[TheFallen]

Alright guys, just thought I'd put this up for anyone looking to run the same setup as i am.

Technik Engineering Stainless Steel Headers w/o Catalytic Converter
GruppeM Carbon Fiber Intake
Technik Engineering Custom ECU
Eisenmann 83mm Stainless (Race) Muffler

My only gripe other than the smell was the fact that the infamous M3 RASP was very noticible even as low as 2500rpm.

I'm actually a fan of the OEM rasp because I feel it makes our car unique and very easy to distinquish even when some people think it makes our cars sound "cheap." However, the car sounded not only louder, but also VERY rasp throughout the entire powerband.

RESOLUTION: I purchased a pair of Aero Turbine AR25 Resonators from a distributor who frequents our board: jrottym3 for $150 shipped. I made an appointment to put it in today, but due to some misunderstanding in the shipment, only 1 arrived to my door last night with the other still in transit.

I went ahead and cancelled my appointment but was told by other members that 1 resonator was sufficient to COMPLETELY remove the rasp when welded in parallel to our OEM resonator in our Section 1 (S-Pipe). I called back my shop to tell them I want to swing by but was told that they dont' have time to do it today so i went to a local MIDAS Automotive shop on Miramar Road and they installed it. Took them about 2 hours, and was charged a lil over $100 bucks. Which i was told is overpriced, but after looking at the quality of the weld, I KNEW they did an excellent job. I paid them happily and was on my way out.

TOTAL DAMAGE: 1x AR25 ($75) + labor ($100+) ~ $200 out the door

IMPRESSION: RASP disappeared below 4000rpm, slowly creeping in after 5000rpm. The RASP is deeper toned than OEM, and the droning from my Eisenmann Stainless Race is no longer while cruising on the freeway.

All in all, I'm VERY happy with the result because it reduced the rasp without getting rid of it completely. I'm pretty sure that with one AR25 in parallel with the factory resonator, it will be enough to get rid of 95% of the RASP on an OEM car with stock headers + cats.

I definitely recommend jrottym3 aka Jack, for all his help and service. if anyone is interested in this extremely CHEAP rasp removing/reducing technique, be sure to contact him. I now have an extra AR25 that will get here tomorrow looking for a new home. if anyone is interested, feel free to contact me directly, I will sell for $75 or return it.


***I will post dyno charts and review of the Technik products once I receive the go-ahead and the DynoJet software to give you guys all the information taken by the machine that day.

[Grimm333]

interesting setup..

i think you're the first i've seen running technik headers..

[Mr. 5]

That's awesome!
I installed the AR20s and I was completely rasp free. I'm actually looking to go back to the OEM section 1 (SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME IF LOOKING TO SELL) since I installed my "rasp free" Milltek section 2. I think having both the AR20s and the section 2 is making my car sound too deep between 2-3K RPM.
The AR20s and 25s are one of the best ideas to hit the forum that I've read.

[BigGrin]

I think having both the AR20s and the section 2 is making my car sound too deep between 2-3K RPM.

are you getting the resonance problem?

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by BigGrin

are you getting the resonance problem?

Yah, it's pretty basy loud between 2-3. It's too bad because it sounds so awesome everywhere else except that range. I just want to try anything to help solve the problem. :nixweiss:

[Irrenarzt]

Damn all kinds of niggas bustin' out headers...

[jjm3]

I'm taking my car in tomorrow to have 2 AR25's installed. I've got oem headers with a custom B&B exhaust, but experience much of the same issues you described prior to the AR25 install (louder rasp & some freeway droning). I also had the same single shipment BS. Jack got the second one delivered today, but I had to push out my scheduled appointment out to tomorrow since it got here too late. I'll provide an update tomorrow after the install.

Kevin - did they do the welds in place or have to remove the pipes from the car? Just curious.

-John

[TheFallen]

grim333: ya, i think i'm the first to run their headers and software. So far so good, I was there every step of the way including the 30+ dyno runs within 24 hours. Since I have all of the runs on file, there will be no discrepency as to vendors cheating the numbers by choosing the LOWEST base run compared to the HIGHEST modded run. All I can say right now is my car STOCK pushed out a surprising 280rwhp average compare to many many other STOCK M3s dyno-ed by Technik averaging 265-275. So i'm very happy about the result. As for the aftermarket runs, I'll put out another post once I compile all the relevent information.

Mr. 3, The resonance problem is one of the reason why i went ahead and installed just one resonator since the other didn't arrive. I figure since labor is cheap, and this IS significantly cheaper than UUC RASP-X and RE RASP Pipes, I'll just try it with one, and if it's not sufficient, just get the second done as well.

jjm3, They had to remove the Section 1 piping to do the cutting and welding. Funny thing is, they didn't know I don't have catalytic converter lol... our car is so well sealed that unless you look for it specifically, you can't really see anything with the engine mount in place and the aerodynamic panels bolted underneath. One thing though, I'm not sure if you should get BOTH done together or not. I personally like it a lot better now than if I had done both because my car still has a higher pitch "racy" feel even though some of the RASP still exist. I don't think I'd like it with both resonators one since it'd make sub 3000rpm driving almost deafening w/ the deep drone

[Grimm333]

TheFallen... awesome!!! Can't wait to see the results!!! You have a baseline so we can see approximately what kind of power gains you receive through your setup

[TheFallen]

I'm glad to hear that you're interested. I just know that one the numbers are posted, people will most likely talk **** since GruppeM doesn't have the best reputation on this forum. I think it's a great setup, and I saw it with my eyes that the numbers went up little by little, as the hardware went in, followed by software and ecu adaptation.

I hope my writeup will be done with the least possibility of dispute.