It looks fast too!
12-07-2012, 10:29 AM
#581
Former Sponsor
Thread Starter
It is a header-back already, but the HFC is way back near the outer passenger CV joint. The 2 places where the pipe is most likely to make contact with something is above the expansion chamber, and just below the HFC. The expansion chamber is a long cone that I would guess starts about where the gear shifter is, , then expands to 5" in diameter around where the back of the seats would be.
However, I'm surprised jh4db536 had that much of an issue getting it to fit. I haven't needed to modify anything on the 3 car's I've installed them on. I'm just concerned about the MUCH greater fitment challenge of making exhaust tips magically line up in an aesthetically pleasing location in the bumper cutout.
However, I'm surprised jh4db536 had that much of an issue getting it to fit. I haven't needed to modify anything on the 3 car's I've installed them on. I'm just concerned about the MUCH greater fitment challenge of making exhaust tips magically line up in an aesthetically pleasing location in the bumper cutout.
12-07-2012, 10:31 AM
#582
Former Sponsor
Thread Starter
Are you saying that your exhaust does come into contact with your driveshaft (or anything else) under certain driving conditions? It definitely should NOT.
12-07-2012, 10:52 AM
#583
Mine don't under any circumstance currently, but it touch barely during mockup and needed a few adjustments to get it right (adjustment is the point of the vbands and wooden sticks for alignment).
I said its possible if installed wrong or if the mufflers actually do shift around behind the pumpkin. Clearances are very tight, the reducer cone is very close to the carrier from the top and center, close to the bottom from the tie bar, and close to the mounting bracket/frame on the passenger wheel side.
a Berk 3" single CAN POTENTIALLY rub if it shifts around (any exhaust system can)
The gernpipe is probably bigger than the Berk in this area IMO this is the only area it can rub (based on my experience - have lots of clearance everywhere else).
the nice thing about the gernpipe is it has the offset reducer cone and 2 vbands to deal with it...because of this, my t1r 70em dual lines up BETTER with my rear bumper than it did than when it had the original midpipe.
I said its possible if installed wrong or if the mufflers actually do shift around behind the pumpkin. Clearances are very tight, the reducer cone is very close to the carrier from the top and center, close to the bottom from the tie bar, and close to the mounting bracket/frame on the passenger wheel side.
a Berk 3" single CAN POTENTIALLY rub if it shifts around (any exhaust system can)
The gernpipe is probably bigger than the Berk in this area IMO this is the only area it can rub (based on my experience - have lots of clearance everywhere else).
the nice thing about the gernpipe is it has the offset reducer cone and 2 vbands to deal with it...because of this, my t1r 70em dual lines up BETTER with my rear bumper than it did than when it had the original midpipe.
12-10-2012, 05:26 AM
#584
Former Sponsor
Thread Starter
That's the biggest reason why there are 2 V-bands. By having 2 bands on nearly opposing axis'es (axi?), there is quite a bit of adjustability.
12-10-2012, 11:25 AM
#585
Mine don't under any circumstance currently, but it touch barely during mockup and needed a few adjustments to get it right (adjustment is the point of the vbands and wooden sticks for alignment).
I said its possible if installed wrong or if the mufflers actually do shift around behind the pumpkin. Clearances are very tight, the reducer cone is very close to the carrier from the top and center, close to the bottom from the tie bar, and close to the mounting bracket/frame on the passenger wheel side.
a Berk 3" single CAN POTENTIALLY rub if it shifts around (any exhaust system can)
The gernpipe is probably bigger than the Berk in this area IMO this is the only area it can rub (based on my experience - have lots of clearance everywhere else).
the nice thing about the gernpipe is it has the offset reducer cone and 2 vbands to deal with it...because of this, my t1r 70em dual lines up BETTER with my rear bumper than it did than when it had the original midpipe.
I said its possible if installed wrong or if the mufflers actually do shift around behind the pumpkin. Clearances are very tight, the reducer cone is very close to the carrier from the top and center, close to the bottom from the tie bar, and close to the mounting bracket/frame on the passenger wheel side.
a Berk 3" single CAN POTENTIALLY rub if it shifts around (any exhaust system can)
The gernpipe is probably bigger than the Berk in this area IMO this is the only area it can rub (based on my experience - have lots of clearance everywhere else).
the nice thing about the gernpipe is it has the offset reducer cone and 2 vbands to deal with it...because of this, my t1r 70em dual lines up BETTER with my rear bumper than it did than when it had the original midpipe.
my berk has a mark like that, i had the hangers reversed, luckily it didn't puncture before i could mount it correctly
12-14-2012, 05:18 AM
#586
Former Sponsor
Thread Starter
FYI, I just posted a thread in the NA subforum about the intake I've been working on. I would appreciate feedback about it.
