I Hate the F80 M3 SIightly Less - Can I make the S55 sound good?

I continue my quest to make the S55 in my F80 M3 sound good with more custom exhaust work.
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#f80m3 #bmwm3 #s55

[@SturdivantRacing126]

I want an entire series about cars that Phil hates, and then modifies to hate them slightly less.

[@driftworks]

I have to at least be genuinely interested enough to try though.

[@SturdivantRacing126]

@@driftworks I'm down for it ;) It's your money! But a Phil making a "sort of shitty/meh/sorta ok car be more good" would be a series I'd watch, for sure.

[@Cha0sKami]

@@SturdivantRacing126 Phil fixing everything wrong with Starkey's s15? or is that too much of a task?

[@SturdivantRacing126]

@Cha0sKami Hahahaha. Oh man. That would be classic. I can see Phil just looking at wheel alignment settings and screaming.

[@AdamMGTF]

This is an epic idea. Maybe for other KZbin people tho. I buy a lot from driftworks and don't fancy the bump in their prices! 😂

[@jeremysmith876]

Love the fact you want a car to sound good not loud!

[@KiranPatel-fk1pg]

Too many people confuse the two

[@fredericoespinoza]

people who want loud are chavvy cunts

[@FreakensNL]

Haha and then owns only crazy loud cars! Love it

[@alackofspeed]

Kudos for disabling the "burble" with MHD. When MHD were in the Beta phase for the F-series cars there was lots of beta tester chat about the "burble" and I was really please when it became adjustable from utterly stupid to disabled. Disabled box ticked! 👍

[@SpeedFreak0122]

I agree with you about the sound. I feel the B58 and N55 sound better, and 2JZ and RB26 were able to sound great with 2 turbos.

[@nelg1973]

Loved it when you said, probably upset the internet & walk past your epic lambo & Porsche you developed & created. Standard is boring, unique is better 👌🏽

[@scottbrown4142]

Really interesting series of videos Phil, I'm sure there will be a decent market for at least the equal length 2 into 1

[@ziomel105]

I think what you really need to try is fitting a large resonator to exhaust because res deletes are that one mod popular among younger audiences (who are all about that terrible rasp loudness and pops n bangs) that makes all BMW sound bad. You can find some clips for f80 resonator mods on YT and one short also features some backbox mods. In my personal experience it fixed the infamous metalic rasp problem on my personal car m54 with equal lenghts

[@andrewf80_]

Definitely interested in the downpipe !

[@himwiththehair]

As others have said, love the fact you're focused on it sounding good (less bad) and not loud. Keep up the good work as always! Also the parking signs are class 😂

[@ravenstylea2]

I usually don't send kind remarks when hearing a modified yet horrid sounding exhaust, but you've actually done a fantastic job in tuning the exhaust note of the M3. I really like it.

[@andycjin4955]

Definitely interested in your catless downpipe setup. Amazing that you were able to get it figured out, and all these other exhaust companies couldnt

[@driftworks]

It's now available in the Driftworks shop. 👍

[@HotRodM4]

Does the 2 into 1 downpipe still have the issue with plugging in that sensor from the previous video? Or would we have to use the heat wrap and let it hang under the downpipe?

[@markstevenson1891]

I did a res delete on my M2C and personally I like it. Everything else is standard. In normal mode it’s quiet and is a bit louder than normal in sports plus. If I run engine in sports plus but gearbox in standard it doesn’t over run as badly. I would only consider 2 to 1 downpipe with sports cat as I don’t want to remap. My days of heavy modding are well gone. Great vids!!!

[@simonhaycocks]

If you can manage to make it sound good and then market what you come up with far a sensible price an m4 might be on my next list. Keep up the good work.

[@antoinz25]

4:24 even though it’s not perfect, I think it sounds so much better than any catless dp or cat/axle back exhausts that are available to this day This custom 2 to 1 dp is really doing a great job considering the amount of space you’ve got to work with back there !

[@eddb2994]

I'm sure you already know, as it's pretty commonly done on e9x/f8x, but changing the front trailing arm to a solid bush, and fitting adjustable rear toe arms makes a massive difference in reducing deflection (especially under braking), with little/no nvh increase!

