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Thread: Fix exhaust 540i

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    Ocala, FL
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    1997 BMW 540i

    Fix exhaust 540i

    Hi everybody, just got back into the bmw game with a 1995 540i. Got a deal that was too good to pass up. The only thing that needs work right now is the exhaust system. It looks like the resonators and the cats have been deleted and straight piped back to the stock muffler. Sounds like trash and I didn’t think it was possible for a bmw v8 to sound like a Honda but somehow it was managed.

    What are my options for getting this thing to sound like it should? I don’t want a loud tone or all the raspiness I currently have. Just a sporty low sounding exhaust. Will an aftermarket exhaust help the situation? Any help is certainly appreciated, thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    NW suburban Chicago
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    hiss by my window
    Used OE parts. I have the resonators but no cats.
    PM if you are interested.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  3. #3
    moroza's Avatar
    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    Sep 2006
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    E34T
    Resonator delete on a BMW sounds terrible. Cats don't seem to affect sound. Used OE would be the cleanest solution. Aftermarket cat-back is another option; Search for the (poorly maintained) Exhaust Sound Archive for some ideas. I like every Eisenmann exhaust I've heard.

    Or custom with an X-pipe and butterfly valve. Here's what I'd do:
    e34 exhaust.JPG

    Semi-relevant to this thread: my old 544iTM (M62, 6-speed, lightweight flywheel) taken for a drive by its new owner with headers/downpipes only. Only one redline pull but 0:30-0:50 is worth the listen. Password is "e34".
    Last edited by moroza; 06-12-2019 at 01:06 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    22
    My Cars
    540i
    Reinstall cats and resonators and delete that rear muffler and you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    Ocala, FL
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    1997 BMW 540i
    Thanks for the replies, sounds like I should get resonators back on there. This might be a stupid question, but I have a set of resonators from an e30 laying around. Would it be worth it to get those installed?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Ambler, PA
    Posts
    208
    My Cars
    1995 540i/6
    The setup I run in my 540i/6 is a "Y" pipe from the stock cats then a 3" straight back (resonator deleted) to a Magnaflow muffler. 7 years later and it does not get old.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    hiss by my window
    Quote Originally Posted by SolomonTheGreat View Post
    Thanks for the replies, sounds like I should get resonators back on there. This might be a stupid question, but I have a set of resonators from an e30 laying around. Would it be worth it to get those installed?
    You will be asking a 4 liter engine to breathe with a 2.5 liter engine's lungs but perhaps pipe size is same. I'd expect a competent exhaust shop could rig them up without too much effort.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  8. #8
    moroza's Avatar
    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    I had a 4.4 that breathed ok with 3.0 pipes. I think it did choke a little top-end power, but midrange was formidable.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Ambler, PA
    Posts
    208
    My Cars
    1995 540i/6
    my exhaust setup above + UUC SHort shifter + 3.15LSD + DUDMD chip = fun daily driver

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