review of VK motorworks downpipes

battlehawk1025 · 05-17-2009, 01:44 PM

well i was the test car for the the xi downpipes! I am proud to say they fit with out question! Also as Vince announced yesterday (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...255192&page=14) they fit everything.
when I first heard heard about the downpipes for such a low cost i was a bit nervous about them. but when I saw them i was in shock the welds were seamless, the quality of the product was outstanding. one thing i was particularly nervous about was was there going to be enough clearance around them once installed. sure enough there was no issues at all. no rattling no nothing if there is anything else you would like to know that i missed let me know because i have the tendency to forget stuff!

Yinger · 05-17-2009, 01:57 PM

how's the performance?

jpsimon · 05-17-2009, 01:58 PM

VK is the shit!

longodj · 05-17-2009, 02:18 PM

Nice! Is there a good bit of clearance the whole length of the tube? Like...enough clearance for exhaust wrap?

battlehawk1025 · 05-17-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longodj

Nice! Is there a good bit of clearance the whole length of the tube? Like...enough clearance for exhaust wrap?

yea there should be Vince has the picutres

Morpheus · 05-17-2009, 02:40 PM

seamless welds? does this mean they were ground down? I heard this should not be done on DPs since it makes them weaker.

battlehawk1025 · 05-17-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morpheus

seamless welds? does this mean they were ground down? I heard this should not be done on DPs since it makes them weaker.

their not ground down i mean seemless as in extermely nice welds

AlpineG05 · 05-17-2009, 03:34 PM

did you notice any difference in performance?

battlehawk1025 · 05-17-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine 335i

did you notice any difference in performance?

it was only a test fitment

AlpineG05 · 05-17-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by battlehawk1025

it was only a test fitment

oh aight thanks

ragingclue · 05-17-2009, 03:58 PM

This is pretty big news for the group buy and for Vince.

Ilma · 05-17-2009, 10:24 PM

FWIW to you guys, I have the VK intercooler and the welding work on it is excellent.

I was apprehensive about weld quality - especially on an intercooler where loose fragments could easily get sucked into the turbos, but when the kit arrived, it was obvious someone knew what they were doing.

Septro · 05-17-2009, 11:35 PM

This is good news to hear. Kick ass for the XI guys!

battlehawk1025 · 05-18-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Septro

This is good news to hear. Kick ass for the XI guys!

yea but install is going to be a pain

bs123 · 11-05-2011, 07:21 AM

so glad search lead me to this page, and i thought my only option was AR downpipes. now onto more research, thanks for post!

bigdnno98 · 11-05-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bs123

so glad search lead me to this page, and i thought my only option was AR downpipes. now onto more research, thanks for post!

Vk is out of business from what I hear. I have Matt schnells and they fit perfect. AA and MS are good alternatives.

Morpheus · 11-05-2011, 09:29 AM

I will sell my VKs. They are still in the box. Still waiting for my warranty to expire, but now that I'm nearing the end I may trade up to a different vehicle so....

bs123 · 11-06-2011, 03:18 PM

^ i suck at searching, seems like all i read is threads of useless past info. thanks for the heads up!

JamesM3M5 · 01-16-2012, 03:43 PM

Back from the dead...

I am currently installing them in a 335Xi and the VK pipes don't fit for shit. The front downpipe hits the subframe, and neither flange mates up to the remaining exhaust without a severe gap at the top end of the flange. The gaskets are tight on the bottom bolts, but have at least a 1/16" gap at the top. Tightening the bolts only forces the downpipes harder into the subframe. The angle on the flanges is wrong, and no amount of shifting or repositioning on the turbo outlet will get these things to work.

enrita · 01-16-2012, 03:46 PM

I and XI downpipes are not the same....

JamesM3M5 · 01-16-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enrita

I and XI downpipes are not the same....

Yeah, but these were supposed to be Xi pipes. Customer supplied them. Ugh...

JamesM3M5 · 01-16-2012, 05:01 PM

Customer was told that these were supposed to fit Xi and i models the same.

I'm not stupid, and I've done these before. Sucks for the customer that his car will be down until we can get a set that actually fits his Xi. That and it takes extra labor to do the job again. I just wanted to let other Xi owners know that despite the original post's recount of the VK pipes fitting his Xi, whatever is being sold now in 2012 is not going to fit.

