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Thread: Exhaust Cutout

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    gnar*cal
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    Oxford 540i6 3/98

    Exhaust Cutout

    I thought I would put this together for those that hate the way their aftermarket exhaust sits under the bumper.

    It's very easy to do, only took me about 30 minutes, but realize that you are working on a finished surface. It's not that hard, but if you are uncertain of your ability to do this, you probably shouldn't. Otherwise, take your time and move slow. A small mistake can f* up your paint, or make your bumper look all hacked up. Besides, cutting slow more than makes up for itself in time saved sanding.

    To start, I have practically every cutting tool you can imagine (power and hand). It's NOT WORTH TRYING TO USE A POWER TOOL. Power tools only help productivity and speed, unless your going to spend an hour making a proper jig so you can cut ten bumpers, just cut it by hand.

    You will need:
    - Coping saw ($5.00 at any harware store)
    - Masking tape (blue or green so it doesn't leave residue)
    - A sharp pencil.
    - Cardboard
    - Your exhaust tip (can be attached to the car.. but it may make it difficult. You may want to unhook a hanger to clear up some room)
    - Sanding block or small block of wood
    - 80, 120-150, and 220 grit sand paper.
    - Patience.


    Start by lining your tip up against the cardboard and tracing an outline. Then transfer lines to leave at least 1/2" gap around the tip (1/2" looks bigger on cardboard than it is on the car.. mine is 1/2" for reference inthe pics).



    Then cut out said cardboard pattern.



    Almost forgot to take this photo, but mask off your work area with blue or green masking tape. Then mark reference orientation marks where you would like the tip to end up visually. Pointer 'V's or Arrows help to locate your marks when they are covered by your pattern.

    I scribed a line 1/4" down from the valence seam to align my pattern against. This will keep the tip square with the panel and not look all cock-eye'd and stuff.

    Line up your pattern, trace the line with a sharp pencil, stand back and inspect. Take your time here. I stacked up a couple of shoeboxes to mock-up my tip beneath my bumper.




    Before you start cutting, orient yourself with your Coping saw.


    The teeth have a 'cutting' direction and a 'relief' direction. You want to minimize the risk of "chip-out", which is where the teeth chip/pull paint from the surface. Automotive paint is pretty durable, but it's better safe than sorry. This means you will probably need to flip the blade around in the saw to allow you to cut in the proper direction.


    Coping saws are also cool because you can rotate the blade as you cut. Meaning one continuous cut, no seams, less sanding, better finished product.


    Start your cut, again, cutting AWAY FROM YOU. When you pull the saw towards you, only apply medium pressure to avoid chip-out.


    You may or may not need this:



    Once cut, use a sanding block with 80 grit to straighten the strait parts. If you took your time, this should be easy. Fold some 120 grit around your fingers and work on the curves.


    It's all in the details:


    Take your time.





    Finished product:




    Have fun!


    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES, NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING .....BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
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    2,197
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    E90 330i, E36 328i
    Nice DIY.


    Quote Originally Posted by SeanDub View Post
    Hocus pocus make it in focus

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
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    90
    My Cars
    e39 540i/6
    looks good biscuit. great write up!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    West Michigan
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    98 540iA (Prd 11/97)

    Thumbs up

    I think it looks perfect. Great job!!!!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    new york
    Posts
    89
    My Cars
    bmw530i lexus330 ford ranger
    looks really nice sine im afraid to hack into my e39 im getting it done at a body shop next week. cutting my bumper is almost like giving myself a flu shot.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    Los Angeles, San Francisco
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    2,826
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    2000 528i (01/2000 mfg. date)
    Very nice writeup. Great technique and I appreciate how you explained the reasons behind much of what you did.

    I have a suggestion: You took a lot of (good) precautions to prevent paint chipping. If you want to take the post-protection a bit further, you can apply touch-up paint to the exposed edges of the cut. That will keep the paint sealed and will hide the grey plastic edge and make it that much more professional-looking. This is one of the final steps taken when one cuts the sheet metal on 96-00 cars to accommodate the 2001+ tail lights.

    Other than that, great technique and nice license plate!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    gnar*cal
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    Oxford 540i6 3/98
    Quote Originally Posted by PJB View Post
    Very nice writeup. Great technique and I appreciate how you explained the reasons behind much of what you did.

    I have a suggestion: You took a lot of (good) precautions to prevent paint chipping. If you want to take the post-protection a bit further, you can apply touch-up paint to the exposed edges of the cut. That will keep the paint sealed and will hide the grey plastic edge and make it that much more professional-looking. This is one of the final steps taken when one cuts the sheet metal on 96-00 cars to accommodate the 2001+ tail lights.

    Other than that, great technique and nice license plate!
    I honestly thought about it. If it were metal there is no way I wouldn't do it. But you really can't see the black edge in person unless your really looking. And it kinda ties in with my black trim. It's sanded and polished so that if you didn't know otherwise, you would think it was oem.

    If I had a white or silver car, it might be more noticable. But for now I just don't think it's worth it.

    Glad you like my vanity plates


    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES, NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING .....BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    s/east London England
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    bmw 535 i saloon
    fantastic diy project,those pipes, realy look cool comeing out the back of your 39, ill be doing this job myself .

