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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications AR Design catless downpipe initial impression
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      12-22-2012, 04:41 PM   #1
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AR Design catless downpipe initial impression

Hey guys,

After spending the last two years of ownership of the F10 doing purely cosmetic mods I felt if was time to start doing some performance mods.

I recently had the opportunity to work with Terry at BMS to test out the new JB4 Stage 2 tune. With the stage 2 tune Terry was able to eliminate the CEL with the added downpipe.
With the option I told myself it was time to add a downpipe and with a few companies already offering a downpipe for the F10 I choose to go with the best and that being said
I reached out to Andrew at AR Design to see if they would be releasing a downpipe for the F10 N55 motor and within a month I had one of the first AR Design downpipes at my door.

First thing I did was I called EAS to do some dyno runs with the car and JB4 tune alone because I wanted to see what the difference were with and without the downpipe. I have to say with just the JB4 tune the car felt better more responsive with quicker accelerations. My initial thought was the downpipe was just going to make my exhaust sound a bit more raspy and loud which was what I was looking for anyways but boy was I wrong.

After installing the downpipe Steve from EAS put the car back on the dyno for a series of about 5 runs to see what this downpipe offered and after the first run Steve was very impressed and said he didn't expect the power this downpipe offered. I had a huge grin on my face just hearing that After a few more runs I was able to take the car home.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION:

Like I mentioned above I've owned the car for over two years and the car was fun and all but after the install I can honestly say my car felt like a completely different animal.
I couldn't believe how much powerful the car felt and how when i stepped on the gas I car just took off. I really can't discribe it anyway other way but saying it felt like the motor was WIDE open.

Keep in mind I've only had the downpipe installed for about a few days now but this is one of the best mods I've done so far. I'm going to enjoy driving my car a lot more now!!!

I'll keep you guys posted with further updates and thought as I go.

Here's a snapshot of the dyno figures with and without the downpipe but with the JB4 tune.





The downpipe can be ordered here with the link below.

http://www.ardesign.info/store/ar-de...downpipes.html
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      12-22-2012, 05:55 PM   #2
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This is good shit bro!
Nice
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      12-22-2012, 08:25 PM   #3
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271.70 Max Power was all the car had with the JB4 tune on it?
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      12-22-2012, 09:31 PM   #4
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It's wierd how the numbers don't show much gain but it's night and day driving.
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      12-22-2012, 10:07 PM   #5
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So the 535 is basically putting out 245-250 rear wheel HP. And the JB4 is adding around 20-25 additional power. And with that being said based off that dyno reading the AR down pipe is creating almost the same HP that the tune is. Is this really possible? I'm still getting one either way just curious.
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      12-23-2012, 04:50 AM   #6
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What's up with that crazy curve? Any idea what caused those big dips and the waviness? Do you have a baseline before the tune was installed?
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      12-24-2012, 10:19 AM   #7
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Lac, if you have it try and post your baseline dyno.
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      12-24-2012, 12:18 PM   #8
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Most likely due to the tune - the tune needs to be refined quite a bit to run with downpipes it seems but, with no other options out there yet (cobb soon?), looks like this is as good as its going to get. The E9X platform is so much more covered from a tuning point of view, the F10 needs some love!

Lacster, any plans for a FMIC upgrade?
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      12-24-2012, 02:23 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bulldog x6 View Post
Most likely due to the tune - the tune needs to be refined quite a bit to run with downpipes it seems but, with no other options out there yet (cobb soon?), looks like this is as good as its going to get. The E9X platform is so much more covered from a tuning point of view, the F10 needs some love!

Lacster, any plans for a FMIC upgrade?
If the baseline is tune only, I don't think it has to do with the DPs - the curve has the same shape with the dips and waves.
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      12-24-2012, 02:53 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XDEEDUBBX View Post
Lac, if you have it try and post your baseline dyno.
Sorry I don't have any without the tune.

Quote:
Originally Posted by alextremo View Post
If the baseline is tune only, I don't think it has to do with the DPs - the curve has the same shape with the dips and waves.

When I sent the results to Andrew @ ar design he also was shocked about the dips and waves and emailed Terry as well.

I think Terry is working on some updates.
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      12-26-2012, 12:43 PM   #11
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great review! thx 4 sharin
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      12-26-2012, 02:01 PM   #12
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looking at that graph makes me want a new tune asap.

Alan
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      12-26-2012, 09:13 PM   #13
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Nice. Looks like it needs a tune
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      12-30-2012, 07:53 AM   #14
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Lac,

Did Terry follow up about your roller coaster dyno? I hope he's really working on it some updates because that graph is HORRIBLE.

this is BB2407's dyno and he pretty much has the same mods as you but his graph isn't as wavy and he's making more power.
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      01-02-2013, 11:29 PM   #15
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Could the extreme waves be a dyno error, or maybe a dyno user error?

There have been a couple of dynos out on the JB4 with the n55 in the F10, and I don't remember them being this choppy .
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      01-09-2013, 09:58 PM   #16
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Any experience with taking this to the dealer for repairs/service? Does it void it?
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      01-09-2013, 10:35 PM   #17
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That's what I want to know to if it will F up the warranty. Also I think these down pipe should be a lot more cheaper then what they are selling for. The 400 dollar down pipe will work as good as the 900 dollars one. That's just my opinion and experience.
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      01-09-2013, 10:38 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MophoMan View Post
Any experience with taking this to the dealer for repairs/service? Does it void it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by omer View Post
That's what I want to know to if it will F up the warranty. Also I think these down pipe should be a lot more cheaper then what they are selling for. The 400 dollar down pipe will work as good as the 900 dollars one. That's just my opinion and experience.
I haven't brought my car into service but from what I hear if you bring it in for an oil change you shouldn't have any problems but I will have to remove my tune first.
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      02-01-2018, 12:41 PM   #19
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      02-01-2018, 03:26 PM   #20
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Hey Mike, any opinions with the VRSF over AR? also, i notice some of the DP's have different piping diameter...how do you know which one to go with?
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      02-01-2018, 03:33 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg View Post
Hey Mike, any opinions with the VRSF over AR? also, i notice some of the DP's have different piping diameter...how do you know which one to go with?
11-14 share the same downpipe
15+ use a different downpipe

Both brands are good options
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