X5/6 50i Muffler swap option

[Feelin Nauti]

I have been looking for about a week for all muffler options to give my X5 50i a little more rumble without breaking the bank. Searching thru chat rooms, online stores and websites.

I think I finally found a viable option without breaking the bank.

Flowmaster has a Super 44 two chamber muffler that was made for a different application that would be a great fit for our vehicle.

Model # 842-5461 It would require two mufflers, one left and one right.

Dimensionally it will fit and most muffler shops can do the install quite easily.

I am close to pulling the trigger on this one but while I do want to make it rumble at wide open throttle I don't want to wake the neighbors or a sleeping kid in the back seat on a daily drive. I know the Super 44 series is a little on the louder side.

I was told by Flowmaster that since I have factory cats, down pipes etc. that it wont be too aggressive.

If its too aggressive maybe a bullet style resonator may do the trick.

Any thoughts ???

[Twin Peaks]

Originally Posted by Feelin Nauti

I have been looking for about a week for all muffler options to give my X5 50i a little more rumble without breaking the bank. Searching thru chat rooms, online stores and websites.

I think I finally found a viable option without breaking the bank.

Flowmaster has a Super 44 two chamber muffler that was made for a different application that would be a great fit for our vehicle.

Model # 842-5461 It would require two mufflers, one left and one right.

Dimensionally it will fit and most muffler shops can do the install quite easily.

I am close to pulling the trigger on this one but while I do want to make it rumble at wide open throttle I don't want to wake the neighbors or a sleeping kid in the back seat on a daily drive. I know the Super 44 series is a little on the louder side.

I was told by Flowmaster that since I have factory cats, down pipes etc. that it wont be too aggressive.

If its too aggressive maybe a bullet style resonator may do the trick.

Any thoughts ???

I actually considered this exact item and went with an xpipe + muffler delete instead. I would be interested in hearing what that sounds like.

[Feelin Nauti]

Originally Posted by Twin Peaks

I actually considered this exact item and went with an xpipe + muffler delete instead. I would be interested in hearing what that sounds like.

I was thinking about the X pipe as well with these mufflers, but would need to hear them first. If they were too loud for me than I don't think there is room for both the X pipe and Resonators.

[mikew2069]

Following

[AZTWW]

If you have a 50i, let it roar. Don't bother with other exhaust options and just remove the whole thing. There is another thread here with those of us that piloted the x-pipe and exhaust delete combo. I have had it for a year now and it is absolutely awesome. Best way to describe it is think that you have a RR SVR. It is loud when you want it to be, great crackles and backfires and costs all of $300 to get done.

Find the thread and watch the videos.

[anacondatp]

agree with muffler delete and x pipe. if you have 50i, thats your best option for good sounding exhaust and lowest cost

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Feelin Nauti

I was thinking about the X pipe as well with these mufflers, but would need to hear them first. If they were too loud for me than I don't think there is room for both the X pipe and Resonators.

Oem exhaust already has 2 resonators.

[Feelin Nauti]

So I finally broke down and ordered all my exhaust parts. After reading thru the many pages of the muffler delete option that many have seem to take I figured it would be a better option for me to install some mufflers that are free flowing, give it some rumble and not too aggressive.

I ordered a pair of the Flow Master mufflers like my post started with. I also ordered the MagnaFlow true X pipe and dual carbon fiber staggered tips.

Hopefully they will all be to me in about a week and I can get it all mounted up. If the shop will work with me I want to get some sound clips with each stage along the way to see if any of the components make a difference in the sound other than just the mufflers.

I will leave the stock down pipes and resonators in place and install the X pipe after the stock Resonators.

I will keep you guys posted !!!

I am excited to do this as these 50i should of had a little more aggressive exhaust from the factory like the AMG G43 does.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Feelin Nauti

So I finally broke down and ordered all my exhaust parts. After reading thru the many pages of the muffler delete option that many have seem to take I figured it would be a better option for me to install some mufflers that are free flowing, give it some rumble and not too aggressive.

I ordered a pair of the Flow Master mufflers like my post started with. I also ordered the MagnaFlow true X pipe and dual carbon fiber staggered tips.

