Anyone had a muffler delete on 50i?

[DuSh]

I'm just wondering how it sounds? It's an easy mod to cut muffler and remove it - won't throw a code, won't have issues with emissions, less weight, can always go back if needed and the only unknown is resulting sound - is it any good?

[Stev_chu]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I'm just wondering how it sounds? It's an easy mod to cut muffler and remove it - won't throw a code, won't have issues with emissions, less weight, can always go back if needed and the only unknown is resulting sound - is it any good?

When I cold start the 50i it's pretty loud..I think it'll stay that way with the muffler deleted I'm guessing..but of course there will be more crackling sounds

[Doanster]

Any/all cars I've ever heard with a muffler delete sounded horrible to me. Full track-use cars notwithstanding naturally. Are you really trying to save weight on our bloated SAVs?
If doing this sounded good, why would people develop aftermarket systems? Granted, I'd never pay the crazy entry price for an Akra System, but you get my point.
Like you said, however, you could just chop it off and see if you personally like the resulting sound, especially under load. If so, that's all that matters. Keep it that way... unless of course, you were my neighbor.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Stev_chu

When I cold start the 50i it's pretty loud..I think it'll stay that way with the muffler deleted I'm guessing..but of course there will be more crackling sounds

I wish it stayed that way, but unfortunately that's just the engine running rich first 20 sec to warm up catalysts (for better emissions). Save the whales and such you know

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Doanster

Any/all cars I've ever heard with a muffler delete sounded horrible to me. Full track-use cars notwithstanding naturally. Are you really trying to save weight on our bloated SAVs?
If doing this sounded good, why would people develop aftermarket systems? Granted, I'd never pay the crazy entry price for an Akra System, but you get my point.
Like you said, however, you could just chop it off and see if you personally like the resulting sound, especially under load. If so, that's all that matters. Keep it that way... unless of course, you were my neighbor.

I agree and it looks like we 50i owners don't have much choice: no MPE for us and aftermarket systems are too expensive for what they are (I can't justify paying $3-6k for a tin cans that will never see the daylight lol)

[TheLastDetailNV]

I may actually give it a shot based on this video I found yesterday.

[kanvas]

Originally Posted by TheLastDetailNV

I may actually give it a shot based on this video I found yesterday.

Kinda like the SVR, but less raspy and deeper sound. I like it.

[TheLastDetailNV]

I am most likely doing it on Monday! I will report back on the sound.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by TheLastDetailNV

I am most likely doing it on Monday! I will report back on the sound.

Please do, there's very little info on 50i exhaust mods and every little bit helps

[Scott2.0]

Tuned in for this!

[TheLastDetailNV]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Please do, there's very little info on 50i exhaust mods and every little bit helps

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

Tuned in for this!

Will do fellas! The individual that posted the video said it was a "must" so we will see. I've searched for a while and haven't seen anything. I will report back with a sound before and after the BMS Stage 1

[kanvas]

Originally Posted by TheLastDetailNV

Will do fellas! The individual that posted the video said it was a "must" so we will see. I've searched for a while and haven't seen anything. I will report back with a sound before and after the BMS Stage 1

If you could do some inside cabin video shots at both gentle city driving as well as mid-throttle acceleration, and exterior shots too, we would all very much appreciate it, good sir.

[onfireX5]

My bet:

It will sound awesome at idle, accel, part throttle accel and wide open.

It will drone at 1800ish rpm at cruise.

[TheLastDetailNV]

Originally Posted by kanvas

If you could do some inside cabin video shots at both gentle city driving as well as mid-throttle acceleration, and exterior shots too, we would all very much appreciate it, good sir.

Ok will do! It got delayed until tomorrow.

[TheLastDetailNV]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

My bet:

It will sound awesome at idle, accel, part throttle accel and wide open.

It will drone at 1800ish rpm at cruise.

We will see. If It drones, I will make adjustments/additions. Time will tell.

[AHCPAX5]

With the muffler you remove, can you try the M3 OEM mod? I know Dush wanted to try that.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by AHCPAX5

With the muffler you remove, can you try the M3 OEM mod? I know Dush wanted to try that.

