I cut open my N52 Muffler today...

howardx · 03-23-2016, 06:47 PM

Here are some pics of the inside of the muffler from my e92. I was hoping for a simple poor man's PE mod but it turns out to be more complicated than that.

Any suggestions on what to do?

cdgatti · 03-23-2016, 07:14 PM

I have a suggestion. Buy a new muffler because you ruined that one. Don't think your will be able to weld it back without it leaking.

Bmw_Crazy · 03-23-2016, 07:23 PM

It can be mig welded back..

Bmw_Crazy · 03-23-2016, 07:25 PM

Whats under that oldman hair in the center?

Bmw_Crazy · 03-23-2016, 07:35 PM

Not shure but If i remember there should be a perforated section that you replace with a non perforated pipe and i think its under that old man hair... I'm about to do this soon..

MB07 · 03-23-2016, 09:24 PM

More pics and sound clips when you are finished! I plan on doing this very very soon. Nice to see someone with an N52 do this, N54 guys don't get to have all the fun.

mmmnot · 03-24-2016, 08:40 AM

Buy the real part and stop being cheap.

jc5988 · 03-24-2016, 11:32 AM

damn, stock muffler so over engineered to cover up straight 6 sound....

Taskmaster · 03-24-2016, 12:10 PM

A Borla XS 3inch inlet muffler is about $110 and would free up some power.

Seanzie · 03-24-2016, 01:12 PM

It's nice to see someone out there who's actually done this (and posted pictures). Thanks! There's certainly quite a bit more going on in there than I expected.

To those that say that OP should have coughed up the cash instead of this... keep in mind opening up stuff to see how it works while seeking to make it better is pretty much the definition of being an enthusiast. Don't hate. At the end of the day, posts like this make the community that much better.

I imagine that at some point during BMW's design phase, they had many other similar examples set up for sound testing, and obviously this one won out. It would be nice to have an audio example of an I6 exhaust for other types of designs.

Have you compared this to e36 and e46 exhaust configurations? I imagine that the design features that reduces drone, controls volume, controls the deepness of the tone, etc. are all highly dependent on each other. However, there's likely some similarities that you can look at which would help to narrow down what you might want to try out.

If I ever bought an aftermarket muffler, I'd absolutely dissect mine to see how it works...

E91 M Sport · 03-24-2016, 02:29 PM

Took a few mins to gather the flow path but I think the easiest and probably the loudest would be to mimic this.

I didn't, but should have, note that you should have a Y right at the inlet to distribute the flow between the 2 tubes that run out the exit.

howardx · 04-01-2016, 02:02 AM

I will be continuing this project in the summer. Will keep you guys posted.

scanspeak · 04-01-2016, 06:14 AM

Thanks for uploading this. I've be considering the same mod.
No wonder the stock muffler sounds so anemic.

Taskmaster · 04-01-2016, 07:38 AM

Or....a Borla XS muffler is 100 bucks welded at a shop, ia lighter and can free up some power.

CobraMarty · 04-01-2016, 08:58 AM

Take out the packing material and need a picture. The flow pattern is hard to tell what is stock.

E91 M Sport · 04-01-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

Take out the packing material and need a picture. The flow pattern is hard to tell what is stock.

I THINK it follows this pattern.

Needbmwpartzz · 04-01-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howardx

Here are some pics of the inside of the muffler from my e92. I was hoping for a simple poor man's PE mod but it turns out to be more complicated than that.

Any suggestions on what to do?

I wonder what it would sound like if you just gutted it

E91 M Sport · 04-01-2016, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

I wonder what it would sound like if you just gutted it

My guess would be

Needbmwpartzz · 04-01-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E91 M Sport

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

I wonder what it would sound like if you just gutted it

My guess would be

That is one theory(assuming red bum character pulling undies down means crap)
I think it would sound amazing....but I also think straight pipes on this car would be awesome...on the track that is.
For everyday driving PE is loud enough.

howardx · 04-01-2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E91 M Sport

I THINK it follows this pattern.

You are pretty much correct besides the two pipes you switched. Here's my image:

howardx · 04-01-2016, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

That is one theory(assuming red bum character pulling undies down means crap)
I think it would sound amazing....but I also think straight pipes on this car would be awesome...on the track that is.
For everyday driving PE is loud enough.

I'm running a muffler delete right now and I assume that's what it would sound like when gutted.
I'm experimenting on the OEM muffler for the sake of curiosity. The N54/55 people have been modifying their OEM muffler for years now.

Needbmwpartzz · 04-01-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howardx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

That is one theory(assuming red bum character pulling undies down means crap)
I think it would sound amazing....but I also think straight pipes on this car would be awesome...on the track that is.
For everyday driving PE is loud enough.

I'm running a muffler delete right now and I assume that's what it would sound like when gutted.
I'm experimenting on the OEM muffler for the sake of curiosity. The N54/55 people have been modifying their OEM muffler for years now.