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/995...ake-prototype/
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/995...ake-prototype/
12-23-2012, 07:29 AM
#587
I had mine installed Friday. My experience so far:
The midpipe:
The muffler I used is a Vibrant Street Power 2.5” in/out which is a straight through muffler. The one I bought was a little too long (15”). It’s a pretty quiet muffler IMO. [edit] I hadn't been driving the S that much at all (been driving a very quiet E90 328i), and initially was comparing the new set up with the stock S2k exhaust system. After driving more last night, I realize that drone is pretty minimal. I actually like the sound of this set up as is a lot [edit]. I left the Flashpro “Toda” tune that I was running with a Berk header, K&N intake and HFC, so this is not the correct tune for the midpipe and still needs to be tuned.
I took a long drive yesterday through freeways and canyons. I really like the added low end torque. I can’t compare to stock because I was already running the flashpro Toda tune with the above set up, and power was already much improved over stock. But the power delivery now feels more linear and torque is more spread out than the previous set up. Getting on the freeway where I can open it up is amazing. The clutch delay valve really interfered during high rev accelerations. I don’t know why I noticed it more with this set up than before. Maybe because there is more power there. I have to take care of that CDL soon. Of course this is all just my butt dyno impressions, but I can’t wait to get a tune. I’ll probably change to a different muffler or add a bottle resonator to see how it compares and how much lower the drone gets. But I’ll take it to another shop (read on and you’ll see why).
The install:
Went to a small custom exhaust specialist shop that was conveniently close to my house and my work. Looking around his shop and talking to him, they (him and his father) fabricated some great custom exhausts for customers. But my install didn’t turn out as I expected. Prior to my appointment I had emailed him the youtube video from Greg showing the install and also sent him the recommended instructions for install (that Greg had PM’d us) ahead of time. He replied and said that he didn’t see any problems with the custom install. It turned out that this was probably one of the hardest custom jobs he did based on how long it took him to make it fit, and how much he cussed the v-bands, LOL. And he didn’t do a very good job after all IMO.
I think it was partly his fault for not following the directions carefully. I got a little worried when I initially showed him the wooden spacers and told him he needed to use them to ensure correct install and he dismissed them as not that important. I had bought a muffler 15” in length thinking it would fit. It turned out to be a little too long but he said he could make it fit, but that made it even more of a hassle. He ended up using the spacers but not all the way through the install, and ran into problems after spot welding because the pipe had moved. I think after one of the spacers fell off, he picked it up and set it aside, not putting it back in place. I wasn’t watching him with magnifying glasses since he is “supposed” to be the expert. He suggested putting the muffler up high and making the outlet tip turn down. I thought it was going to look clean like some of these aftermarket exhausts with the turned down tips, but I didn’t like the way it turned out… will probably change it in the near future.
My recommendation for install: Take the video and the part to a shop before making an appointment, show it to them and explain that they HAVE to use the spacers and follow specific instructions because there is very little clearance… Then observe their reaction. If they give you a “I know what I’m doing, don’t need no stunken home-made wooden spacers” attitude, say thank you and move on to the next shop. This is a Really difficult install and to get it right they need to follow directions carefully in every detail. So they MUST use the spacers, check the clearance, double and triple check it! Before spot welding.
[rant] Remember back in undergrad when you took that philosophy course to fulfill requirements in some area like humanities, and you read about this guy named Socrates that claimed he was wiser than most men for the simple reason that He at least knew what he didn’t know?! Well, if you find an installer who is good but knows his limitations and doesn’t think he is better than and knows more than God about exhaust fabrication and installation you’ll be in good hands IMO, LOL. If he thinks he’s unbeatable, this install will humble him, but at your expense!!
Will update once I get a tune from Gernby.
The midpipe:
The muffler I used is a Vibrant Street Power 2.5” in/out which is a straight through muffler. The one I bought was a little too long (15”). It’s a pretty quiet muffler IMO. [edit] I hadn't been driving the S that much at all (been driving a very quiet E90 328i), and initially was comparing the new set up with the stock S2k exhaust system. After driving more last night, I realize that drone is pretty minimal. I actually like the sound of this set up as is a lot [edit]. I left the Flashpro “Toda” tune that I was running with a Berk header, K&N intake and HFC, so this is not the correct tune for the midpipe and still needs to be tuned.
I took a long drive yesterday through freeways and canyons. I really like the added low end torque. I can’t compare to stock because I was already running the flashpro Toda tune with the above set up, and power was already much improved over stock. But the power delivery now feels more linear and torque is more spread out than the previous set up. Getting on the freeway where I can open it up is amazing. The clutch delay valve really interfered during high rev accelerations. I don’t know why I noticed it more with this set up than before. Maybe because there is more power there. I have to take care of that CDL soon. Of course this is all just my butt dyno impressions, but I can’t wait to get a tune. I’ll probably change to a different muffler or add a bottle resonator to see how it compares and how much lower the drone gets. But I’ll take it to another shop (read on and you’ll see why).