Oh you mean this one?

from owner of this x5 that modded stock exhaust. This is what he did:
1. Cut out mid resonators - there's 2 of them and weld in straight pipe
2. Cut open rear muffler. It's best to cut open it from top - that way it won't be visible that it was opened - cosmetics wise
3. There will be a bunch of perforated pipes inside. Take a photo of them. Cut them all and throw away. Weld in straight pipes exactly repeating pattern of how perforated pipes were (I guess photo is not really needed it's not that complicated, but just in case if you will forget how pipes were initially placed inside the muffler)
4. Throw out steel wool fiber insulation and repack/replace it with new one (I guess old one can be reused if yours is relatively new and in good shape)

[DuSh]

I'm waiting for TheLastDetailNV to post his thoughts on his muffler delete mod, because I want to install a electric valve cutout before muffler - that way I can have normal quite mode and loud by the click of the button

[TheLastDetailNV]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I'm waiting for TheLastDetailNV to post his thoughts on his muffler delete mod, because I want to install a electric valve cutout before muffler - that way I can have normal quite mode and loud by the click of the button

Update:

I did the muffler delete yesterday and replaced it with two separate straight 2.5inch pipes. It sounded quite mean but cold starts weren't too pleasing and the drone between shifts were annoying. I will post a video of the cold start! Solme may have liked it but to me it was too much for a classy SAV.

HOWEVER!!! I went back to my muffler shop today and had a non-resonated x-pipe installed and it's PERFECT so far. I can't comment on cold starts yet but regular driving is great with the shift pops being more pronounced but not overbearing in sport and sport+ mode. The shift pops or burble is virtually eliminated in comfort and eco pro mode. I have only been up to 55mph in 8th and experienced zero drone.

The sound so far is a nice v8 rumble that only my gets loud when you go WOT otherwise it's a mellow tone that suitable for the vehicles character.

I haven't noticed a loss in power but there is a definite weight savings with the muffler removal.

I've invested $260 so far since I went twice to get work done. I will get some external and internal video later.

At this point I am VERY happy! Before the X-pipe, I was not.

I will have pics posted later.

Jace

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by TheLastDetailNV

Update:

I did the muffler delete yesterday and replaced it with two separate straight 2.5inch pipes. It sounded quite mean but cold starts weren't too pleasing and the drone between shifts were annoying. I will post a video of the cold start! Solme may have liked it but to me it was too much for a classy SAV.

HOWEVER!!! I went back to my muffler shop today and had a non-resonated x-pipe installed and it's PERFECT so far. I can't comment on cold starts yet but regular driving is great with the shift pops being more pronounced but not overbearing in sport and sport+ mode. The shift pops or burble is virtually eliminated in comfort and eco pro mode. I have only been up to 55mph in 8th and experienced zero drone.

The sound so far is a nice v8 rumble that only my gets loud when you go WOT otherwise it's a mellow tone that suitable for the vehicles character.

I haven't noticed a loss in power but there is a definite weight savings with the muffler removal.

I've invested $260 so far since I went twice to get work done. I will get some external and internal video later.

At this point I am VERY happy! Before the X-pipe, I was not.

I will have pics posted later.

Jace

That makes sense. Plain muffler delete had something missing in the end result/sound, but I couldn't pinpoint what exactly. Possibly X-Pipe is the solution. Will await videos
Thank you!

[Doanster]

Did you take pics? Where along the exhaust path did they weld in the x-pipe? With the muffler removed, the straight pipes were connected/welded to the exhaust tips?

[TheLastDetailNV]

Originally Posted by DuSh

That makes sense. Plain muffler delete had something missing in the end result/sound, but I couldn't pinpoint what exactly. Possibly X-Pipe is the solution. Will await videos
Thank you!

Yes the sound was quite separated while sounding somewhat mean at WOT. My exhaust guy said that the x-pipe is needed to bring the sound together and smooth things out and cancelled the excess drone during shifts. Apparently the stock mufflers have an internal x-pipe setup.

Originally Posted by Doanster

Did you take pics? Where along the exhaust path did they weld in the x-pipe? With the muffler removed, the straight pipes were connected/welded to the exhaust tips?

I will take pics after work. I got it done on my lunch break. I took a quick peek and it seems to be welded in to the mid section. I will take a couple shots later.