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      03-28-2018, 10:51 AM   #1
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Tune & Xpipe advice please.

Hi All,

I recently bought a 2014 X6 5.0 (11/2013 production)

After a little research I'm thinking about doing the following
1. KN air filters (not sure of the correct product #)
2. Ess tune ( I called Dinan and they said it may or may not work depending on the production month. Also I'm looking for torque gains through all rpm's. Seems like dinan is more at the top end. 4-5000 rpm's. They both cost -approximately $1000.
3. Supersprint x pipe only. Minimal gains but good exhaust note.
This combo should run me $2400-2600.
Please advise thoughts and advice. Thanks.
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      03-28-2018, 09:52 PM   #2
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X-pipe а bad idea for this engine. The sound will get much worse. Instead of a brutal v8 sound, you get a buzzing of v6.
The best sound from this engine is the standard exhaust and downpipe without a catalyst. And open the flaps on the exhaust to permanently (I kept the axis welded).

Also for this engine must have cool running oil and water thermostat.
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      03-30-2018, 04:36 PM   #3
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Thanks. I've gotta some research on the catless downpipes. Are they legal in NY and does supersprint offer them? Let the research begin.
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      03-30-2018, 05:40 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xfanatic View Post
Hi All,

I recently bought a 2014 X6 5.0 (11/2013 production)

After a little research I'm thinking about doing the following
1. KN air filters (not sure of the correct product #)
2. Ess tune ( I called Dinan and they said it may or may not work depending on the production month. Also I'm looking for torque gains through all rpm's. Seems like dinan is more at the top end. 4-5000 rpm's. They both cost -approximately $1000.
3. Supersprint x pipe only. Minimal gains but good exhaust note.
This combo should run me $2400-2600.
Please advise thoughts and advice. Thanks.
1) There are better options than drop-in K&N filters, unless you're trying to maintain a stock look. Search around on the forums, there's threads out there.
2) $$Dinan$$ has the worst HP per $$ ratio out there, so don't bother. I originally went with ESS but instead went with Halim from HCPerformance, but I don't think he does N63 stuff.
3) SS x-pipe isn't anything magical, so just do a $30 eBay 3" x-pipe that'll do the exact same thing.
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      03-30-2018, 05:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikkem View Post
X-pipe а bad idea for this engine. The sound will get much worse. Instead of a brutal v8 sound, you get a buzzing of v6.
The best sound from this engine is the standard exhaust and downpipe without a catalyst. And open the flaps on the exhaust to permanently (I kept the axis welded).

Also for this engine must have cool running oil and water thermostat.
There is NOTHING brutal sounding about the V8 in our platform...the turbos all but muffle all of the V8 sound, not to mention this engines architecture is different than a normal V8 from say an E39 M5 so we'll never have that sound. The M5 and M6 have x-pipes installed from the factory, so other than being a TU engine, clearly BMW knows something you don't and they surely don't sound like a buzzing V6.

I'll agree on downpipes and opening the exhaust valves.
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'98 BMW 740iL - ///E39 M5 6spd swap, fully built engine (sleeved, P&P, cams), 3.46 LSD, H&R Stage 2/Bilstein HD, Magnaflow 14816's
'97 BMW 328ci - ///E36 M3 clutch & L/W flywheel, Z4///M 18's
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      03-30-2018, 05:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xfanatic View Post
Thanks. I've gotta some research on the catless downpipes. Are they legal in NY and does supersprint offer them? Let the research begin.
Legal...no. Still pass emissions...yes, if you have a tune that turns off the CEL for being catless. I'm not sure why you're so hung up on SS but there are plenty of other retailers or you can go cheap by gutting your stock downpipes for free.
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'98 BMW 740iL - ///E39 M5 6spd swap, fully built engine (sleeved, P&P, cams), 3.46 LSD, H&R Stage 2/Bilstein HD, Magnaflow 14816's
'97 BMW 328ci - ///E36 M3 clutch & L/W flywheel, Z4///M 18's
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      03-30-2018, 09:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james View Post
Legal...no. Still pass emissions...yes, if you have a tune that turns off the CEL for being catless. I'm not sure why you're so hung up on SS but there are plenty of other retailers or you can go cheap by gutting your stock downpipes for free.
Not really hung up on SS, I just don't know that much yet. I'm coming from an E60 that I Diddy a lot to but this is a very different animal. I'm also looking for alternative to the meisterschaft and their cost. To me they have the best sound.
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      03-30-2018, 09:31 PM   #8
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I've yet to see anyone with eBay purchased downpipes, but their price is pretty great vs most name brand options. I gutted my stock cats because downpipes were still almost $2k at the time. I've got a set of aftermarket downpipes now, no clue the brand, but a friend said they came off his friends X5M so hopefully he didn't steer me wrong.