The install:
Went to a small custom exhaust specialist shop that was conveniently close to my house and my work. Looking around his shop and talking to him, they (him and his father) fabricated some great custom exhausts for customers. But my install didn’t turn out as I expected. Prior to my appointment I had emailed him the youtube video from Greg showing the install and also sent him the recommended instructions for install (that Greg had PM’d us) ahead of time. He replied and said that he didn’t see any problems with the custom install. It turned out that this was probably one of the hardest custom jobs he did based on how long it took him to make it fit, and how much he cussed the v-bands, LOL. And he didn’t do a very good job after all IMO.
I think it was partly his fault for not following the directions carefully. I got a little worried when I initially showed him the wooden spacers and told him he needed to use them to ensure correct install and he dismissed them as not that important. I had bought a muffler 15” in length thinking it would fit. It turned out to be a little too long but he said he could make it fit, but that made it even more of a hassle. He ended up using the spacers but not all the way through the install, and ran into problems after spot welding because the pipe had moved. I think after one of the spacers fell off, he picked it up and set it aside, not putting it back in place. I wasn’t watching him with magnifying glasses since he is “supposed” to be the expert. He suggested putting the muffler up high and making the outlet tip turn down. I thought it was going to look clean like some of these aftermarket exhausts with the turned down tips, but I didn’t like the way it turned out… will probably change it in the near future.
My recommendation for install: Take the video and the part to a shop before making an appointment, show it to them and explain that they HAVE to use the spacers and follow specific instructions because there is very little clearance… Then observe their reaction. If they give you a “I know what I’m doing, don’t need no stunken home-made wooden spacers” attitude, say thank you and move on to the next shop. This is a Really difficult install and to get it right they need to follow directions carefully in every detail. So they MUST use the spacers, check the clearance, double and triple check it! Before spot welding.
[rant] Remember back in undergrad when you took that philosophy course to fulfill requirements in some area like humanities, and you read about this guy named Socrates that claimed he was wiser than most men for the simple reason that He at least knew what he didn’t know?! Well, if you find an installer who is good but knows his limitations and doesn’t think he is better than and knows more than God about exhaust fabrication and installation you’ll be in good hands IMO, LOL. If he thinks he’s unbeatable, this install will humble him, but at your expense!!
Will update once I get a tune from Gernby.
12-23-2012, 07:50 AM
#588
Dang you didn't go to royal? They wanted too much or too busy? I retracted my original suggestion because after he saw it, he admitted that it was beyond his ability. I am Very lucky that I was able to participate a lot in my install with experts putting up the jigs and getting my tip/bumper/vband alignment perfect and do multiple test drives to see if the pipe moves.
You gotta watch them like a hawk. The welder I went to wasn't super, however, he let me bolt up everything in his pit and get everything into position and then I would call for him to tack it when I was satisfied. If I let him do his thing I think it would've been disasterous for sure.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk 2
You gotta watch them like a hawk. The welder I went to wasn't super, however, he let me bolt up everything in his pit and get everything into position and then I would call for him to tack it when I was satisfied. If I let him do his thing I think it would've been disasterous for sure.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk 2
12-23-2012, 08:25 AM
#589
Former Sponsor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the feedback, Vitt! I'm sorry the install didn't go bettter for you. That's a good piece of insight about Socrates and the installer's attitude. I would guess that the best approach for "encouraging" the installer to actually read the install tips and watch the video would be to talk about how often people run into problems by NOT doing so. If they would simply use the spacers for the whole install process, there would be zero fitment issues.
Regarding the drone, I suppose it's possible that your drone might be worse due to the Vibrant muffler, but I suspect that it is probably due more to having a really short exhaust tip and / or due to you comparing it to stock, which truly has zero drone.
Regarding the drone, I suppose it's possible that your drone might be worse due to the Vibrant muffler, but I suspect that it is probably due more to having a really short exhaust tip and / or due to you comparing it to stock, which truly has zero drone.
12-23-2012, 08:28 AM
#590
I didn't go to Royal because of not enough time and this shop was near my work so I was able to drop the car off, get a ride to my office and work a few hours before going back. I need to have my OEM header installed (couldn't do it myself due to shoulder surgery), and I didn't have all day to spend there. In any case, it's not that this guy was incompetent, it's that he let his ego get in the way. He's good at welding and creating custom pieces but thinks he knows better than everyone else. I won't recommend him to anyone. I might go to Royal when I change the muffler.