Remove a Muffler...Yikes?!

[Bandwagon]

At the risk of being spanked by the purists, and yes I looked a lot through this website before posting this, has anyone considered simply removing the forward muffler on their 328i? I have a 2009 E90 which is way too quiet. The exhaust options are numerous and some very costly. Why not take it to a muffler ship and simply install a custom made piece of pipe in the forward muffler's place. Perhaps it would confuse the emissions computer?
Thanks much.

[Beer Goggles]

Why not just find a replacement muffler...you don't need to replace the cat back to change the sound.

[Bandwagon]

Well, I'm starting to break the code now. What I thought was a forward muffler is actually, I think, a catalytic converter. Unless one puts in a whole new exhaust system replacing the muffler at the rear of the car is the only choice, correct?

[mryakan]

Some people go catless and pollute the environment :nono, I guess someone has to offset the reduced emissions of the increasing number of hybrids :rolleyes.

[Beer Goggles]

I'm not sure what's really under there but most systems have a pipe from the cat to the muffler and the muffler is just one more piece. It's modular to be replace and installed easier. So you can just change out the rear muffler if somebody sells a direct fit. Or you can go ghetto fab and rig some other one on there like you see on every other car.

Removing the CAT is illegal and the computer will not like that its gone and send all sorts of errors. This isn't a car from the 70s cats are designed into the system.

[Bandwagon]

All,
First, I have no intention of removing the catalytic converters. My 2009 has a resonator, I figured that out on another site, just aft of where the two header pipes join. After spending several hours on the internet I've determined that BMW and Magnaflow, they start production tomorrow, are the only two that make a muffler or system for a plane vanilla 2009 328i E90.
I guess the thing to do is to take it to a shop and remove it, put in a pipe, and see how it sounds.

[mryakan]

One thing I don't like about messing with the exhaust system is that once you cut and weld you introduce areas where rust can creep in and cause issues in the long term. If you don't plan on keeping the car for a long time maybe this is not a great issue for you, and maybe it is not as important in your locale. However here with all the salt they use in the winter it makes a difference. Take for example my old e36 which after over 10 years of use all year round in harsh winter conditions, still had the stock system which showed no rust even when other parts of the underbody did. Just something to keep in mind although maybe if you are into modding that is part of the price you pay to play so it may not be a big deal.

P.S. People who do catless mods have ways of tricking the system and not letting it complain about its absence although that is IMO not ideal and of course bad for the environment and as BG pointed out, illegal, not to mention it could possibly void the engine warranty.

[Beer Goggles]

All,
First, I have no intention of removing the catalytic converters. My 2009 has a resonator, I figured that out on another site, just aft of where the two header pipes join. After spending several hours on the internet I've determined that BMW and Magnaflow, they start production tomorrow, are the only two that make a muffler or system for a plane vanilla 2009 328i E90.
I guess the thing to do is to take it to a shop and remove it, put in a pipe, and see how it sounds.

Resonator tunes the sound and usually is there to remove exhaust drone. You want to play with the volume which is muffler and intake.

[Bandwagon]

Finally popped for BMW's system.

[UFOGUY]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109344&highlight=official+muffler+delete

many 328i owners have performed "muffler deletes" and are very satisfied with the outcome. good feedback and photos with this link.

don't screw with the resonator (the forward component) or you will invite a lot of aggravating drone and vibration.

[Bandwagon]

UFO Guy,
Good link, thanks. On Monday I'm going to hang the BMW catback system. The cars in that link sounded good but a little too loud for me. I briefly drove a M3 , yes I know it's a V8 and sounds different, but it had a subdued quality sound but still could be heard. I'm hoping I have the same results.

[Beer Goggles]

Intake makes the biggest difference for you in the car.

[Bandwagon]

Beer,
Any recommendations or links?

[Beer Goggles]

Beer,
Any recommendations or links?


I haven't looked into any intakes. Turbo engines don't make as much noise as NA. But when I had my 350Z switching to an aftermarket intake made the biggest difference and really is what control the volume of the car. I'd look at that link where somebody showed you intake and exhaust (don't remember) but there has to be some intakes out there that aren't there to make the car quiet.

[PaCman328]

i think you should do it, alot of people do it, sounds great

[Kytann]

I've got a 330i and have done the Muffler Delete listed in that thread.
It's not too loud at all. In fact under most driving conditions, it's just there in the background, like a motor should be.

Only when I floor it does it come alive. And even then it's not very loud. Conversations with your passengers don't even need to be changed or anything. Certainly nothing as lound as my Z3 3.0i is with the same muffler delete.

Best thing about it is it's cheap to do, and if you decided you don't like it, easily reversible.

Alot of my friends actually think the "sport' package BMWs should come from the factory sounding this way. It in no way sounds irresponsibly loud.