[@screamingsaint]

Thank you for this! I don't have an F80, but the sound has been the biggest reason for not getting one and I've always wondered why no one has looked into merging the DP like you have done. It sounds like that DP has made a MUCH better base sound and gives me hope though, so definitely looking forward to more videos about this.

[@hamie63_m]

I love this. BMW guys where I live think that simply just making it loud A.F fixes it.

[@antontrommer4030]

The valcetronic designs equal length into single midpipe exhaust in titanium has the smoothest and most colorful sound I’ve ever heard on a M3 F80. You should watch their video on YT. This convinced me!

[@lukeweatherley6802]

Just bought an F80 and couldn’t quite describe the sound. You hit the nail on the head (other than shit) air pumps. I was going to purchase a scorpion but I’m going to watch you to see what your findings are.

[@johnnygeorgopoulos4072]

First, absolutely YES to the Work VS's.... even though I absolutely love those particular stock BMW wheels on a black M3 like your own, but if you're going to replace them, couldn't see something much cooler than a set of VS's honestly. Secondly, I'm not a super long-time viewer, so I must of missed your collection....seen the fantastic with widebody, seen the 964 but forgot about it lol, but never seen anything else, especially not that '64 Impala Hardtop (owned a '65 myself when I was 14-17yrs old over 20yrs ago)....sick collection man, and I'm sure that 64 is worth a pretty penny, especially being over there in the UK, lowest you could get one here in the states in decently clean condition would be like 50k, and definitely not a W big block car(don't know if that's what you got though, just heard big block and was assuming it was original, either the 348 or 409ci W Block)

[@525ISI]

Hello from Germany! I think the Sound is quite good with the special Downpipe, midpipe and speaker Sound delete. The Backbox can't have that big of an effect. A Straight-Through Muffler right behind the Downpipe and a another one as a Backbox would interest me. Thanks for All the nice Videos! ✌️

[@michaelrawlings3785]

If anyone can fix that sound 🎉 I’m sure it be you.. your find that way .. lol then everyone will want your exhaust system.. praying 🙏 you make it happen… I’m a fan of the oem sound of a e46 m3 cause that’s what I have and will love till the end of time 🎉🎉🎉🎉..

[@PatrickSwayzeOnDbol]

I don't even have to turn around to know an e46 is coming up the road.

[@strongerandwiser2023]

I think the single turbo ones seem to sound better. It maybe just one of those things you have to put up with mate ha!. Crazy how similar the air pump sounds mate!

[@RascoeGarage]

I have a similar setup on my F80. I found that changing to the GTS tune sounds pretty good. I know the burbles are debatable however with the time software I’m using you can adjust the aggression and duration of the burble or turn them off completely. I have my aggression turned up all the way and the duration at .3 seconds. With the DCT shift setting in 1 it actually sounds pretty cool on downshifts. Maybe give it a go next time you fiddle with your map.

[@thedrvn]

Single 3" sounds fantastic on S55. Helps with less resonation and a deeper tone

[@thedrvn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIWVZKipmbeFbZI&ab_channel=MKMadness

[@neversettle7666]

Totally agree with you regarding exhaust and maps. I can only assume the BMW engineers all drove crackle mapped golfs when they designed this exhaust

[@richs7107]

Clocked you in this last week on the Stratford Rd. Looked and sounded pretty good if you ask me, pre modifications to by the sound from it now.

[@Project-D]

I admire your consistency and perseverance in this kind of projects💪in addition to the high technical level and skills

[@toomuchsauce4442]

Most English KZbinrs I can’t stand . This guy is one of the most least obnoxious cool down to earth sounding guys I have come across . Keep up your cool content !

[@Dino-qq2jp]

Coming from an M140i with the glorious sounding B58 to my new to me M4. Definitely agree the S55 needs more tone. If you manufacture something, please let us know and I'll be making the drive to see you!!

[@timorgano]

Probably a bit late now, but Phil, have you thought about the 4N Motorsports single turbo S55 kit? Not sure if you're shooting for the power they make, even on the smallest turbo, but they can sound rather impressive.

