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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications Inside of 550i stock mufflers
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      06-29-2014, 11:36 PM   #1
james23
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Inside of 550i stock mufflers

I had an extra set of mufflers that I plan on modifying, so this weekend I cut them open to see what's on the inside.






The pipes inside the 550i mufflers go from 2.75" that dump into the middle chamber and there are two pipes that loop from the first chamber and go down to the third chamber and out the tailpipes. These pipes are about 2".

I plan to do something similar to the M5 mufflers like this:


We'll see how this progresses. As of now, I'm just brainstorming ideas. If anyone has any ideas feel free to let me know. I am trying to improve the sound, but at the same time trying to avoid drone. I would like to keep it as simple as possible, too.

Last edited by james23; 08-23-2017 at 01:06 AM..
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      06-30-2014, 10:26 AM   #2
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It looks like if you want to use the same case just do it M5 style - cut the loops off that go back into the rear portion and block off that passage then throw the fiberglass packing back in in the back like the M5 unit and leave it out in the front section.
Give it a shot - all us 550 owners will be watching your progress as we are all looking for a cheaper alternative to using M5 mufflers or the high dollar European manufacturers that despite their high prices still drone.
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      06-30-2014, 12:40 PM   #3
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I've been thinking about doing the same thing myself, though I'm currently only setup for welding mild steel and not stainless.
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      06-30-2014, 03:41 PM   #4
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If you modify your muffler to resemble the m5 mufflers, be aware that chamber 1 on the M5 mufflers most likely use perforated tubing, so sound can be directly absorbed by the fiberglass packing.

It will probably sound great. Maybe a little less drone that M5 muffers, since 550 mufflers are huge
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      07-01-2014, 09:28 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twelve535i
If you modify your muffler to resemble the m5 mufflers, be aware that chamber 1 on the M5 mufflers most likely use perforated tubing, so sound can be directly absorbed by the fiberglass packing.

It will probably sound great. Maybe a little less drone that M5 muffers, since 550 mufflers are huge
If you look at the pics in the original post you'll see that the black perforated section of the muffler is actually a larger area than the M5 muffler - to get the right sound you might need to experiment after cutting the loops in the back section with trying the front section without fiberglass packing and with or maybe even see how different grades of steel wool will do in tuning the sound.
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      07-01-2014, 10:56 AM   #6
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I thought the OP was going to attach a Y-pipe to the inlet to exactly replicate the m5 mufflers.
Either way it should sound pretty good.
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      07-01-2014, 11:10 AM   #7
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My current plan right now is to cut off the 2" pipes from the tailpipe side and remove the loops in the back. I have 2" perforated stainless tubes ordered so I will fab a y pipe and attach it to the inlet. Lastly, I will pack it up with the hair-like packing that I pulled out. In the end, the muffler will only have 2 chambers with the perforated wall removed. The valves will still be functional, too.
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      07-01-2014, 11:31 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by james23 View Post
My current plan right now is to cut off the 2" pipes from the tailpipe side and remove the loops in the back. I have 2" perforated stainless tubes ordered so I will fab a y pipe and attach it to the inlet. Lastly, I will pack it up with the hair-like packing that I pulled out. In the end, the muffler will only have 2 chambers with the perforated wall removed. The valves will still be functional, too.
What wire are you going to use?
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      07-01-2014, 11:41 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DriveWFO View Post
What wire are you going to use?
I believe I have stainless 309 wire.
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      07-02-2014, 11:16 AM   #10
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Good stuff, thanks for sharing. The loops remind me of the Mugen mufflers on Hondas way back in the day. No wonder it's so damn quiet, giant muffler, small tubing, and the "looped" tubing to cancel soundwaves. Took a lot of engineering to make our V8s sound so "bleh".
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      07-15-2014, 09:15 PM   #11
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Any progress???
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      07-15-2014, 10:43 PM   #12
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Not much yet. I ordered some perforated stainless steel and a reciprocating saw to cut away some of the inner pipes. I will post when completed.
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      09-11-2014, 11:25 PM   #13
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Any updates on your progress?
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      09-12-2014, 01:32 AM   #14
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I have one side ready to be welded this weekend. Still need to measure and cut the piping for the other side. Sorry for the slow progress.
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      09-12-2014, 02:15 PM   #15
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pics of the progress so far ?
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      09-13-2014, 12:12 AM   #16
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I'm pleased with the sound of the M5 mufflers on my 550i...not too loud but just enough to remind me that's there's a nice V8 under the hood. Even so, I'd still be very interested in how a modded 550i muffler sounds...maybe like some Akaprovics?

Last edited by HDEddie1; 09-13-2014 at 12:22 AM..
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      09-14-2014, 10:19 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HDEddie1
I'm pleased with the sound of the M5 mufflers on my 550i...not too loud but just enough to remind me that's there's a nice V8 under the hood. Even so, I'd still be very interested in how a modded 550i muffler sounds...maybe like some Akaprovics?
It'll sound like you still have that $7,000 in your pocket!
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      09-15-2014, 08:39 AM   #18
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Yeah, that exhaust makes the M5 sound like something Italian at full chat, but almost $8k before install?? Lol, sorry.
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      05-15-2017, 11:41 PM   #19
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Reviving an old thread.

My girlfriend just got a 550i f10 and I'm already thinking about this. I have already done my 335i e92 exhaust mod.

So what ever happened to the result?
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      05-18-2017, 04:32 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyH335i View Post
Reviving an old thread.

My girlfriend just got a 550i f10 and I'm already thinking about this. I have already done my 335i e92 exhaust mod.

So what ever happened to the result?
id save the headache and get M5 mufflers.
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      05-26-2017, 07:43 PM   #21
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That modified stock muffler might sound better but it also might hurt the power a little in its current shape. I noticed the exit tube has just had the pipe cut off square. You could pick up a lot of additional flow by adding a radiused entry to the cut entry end of that exit pipe. If you go back up near the top and look at the stock muffler with just the cover removed you can see even the factory added radiused entries to the exit hoops, although they should be much larger and radiused more; the picture below shows what it really needs. This is just to illustrate what could be done to improve any pipe inside a stock muffler, not the end of the entry pipe, it wants to be cut square. This is just for the entry end of of exit tube.

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      08-22-2017, 02:50 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by james23 View Post
I had an extra set of mufflers that I plan on modifying, so this weekend I cut them open to see what's on the inside.






The pipes inside the 550i mufflers go from 2.75" that dump into the middle chamber and there are two pipes that loop from the first chamber and go down to the third chamber and out the tailpipes. These pipes are about 2".

I plan to do something similar to the M5 mufflers like this:


We'll see how this progresses. As of now, I'm just brainstorming ideas. If anyone has any ideas feel free to let me know. I am trying to improve the sound, but at the same time trying to avoid drone. I would like to keep it as simple as possible, too.
Hey James23 (I can only assume a LeBron fan), I can't figure out how to see your images on Photobucket! However, I really want to know what the stock 550i mufflers looks, as I want to modify them myself, but I only plan to cut a small section to pull fiberglass. I need to know where to cut.

Anyway you can share those images another way in this thread? Or you are welcome to PM me with the images. I've been looking everywhere for the 550i mufflers cut open but can't find them!
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