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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > VK downpipes whats the deal?



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      09-10-2009, 08:53 AM   #1
john boxter
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VK downpipes whats the deal?

hey guys i am new to this forum and i may not know to much about downpipes but i know they shouldnt cost 300 or even 350 shipped to us why are these so cheap how do they hold up against other downpipes such as AR? thanks in advance for the replies!
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      09-10-2009, 09:05 AM   #2
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The 350 shipped was a group buy price, and for many of us, waited six months for them. These downpipes will cost around 450-500 supposedly once they are put on the market.
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      09-10-2009, 09:11 AM   #3
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still the group buy price of the ar was 600!! double that
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      09-10-2009, 09:27 AM   #4
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there probably a reason for that
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      09-10-2009, 09:31 AM   #5
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i heard they are smaller diameter then the ar or riss but not sure
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      09-10-2009, 09:36 AM   #6
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ya that is true they are 2.5 inch you think its worth wasting our money on them or saving up for the better stuff?
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      09-10-2009, 09:38 AM   #7
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2.5" all the way through on the VK. The AR DPs are 3" and taper to 2.5" within about 1-2" of the rear of the flange. It offers a lot more area to fill on spool.

This is going to open a can of worms though. The argument about Chinese built parts versus quality American built parts is about to explode in my opinion.
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      09-10-2009, 09:39 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS View Post
2.5" all the way through on the VK. The AR DPs are 3" and taper to 2.5" within about 1-2" of the rear of the flange. It offers a lot more area to fill on spool.

This is going to open a can of worms though. The argument about Chinese built parts versus quality American built parts is about to explode in my opinion.
i have no experience installing vk dp's but i can say that the ar dp's are perfect fitment always, and just look better made then the other brands i have installed
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      09-10-2009, 09:54 AM   #9
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but i dont uderstand the importance of quality are we worried about the pipe just braking in half while driving? i think its fair to say thats a little unlikely right?
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      09-10-2009, 09:59 AM   #10
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the vk pipes are just about to start getting out to the masses... it seems like u've done your research. imo you should wait just a little longer to see people's first impressions and first dyno results and then decide if buying them over AR or RR is right for you.
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      09-10-2009, 10:00 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john boxter View Post
but i dont uderstand the importance of quality are we worried about the pipe just braking in half while driving? i think its fair to say thats a little unlikely right?
You are talking about something that will be subject to 1100-1300F heat and changes in temperature in extremely short time periods of time. The stress DPs are put under is pretty extreme.
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      09-10-2009, 10:01 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john boxter View Post
but i dont uderstand the importance of quality are we worried about the pipe just braking in half while driving? i think its fair to say thats a little unlikely right?
its more of a fitment and flange quality importance, if the flanges are weak or made crappy then they may leak at the turbo, and if they are bent bad they may not fit easily
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      09-10-2009, 10:11 AM   #13
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Our orginal set was a 3inch tapering to a 2.5 right before the flange. We also tested the 2.5 inch the way we have it now. We did not see any gains with one over the other. The bottom line is that ALL the current downpipes are going to be 2.5inches at the flange. Please wait to have them first before you start saying that these are not high quality.
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      09-10-2009, 10:25 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince@ V K Motorwerks View Post
Our orginal set was a 3inch tapering to a 2.5 right before the flange. We also tested the 2.5 inch the way we have it now. We did not see any gains with one over the other. The bottom line is that ALL the current downpipes are going to be 2.5inches at the flange. Please wait to have them first before you start saying that these are not high quality.
Vince, I didn't want to offend you at all. I am just being realistic that we are in the process of seeing a vendor battle between US made and Chinese made. I think you will agree that this is indeed a topic of discussion.
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      09-10-2009, 10:42 AM   #15
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I don't think that some catless downpipes design can bring more horepower gains than another. These are some 30cm PIPES, not rockets. They all have the same shape, and even if some of them are larger at the beginning for a few centimeters, its useless because the exhaust has 2.5". Maybe its even worse because there can be gas turbulences when the diameter goes abruptly from 3" to 2.5" creating unneeded backpressure.

The thing I would be concerned about is quality. If there are no leaks and the downpipes fit well and don't resonate or touch the car's body, its all good.

And I also think that a set of downpipes should not cost an arm and a leg, because if you get a full stainless steel exhaust with $1800, the downpipes should cost no more than $200.

Too bad the stock downpipes only sell with catalytic converters, because I think that the best downpipes would be the stock ones with the catalytic converter removed.
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      09-10-2009, 11:04 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS View Post
Vince, I didn't want to offend you at all. I am just being realistic that we are in the process of seeing a vendor battle between US made and Chinese made. I think you will agree that this is indeed a topic of discussion.
Im not offended. Just dont want people speculating thing. I am not the type to talk crap about another vendor. Im sure AR makes a good product as does other vendors.

The discussion of Chinese made vs American made to me personally is irrelavent. Quaility is not a factor of orgin but of the person/company doing the work. Just because something is made in America does not mean it will be of the best quaility. I have seen many products made in the US that have poor quaility. I am all for supporting the US economy, however, you cannot ignore the concept of globalization.

Even BMW has parts being manufactured in China, india,...ect.

We inspect all our products throughly and ensure that quality is at the highest standard. Im sure everyone will be surprised at the quaility and fitment. It took us so long because we continued to test the downpipes.
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      09-10-2009, 11:05 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cstavaru View Post

Too bad the stock downpipes only sell with catalytic converters, because I think that the best downpipes would be the stock ones with the catalytic converter removed.
That's what these are pretty much.
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      09-10-2009, 11:10 AM   #18
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I think EGT temps post scroll are much less than 1300. Probably 900 is a little more likely.
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      09-10-2009, 11:13 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyleb350 View Post
That's what these are pretty much.
Thats what they are. 5" of combined diameter is more than enough for these little snails.
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      09-10-2009, 11:20 AM   #20
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Regardless of how large a DP is or where its made I think we can all agree the profit margins on a piece of pipe are through the roof.

Vince is just willing to offer them at a much better price. I look forward to the group buy people giving us their thoughts.
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      09-10-2009, 11:44 AM   #21
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Im sure there will be plenty of reviews very soon !
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      09-10-2009, 12:34 PM   #22
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why be cheap?
get the AR design 3" catless downpipes.. they are awesome and fit perfect and wel worth the $600 price..

I got mine for $525 shipped on Ebay new..
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