How do I get more of a growl...

[GammaZeta]

I love my Z4M, it is currently stock, but I do wish it had a little more of a grunt and growl to it that is more audible.

I'm not a fan of the raspy exhausts, or the metallic sounding exhausts, but when I had my Z3M with the Conforti CAI, it had such a great, mid-low grunt to it that made it sound amazing. It was perfect, just loud enough but not annoying, but also not trying to be a V8, etc.

The two things I would like is a little more noise, maybe 5% - 15%, and maybe a slightly lower grunt to the sound. Even without the grunt, I think just the stock sound, but a little louder, would suffice.

What I want to avoid is a contant drone, and excessive noise. I would also like to avoid any raspy or metallic sounding modifications.

So which way do I go?

Do I go with just headers? Either supersprint or ebay replicas, ceramic coated, double checked for welding and professionally installed.

Do I go with an exhaust? One of the major manufacturers, or custom, or even Magnaflows?

Do I go with a CAI? I had the aFe CAI installed for a few months, and honestly I didn't like the sound AND I didn't like the performance. I had the Conforti CAI on my Z3M and LOVED it. GruppeM is an option, but an option I would like to avoid due to the price.

Maybe a combination?

[beta]

My vote is for either GruppeM and/or SuperSprint exhaust (deep rumble). Headers will make it sound more raspy. I love the sound but it's not what you're going for.

[GammaZeta]

Thanks, I had the afe but it sounded "fake" to me. Not bad, just fake. It just didn't seem to be part of the engine. Also, I could notice a performance difference.

I also don't want to spend $3,000 on "noise" though. What would be the best bang for the buck?

[ZStig]

unfortunately you're SOL if you want more growl but think the AFE sounds too loud/artificial

[GammaZeta]

Well, it wasn't really too loud, I guess, maybe I should have phrased it that it wasn't the sound I was looking for.

[Pheonix]

I have Afe intake, Supersprint Race Cans (with X-pipe) and love how the car sounds. The Afe actually screams louder (than the SS setup) at high RPM.
Look up on the Exhaust Fest and maybe you could figure out which setup you prefer.

[johanness]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Thanks, I had the afe but it sounded "fake" to me. Not bad, just fake. It just didn't seem to be part of the engine. Also, I could notice a performance difference.

I also don't want to spend $3,000 on "noise" though. What would be the best bang for the buck?

If u NOTICED a performance difference with the AFE, then you are either superhuman, or had an obvious issue.

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by johanness

If u NOTICED a performance difference with the AFE, then you are either superhuman, or had an obvious issue.

The car is in tip-top shape. I drove the car for a few weeks, installed it, drove it again, then uninstalled it and I did notice a slight difference. Maybe I have BMW super powers?

I'm not the only one if you search the boards. It wasn't a major difference, only in the slightest. But I can also tell by feel if one of my tires is below psi, so I am very sensitive to changes.

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

I have Afe intake, Supersprint Race Cans (with X-pipe) and love how the car sounds. The Afe actually screams louder (than the SS setup) at high RPM.
Look up on the Exhaust Fest and maybe you could figure out which setup you prefer.

If I go with CAI, it would be the GruppeM.

Does your SS give you any low end difference? How does the SS compare to the afe in low RPM?

I've been listening to Youtube videos for a while, but can't really tell the true sound. Too many variables, mic quality, video quality, etc.

[ricanbandit]

I got the Stromung Cans installed and it changed the car. Not loud, just more aggressive sounding. I get compliments all the time. The car sounds like a camry when stock (well almost) . I hated hated the fact that it sounded so damn sedate. Now it sounds like a V6 sports car should.

[Pheonix]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

If I go with CAI, it would be the GruppeM.

Does your SS give you any low end difference? How does the SS compare to the afe in low RPM?

I've been listening to Youtube videos for a while, but can't really tell the true sound. Too many variables, mic quality, video quality, etc.

I don't think there are anything to gain with the Exhaust. At lower RPM, i could still hear the sucking sound (typical CAI) but the Afe open up and has more of a grow above 5k RPM. Maybe we should organize a CT/NY/MA get together since there are a few of us in the area.

Ricanbandit-our cars have Inline 6 (I6) engine; completely different than V6.

[beta]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Thanks, I had the afe but it sounded "fake" to me. Not bad, just fake. It just didn't seem to be part of the engine. Also, I could notice a performance difference.

I also don't want to spend $3,000 on "noise" though. What would be the best bang for the buck?

You will not gain noticeable performance with intake or exhaust. Both of those mods are for sound and a tiny bit of weight loss as the stock exhaust is pretty heavy.

Stromung get high marks for sound, but the company is a nightmare to deal with. Lots of horror stores if you search on here, best if you can get them used.

In the end exhaust sound is a very personal thing. See if you can get together with other board members and take a listen for yourself. I recommended SS because it is the deepest of the exhausts I've heard, it has a nice heavy bass to it.

[BIMMERGUY91]

The Gruppe M is a very nice intake but quite pricey for a noise maker. Thats the only reason I dont have one haha

[GammaZeta]

Yes, I'm not really looking for any performance gains. The car is great as it is.

So the most immediate impact, and easiest to install, would be the CAI, either aFe or GruppeM.

The second option would be either a SS or Stromung used.