Hopefully they will all be to me in about a week and I can get it all mounted up. If the shop will work with me I want to get some sound clips with each stage along the way to see if any of the components make a difference in the sound other than just the mufflers.

I will leave the stock down pipes and resonators in place and install the X pipe after the stock Resonators.

I will keep you guys posted !!!

I am excited to do this as these 50i should of had a little more aggressive exhaust from the factory like the AMG G43 does.

It will sound better than stock, but noticeably quieter than muffler delete mod. If you only are after moderate exhaust rumble - then Super 44 is just fine. However, muffler delete mod delivers raw sound of V8 and this is why many like it.
My 2 cents of advise would be to first weld in x-pipe and cut off stock muffler. Do not weld in Super 44 yet. Instead go ahead and try first how it will sound with muffler delete - as this is what you will have at that point. Give it a idle start and then some revs. I would also drive it a bit to get a feeling what it's like outside (in a muffler shop it sounds a bit different). Only if you will find it too loud - then go ahead and weld Super 44. Otherwise return them if you can and enjoy real V8 rumble.

[mikew2069]

Really looking forward to the outcome but I’m not so sure I love the rumble that flow masters normally produce.... has any tried a stock f85 muffler? Would that even work or make a difference?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

Really looking forward to the outcome but I’m not so sure I love the rumble that flow masters normally produce.... has any tried a stock f85 muffler? Would that even work or make a difference?

Stock f85 muffler for sure does sound sportier than stock 50i. It's still very tamed compared to 50i muffler delete mod imho. On the other hand for those who want milder mod - it's a good option, especially if you can find a used one for a descent price - I see no sense buying a new f85 exhaust. Just my opinion man

[Feelin Nauti]

I ordered everything online. I have the mufflers and X pipe. Im just waiting on my new quad tips to come in the next few days. Hopefully it all comes in before I leave out of town for a week.

I will take before and after videos and if I figure out how to post them I will.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by Feelin Nauti

I ordered everything online. I have the mufflers and X pipe. Im just waiting on my new quad tips to come in the next few days. Hopefully it all comes in before I leave out of town for a week.

I will take before and after videos and if I figure out how to post them I will.

Where are we at with this project?

[Feelin Nauti]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

Where are we at with this project?

I finally had everything installed yesterday. It was a bitch to say the least with the limited room for the exhaust tips and the compound curves needed to go from the muffler to the tips. I was impatient and just went to a local Muffler shop where they did not speak much English. I wish I held out and went to a custom pro exhaust specialist to do a much nicer job.

First impression is... Sound is deeper and only a little louder than the stock system even thought I as suspecting a bit more free flowing.

I think to describe it would be...Sounds like a bad ass sleeper hot rod, if you know what I mean.

There is NO drone, no pops, not much gurgle on decal.

To be honest I was hoping it would be just a bit louder but not as loud as the muffler delete. I am suspecting that the stock resonators have more muffler tendencies to them than just a resonator. That's why the muffler delete option still sounds good. Just too loud for my daily driving and taste.

I have only driven it about 25 miles and in traffic so have not had a chance to really break it in yet. I will not have time to try to do some sound bite videos until next week as I will be out of town for a bit.


My cost for this mod:

$230 Mufflers
$ 90 Magnaflow X Pipe
$120 Tips
$350 Install

$790 Total

Maybe this leaves me sound room to do the down pipes to pick up some ponies

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by Feelin Nauti

I finally had everything installed yesterday. It was a bitch to say the least with the limited room for the exhaust tips and the compound curves needed to go from the muffler to the tips. I was impatient and just went to a local Muffler shop where they did not speak much English. I wish I held out and went to a custom pro exhaust specialist to do a much nicer job.

First impression is... Sound is deeper and only a little louder than the stock system even thought I as suspecting a bit more free flowing.

I think to describe it would be...Sounds like a bad ass sleeper hot rod, if you know what I mean.

There is NO drone, no pops, not much gurgle on decal.

To be honest I was hoping it would be just a bit louder but not as loud as the muffler delete. I am suspecting that the stock resonators have more muffler tendencies to them than just a resonator. That's why the muffler delete option still sounds good. Just too loud for my daily driving and taste.