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Binghamton NY
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    31
    My Cars
    01 540 6spd
    Looks great may i ask what muffler your using?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    gnar*cal
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    221
    My Cars
    Oxford 540i6 3/98
    no muffler actually. Just the factory resonator and a straight pipe.

    Sounds fantastic, and not as loud as you would think. Can hardly hear it in the car. I could easily add a muffler later, but my shop recommended i try it without it first. Saved me $ too.


    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES, NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING .....BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    E39 540i6 Sport
    I just did this on mr 540i for my Dinan exhaust. The cutout portion was easier than I thought. Ill post some picks when I get it back from the shop.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    Chicago, IL
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    My Cars
    E39 540i6 Sport
    I guess I cant post pics yet, but I love it. It worked great. My dinan is alot quieter than I thought though. I think Ill be taking out the resonator.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    gnar*cal
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    My Cars
    Oxford 540i6 3/98
    Mufflers break in a little. Give it a few weeks before you change anything.


    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES, NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING .....BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

  14. #14
    Join Date
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    98 740iL, 01 Suzuki TL10
    I'd be a little nervous about using a coping saw just because I think i'd be awkward to handle. Here is a write-up we did last year that has a nice PDF to save to your computer and templates.

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=682844
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    PERFORMANCE:///M5 6spd swap, iron sleeves, L/W Teflon coated & silicone impregnated pistons, Sealed Power rings, 3 angle valvejob, P&P head, perf cams, electric fan, CF intake tube w/aluminium heatshield/wrapped MAF tubing, Magnaflow 14816'd, Eaton M112 in-work
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  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Sacramento, CA
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    2005 525i/6
    please tell us more about that custom license plate... I'm soooo going to the DMV to check availability

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    atlanta,ga
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    93
    My Cars
    2000 BMW 540i

    Thumbs up Exhaust Cutout

    Thanks a million for this post bro I took the leap and did this to my 540 last nite. The results turned out pretty good I must say. Hung a Magnaflow 14816 and looks pretty good. If you're ever in ATL I owe you a cold one.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  17. #17
    Join Date
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    FRANKFORT, ILLINOIS
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    MY02 530iA Sprt, '95 911
    Looks really great, what was BMW thinking...
    Ken

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    La La Bing Land
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    03 540i/6,LexusRX350
    Jcsax400 what is the black trim you used. Looks great!!
    2003 540i/6 Sport Alpine White III-Front and rear OEM M5 bumpers with single cut out, M5 # 65 staggered wheels w/10 mm frt spacers, Hankook Ventus V12 EVO, M5 Ft / Rear brakes, SS lines with front Ft / Rear Euro rotors w/aluminum hats, CDV delete, M5 3:15 LSD, Ground Control Coilovers w/remote adjust for rears, M5 rear sway bar w/Beastpower mounts, white gages with stainless rings, M5 pedal covers, Dinan exhaust w/ 18 in Magnaflow resinator, Dinan CAI/High flow intake runners/Throttle Body/Mass Air Meter, Dinan Stage 5 software. Zionsville aluminum radiator w/fan delete, 2 speed electric fan, 545i shifter w/ZHP knob, Alcantara interior, Technical Graphite interior trim, LED lighting ///M

    "One day the two great masters will be friends"

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Suffolk County, NY
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    5
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 528i
    This post has totally inspired me to change my exhaust tip. However I need a bit more of an explanation on how to mate the factory exhaust tailpipe tip to an aftermarket tip. there is a wicked curve downward to the existing pipe and I really don't have the tools to weld something on. did the muffler shop solve that problem for you? is there any way you can take pics of where the pipes meet? any additional help is totally appreciated.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    atlanta,ga
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    2000 BMW 540i
    Quote Originally Posted by AlpinaM3 View Post
    Jcsax400 what is the black trim you used. Looks great!!
    Got it from advance auto but u can get at any auto parts store cost about $4..called Door Edge Guard

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Las Vegas, Nevada
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    My Cars
    2000 540i/6
    Thanks a lot.
    Was real easy, and is going to look real nice with my upslant tip.
    Wish I could post pictures. But when I can I will.

    Thanks again.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
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    Seattle,WA
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    423
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    NOne
    Sweet this is exactly what Im thinking of doing.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Las Vegas, Nevada
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    My Cars
    2000 540i/6
    So I did it last night and just got back from the muffler shop.
    Looks good. Except that I wish I got a staggered tip.
    and because I got a bit of a bigger tip, it looks funky compared to my tiny 17" style 38's

    only temporary until my remus exhaust gets here

    Next up? .... 18" front 19" rear style 32's and a little bit of a drop, and slight tuck in the rear Tee hee... Most expensive part though. So if ANYONE has some style 32's, shocks, and struts, for someone on a budget, lol, let me know.

    I want to post pictures but I can't yet.

    Quote Originally Posted by jcsax400 View Post
    Thanks a million for this post bro I took the leap and did this to my 540 last nite. The results turned out pretty good I must say. Hung a Magnaflow 14816 and looks pretty good. If you're ever in ATL I owe you a cold one.

    Looks real nice with that trim. I'm going to get some right now, but it's going to be a bit hard as my tip is already on. xD
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    Last edited by sighkotic; 01-13-2012 at 11:23 PM. Reason: style 32, not 38

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