Downpipe DIY?

[C-ARchitect]

Has anyone attempted to DIY downpipes on the F8X yet? I've done a ton of N54 downpipe installations, was wondering if it would be a similar process for S55?

Thanks in advance!

[Mandi90TT]

Would love to see this myself

[dmk08]

Yea anyone working on this? I want to do DP but will likely have to do self install and a yearly swap. Want to see what I'm in for.

[dmk08]

Bump - So has anyone done downpipes themselves? Just wondering if it's a pretty easy job or not. Seems like it should be.

[w00tw00t]

Akrapovic has a fairly comprehensive install posted on their site. I plan to do it myself when I get them. But I do have a lift in my garage which makes jobs like this easier.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

Akrapovic has a fairly comprehensive install posted on their site. I plan to do it myself when I get them. But I do have a lift in my garage which makes jobs like this easier.

Yeah I don't have a lift but I have access to an oil change pit which may work.

Akra is the only one with flex pipe. Wonder if its worth the extra $$.

[w00tw00t]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Yeah I don't have a lift but I have access to an oil change pit which may work.

Akra is the only one with flex pipe. Wonder if its worth the extra $$.

oil change pit should work just fine!

that's why I decided to go with Akra. They always make a very well engineered product - perhaps over engineered but I'll have peace of mind knowing my downpipe connections to the turbos aren't under unnecessary stress.

[NorCal f80]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Yeah I don't have a lift but I have access to an oil change pit which may work.

Akra is the only one with flex pipe. Wonder if its worth the extra $$.

Eisenmann has flex and for sure Zima does as well. I didn't go with Zima version 1 because the diameter gets small although I don't think it makes much difference. Their version 2 are almost done and will have flex of course. Oh yea much more cheaper cost than Akra or Eisenmann of course.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by 0-100 real quick

Eisenmann has flex and for sure Zima does as well. I didn't go with Zima version 1 because the diameter gets small although I don't think it makes much difference. Their version 2 are almost done and will have flex of course. Oh yea much more cheaper cost than Akra or Eisenmann of course.

I could have sworn ER were selling for like $900 but now they are closer to $1100. At that point you may as well get Akra or apparently Eisenmann w/ flex pipe ?

[w00tw00t]

Originally Posted by 0-100 real quick

Eisenmann has flex and for sure Zima does as well. I didn't go with Zima version 1 because the diameter gets small although I don't think it makes much difference. Their version 2 are almost done and will have flex of course. Oh yea much more cheaper cost than Akra or Eisenmann of course.

When I checked I could only find Akra or Eisenmann with flex and since they were similar price I went with Akra since I have the akra exhaust ...

[NorCal f80]

Zima version 1 ----- http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1036265

If I recall they were around $1000

Their version 2 doesn't taper down so much and are going to be priced the same.

version 2

[Tiago@VRSF]

Those are expansion bellows in the OEM exhaust, it's not a flex section. It's in place because of the added heat from the OEM cats. The restriction from the cat traps heat which is why they are generally recommended for catted downpipes. A stainless steel pipe will actually flex quite a bit without the expansion joint and the expansion joint is actually in place to preserve the seal on the catback connection (hence its location).

We've sold thousands of downpipes for various different turbocharged platforms and have never had a turbo or a downpipe fail due to a lack of expansion joint. You actually increase the risk of failure of a part when you start adding components. Any long time mechanic can confirm that most exhaust failures happen at the flex section or the cat.

As far as the install goes, it's pretty straight forward and there's definitely more clearance than the N54. You don't have to unbolt the steering rack and the v-bands are more accessible. The only major difference is the catback has to be removed/lowered/pushed aside in order to remove/install the new pipes. The E90/E92 catbacks would move back without having to unbolt the entire assembly but the F80/F82 is bolted up pretty tight.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

Those are expansion bellows in the OEM exhaust, it's not a flex section. It's in place because of the added heat from the OEM cats. The restriction from the cat traps heat which is why they are generally recommended for catted downpipes. A stainless steel pipe will actually flex quite a bit without the expansion joint and the expansion joint is actually in place to preserve the seal on the catback connection (hence its location).

We've sold thousands of downpipes for various different turbocharged platforms and have never had a turbo or a downpipe fail due to a lack of expansion joint. You actually increase the risk of failure of a part when you start adding components. Any long time mechanic can confirm that most exhaust failures happen at the flex section or the cat.

As far as the install goes, it's pretty straight forward and there's definitely more clearance than the N54. You don't have to unbolt the steering rack and the v-bands are more accessible. The only major difference is the catback has to be removed/lowered/pushed aside in order to remove/install the new pipes. The E90/E92 catbacks would move back without having to unbolt the entire assembly but the F80/F82 is bolted up pretty tight.

Guessing it will be even easier w/ MPE since my stock setup is hacked in half?

[Tiago@VRSF]

That should help!

[WVUDrJay]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

Those are expansion bellows in the OEM exhaust, it's not a flex section. It's in place because of the added heat from the OEM cats. The restriction from the cat traps heat which is why they are generally recommended for catted downpipes. A stainless steel pipe will actually flex quite a bit without the expansion joint and the expansion joint is actually in place to preserve the seal on the catback connection (hence its location).

We've sold thousands of downpipes for various different turbocharged platforms and have never had a turbo or a downpipe fail due to a lack of expansion joint. You actually increase the risk of failure of a part when you start adding components. Any long time mechanic can confirm that most exhaust failures happen at the flex section or the cat.

As far as the install goes, it's pretty straight forward and there's definitely more clearance than the N54. You don't have to unbolt the steering rack and the v-bands are more accessible. The only major difference is the catback has to be removed/lowered/pushed aside in order to remove/install the new pipes. The E90/E92 catbacks would move back without having to unbolt the entire assembly but the F80/F82 is bolted up pretty tight.

That's good info as there had been many posts describing these as flex joints designed to not put stress at the connection.

[SOM3]

Originally Posted by WVUDrJay

That's good info as there had been many posts describing these as flex joints designed to not put stress at the connection.

Well you can belive that or look at TOP ehxhaust manufacturers like Akrapovic, Eisenmann etc. and see that their DP come with expansion joints.

You be the judge.

[///M.Tonee]

Any DIY videos for the downpipe install yet?

[WERKE]

Originally Posted by zero_z4

Any DIY videos for the downpipe install yet?

+1