[@alextasarov1341]

The absolute best sounding s55 lol I think he wants to keep the f80 build relatively tame though, so they have more time and money for the bigger projects. But I can totally see it happening some day 😂

[@TuomoLahtinen]

I think he said in the first video its too much money to go single for just a daily

[@driftworks]

I have. It's a great kit. I researched the overall cost pretty extensively. £20k is a bit much to chuck in the bin on a car I don't love though.

[@timorgano]

@@driftworks Fair enough. They are indeed very expensive.

[@johnnygeorgopoulos4072]

​@@driftworkshere in the States you can source full single turbo S55 bolt on kits for around $5-6k with either a Garrett GTX3584RS or Garrett G35-1050 if the price difference would make it a consideration.

[@alextasarov1341]

The air compressor was exactly spot on 🤣 I wonder if adjusting the idle rpm slightly may alter that sound. Not a perfect solution lol it must be another unequal exhaust length between the banks since the manifolds are slightly different. But since the air compressor sound didn’t change with the merged down pipe and mid-section, maybe it’s just some side effect of the difference in turbo manifolds’ unequal runner lengths (on the same bank).

[@liltay8962]

incredibly excited for this build with the work vs and lowering it!

[@NicholasMSmiff]

Love the idea of the 2 in 1, just wish it could be truly equal and still fit. That would do wonders for the sound

[@KurumaDesigns]

Sounds good imo, but I can understand you think it’s too loud with the valves open. I love that you turned off the burbles, they just ruin the sound when they are as excessive as the stock ones. If it’s just a single pop or two I think it’s much better than popcorn. I think the stock backbox does create some rasp and tinniness, I have kind of the same sound on my 440i with a catless dp. I want to make a custom backbox for it some time and not just do the double res delete that everyone does. Also that air pump was absolutley spon on for the idle sound 😂

[@Maxx8666]

Id be curious to hear what it sounds like with a different back box/muffler setup. Just stick a single exit one on like you did when testing Viten

[@driftworks]

I think it would make a pretty big difference, but still wouldn't fix it.

[@PiersonWillis]

I love the idea of your front pipe. It seems like an efficient way to achieve equal length!

[@AmirPomen]

Single turbo twinscroll conversion probably will do the trick for the sound uve been looking for

[@pitt42075]

I used Flowmaster 200 Cell metallic substrate cats. They are 409 not 304 but fairly priced compared to others if deadset on running a cat. Of course , I run ressonators as well (Aero Exhaust)

[@driftworks]

There seem to be a lot of cheaper options out there, but I've been told by people in the know to steer clear as they often fail and/or rattle.

[@Hybrid330i]

Depending what youre going for, The raspier and more piffy, run twin pipes as far back as possible into a backbox. For a deeper sound merge as soon as possible and run a large single. As you well know (this is more for others) straight through piped perforated mid box (twin or single depending on what youre doing) will settle the drone. So many people put those silly bullet things in mid way and wonder why nothing happens. It needs some box volume to help messy up the sound waves properly. A lot of the final sound is dictated by the rear box chamber design however.

[@anyau]

10:15.. are we just gonna ignore the new murci?!

[@AccAkut1987]

Really can't imagine what they gonna do with that one... maybe it got no engine? Doesn't Craig have the K24 from the RX-8 still laying around? 😂

[@darrenboston342]

I have a full Akropovic system on mine, sounds amazing & saved a shed load of weight!👌

[@driftworks]

Unfortunately I completely and utterly disagree with you. Even with the coin you've spent I hate the sound.

[@Feedaphile]

Love the content. You weirdly look like you could be Sam Sulek’s dad lol.

[@benbanks6880]

The tone drastically changed, sounded waaaay better but bit too loud. The MHD burble is horrendous...😂. Looking forward to the next vid.

[@ninjabob8170]

Love the fact that the burble fart and shart is gone..😂 Nothing screams bellend more than that stuff. 👍🏻

[@matteightytwo]

That's a huge issue with car culture these days. Loud is absolutely everything these days 😅

[@evo80hd]

The more equal length downpipes made the sound from the firing order a lot smoother. But the exhaust note has too much high frequency sound and not a lot of low frequency. I think if you could cancel out more of the high frequencies it would sound a lot better. Usually a straight through fiberglass packed resonator cancels high frequencies no?