Headers wouldn't fit into my category.

[Mirko]

Originally Posted by ricanbandit

Now it sounds like a V6 sports car should.

Blasphemy!! lol


I agree with you on the Stromung exhaust, sounds great

[Z4-VILLA]

Originally Posted by ricanbandit

I got the Stromung Cans installed and it changed the car. Not loud, just more aggressive sounding. I get compliments all the time. The car sounds like a camry when stock (well almost) . I hated hated the fact that it sounded so damn sedate. Now it sounds like a V6 sports car should.

did u really just say V6? ....smack yourself

[ricanbandit]

Originally Posted by Z4-VILLA

did u really just say V6? ....smack yourself

Originally Posted by Pheonix

Ricanbandit-our cars have Inline 6 (I6) engine; completely different than V6.

Originally Posted by Mirko

Blasphemy!! lol I agree with you on the Stromung exhaust, sounds great

True true, the shame, of course meant a 6 cylinder sports card should sound. The venerable S54 no less

I spend enough time on that baby detailing the insides of the engine bay to know my iron well. Typo typo, the shame

[Z4-VILLA]

Originally Posted by ricanbandit

True true, the shame, of course meant a 6 cylinder sports card should sound. The venerable S54 no less

I spend enough time on that baby detailing the insides of the engine bay to know my iron well. Typo typo, the shame

...

[gferil]

I've had both AFE and GruppeM so let me try to chime in here...

I agree, AFE didn't sound "right" in the end...but with that being said, I still think it sounded amazing, and I think perfect for someone that didn't want to do any other mods on the car. The only reason I sold it was cause I got a deal on a used GruppeM and when I installed it I instantly fell in love.

"Growl" is the best way I can describe the GruppeM, and I have a feeling that it is exactly what you are looking for. To make it even better, I'd suggest installing the Option 1 Transmission mounts from UUC. It's hard to explain but the GruppeM with the UUC tranny mounts was such an amazing sound above 4K...I would drive around the city like a complete tool revving high just to hear the GruppeM howl off the high rises, and the UUC mounts added this very raw "growl" to the interior (increases the NVH in a good way in my opinion). To be honest, since I got my exhaust system I kinda miss the unique sound my car made between 4 and 6K that I could hear when I had my stock exhaust. But the low end grunt from my exhaust more than makes up for it!

Anyways, long story short, I know it's pricey, but the GruppeM will most likely fit what you are looking for, and if all else fails you can easily sell it on the forum for close to what you bought it for...and I really do recommend the transmission mounts...not just for sound but because they really tighten up the shifting feel of the car.

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by gferil

I've had both AFE and GruppeM so let me try to chime in here...

I agree, AFE didn't sound "right" in the end...but with that being said, I still think it sounded amazing, and I think perfect for someone that didn't want to do any other mods on the car. The only reason I sold it was cause I got a deal on a used GruppeM and when I installed it I instantly fell in love.

"Growl" is the best way I can describe the GruppeM, and I have a feeling that it is exactly what you are looking for. To make it even better, I'd suggest installing the Option 1 Transmission mounts from UUC. It's hard to explain but the GruppeM with the UUC tranny mounts was such an amazing sound above 4K...I would drive around the city like a complete tool revving high just to hear the GruppeM howl off the high rises, and the UUC mounts added this very raw "growl" to the interior (increases the NVH in a good way in my opinion). To be honest, since I got my exhaust system I kinda miss the unique sound my car made between 4 and 6K that I could hear when I had my stock exhaust. But the low end grunt from my exhaust more than makes up for it!

Anyways, long story short, I know it's pricey, but the GruppeM will most likely fit what you are looking for, and if all else fails you can easily sell it on the forum for close to what you bought it for...and I really do recommend the transmission mounts...not just for sound but because they really tighten up the shifting feel of the car.

That's excellent. Another poster brought up the point that the CAI is for the engine noise and the exhaust is for the exhaust noise. I think the Gruppe M is the way to go.

Since it will be pretty much my only performance mod, I don't mind spending a few extra bux. I do plan on doing the aero sides this fall...just don't tell my wife

[gtMc]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

Maybe we should organize a CT/NY/MA get together since there are a few of us in the area.

^ We really should do something like this. Hudson Valley area maybe... Been thinking about putting something together on the local thread.

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

That's excellent. Another poster brought up the point that the CAI is for the engine noise and the exhaust is for the exhaust noise. I think the Gruppe M is the way to go.

Since it will be pretty much my only performance mod, I don't mind spending a few extra bux. I do plan on doing the aero sides this fall...just don't tell my wife

^ Gamma i'm with you on this. Really want to hear one or the other in person before hand. And yes it could be the only mod. I hate to think though - spending money just for the sound, and that it actually could hurt performance slightly (Gruppe M).

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by gtMc

^ Gamma i'm with you on this. Really want to hear one or the other in person before hand. And yes it could be the only mod. I hate to think though - spending money just for the sound, and that it actually could hurt performance slightly (Gruppe M).

I like to think of it as the "sizzle" on a steak. When you go to a fancy meal, you pay for the service, atmosphere, the expensive wine, the awesome food preparation, etc. It's not always just about the taste of the food.

I think it's ok to spend a "reasonable" amount of money on our sense of hearing. It's not always just about the speed! LOL!