How to make my 550i sound like a V8?

[huyatgr]

I love my 550i, except for the fact that it sounds like 6 cylinder and not a 8! I am still under motor plan so I am a bit worried about swooping out the whole exhaust. I am thinking of just the rear two boxes? I think you guys call it a " axel back" ? would this improve the engine note at all, and would the dealer ship toss my motor plan? any ideas?

[Jack Dabsy]

You could replace the tail-pipes for aftermarket sport ones...
You could also replace the airbox with an intake kit like K&N for example, this would give it some roar !!!

[brettski]

There are some examples I've seen around the place with people doing a rear muffler delete on a 740iL. It appeared to make a difference, but I am not sure whether that's in line with what you want. There are some sports mufflers available for the BMWs, but they do tend to be pretty pricey, and others simply cut open the rear mufflers (along the seams) and then modify the baffles and rejoin the two halves. I guess it comes down to your budget, skill and inclination.

Personally I think that the performance speaks louder than the sound, and the lack of exhaust sound catches a lot of uneducated road users off guard.

[Jack Dabsy]

Originally Posted by brettski

Personally I think that the performance speaks louder than the sound, and the lack of exhaust sound catches a lot of uneducated road users off guard.

Damn right

[duanalto]

I'm trying to do the same...I love the sound of a mustang a similar roar from my V8...go ahead the rest of you and start slamming me for buying a BMW and wanting the sound of a mustang..haha...anyway, check out the Meisterschaft exhaust systems..not cheap, but damn they sound good! Youtube has some great clips!

[brettski]

Originally Posted by duanalto

I'm trying to do the same...I love the sound of a mustang a similar roar from my V8...go ahead the rest of you and start slamming me for buying a BMW and wanting the sound of a mustang..haha...anyway, check out the Meisterschaft exhaust systems..not cheap, but damn they sound good! Youtube has some great clips!

Why would you expect to get flamed for doing that? There are some modifications that a most of people cringe at (big ass in your face flares, spoilers and wings along with gravel mood lighting spring to mind), but at the end of the day, if you do a mod that gives you the result that "you" are looking for, put up a review of the project and the results. There will always be at least a small group of people that get something from it, even if its just to know that the particular option is not for them. Let us know how you go..

[gidgaf]

Well, you could go Hollywood. Make a CD of various engines, and play that. Maybe a CAT D12, a Ferrari, a cranking Harley, even a VW bug at 8k rpms, as well as that V8 Mustang.

[DazH]

Be a nutter like me and delete your entire back box than cower away from Police cars...

[gidgaf]

At least with *my* suggestion the car doesn't even have to be on! You can sound like a badazz all you want, when you want.
See a cop, move up a few tracks, and ... pocketa pocketa pocketa. Or even ... Ring ding ding ding ring ding ting ding ding ding.
A cd can hold a lot of tracks. And if your player can do repeat you're golden.
There's all kinds of samples you can use. An old biplane, and maybe a Learjet or a Piper Cub taking off. A chainsaw. A Chriscraft powerboat. An F15 doing a low flyby.
It's either that, or just replace that POS engine with a shiny V8 351W.

[Jack Dabsy]

Hahahaha If thats the case, might as well wait for another war and buy a TANK

[brettski]

I can get you sound from a tank. I have friends that collect that sort of kit.

[Penngwyne]

Actually a Centurion tank is very quiet. Try an M113 troop carrier they make more noise