[@tfk7106]

hjs 200-cell downpipes, single mid pipe with 2 small custom resonators (or Akrapovic titanium midpipes if you can't be bothered botching up your single mid-pipe), and Akrapovic titanium muffler. That's as good as you'll get it to sound.

[@murk1352]

Should of bought something with an N54 in it, something low mile! I just ordered a 6466 doc race single turbo kit for mine! Buy a top or bottom mount single turbo kit for that F80! There’s a ton of options out there now! The kits are out there starting at under 5 grand & the port injection, injector controller (Motiv/reflex) & stage three pump will set you back another 2k. So for around 7-7.5k depending on your options, you will have a nasty machine & it’ll sound incredible with a big single on it! ✌🏻💯🏁

[@Noname-dc9mm]

I’ve purchased a few exhausts in my time , if money wasn’t an issue I’d be going to Berkshire and seeing Matt Simpson and getting the best in the UK.

[@Tex777_]

I believe the S55 "air compressor" sound is because of the stock exhaust manifolds. Cylinders 2 and 4 appear to have really short runs for each manifold which would probably create that "pulsing" you're describing because of the difference in time it takes for those pulses to hit the turbo. A lot of people prefer the N55 sound and the biggest difference is the 6-into-1 versus two 3-into-1.

[@Enthusiastlist]

You’d be correct. The stock manifolds are the reason the S55 has an uneven sound.

[@carsandcoldbrew6489]

The reason why a single turbo F8x sounds good, because of the design of the manifolds.

[@joeymustang]

air pumps XD I laughed way too hard when you turned the Impala key

[@johnmclaughlin2845]

I think it sounds really good with they turbo down pies you made 👌

[@eckythumphill]

Phil and his quests. great entertainment

[@Schubeedoo]

Interested in the downpipes and the exhaust system in general you fabricate…. I want to achieve the same sort of sound you’re looking for if it’s possible..👍

[@JakeBM4]

I took my M4 to PCW exhaust mods. S55 isn't the best sounding engine, or a great engine in general, but I personally like the tone.

[@neilhealey6187]

Sounds a lot better already. I’m the same as you, I thought maybe m4 for my next car but they sound awful, especially coming from an RS5 V8!

[@tuurbow]

That burble tune is absolutely horrific. Why are manufacturers adding shite burble tunes to stock cars. Unbelievable how bad it sounds and this is supposed to be the s65's successor.

[@charlesshamseldin9555]

Gobshite Mode 😆😆😆 I literally laughed out loud, wifey was like: WHAT

[@jonathanblease244]

I’ve tried quite a few different set ups as agree the S55 sounds awful . Quite pleased with mine now, equal length resonated mid pipe (OPF delete) and rest of system standard with cold start delete and no burbles (via BM3). I’ve been through the process of different combos of decats, PCW backbox, Miltek Equal length but just stock plus resonated equal length and mapping out burbles best sounding imo.

[@arifsyedable]

Hi, what made you go for the Resonated over the Non Res AA EL. I just can't decide between the two. Looking for a deeper tone that I can hear in the cabin when the valves are open, and quite with them closed. Do you have any videos from inside the cabin ?

[@jonathanblease244]

@@arifsyedable I have the BRM equal length (very similar to AA but arguably better quality and it’s 3” not 2.75”). Regardless I went for Resonated as every non resonated I’ve heard although makes an improved sound the tone is quite tinny. It doesn’t actually make a huge difference to the volume it just removes some of those unwanted frequencies. It’s by no means loud now, but with removal of OPFs it is significantly more audible than stock. Ideally I’d like to turn the volume up slightly without impacting the tone, I believe the best option is a sports cat. I defo wouldn’t do decats again as you then hear all the horrible waste gate noises and pulsing noises.

[@arifsyedable]

@jonathanblease244 Thanks, definitely swaying towards the Resonated, prefer the slightly deeper sound. Not doing the DeCat, too noisy and the smell is toxic. I'm currently talking to Evolve to put on the AA with BM3... will take a look at the BRM. Thanks !

[@lukepiller3240]

Jays E30 looking sweet!

[@dreamworksmarc]

its the same thing with the E46 M3. first time i drove it, i thought there were parts rumbling in the mufflers (metal ratling) later on i knew it was a engine vibration noise that wont go away, just part of the motor constuction. exept for more or bigger mufflers.

