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UUC Twin Silencer Exhaust

Abstract - The stock exhaust system for the E46 is restrictive and too quiet for me. Larger tips are also a plus.

Purchase - Bought online direct from UUC Motorwerks w/ 20% special off coupon!

Parts - UUC Twin Silencer Exhaust.

Installation - I have always installed modifications myself for several reasons. Most importantly you learn a lot about your car. When something goes wrong with something you have tinkered with, most likely you will know the cause and how to fix it. Second, it is free and exercise for EECS majors! Third, you can do a perfect job since there is no time pressure or cash involved. However, I had my  UUC TSE "professionally" installed because I wanted it welded instead of clamped. Welding is something I considered dangerous for a home project.

I had it installed at Lou's Custom Exhaust. I have heard various raves about them on E46Fanatics, thus I went with them. They were friendly, reasonably priced, fast, and professional. The job took less than an hour, I walked to McDonalds and when I came back it was ready.

If you are familiar with the E46, then the main question is whether or not to remove the 2nd resonator. I have researched which configuration would yield the most free flowing exhaust system. For the 323/328 as I understand, the stock configuration has two pipes coming from the header and into the 1st resonator. Then there is one pipe from the 1st resonator to the 2nd resonator. Finally, one pipe from the 2nd resonator to the muffler where there are two tips. For the 325/330, the stock setup has dual pipes from the headers.

323/328 pipes and exhaust -

325/330 pipes -

UUC TSE comes in two flavors, 323/328 and 325/330 for this reason. The 323/328 version comes with a single inlet TSE. The 325/330 comes with a dual inlet TSE plus replacement pipes to take out the 2nd resonator. So the idea was to fit a 325/330 TSE onto a 323/328 car. The idea is possible but very difficult because the 1st resonator would need a 325/330 replacement. The deciding factor was the gains in a true dual pipe system from the headers back would be little and not worth the extra work and money.

The second topic of major discussion was why the 323/328 TSE does not come with a 2nd resonator bypass pipe. This is because the single pipe between the 1st resonator and 2nd resonator is not a perfect circle. It changes shape throughout the path. It is much easier to get shops to custom a pipe than to supply one.

I finally went with a 323/328 system for my 323i with the 2nd resonator removed.