How do you like the delete?
Could you compare that to what PE sounds like?
I think just gutting would give a different tone(possibly boomy or drone sound)
As the chamber would produce a unique sound based on how the exhaust flows through with its own harmonic signature....who knows unless tried.
Nothing ventured,nothing gained.............guess I'm trying to say somebody try this and report back

03-23-2016, 06:47 PM	#1
howardx New Member 20 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 328i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I cut open my N52 Muffler today... Here are some pics of the inside of the muffler from my e92. I was hoping for a simple poor man's PE mod but it turns out to be more complicated than that. Any suggestions on what to do? Attached Images
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03-23-2016, 07:14 PM	#2
cdgatti Colonel 255 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	I have a suggestion. Buy a new muffler because you ruined that one. Don't think your will be able to weld it back without it leaking. __________________ OEM Black grill and Blackline tails - LCI halogens with Lux V2 coded as DRL - 3M Crystalline - BMS PBX - OEM Euro Airbox with K&N - Hardwired CTEK - Bilstein B6 w/OEM springs and SP perches - Conti DWS06 - HiFi-Helix DSP - JLAudio HD/XD-Morel - CD changer trim - AE optical out
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03-23-2016, 07:23 PM	#3
Bmw_Crazy First Lieutenant 97 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Man Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	It can be mig welded back..
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03-23-2016, 07:25 PM	#4
Bmw_Crazy First Lieutenant 97 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Man Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Whats under that oldman hair in the center?
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03-23-2016, 07:35 PM	#5
Bmw_Crazy First Lieutenant 97 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Man Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Not shure but If i remember there should be a perforated section that you replace with a non perforated pipe and i think its under that old man hair... I'm about to do this soon.. Last edited by Bmw_Crazy; 03-23-2016 at 07:47 PM..
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03-23-2016, 09:24 PM	#6
MB07 Carbon Fiber Everything 12 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2009 328i xDrive Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i xDrive [0.00]	More pics and sound clips when you are finished! I plan on doing this very very soon. Nice to see someone with an N52 do this, N54 guys don't get to have all the fun. __________________
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03-24-2016, 08:40 AM	#7
mmmnot Custom User Title 412 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: E92 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hotlanta iTrader: (2)	Buy the real part and stop being cheap. __________________ My "build" thread
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03-24-2016, 11:32 AM	#8
jc5988 Captain 91 Rep 611 Posts Drives: 2010 328i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	damn, stock muffler so over engineered to cover up straight 6 sound.... __________________ N51- PI - PE - ESS Tuned - SSK - CDV Delete - AFE Header - B12 - Mfactory LSD
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03-24-2016, 12:10 PM	#9
Taskmaster Banned 2465 Rep 9,004 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT / E92 328 Msport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	A Borla XS 3inch inlet muffler is about $110 and would free up some power.
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03-24-2016, 01:12 PM	#10
Seanzie Enlisted Member 30 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston iTrader: (1)	It's nice to see someone out there who's actually done this (and posted pictures). Thanks! There's certainly quite a bit more going on in there than I expected. To those that say that OP should have coughed up the cash instead of this... keep in mind opening up stuff to see how it works while seeking to make it better is pretty much the definition of being an enthusiast. Don't hate. At the end of the day, posts like this make the community that much better. I imagine that at some point during BMW's design phase, they had many other similar examples set up for sound testing, and obviously this one won out. It would be nice to have an audio example of an I6 exhaust for other types of designs. Have you compared this to e36 and e46 exhaust configurations? I imagine that the design features that reduces drone, controls volume, controls the deepness of the tone, etc. are all highly dependent on each other. However, there's likely some similarities that you can look at which would help to narrow down what you might want to try out. If I ever bought an aftermarket muffler, I'd absolutely dissect mine to see how it works...
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03-24-2016, 02:29 PM	#11
E91 M Sport First Lieutenant 103 Rep 385 Posts Drives: 2012 E91 M Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sunny SD iTrader: (0)	Took a few mins to gather the flow path but I think the easiest and probably the loudest would be to mimic this. I didn't, but should have, note that you should have a Y right at the inlet to distribute the flow between the 2 tubes that run out the exit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2016, 02:02 AM	#12
howardx New Member 20 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 328i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I will be continuing this project in the summer. Will keep you guys posted.
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04-01-2016, 06:14 AM	#13
scanspeak Lieutenant 354 Rep 511 Posts Drives: BMW E92 325i 12/2007 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Thanks for uploading this. I've be considering the same mod. No wonder the stock muffler sounds so anemic.
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04-01-2016, 07:38 AM	#14
Taskmaster Banned 2465 Rep 9,004 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT / E92 328 Msport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	Or....a Borla XS muffler is 100 bucks welded at a shop, ia lighter and can free up some power.
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04-01-2016, 08:58 AM	#15
CobraMarty Major 619 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi e90 + e92 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: BimmerMILVs.com iTrader: (7)	Take out the packing material and need a picture. The flow pattern is hard to tell what is stock.
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