[@grahambrien6106]

Will say it again, I love this project it’s about the quality of the sound not the volume. I will be interested in the setup for once ready especially if it will pass MOT with a GESI cat. I also hate Shart and Fart!!!!

[@musafarooqzia]

Man what you need is an EQUAL LENGTH MID PIPE. It will make the s55 sound like a race engine. Like a gt3 with turbo spool. It will FIX the sound. Autotopnl did a video on one and it sounded REALLY nice.

[@driftworks]

I don't, and It doesn't. If you think it has any resemblence to a GT3 you need your ears cleaning out 😂. My F80 downpipe has massively improved the sound, but I'd have my 992 GT3 back in a heartbeat.

[@ScotsBeats]

I’m sure I just saw this f80 in Devon this morning? Looked and sounds very very similar

[@MeijaJanis]

removing overrun would be first thing for me in any turbo m car sick WS wheels,

[@Vince32.]

100% interested in the Fabco downpipes, only thing is did you end up finding a way to re-route the O2 sensors or just let them dangle and cable tie them?

[@AcEzABoy]

The before sounds actually pretty good, it has that straight 6 smoothness The test exhaust sounds a bit odd? Not bad but confusing? adds the factory roughness back in

[@rum3er0]

I’ve seen the HKS stagger setup on the s55 cars and who doesn’t love the sound of a 2JZ

[@dave_s_vids]

My hat, t-shirt and mug arrived at the weekend - very pleased :D Also... not sure if I missed something, but what's that white Lambo at 13:25?! I don't recall that...

[@driftworks]

🙏 Thanks for your order. The Lambo was the secret we were collecting in the long Q&A video.

[@dave_s_vids]

@@driftworks ahhh! Clearly I'm not paying enough attention 😀

[@Simb-l]

Sounds like fiat 500 abarth farting into water.

[@johnmclaughlin2845]

That’s why igot rid of my old m4 got the new xdrive one it does sound an wee bit better but would love you to take an look at her to see what you could do

[@NicolaasPhotography]

Very little rasp, love it!

[@adogmcdizzle]

A group buy on m3cutters would get this off the ground. I'm sure you would get a few takers. In my opinion the F80 is really spoilt by the sound, I am completely with you on the improvements you have made, it actually makes me consider an F80, but let's see what's next, tough to improve when you have e46 M3 or e9x M3 for reference... 😁

[@southney7211]

Out of interest, what’s the steering like in this? Having owned and driven an e21, e30, e36 and two e91’s, we recently bought an F20 1 series to replace our old fabia vrs runabout hatch. Very disappointed with many aspects of the car, but in particular the steering feel. It’s overly assisted and just dead. Slightly improved by turning traction control right off, but still way over assisted. Went backward with our e91 by 3 years to a ‘56 plate 330d. Which has significantly heavier steering. But it’s just right. Personally my favourite has been the e36, but I think BMW peaked at the E90 chassis. In terms of drivers cars.

[@ivorproblem1332]

Put a resonator in the mid section. It deepens the sound and removes the high frequencies.

[@turbotastic]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates the "cackle" from modern cars on over run. #fartnshart is definitely now how I'm going to refer to it 😂

[@jpwilliams5264]

Not sure what bmw does with their back boxes…its almost like they are engineered for drone with the multiple chambers but lacks enough perforations for sound waves to get to the sound absorbing material. I think the biggest straight through muffler you can fit that has perforations the whole way with heavy packing will help add some needed depth to it.

[@hevendranarayansamy2793]

Wow. Well done Phil. Sounds much better. Does the mid pipe have an X pipe in it? Maybe try an H pipe

[@driftworks]

Thanks. X and H pipes are to merge banks or separete turbo outlets. Mine is merged as far forward as possible making it as good as it gets.

[@mertkeles2963]

Deffo interested in the downpipe

[@latinoracer]

I ended having to put spacers on my bracket because of the piping hitting it constantly. I dont know if that was a good idea structurally but it sufficed haha

[@MF_Henri]

I cant believe how close that airpump sounds to the F80

[@hoonaticbloggs5402]

Wander if the internal noise is noise cancelling and when you put a different exhaust it may actually amplify certain frequencies making it sound worse. Hence why it sounded better when you disabled it.