Gut your stock cats if you're planning on keeping the car for a while...3hrs and you'll see if you like being catless or not. I've been this way for almost 2yrs and I'm happy with it. Noticeable sound difference for cold starts, a hair louder for daily driving but most importantly it'll spools quicker.
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      03-31-2018, 04:20 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james View Post
There is NOTHING brutal sounding about the V8 in our platform...the turbos all but muffle all of the V8 sound, not to mention this engines architecture is different than a normal V8 from say an E39 M5 so we'll never have that sound. The M5 and M6 have x-pipes installed from the factory, so other than being a TU engine, clearly BMW knows something you don't and they surely don't sound like a buzzing V6.

I'll agree on downpipes and opening the exhaust valves.
I had a 50i without a catalyst and with open flaps. Now I have X5M with catless downpipes and Akrapovic exhaust. And unfortunately 50i and sounded better (
My x6 50i sound
https://youtu.be/jVLPe-h3V50

The only thing I like about X5m is shootings with fire on shifting gears
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      03-31-2018, 06:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikkem View Post
I had a 50i without a catalyst and with open flaps. Now I have X5M with catless downpipes and Akrapovic exhaust. And unfortunately 50i and sounded better (
My x6 50i sound
https://youtu.be/jVLPe-h3V50

The only thing I like about X5m is shootings with fire on shifting gears
Your 5.0 sounded great!!!
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      04-04-2018, 09:49 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikkem View Post
X-pipe а bad idea for this engine. The sound will get much worse. Instead of a brutal v8 sound, you get a buzzing of v6.
The best sound from this engine is the standard exhaust and downpipe without a catalyst. And open the flaps on the exhaust to permanently (I kept the axis welded).

Also for this engine must have cool running oil and water thermostat.
50s don't have exhaust flaps. I concur with what was said before, an X-pipe is not going to make this V8 sound like a V6.
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      04-04-2018, 09:50 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rikkem View Post
I had a 50i without a catalyst and with open flaps. Now I have X5M with catless downpipes and Akrapovic exhaust. And unfortunately 50i and sounded better (
My x6 50i sound
https://youtu.be/jVLPe-h3V50

The only thing I like about X5m is shootings with fire on shifting gears
now I am intrigued, what flaps are you talking about? my 2011 has no exhaust flaps at all.
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1995 BMW 540i6 - H&R Lowering Springs, Bilstein's, Racing Dynamics Bars, Catback, Short shifter
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      04-04-2018, 09:52 AM   #13
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Do we still have tuning options to turn the catalysts off in the ECM, since burger withdrew from these motors tuning wise? Or has burger began to sell JB4 for the trucks again.
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      04-04-2018, 05:36 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyBimX5din View Post
Do we still have tuning options to turn the catalysts off in the ECM, since burger withdrew from these motors tuning wise? Or has burger began to sell JB4 for the trucks again.
So maybe I'm using the wrong term. Is it called the exhaust valve? I'm referring to the "flap" / valve that opens when you get to higher rpms and causes you to hear the exhaust at a louder note. See the below link

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...ighlight=Flaps

I called the shop I've worked with in the past and they said they can secure it in the open position for $100. I figured for $100 it was worth trying. They did mention that opening the flap would reduce back pressure at lower speeds thus causing a slight reduction in low end torque. Then he said a tune would easily negate any of that.

