is always helpful as a spotter to help you line the tips up (visually) but that's about it.

[Rob Levinson]

Rob - any update on the e36 RSC? I've got money to burn...

BB

Really wanted to have them on the shelf and ready to ship before making any availability-timeframe estimates on the RSC36...

... but production tooling and materials are being set up right now. That means not too much longer.

I should be able to give a meaningful availability date by early February.

- Rob

[roberttran]

This RSC system sounds interesting. I'm assuming its going to be more expensive then the other UUC exhausts