05-17-2009, 01:44 PM	#1
battlehawk1025 battlehawk1025 44 Rep 883 Posts Drives: 2007 335XI 6mt, SL 65 , M6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: wilmette/chicago,IL iTrader: (4)	review of VK motorworks downpipes well i was the test car for the the xi downpipes! I am proud to say they fit with out question! Also as Vince announced yesterday (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...255192&page=14) they fit everything. when I first heard heard about the downpipes for such a low cost i was a bit nervous about them. but when I saw them i was in shock the welds were seamless, the quality of the product was outstanding. one thing i was particularly nervous about was was there going to be enough clearance around them once installed. sure enough there was no issues at all. no rattling no nothing if there is anything else you would like to know that i missed let me know because i have the tendency to forget stuff!
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05-17-2009, 01:57 PM	#2
Yinger Lieutenant 17 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2009 335i e92 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2009 e92 335i [10.00]	how's the performance?
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05-17-2009, 01:58 PM	#3
jpsimon Team Zissou 3065 Rep 10,197 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	VK is the shit!
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05-17-2009, 02:18 PM	#4
longodj Major 75 Rep 1,288 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 335xi [0.00] 1974 VW Beetle [0.00]	Nice! Is there a good bit of clearance the whole length of the tube? Like...enough clearance for exhaust wrap? __________________ Performance: UUC Sways CDV Mod KW V3 Vorshlag plates Pagid Yellow VK OC Hotchkis Brace STETT IC/CAI Braille B2015 VK Catless DP BMS JB3 M-Tech #1 Mod: AutoX/HPDE HPDE 3 Many Thanks: **********s UUC Motorwerks VK Motorwerks HP Autowerks SOLD
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05-17-2009, 02:40 PM	#6
Morpheus Captain 25 Rep 941 Posts Drives: 335i Titanium Silver Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cockaigne iTrader: (1)	seamless welds? does this mean they were ground down? I heard this should not be done on DPs since it makes them weaker.
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05-17-2009, 03:34 PM	#8
AlpineG05 hi 129 Rep 1,140 Posts Drives: Alpine White G05 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bakersfield, Cali iTrader: (1)	did you notice any difference in performance? __________________ 2022 M Sport G05 Jb4, CTS catless dp, M performance exhaust, bms intake, IND goodies, Maxton kit
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05-17-2009, 03:58 PM	#11
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	This is pretty big news for the group buy and for Vince.
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05-17-2009, 10:24 PM	#12
Ilma Colonel 184 Rep 2,841 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mississauga iTrader: (0)	FWIW to you guys, I have the VK intercooler and the welding work on it is excellent. I was apprehensive about weld quality - especially on an intercooler where loose fragments could easily get sucked into the turbos, but when the kit arrived, it was obvious someone knew what they were doing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-17-2009, 11:35 PM	#13
Septro Banned 77 Rep 1,649 Posts Drives: '08 e90 335xi Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: C-Bus, OH iTrader: (1)	This is good news to hear. Kick ass for the XI guys!
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11-05-2011, 07:21 AM	#15
bs123 Private First Class 5 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: cali iTrader: (-1) Garage List 2008 335 xi [0.00]	so glad search lead me to this page, and i thought my only option was AR downpipes. now onto more research, thanks for post!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2011, 09:29 AM	#17
Morpheus Captain 25 Rep 941 Posts Drives: 335i Titanium Silver Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cockaigne iTrader: (1)	I will sell my VKs. They are still in the box. Still waiting for my warranty to expire, but now that I'm nearing the end I may trade up to a different vehicle so....
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11-06-2011, 03:18 PM	#18
bs123 Private First Class 5 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: cali iTrader: (-1) Garage List 2008 335 xi [0.00]	^ i suck at searching, seems like all i read is threads of useless past info. thanks for the heads up!
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01-16-2012, 03:43 PM	#19
JamesM3M5 Some dude 92 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Back from the dead... I am currently installing them in a 335Xi and the VK pipes don't fit for shit. The front downpipe hits the subframe, and neither flange mates up to the remaining exhaust without a severe gap at the top end of the flange. The gaskets are tight on the bottom bolts, but have at least a 1/16" gap at the top. Tightening the bolts only forces the downpipes harder into the subframe. The angle on the flanges is wrong, and no amount of shifting or repositioning on the turbo outlet will get these things to work. __________________ RRT E92 335i/6MT with stuff and things
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2012, 03:46 PM	#20
enrita Major General 161 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	I and XI downpipes are not the same.... __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
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01-16-2012, 05:01 PM	#22
JamesM3M5 Some dude 92 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Customer was told that these were supposed to fit Xi and i models the same. I'm not stupid, and I've done these before. Sucks for the customer that his car will be down until we can get a set that actually fits his Xi. That and it takes extra labor to do the job again. I just wanted to let other Xi owners know that despite the original post's recount of the VK pipes fitting his Xi, whatever is being sold now in 2012 is not going to fit. __________________ RRT E92 335i/6MT with stuff and things
	Appreciate 0 Quote