answers to 1-3 AFAIK (archive)

1. normally when people talk about changing the exhaust on this board, are they talking about changing the silencer (muffler) only or the change of the silencer and the cat back?

I can't really speak for what other people are talking about ;), but AFAIK when someone talks about upgrading their exhaust they're talking about replacing the muffler with a sportier version from an aftermarket tuner like Racing Dyanmics.

2. if I change the muffler and the catback, would it void my warranty? how about if I only change the muffler?

AFAIK, it will void the warranty on whatever parts you replace, and anything else directly affected. Like if an aftermarket exhaust heats the bumper and causes it to scorch, BMW won't replace that obviously. It's basically common sense. Replacing the exhaust won't cause your engine to be out of warranty. One of the european BMW mags (bimmer or BWM Car I think) had a spread about aftermarket tuning and warranty concerns this month, check them out at a local B&N.

3. if I only change the muffler, does it mean that there is no gain in power (just a sound difference)???

Changing just the muffler will result in a noticable gain in power, but not much. Anywhere from 5-15 HP depending on whose model and etc. I'm partial to the Racing Dyanmics exhaust myself, that's what i've got installed :)

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