I have only driven it about 25 miles and in traffic so have not had a chance to really break it in yet. I will not have time to try to do some sound bite videos until next week as I will be out of town for a bit.


My cost for this mod:

$230 Mufflers
$ 90 Magnaflow X Pipe
$120 Tips
$350 Install

$790 Total

Maybe this leaves me sound room to do the down pipes to pick up some ponies

Awesome man, can't wait to hear the clips. Did you go with 3.5 tips? Did you get a pic of the tips mounted from underneath?

[Feelin Nauti]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

Awesome man, can't wait to hear the clips. Did you go with 3.5 tips? Did you get a pic of the tips mounted from underneath?

Yes I went with the 3 1/2" dual tips. It did fit the opening no problem But I think I should of tried some 4" tips and trimmed to fit if necessary. It would fill up the hole better.

I don't have any more pics right now but will take some next week.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by Feelin Nauti

Yes I went with the 3 1/2" dual tips. It did fit the opening no problem But I think I should of tried some 4" tips and trimmed to fit if necessary. It would fill up the hole better.

I don't have any more pics right now but will take some next week.

Cool, I'm really excited that you got this done and you're not experiencing any drone and the volume went up just a little bit. I gotta figure out if I want to go this route or try some Borla mufflers first.

[Feelin Nauti]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

Cool, I'm really excited that you got this done and you're not experiencing any drone and the volume went up just a little bit. I gotta figure out if I want to go this route or try some Borla mufflers first.

I looked at most manufactures I could think of and no one else makes a muffler with side input and end output that we can use as a pair of mufflers to replace the stock one.

Look at the current configuration of your stock muffler, take measurements and look for yourself. Maybe there is something that will fit that I did not find.

[geedup35]

Glad you went this route vs the Muffler delete.

To be honest, I think I will just do the muffler delete now and if I think its too loud, we can just add the mufflers that you found instead of the stock ones.

Edit: hopefully I will be getting this done today if the shop has some dual staggered exhaust tips in stock. They have the x-pipes, so I think I'll be gambling on their x-pipe for this. (I really like the Akropovic tips, but can't do it because its not an Akropovic exhaust. Just my personal preference)

Since your in Galveston I would be interested in hearing the difference side by side. (I'm in Sugar Land)

mikew2069 - when I get it done you can hear mine.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by geedup35

Glad you went this route vs the Muffler delete.

To be honest, I think I will just do the muffler delete now and if I think its too loud, we can just add the mufflers that you found instead of the stock ones.

Edit: hopefully I will be getting this done today if the shop has some dual staggered exhaust tips in stock. They have the x-pipes, so I think I'll be gambling on their x-pipe for this. (I really like the Akropovic tips, but can't do it because its not an Akropovic exhaust. Just my personal preference)

Since your in Galveston I would be interested in hearing the difference side by side. (I'm in Sugar Land)

mikew2069 - when I get it done you can hear mine.

Nice! I'm in the Sugarland area pretty often for work. Do you have a good shop down there? You'll have to share details.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by Feelin Nauti

I looked at most manufactures I could think of and no one else makes a muffler with side input and end output that we can use as a pair of mufflers to replace the stock one.

Look at the current configuration of your stock muffler, take measurements and look for yourself. Maybe there is something that will fit that I did not find.

I was thinking about doing a couple like this that you could just throw inline. It's just really hard to gauge b/c the smallest change to the system can cause it to drone like hell.

https://www.borla.com/products/stype...t__40842s.html

[Feelin Nauti]

Mikew2069
Geedup35

I actually work in the west Houston area in Belaire. If you want to see and hear my setup you are welcome to take a peek and ride to hear it for yourself.

So maybe it will help with your own decisions.

I like the Borla option you found and like its sound, also it may be doable to fit in the location where stock mufflers are. Any install will take a good exhaust specialist. Its a tight fit to do anything but if the shop takes their time and ready to make 3 pieces for each side because they wont get it right the first two times.

Any muffler you install will be much quieter than you will think because of the cats, resonators and X-pipe if you install one.