Arqray install

[zubydafa]

I bought the Arqray mufflers at the EAS holiday price. If it weren't for the discounted price, I probably would have opted for supersprint race or el diablo. Too bad there aren't many M coupes around to go and hear an aftermarket exhaust in person. Alas, it's a rare car with limited aftermarket options...and you can't really get a proper grasp of sound via youtube.

The S54 is magnificent but very touchy when it come it's exhaust note. The right pipes can beef up the note and the wrong ones make it sound like a CRX. I guess I played it safe by getting the Arqray. I daily drive my car and have put 20k on it since August '11. Granted 3k of those miles were en route to PA from WA where I bought the car, but I digress.

The install was relatively easy. Fitment leaves little to be desired, but I'll figure out a way to get them to sit more flush in the bumper. When you start up the car, you'll notice (if you're observant) it idles with a very low rumble only slightly louder than stock - but it's there. Tiny throttle blips are tamed but suggestive of a racy rev range. Things are smooth cruising around town. You don't get any vibrations, no drone save for that brief moment you realize you're in too high of a gear. Sometimes you forget the Arqray is even there...but we're talking very calm 3k shifts.

It sounds perfect throughout the rev range. We'll argue all day about what butt dyno is reporting, but I say it pulls a tad bit more after 7,500 rpm. I get a very balanced mix of sound out of my mufflers and AFE intake. Neither drowns the other one out and I'm very content with that. Again, we're not talking about a loud system. In fact, it's quieter than the new 335is both at idle and all the way up the tach. Still, it adds that bit of snarl and deep growl the car begged to come with from the factory. Zero rasp and not a hint of that tinnish sound all too familiar with E46M's. Just 8,200rpm of awesome that don't get you pulled over or annoy your neighbors. You can still valet at the best restaurant in town without the older crowd being snotty about it.

Exhaust clips might give you a better understanding, but those will be posted on Saturday when I have time to drive around an empty backroad and record. (don't worry i won't back out)

Build quality is where this really stands out. Looks pretty amazing...gotta give it that much

Here's some pics...vid posted on Sat.

[Jumbosock]

You can sometimes adjust the tips a bit more by loosening the connection where the cans connect to the X pipe. Then prop the muffler up with anything... I usually use a piece of 2X4 with a rag for padding and a small car jack. Get the muffler tips where you like them and then tighten up the connection at the X pipe. Not sure if that will work but it has worked for me on previous cars.

[ZStig]

nice review

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by Jumbosock

You can sometimes adjust the tips a bit more by loosening the connection where the cans connect to the X pipe. Then prop the muffler up with anything... I usually use a piece of 2X4 with a rag for padding and a small car jack. Get the muffler tips where you like them and then tighten up the connection at the X pipe. Not sure if that will work but it has worked for me on previous cars.

thanks for the suggestion. i may hold off for a couple weeks then since i just ordered the RE x-pipe. that way i can knock out the refitment while i'm doing the install.

wonder how it'll sound lol.

[gferil]

Great review, looking forward to hearing the clips!

[Pheonix]

Great review. Did you remove the rear bumper to do swap? The X-pipe will definitely increase the level of noise and you will definitely get a little more droning and vibration inside the cabin.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

Great review. Did you remove the rear bumper to do swap? The X-pipe will definitely increase the level of noise and you will definitely get a little more droning and vibration inside the cabin.

Thanks. I managed to get all but one screw out with the bumper on. It was hard to get in there for one of the hangers (the one closest to the rear of the car) so I figured taking off the bumper was the easiest solution.

There's only a few clips and screws and it snaps right off.

Hmm...about the x-pipe: I hope it's not an intolerable drone. Some increase sound level would be nice though.

[Pheonix]

Yeah, i remember it was a little difficult to remove couple screws on the vertical section but i managed to swap the exhaust (including X-Pipe) without removing the bumper.
I haven't hear any aftermarket system that doesn't have any drone on our cars yet. However, a well design should only have some drone in certain RPM ranges. For instance, my Supersprint Race Cans and X-pipe has some drone in the 2.8k-3k. I just get around it by not staying at that range for too long. There are not too much you can do to eliminate drone but you could add some dampening materials to reduce vibrations. Can't wait to hear some sound clips

[kevin @ eas]

Glad you like it!! Great review, the finish looks amazing on those!!

[Beedub]

the fitment looks far from ideal, having to bend the hangers to gain ideal fitment isnt something id expect from arquay, maybe you should drop them a message as this could be a case of bad quality control..... lovely exhaust really let down by that fitment.....

[inTgr8r]

Nice looking cans. like other mention you should be able to get them adjusted.

Got to ask.... What are you jacking the car on??????
It looks like the diffuser.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Nice looking cans. like other mention you should be able to get them adjusted.

Got to ask.... What are you jacking the car on??????
It looks like the diffuser.

lol. it's up on the rear jack point behind the diff.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by zubydafa

lol. it's up on the rear jack point behind the diff.

I guess it looks different with the bumper off.

BTW, if you have to in there again.
Taking the diffuser off gives you access to the hangars instead of taking the bumper off.

[z4mc]

I want to get these set too
can't wait to see the clip!

cheers

[zubydafa]

hope you guys can wait till saturday for exhaust clips

worked on the fitment for a few minutes today. as jumbosock pointed out earlier, i think i can disconnect the flanges at the x-pipe and toy around with it for better fitment. hopefully it doesn't come down to bending (i only need 1/2 inch upwards for it to sit perfectly flush)

other than this little fitment issue, i can't say enough for build quality. gorgeous!

[crfine88]

Beautiful exhaust, sounds killer in person too

Here is a link to a DIY that may help you get the tip fitment where you what them:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484468

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by crfine88

Beautiful exhaust, sounds killer in person too

Here is a link to a DIY that may help you get the tip fitment where you what them:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484468

oh wow. amazing DIY writeup man.

thanks very much for the link. your bit about adjusting at point A is in agreement with what jumbosock was saying.

i may just wait to tinker with this when my RE x-pipe comes in.

[Jumbosock]

Did you weigh the parts?

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by Jumbosock

Did you weigh the parts?

nope but i don't imagine i'm getting serious weight savings out of these. possibly 5lbs per...?


this came in today. 11.35lbs.

[dorifto88]

nice nice ! if you have headers, you are in for a freaking treat !

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by dorifto88

nice nice ! if you have headers, you are in for a freaking treat !

no headers yet. i'd really like to go the euro header route but i'm a little discouraged with the CEL and O2 sensor relocation. i haven't done my homework yet, but that may be in the cards later.

i need to chill on the mods for a bit too. just bought the RGR's in the FS section from fitchesbass too.

and Mstache was shipped out by steve a few days ago.

mod bug has bit hard

[zubydafa]

vids added to original post