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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > All-Wheel-Drive (Xi / xDrive) Talk > Lets take a look at what 150$ worth of XI dowpipe looks like



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      03-11-2013, 11:12 AM   #1
Evochuck
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Lets take a look at what 150$ worth of XI dowpipe looks like

edit: made a small comparison



Here is a series of a bit more detailed pics of the infamous OBX downpipe from fleabay.












As you can see they are 2.5 inch all the way (except at the V-band flange)



enjoi! and tell me what you think! I will probably take the dremel to it a bit, especialy in the o2 bungs ares where there is a bit of shavings.

Last edited by Evochuck; 08-19-2013 at 07:46 PM..
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      03-11-2013, 07:49 PM   #2
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I think it looks okay beside the fact that whoever did the weld....is learning still lol.
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      03-12-2013, 08:12 AM   #3
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      03-12-2013, 08:43 AM   #4
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I bought a set of these a while back just to see what they looked like. The exterior welds were not bad but the inside construction was pretty awful. I spent about 2 hours with a dremel just smoothing out the areas around the O2 sensor bungs and some big sharp ridges on places where pipe sections met near the bells.

Eventually I just set them aside as the flow coming out of the turbo and into one of the bells looked so compromised (super tight angle @ the mouth) I just did not want to install it. Did not come with gaskets either, some shitty hardware. For the price they are not bad, basic materials (304 SS I guess) are no worse than any of the other lower priced DP's.

Ended up buying a set of VRSF's which do not look a whole lot different at first glance, but the inside diameter is closer to 3" at the top and most of the length (steps/tapers diam down about 2/3 way) , and the inner welds & pipe segment construction looks to flow much better. Plus came with nice gaskets and hardware.

The VRSF do not have the little exterior bracket on them but I doubt those are necessary.
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      03-12-2013, 08:48 AM   #5
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I think people generally put too much thought into exhaust pipe welds. Messy or not, as long as they're tight, the interior is ground smooth (relatively), and the flanges fit, who cares. It's a damned exhaust pipe.
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      03-12-2013, 09:25 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWD Addict View Post
I think people generally put too much thought into exhaust pipe welds. Messy or not, as long as they're tight, the interior is ground smooth (relatively), and the flanges fit, who cares. It's a damned exhaust pipe.
+1. The problem I had with the OBX was the turbo outlet at one bell dumped straight into the wall of pipe. There was such a sharp bend right at the bell lip/seal that the wall would get a direct shot of hot exhaust continuously. Talk about poor flow. I cleaned up the other stuff but I could not get past that.

But yeah, $1k+ for some down pipes? Get real. The Akro guys are delusional. Still some people will buy anything.
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      03-12-2013, 09:45 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ajsalida View Post
+1. The problem I had with the OBX was the turbo outlet at one bell dumped straight into the wall of pipe. There was such a sharp bend right at the bell lip/seal that the wall would get a direct shot of hot exhaust continuously. Talk about poor flow. I cleaned up the other stuff but I could not get past that.

But yeah, $1k+ for some down pipes? Get real. The Akro guys are delusional. Still some people will buy anything.

Looking at the current design, would you consider the issue is fixed? the bends are still harsh but I dont tink itll be such an issue.
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      03-12-2013, 02:44 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evochuck View Post
Looking at the current design, would you consider the issue is fixed? the bends are still harsh but I dont tink itll be such an issue.
Are the OBX pipes a newer design? I need to dig mine out of the garage and compare to your pics.
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      03-22-2013, 09:30 AM   #9
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I have a set of these installed and used the AR gaskets only problem I had was the bracket not being in the correct location
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      03-22-2013, 10:53 AM   #10
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I had them looked by a welder friend, he said they looked fine and should not crack in the near future, but there has not been any added welding material(rod) meaning the pipes might be thinner in certain location such as the o2 bungs.
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      08-18-2013, 07:33 AM   #11
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Installed them 2 days ago, no issues to report as of yet, lined up perfectly. Will try to make a video comparison
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      08-18-2013, 10:38 AM   #12
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Doesn't look professional. Welds don't look good
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      08-18-2013, 12:25 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by TeinBMW View Post
Doesn't look professional. Welds don't look good
Its also 700$ dollars short of AR downpipes.......As long as they don't crack im happy
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      08-18-2013, 12:45 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evochuck
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeinBMW View Post
Doesn't look professional. Welds don't look good
Its also 700$ dollars short of AR downpipes.......As long as they don't crack im happy
I mean if it works and gives you gains then that's a good find but if the gains are minimal and the fitment isn't great then it's not that great. Keep us updated on fitment and such forth. Also post up a sound clip before and after so we know what kind of sound that downpipe produces.
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      08-18-2013, 02:58 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TeinBMW View Post
I mean if it works and gives you gains then that's a good find but if the gains are minimal and the fitment isn't great then it's not that great. Keep us updated on fitment and such forth. Also post up a sound clip before and after so we know what kind of sound that downpipe produces.
I do not think any catless DP has been shown to be superior to another as far as HP/TQ gains. If I am wrong please let me know. The only issue is build quality & fitment, and even then I do not know of any cheaper DP's failing. Some fitment issues but almost none that cannot be explained away by installer error or just inexperience with what is a fairly complicated job.

The main thing is get those cats out of there and free up gas flow. If you have money to burn buy some 1k DP's that you can't see or feel.
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      08-18-2013, 03:01 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ajsalida
Quote:
Originally Posted by TeinBMW View Post
I mean if it works and gives you gains then that's a good find but if the gains are minimal and the fitment isn't great then it's not that great. Keep us updated on fitment and such forth. Also post up a sound clip before and after so we know what kind of sound that downpipe produces.
I do not think any catless DP has been shown to be superior to another as far as HP/TQ gains. If I am wrong please let me know. The only issue is build quality & fitment, and even then I do not know of any cheaper DP's failing. Some fitment issues but almost none that cannot be explained away by installer error or just inexperience with what is a fairly complicated job.

The main thing is get those cats out of there and free up gas flow.
With a downpipe you can run a better map. So I have an accessport and I can run a stage 2 map so Im getting more hp and tq but that's also due to a tune. Also there is less back flow into your turbos so less stress on them.
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      08-18-2013, 04:31 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TeinBMW View Post
With a downpipe you can run a better map. So I have an accessport and I can run a stage 2 map so Im getting more hp and tq but that's also due to a tune. Also there is less back flow into your turbos so less stress on them.
Please re read what I wrote. I understand that, I run Cobb Stage 2+ myself. VRSF DP's + ETS 5" FMIC.

The point I was making was between two types of CATLESS DP's there is little/no difference. Of course there is a difference between catted and catless, which was also part of the point.
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      08-18-2013, 11:16 PM   #18
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I agree.
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      08-19-2013, 07:55 PM   #19
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posted a video in the 1st post
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      08-26-2013, 11:38 AM   #20
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Hooray good write up! I bought these as well as I've had good luck with these guys in the subaru community. As soon as my engine management arrives I'll be putting these on as well as a new rear actuator.
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      08-30-2013, 08:54 AM   #21
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As long as the fitment is good and you're not smelling fumes or hearing rattles, more power to you.
I will pay for good fitment though.
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      08-31-2013, 01:34 PM   #22
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these nice sound! i have heard the raceland ones sound like crap vs other brands, but i do agree, dps a dp. who cares who makes it as long as its solid.

I like the vrsf ones, had my eye on them for a bit!
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