Grinding noises after installing X-pipe

XMetal · 08-24-2018, 11:01 AM

I've recently installed the RE X-pipe and is loving the extra volume. However, I'm getting a rubbing noise, almost like 2 things are grinding, intermittently while going on somewhat smooth surfaces. This appeared to only happens after the car is hot. I don't hear anything when going over rough patches. I had tried shaking the exhaust cans themselves and they are solid - no rattles. Other than the heatshield potentially rubbing on the driveshaft (is this even possible), does anyone else have any ideas what else could cause things to rub when installing an X-pipe? Any inputs would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

XMetal · 08-25-2018, 05:18 PM

As it turned out, it was a relatively simple fix. The installer used a screw on the x pipe mounting plate that was too long and was hitting the plate or heat shield above it. Swap out for a shorter screw and problem solved...at least I hope problem solved - I haven't heard any noises on the drive home. I love simple fixes

racerbruce · 08-25-2018, 08:16 PM

YAY!!!!
So pleased to hear this; it wasn't a RE QC issue....it wasn't a fitment issue....great news.

3002 tii · 08-28-2018, 10:39 AM

What’s your overall exhaust setup? I just want a little extra grunt out of my factory system but don’t want to introduce drone neither. Was thinking maybe the RE X pipe was the answer...

XMetal · 08-28-2018, 12:06 PM

Just the RE X-pipe with Eisenmann sport cans. Everything else is bone stock

You know, after looking at the stock x-pipe off the car, you can just have a shop cut that resonator off and replace with a couple of pipes and saves some cash. The stock piece already have the crossover built-in.

RossBMWZseries · 08-29-2018, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

Just the RE X-pipe with Eisenmann sport cans. Everything else is bone stock

You know, after looking at the stock x-pipe off the car, you can just have a shop cut that resonator off and replace with a couple of pipes and saves some cash. The stock piece already have the crossover built-in.

Is it true that the OE X pipe has a bigger diameter than the RE X pipe? Cutting out the resonator may seem like a good cheap idea instead of paying the ~$600. I just wouldn't want the little (if any) performance gain affected by a local shop modifying the OE X pipe

XMetal · 08-29-2018, 04:16 PM

If the OE X pipe has larger diameters, then I couldn't tell. Both OE and RE pipes mate straight up to the OE S pipes without any expansion or necking down. The only thing that I had noticed is that the OE pipes are rectangular/squarish in shape after the resonator.

SCHMOUPE · 08-30-2018, 01:36 PM

I run RE X-pipe and cans. Personal opinion, if I were to do it again, I would skip the X-pipe. Would def do headers first and foremost and then cans for some extra noise.

XMetal · 08-30-2018, 01:45 PM

Unfortunately, I live in the Republic state of California - I can't and don't want to touch anything emission related, which means nothing forward of the X-Pipe. Heck, I can't even touch the intake for that matter

At this point, I'm pretty happy with the sound and the car and is pretty much done "modifying" it - famous last words. Although I may consider a suspension refresh sometimes down the road, but that is about it

StickMon · 09-02-2018, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

Unfortunately, I live in the Republic state of California - I can't and don't want to touch anything emission related, which means nothing forward of the X-Pipe. Heck, I can't even touch the intake for that matter

At this point, I'm pretty happy with the sound and the car and is pretty much done "modifying" it - famous last words. Although I may consider a suspension refresh sometimes down the road, but that is about it

I manage to get away with RE catless S-pipes.
I take it somewhere where I know they won't bother looking under the car.

XMetal · 09-02-2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

I manage to get away with RE catless S-pipes.
I take it somewhere where I know they won't bother looking under the car.

That had crossed my mind, but I really don't like the off-chance that a different tech would end up checking for it and failing me. At this time, I'm not really itching for a set of catless S-pipes - yet.

RossBMWZseries · 09-04-2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

That had crossed my mind, but I really don't like the off-chance that a different tech would end up checking for it and failing me. At this time, I'm not really itching for a set of catless S-pipes - yet.

That's right, yet....

I'm so tempted to run to my local muffler shop so they can cut out the resonator off the OE X pipe. I wonder if my car would spit out flames with my catless headers, 100 cell race cats in the S pipe, and RPI mufflers

08-24-2018, 11:01 AM	#1
XMetal Colonel 1135 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	Grinding noises after installing X-pipe I've recently installed the RE X-pipe and is loving the extra volume. However, I'm getting a rubbing noise, almost like 2 things are grinding, intermittently while going on somewhat smooth surfaces. This appeared to only happens after the car is hot. I don't hear anything when going over rough patches. I had tried shaking the exhaust cans themselves and they are solid - no rattles. Other than the heatshield potentially rubbing on the driveshaft (is this even possible), does anyone else have any ideas what else could cause things to rub when installing an X-pipe? Any inputs would greatly be appreciated. Thanks. __________________
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08-25-2018, 05:18 PM	#2
XMetal Colonel 1135 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	As it turned out, it was a relatively simple fix. The installer used a screw on the x pipe mounting plate that was too long and was hitting the plate or heat shield above it. Swap out for a shorter screw and problem solved...at least I hope problem solved - I haven't heard any noises on the drive home. I love simple fixes __________________
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08-25-2018, 08:16 PM	#3
racerbruce Brigadier General 3854 Rep 3,004 Posts Drives: 21 X3 & 13 335is E93 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	YAY!!!! So pleased to hear this; it wasn't a RE QC issue....it wasn't a fitment issue....great news. __________________ Racerbruce Last edited by racerbruce; 08-30-2018 at 08:33 AM..
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08-28-2018, 10:39 AM	#4
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	What’s your overall exhaust setup? I just want a little extra grunt out of my factory system but don’t want to introduce drone neither. Was thinking maybe the RE X pipe was the answer... __________________ Follow for latest mods
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08-28-2018, 12:06 PM	#5
XMetal Colonel 1135 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	Just the RE X-pipe with Eisenmann sport cans. Everything else is bone stock You know, after looking at the stock x-pipe off the car, you can just have a shop cut that resonator off and replace with a couple of pipes and saves some cash. The stock piece already have the crossover built-in. __________________
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08-29-2018, 04:16 PM	#7
XMetal Colonel 1135 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	If the OE X pipe has larger diameters, then I couldn't tell. Both OE and RE pipes mate straight up to the OE S pipes without any expansion or necking down. The only thing that I had noticed is that the OE pipes are rectangular/squarish in shape after the resonator.
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08-30-2018, 01:36 PM	#8
SCHMOUPE Lieutenant Colonel 127 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (7) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupe [0.00]	I run RE X-pipe and cans. Personal opinion, if I were to do it again, I would skip the X-pipe. Would def do headers first and foremost and then cans for some extra noise. __________________ Gruppe M CAI / Euro Headers / Rogue Engineering X-pipe / RE Diablo Exhaust
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08-30-2018, 01:45 PM	#9
XMetal Colonel 1135 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	Unfortunately, I live in the Republic state of California - I can't and don't want to touch anything emission related, which means nothing forward of the X-Pipe. Heck, I can't even touch the intake for that matter At this point, I'm pretty happy with the sound and the car and is pretty much done "modifying" it - famous last words. Although I may consider a suspension refresh sometimes down the road, but that is about it
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