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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications M5 Exhaust on 550i - need Boston area Exhaust Shop Recomendation
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      03-26-2014, 03:27 PM   #1
ferrarif1
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M5 Exhaust on 550i - need Boston area Exhaust Shop Recomendation

I just bought a takeoff M5 exhaust to put on my 550!

Does anyone have a recommendation for a Boston area shop that can install / fabricate the downpipe adapter required?
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      03-31-2014, 09:54 AM   #2
ferrarif1
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Anyone? I have used Turner Motorsports and Bavarian Performance Group in the past but neither of these shops want to do exhaust fabrication.
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      03-31-2014, 10:22 AM   #3
alextremo
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Those are two shops I've used as well, but for mechanical/maintenance work. Like you say, they're not known for exhaust fab.


You might try posting in the Regional forum on the E90 site - gets more traffic and more owners are modding...
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      04-03-2014, 08:36 PM   #4
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Dynotech in Seekonk should be able to fab whatever you need including custom stuff. You can also dyno to check the gains.

They did work on my Evo, great guys, enthusiasts, but also fair, honest, and knowledgeable. Talk to Brian or Jamie.

http://dynotech-tuning.com/
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      04-08-2014, 08:51 AM   #5
ferrarif1
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M5 Exhaust Install on 550xi

I had install done by Lou's Custom Exhaust in Worcester. They are in a sketchy looking area but do good work. It took a couple of tries to make the M5 exhaust fit to my expectation (was very concerned about tucking the exhaust as close as possible up in tunnel area due to lowered car clearance over speed bumps) but the end result looks good and sounds amazing.

Due to the additional transfer case on a 550xi, Lou's cut the weld on the back of the resonators and moved the resonators 2-3 inches closer to the x-pipe then fabricated a new transition pipe from the downpipes to the existing M5 tubing.

For anyone doing this conversion, the middle exhaust hanger on the M5 (at the x-pipe) is different and is attached to the crossmember vs. hanging. You need to order the m5 cross member and 2 rubber exhaust supports, parts cost about $75.

Here are a couple of pictures comparing the 550 and M5 (competition package) exhaust. Note that the M5 exhaust uses a flange connection to the downpipe that has been cut off in these pictures.
Attached Images
  
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      04-08-2014, 10:56 AM   #6
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Nice. Any pix of the final install? How much did this run you for labor?
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      04-08-2014, 11:17 AM   #7
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Small details

Thanks for the details on the install. I've already done the mufflers (easy part) but am now planning the mid pipes. Now I know the shop has to get the M5 cross member and rubber bushing (for mounting at the X pipe) and cut the flanges off the M5 head pipes and join them to the stock 550i pipes right after the down pipe. Small details but sure will make job go smoothly once car is up on the rack.
Thanks again!
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      04-08-2014, 11:40 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alextremo View Post
Nice. Any pix of the final install? How much did this run you for labor?
Labor and material was $450. I was originally quoted a 2 hour job and they worked for 9 hours as far as I can tell but they did not charge me for all the time spent.

I imagine if they did this again, it would be a 3-4 hour job as we basically did the install twice: The first time they kept the resonators in the factory location and hung the exhaust a little lower to clear the transfer case. I was not happy with this and they spent another 3-4 hours moving the resonators and fabricating new downpipe connections.

If you have an xi, go into the exercise with the parts for the new crossmember and knowing you need to move the resonators back. I would not think a RWD 550 would have this problem.

I will take some pictures the next time I have the car in the air.
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      04-08-2014, 01:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ferrarif1 View Post
Labor and material was $450. I was originally quoted a 2 hour job and they worked for 9 hours as far as I can tell but they did not charge me for all the time spent.

I imagine if they did this again, it would be a 3-4 hour job as we basically did the install twice: The first time they kept the resonators in the factory location and hung the exhaust a little lower to clear the transfer case. I was not happy with this and they spent another 3-4 hours moving the resonators and fabricating new downpipe connections.

If you have an xi, go into the exercise with the parts for the new crossmember and knowing you need to move the resonators back. I would not think a RWD 550 would have this problem.

I will take some pictures the next time I have the car in the air.
Good tip regarding the crossmember. Since I just have RWD, the shop may be able to weld on the resonators and x pipe without further connectors. I'll update my post when I do the install. Thanks
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      04-14-2014, 01:20 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HDEddie1 View Post
Good tip regarding the crossmember. Since I just have RWD, the shop may be able to weld on the resonators and x pipe without further connectors. I'll update my post when I do the install. Thanks
ABSOLUTELY get the cross member and mounts/hangers PRIOR to your installation. I learned the hard way that the mounts are all but impossible to get installed to the x-pipe pipe without dropping the exhaust again. In addition, the M5 crossmember has a 1/4" drop in it which allows clearance for the x-pipe. Finally, I had an annoying low frequency drone at 1300-1400 rpm but when I added the crossmember and mounts, this is gone!

Last edited by ferrarif1; 04-14-2014 at 05:38 PM..
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      04-14-2014, 02:09 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ferrarif1 View Post
ABSOLUTELY get the cross member and mounts/hangers PRIOR to your installation. I learned the hard way that the mounts are all but impossible to get installed to the crossover pipe without dropping the exhaust again. In addition, the M5 crossover has a 1/4" drop in it which allows clearance for the x-pipe. Finally, I had an annoying low frequency drone at 1300-1400 rpms but when I added the crossmember and mounts, this is gone!
THANKS ferrarif1! To eliminate all doubt about possible drone, I guess the good message here for anyone doing the full OEM M5 exhaust including the X pipe is to include the cross member regardless if we're x-drive or RWD.
Yes, please include a pic of this important piece next time you have car up in air.
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      04-14-2014, 05:45 PM   #12
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I corrected the language in my previous post for consistency. Here is a picture of the m5 crossmember with an Akrapovic exhaust. The M5 has some additional bracing for the rear suspension which you can see here as the two thick steel bars bolted to the crossmember:

I will take a picture of the standalone 550 crossmember and m5 crossmember when i have a chance.

As an additional point, all the bolts on the crossmember should be tightened to 21.4 Nm or 16lb-ft
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      04-27-2014, 12:54 PM   #13
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Posted the two crossmembers side by side in my for sale thread:

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      05-30-2014, 10:59 AM   #14
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My 550Ix is at Lou's in Worcester, today, for the exact same swap. Thanks for the excellent info on the crossmember! Calling John now...
Did you switch downpipes or stick with the stock DP's?
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      05-30-2014, 12:56 PM   #15
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Stock DP's

Parts numbers/quantities for crossmember parts:

1: Crossmember: 51618048827
2: Exhaust Hangers: 18207832991
4: Hex Nut: 18307620549
4: Washers: 23412332673
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      04-07-2015, 07:13 PM   #16
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51618048827 is the crossmember part number still correct? I check with getbmwparts.com is say is not a bmw part but I can still order it. what's up with that?
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      12-20-2015, 04:19 PM   #17
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hey there everyone. sorry to open up a dead thread but i was wondering if on the 550 the M5 exhaust has a very bass like tone to it? my step mom wants her car to have more rumble but doesn't want to hear the bass tone LOL. any thoughts? Thanks!
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