[@swb7161]

Standard exhaust with valves unplugged is probably the best solution.

[@abc123732]

2:20 actually sounds okay and non turbo here.

[@Eliasccv14]

In the sense that the n54 being twin turbo and also doesn’t have the best sound… my dad has a 135i with the n54 and they did a custom exhaust with two cherry bombs in the middle and a valvetronic muffler at the rear. With no cars so straight downpipes to the cherry bomb and then the muffler, it sounds amazing imo. But i dont know what would happen if you did the same to the s55, whether it would translate the same as it did to the n54. But I know FOR SURE that the single turbo route makes the s55 sound much better

[@Frazier32]

I’d be interested in the downpipes

[@TopDude1]

i agree with you Phill they sound broken indeed !

[@tompearce6752]

It must be a BMW thing. I was out for for years, having (as a kid) heard some banker type floor his E46 up the road and it sounding just like distortion. Since I have grown to appreciate they are the best driving cars in the class. However, I'm stuck with a rs4 because of the boot and I'm too poor to afford a new M3 touring 😂

[@Covkiller]

I have an E36 Evo coupe and F80; M3's. My E36 sounds great and my F80 sounds shit. On the F80, I run cat bypass pipes, with standard exhaust and turned off artificial sound using Boot Mod. I'm watching in anticipation how you get on. But personally I think you're on to looser. My last car was a B7 RS4 saloon, which sounded magic.

[@1bmw_Clubsport]

single turbo is the way to go, and please get rid of burbles/popsbangs shite! 🙂 Edit, came to the point where you removed that. Thank god!

[@Chris-pe9lj]

Love my f80 it’s such a great car with kids I’ll never get rid of it

[@driftworks]

I love that bit of it too. I just can't handle the row it makes.

[@Chris-pe9lj]

@@driftworks i think I’ve heard every f80 exhaust combo that exists on YT and just didn’t attempt anything other than turning off active sound. My aural pleasure comes from the 996 gt3 and a new to me 87’ turbo speed yellow from Japan with promodet decals on it… it has the most insane overrun I’ve ever heard in person.

[@MrChris106gti]

Im assuming 3 inch is too smaller diameter? Probably not translatable but on my rv8 i went for 1 single long exhaust box to a small stumpy mid box and a stumpy back box, dropped the diameter by 1/4 inch and it sweetened the noise up and raised the pitch slightly too.

[@BurpleRX7]

I get it, most car people hate EVs my biggest hate is simulated exhaust sound, it just proves that modern regs are stifling cars, I also can’t stand the fad of titanium pipes on rotaries, think it makes them sound tinny and horrible, (that and all the kids thinking a rotary has to sound like a brap machine)

[@Swaggin65]

Get your fab guy to make a single 3in exhaust from the downpipes back. Add a big resonator and a fart can muffler.

[@leokaravasili9649]

Be careful with high boost if you havnt ‘mapped’ the gearbox. My clutch and diff are feeling less than loved because unlike most you read, people like me and you will put 700+nm through the rears when its gripped up. Short shifts at max torque it doesnt like too

[@luqmanareington]

Love the cars

[@KCP08]

Single turbo for this baby, will fix the sound!

[@JAMA1998]

I really hope a similar downpipe can be made for the G80 competition. Love the car, but the equal length offerings for the G80 just don't sound as good as those available for the F80 & I feel a more equal length downpipe could help further smoothen out the sound as you've demonstrated with your F80.

[@Enthusiastlist]

G80 with just a single Midpipe sounds much better than any F80 ever imo.

[@ATStone]

What's wrong with the active autowerke equal length midpipe with resonators and the original muffler or Dinan's? On the quiet side and fixes the dueling 3 cylinder sound.

[@driftworks]

As I said in the vid. Heard it, obsessed over videos of it, it still sounds terrible to my ears. I'm not knocking the work AA have done. It's just one of the worst sounding engines ever created.

[@ATStone]

@@driftworks Sorry, must've missed the part about equal length. There's certainly always the asterisk when saying an S55 sounds good... At least in stock twin turbo configuration. Singles sound good.

[@danj8608]

I can't unhear this air pump noise now there's a few m4s in work and this has ruined it for me 😅