Exhaust realization

[simplem3]

Sunbeam doesn't sell a catted section 1.

You’re correct. I Meant resonated w/ EGT and O2 sensor.

[Tbonem3]

This car sounds bad.

/thread.

To bystanders, not for the pilot.

[Sharocks]

To bystanders, not for the pilot.

How it should be, why cause distress for others when it can be just you.

[bigjae46]

An S54 uncorked sounds terrible. At least it is loud enough to punish anyone for letting me pass them.

[AvusM5]

I would have sold the car if I couldn't figure out the sound. I have the CPI RTX, SS res single sect 2, and SS Sport. I think it sounds great. I've never heard an S54 that sounds bad swapped into another car, so it's 100% something with the stock configuration. I have a theory about letting the banks mix somewhere in the exhaust path based on the limited number of exhausts I've seen on swapped cars.

But in general, keep the cats, keep the resonators, and keep the muffler on this car and you'll end up at least not hating it.

I have a very similar set up! Fabspeed headers to CPI RTX to SS resonated xpipe to Eisenmann race mufflers. I honestly was expecting it to be louder but it's a very refined OEM+ sound with about 90% of the rasp dialed out. It still is unmistakably S54 with its metallic signature but without the rasp.

https://youtu.be/r_JP4rpXjb4?si=IfCu2gCTSngYtryB

I am dealing with a really annoying metallic resonance at around 2800rpms when warm though. It comes on briefly but right at that rpm range every time the exhaust is fully warmed up. It seems to become progressively more noticeable as the exhaust gets hotter and is totally absent when cold. I also can feel a bit of resonance through the steering wheel and shifter. It appears to be emanating from the rear engine/section 1 area. My engine mounts are new OE BMW with fresh Rogue trans mounts. I've replaced every exhaust hanger on section 2 and 3. I also triple checked to make sure that the exhaust is not making contact with the chassis and/or heat shielding. I'm now wondering if it's being caused by the Fabspeed headers and being cat-less. I was really hoping that new engine and trans mounts would fix the issue.

[bluetypes07]

I'm new to this forum, actually, my first post. I just bought my dad's E46 that's been sitting for about 3 years. It has 29k miles on it, and I can't stand how quiet it is. I just purchased a turnersport CSL box, and studying all of your messages to see what I can do to the exhaust. My other toy cars are a 996 Turbo, supercharged TL type S and I daily a RR Sport. I dont plan on making this a daily but I'd like to make it OEM+ for the weekend funsies. I'm keeping an eye on the marketplace!

[Ramo]

Based on all of the M3's I've driven with various exhaust and intake combinations, my favorite setup is a 100% stock exhaust with a carbon airbox. The stock exhaust lets you hear just enough to be engaged, but it's not overwhelming or drawing unnecessary attention. The intake noise is really where the S54 shines.

Anyone else have experience with this as well? 100% stock exhaust with CSL Airbox.

[xansabi]

Anyone else have experience with this as well? 100% stock exhaust with CSL Airbox.

Ran it for a while, absolutely great. Induction noise is lovely on the car and the best setup may just be a CSL box with Euro headers + sec 1. But testing exhaust setups are just too tempting...

[lemoose]

Anyone else have experience with this as well? 100% stock exhaust with CSL Airbox.

Most intoxicating noise this side of ten cylinders.

[Ramo]

Ran it for a while, absolutely great. Induction noise is lovely on the car and the best setup may just be a CSL box with Euro headers + sec 1. But testing exhaust setups are just too tempting...

I only ask because I currently have SS V1 headers + SS high flow section 1 + Stock section 2 + SS Race. I would hate to buy the airbox and my exhaust drowns out all the induction noise. But if I sell my exhaust, it can pay for the full CSL Airbox setup 🤔

[sd561]

Anyone else have experience with this as well? 100% stock exhaust with CSL Airbox.

I'm a few weeks/350mi into a new life with karb race/CSL headers/euro section 1. Stock the rest of the way out. The car sounds great in the cockpit, it honestly feels like a whole new world of e46 m3 has been unlocked (or quite literally, a new continent) coming from a 100% stock usdm car with no airbox.

Tbonem3 - credit to an old head - has some great videos on YT of various similar/even exact setups capturing how it sounds for the audience outside. They are quick and cut right to the chase no bullshit. I found them helpful when I was thinking through my plan.

I’m would say I am very, very happy with the setup so far.

semi unrelated but not really - Brysons tune is awesome. It somehow still feels the same while feeling quite different. Hard to explain. It’s like the car went from Mario to a well mannered-Wario.

[simon_c]

Dream setup for me is karb csl box with euro headers/euro sec 1, supersprint resonated x pipe and supersprint sport exhaust. Assuming the karb box overpowers everything

[TenseMKV]

Karb box. This is the way

[amiao]

After reading this thread I went out over the weekend and recorded these clips of the current exhaust setup. I might be in the minority but I prefer this exhaust tone over the intake noise, and I still hear the intake at low RPM.

The Karb Intake also in there but I prefer the way the car sounds now.

Exhaust setup
- CSL Headers
- Sunbeam Section 1 (resonated no EGT/O2 sensors)
- Stock Section 2 (maybe Sunbeam Section 2 when it comes out)
- Sunbeam Section 3

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd4J4_ZJUI7/?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Theres also a Euroconnex TTV single mass flywheel and YFC Carbon Fiber Driveshaft which helps the car accelerate a bit faster.

[oceansize]

After reading this thread I went out over the weekend and recorded these clips of the current exhaust setup. I might be in the minority but I prefer this exhaust tone over the intake noise, and I still hear the intake at low RPM.

The Karb Intake also in there but I prefer the way the car sounds now.

Exhaust setup
- CSL Headers
- Sunbeam Section 1 (resonated no EGT/O2 sensors)
- Stock Section 2 (maybe Sunbeam Section 2 when it comes out)
- Sunbeam Section 3

It has to drone like a MFer. I don't see how it can't since as far as I can tell there is no helmholtz resonator, plus your catless which is also a giant deal killer for most. So while yes, it is loud, doesn't sound terrible, thats a no dog . But I get it, different strokes.

You go 70mm or 76mm?