Replacing BMW performance exhaust tips with black stock ones by cutting & welding

[Bullitt]

I understand that the diameter of the stock exhaust tips is half an inch smaller than the performance exhaust tips. However, I prefer the black chrome, thickness, and beveled edges of the stock tips. It matches the shadowline trim and my black grilles, whereas the performance tips do not. This is a perhaps placing too much concern over aesthetics...but nonetheless, I am considering cutting the tips and welding the black stock ones onto the performance exhaust. I'm aware that the stock tips may bottleneck the performance exhaust, but as long as this doesn't backfire in some way or create any problems...

If it can be done properly, should I do it, or is this a terrible idea?

EDIT: Any issues I should know about? Or any advice?

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[coco_m3]

i think its a pretty good idea, if you dont want to go with the getto version " ah man, i can have my cousin pepe' to spray paint them for you." lol

[Bullitt]

^ Yeah I'd keep it as is, without question, if the only alternative was spray painting.

[eric@helix]

If you're going to do it, first weld a bracket between the two pipes that you are cutting, so that they stay aligned correctly. It'll be a bitch to weld them absoulely straight and aligned if they are separated.

[SlapSmak]

I would guess the tips on the PE are stainless. a very inexpensive and great solution is this:
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm
works on any stainless parts, permanant, looks great, easy application. I have used it on watch cases, guns, tools. They carry plating materials for any type of metal. I have replated bolts and fasteners on project cars with the steel version of the product also. I cant say enough about them...

[Sherifftruman]

So, from those pictures, it looks like the Perfromance exhaust uses the same muffler as the standard, just with bigger tips out and the second pipe is always open like with the golf tee mod?

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Sherifftruman

So, from those pictures, it looks like the Perfromance exhaust uses the same muffler as the standard, just with bigger tips out and the second pipe is always open like with the golf tee mod?

The PE comes with a pipe that replaces the resonator.

From dan@unitedbmw:

1. The Performance exhaust isn't offered in Black, the tips from the stock exhaust are 2 1/4 inches wide, and the actual exhaust without the black tips is about 2 inches wide. The Performance exhaust, which has built in tips, is 2 1/2 inches wide.

2. In order to cut the exhaust, we used BMW's installation instructions. Here is how we did it (pics to come later). The Performance exhaust comes with two pieces, the muffler and the piping that leads to the second resonator. On the 135i, there is a cat converter right near the headers, leading to a set of resonators, and then leading to another set of resonators, and then to the muffler. You measure where you need to add the Performance piping, making sure that the clamps won't touch the first set of resonators. Then, you cut off where you marked, deleting the resonators closest to your muffler (seen almost in the middle of the under body of the car). Once cut, remove the muffler from the hangers, there are 3 spots (one on the left of the tips, one on the right, and one about a foot down on the piping). Once your muffler is off, you can install the performance piping, using 2 provided clamps. Once the piping is installed, you install the performance muffler. Put the muffler into the stock hangers, again 3 spots. Provided in the kit is also a connection piece, which goes in between the piping and the muffler area. Screw the nut and bolt back into place, and your exhaust install is complete.

I highly recommend your BMW dealership or a shop do this install to make sure it's not messed up. You can put the stock pieces back on, provided you use the clamps given with the kit. Once again, you are deleting a set of resonators, and the stock muffler with 2 1/4 black tips which will not fit over the 2 1/2 stainless performance tips

[Chicago1]

Looking at the identically-shaped performance muffler, it amazes me that BMW didn't offer this exhaust as an option for around $400-$500 at the time of ordering. I think they would have made a crapload of money offering this setup from the factory.. Cost of production would have been cheaper (no resonator to pay for) and the same muffler canister with fewer/different baffles, and they'd earn an incremental ~$500 in revenue per car sold for each performance exhaust upgrade. Just thinking like a business guy...
:iono:

[QJS]

easy, Matt Black them.

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by QJS

easy, Matt Black them.

I wish it was that easy. The stock tips are thick-walled with beveled edges, whereas the performance ones are razor-thin in comparison. In addition, the ends of the stock tips are aligned, while the performance ones are offset quite a bit (this is better visible in pic above).

.

[Si-M240i]

I had the performance pipe fitted last week and when I picked up my old system from the dealier there was 1 resonator and the back box. the post above mentioned 2 resonators being removed ???? has mine been done wrong ?
It sounds much louder and feels a bit more lively too.

[Bullitt]

^ Only 1 resonator is removed.

[Noize]

I won't consider an aftermarket exhaust because I don't want to lose those tips. They are easily the coolest tips I've ever seen on a factory exhaust.

[Yearofthe1]

Originally Posted by Alpinweiß

I won't consider an aftermarket exhaust because I don't want to lose those tips. They are easily the coolest tips I've ever seen on a factory exhaust.

Some of the exhaust tuners may be offering similar tips if enough people ask for them. Just a thought :wink:

[Noize]

Originally Posted by Yearofthe1

Some of the exhaust tuners may be offering similar tips if enough people ask for them. Just a thought :wink:

I talked to a well known one (won't say any names), and they said locating materials to duplicate them would be nearly impossible.

[F0Bman]

I totally agree with you guys. The tips on the stock application look really good. But to give you some advice on how to do this. Weld both tips to a piece of flat strong metal. That way you can get these things aligned properly when you tack weld them on to your new application.

[EmeraldRx]

OT:
hey FOBman do you have pics of your restored corolla?

[Bullitt]

^ Please use PM for OT discussions, lol.

[matt]

Old thread but I just share.

1.Cut the pipes from the performane exhaust like this " / ". (just meassure the black tips and cut it like that. you may cut the pipes a bit more to make it look oem, the performance exhaust tips stick out without the performance diffusor.)
2.Take the tips off the oem exhaust.
3.Inside the tips there are 3 brackets, use a nipper and pull them out.
4.Put the tips on the performance pipes and weld them from behind.
Make sure you use spacers to make center them.

And you are so happy with the oem look

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by matt

Old thread but I just share.

1.Cut the pipes from the performane exhaust like this " / ". (just meassure the black tips and cut it like that. you may cut the pipes a bit more to make it look oem, the performance exhaust tips stick out without the performance diffusor.)
2.Take the tips off the oem exhaust.
3.Inside the tips there are 3 brackets, use a nipper and pull them out.
4.Put the tips on the performance pipes and weld them from behind.
Make sure you use spacers to make center them.

And you are so happy with the oem look

Do you have any pics?

[matt]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Do you have any pics?

lol it looks like a oem exhaust.

if you want to you can make them even oem-like --,
the performance tips are like -_

[frimmelnojerz]

this is retarded.