Buttt, you mentioned the x pipe doesn't worsen the sound. I checked further and don't see any negative comments regarding the x pipe, only people wishing it was louder. I'm leaning toward the combination of

open valve/flap + x-pipe + Dinan tune.
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      04-04-2018, 06:02 PM   #15
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$100 to open the exhaust valve?!?! I used a ziptie.
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      04-04-2018, 06:07 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyBimX5din View Post
Do we still have tuning options to turn the catalysts off in the ECM, since burger withdrew from these motors tuning wise? Or has burger began to sell JB4 for the trucks again.
Burger isn't selling JB4's for us still, but it's still my understanding the N63 version can be flashed with S63 firmware.


Burger is trying to be emissions compliant so they've disabled the auto clear of the CEL. With that said, there are earlier versions of the firmware that still have auto clear. I have a stage 2 tune so I have no idea how the auto clear works in regards to being catless without a flash.

Last edited by m5james; 04-04-2018 at 07:27 PM..
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      04-04-2018, 06:55 PM   #17
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I got the ess tune and catless downpipes on my x6 active hybrid and it completely changed the vehicle. Tons more power, its really a night and day difference. I still have super sprint front pipes and x pipe but I don't think they really did anything except alter the sound of the exhaust slightly making it sort of high pitched.

I noticed that a lot when I had the stock downpipes and the meisterschaft exhaust and I had added the super sprint parts. since then I have gotten rid of the meisterschaft because with the catless downpipes it was just too loud for me. I put the stock muffler back on and used steel zip ties to keep the exhaust valves open. Now it sounds nice and throaty with a good burble at idle.
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      04-04-2018, 08:30 PM   #18
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If I went with catless downpipes which one should I choose? Please advise brand and part #. Another question from a beginner at this- are the catless downpipes illegal, will I pass NYS inspection? Will there be error codes?
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      04-04-2018, 08:38 PM   #19
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No idea on brand names, sorry. My first set were stock gutted ones and my second set were bought from a friend of a friend.

Yes, they're illegal. For those knowing the benefits you'll gain, we find a way to look past our guilt :-)

Depends on their inspection level...visually they likely wouldn't pass since there's straight piping vs a section that has the catalytic material. If they're not doing visual inspections, then you're better off.

Yes, you're removing an emissions item completely. The best way to remove the CEL is to get a flash tune from HCP or ESS....something you'd wanna do regardless because it'll be the biggest power adder next to different turbos.
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      04-04-2018, 09:20 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m5james View Post
No idea on brand names, sorry. My first set were stock gutted ones and my second set were bought from a friend of a friend.

Yes, they're illegal. For those knowing the benefits you'll gain, we find a way to look past our guilt :-)

Depends on their inspection level...visually they likely wouldn't pass since there's straight piping vs a section that has the catalytic material. If they're not doing visual inspections, then you're better off.

Yes, you're removing an emissions item completely. The best way to remove the CEL is to get a flash tune from HCP or ESS....something you'd wanna do regardless because it'll be the biggest power adder next to different turbos.

Thanks for the help. I'm gonna start with the budget mod.
Dinan tune (the difference between Dinan and ess is debatable)
Flap opened
K&n filter (I think the model is E-0659)
Total -$1300 (power upgrade and minimal exhaust change)
I may add the SS Xpipe if I find $1000 laying around.
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      04-04-2018, 09:33 PM   #21
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I'd go with ESS any day before Dinan anything since they're notoriously on the lower side of HP vs others.
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      04-04-2018, 10:16 PM   #22
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I would definitely recommend ESS. So easy to work with and the numbers speak for themselves, I think theres a dyno I posted on the forum that shows the power I got from the tune.

I think my down pipes are AR, they have that mesh portion at the neck that makes them easier to position and they have the bung for the o2 sensors.

If I were you, the first thing I would do is the tune. Then when you have more money, get the down pipes and ESS will alter the tune accordingly. You won't be disappointed!
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