“It’s been a while since I acquired and installed my Agency Power exhaust. Recently I purchased a Fabspeed resonated Xpipe and Fabspeed high flow cats from a user on this board. It was installed immediately afterwards. I figure it would be helpful to post up a review, as well as a few videos to prospective buyers of this exhaust combination.

Agency Power Exhaust w/connecting pipes
My E92 M3 was stock as stock could be at this point. I was out of my comfort zone, as this was my first non-Honda. I wasn’t familiar with the myriad of exhaust system choices. After viewing video after video online, I still could not make up my mind. My requirements with an exhaust system were as follows:
Not obnoxiously loud
Did not drone
Was bolt on
Reasonable price

I visited Bart at AUTOcouture at this shop in Hillsdale, NJ and heard his Agency Power exhaust in person. It was absolutely perfect. I was surprised that he had no additional modifications and his car simply sounded exactly the way I wanted. He was even nice enough to take me for a ride to prove that there was no drone.

I admit I was a little slow to actually purchase since I’m always guilty with buying things like this, but I finally did. When it finally came in (after some issues with UPS), I immediately unboxed it, took a few pics, and started the install process. I’m very pleased with the price as well.

Performance wise, I didn’t really feel anything at all, and I didn’t expect to. There was absolutely no drone (although that is subjective as some say the OEM system has drone). In that case, I would say it was equal to the amount of drone the OEM system has. Upon cold startup, the system was significantly louder than OEM at idle. It literally rumbled in your chest if you were standing close by. About 30 seconds later, the idle returned to OEM levels.

My only complaint is that the titanium tips seemed too short. If you bent down to look at the system, you could see the ends of the tips very easily. I suppose I could probably adjust the system to make it flusher to the bumper, but I’m lazy. My left side tips protrude ever so slightly more than the right side. It’s not noticeable except to me. Other people with this exhaust stated the same thing, so I’m not alone.

After a while, I started yearning for more power. I got a Macht Schnell air filter and the Powerchip stage 1 ECU reflash. Honestly didn’t feel it that much, but it was better. Reading and posting about Xpipes showed me that the Xpipe modification would free up quite a bit of power (probably the most out of any N/A mod).

Fabspeed resonated Xpipe & Fabspeed high flow cats (w/O2 extenders)
I was very concerned since everybody said that an Xpipe significantly changes your exhaust volume. Even people with the OEM exhaust and aftermarket Xpipe had a very loud car. My Agency Power alone was almost on the verge of being too loud, so I was VERY hesitant on purchasing an Xpipe. Unfortunately, I was not able to hear an M3 with one.

My other concern was I absolutely did NOT want to cut my OEM system and I absolutely did NOT want to fail emissions inspection. I was reduced to a few limited choices (resonated pipes with high flow cats). Unfortunately, these are usually significantly more expensive due to the cats.

I was lucky enough to speak to a member here willing to sell his setup for a great price. We both drove over an hour each way to meet up. Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of the install, only video.

Performance
I never “feel” any performance modification other than a supercharger or turbocharger. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I could definitely feel the addition of the Xpipe. The car definitely reved up faster and the top end was simply ridiculous. I’m sure it was due to the combination of my other modifications (specifically the Powerchip flash). After 6500rpm, the car was an absolute beast. I now need to somehow get the Powerchip stage II flash since it takes advantage of xpipes with high flow cats.

Sound
On cold start, the sound again was very loud, but pretty much exactly the same as having the Agency Power exhaust rear section alone. Perhaps it was a tiny bit deeper. On idle it was a little throatier, but hardly noticeable. On idle revving to ~3500rpm, it sounded almost exactly the same as having the AP rear section only.

The major difference in sound is when you’re driving around in town in the lower rpm range. It’s significantly louder, almost too loud for me. After a couple of weeks however, I am used to the sound and it does not bother me. I do get somewhat self conscious if I’m driving through a small development with people around. Don’t get me wrong, it is definitely not obnoxious at all.

On the highway at cruising speed (60-80mph), the car sounds pretty much just like stock. However, as soon as you step on the gas, the Xpipe noise definitely takes charge. It’s much throatier and has a mixture of “exotic” and “muscle car” tones. This is what I hear from the inside, and a few people driving behind me during rallies have said the same thing. I have yet to get a video of me driving from outside. If you’re literally on the gas on the highway, there is some drone, but it’s not unbearable at all.

All in all, if it was a tiny bit quieter around town, I would be 100% happy. Obviously with the hundreds of exhaust system combinations, nobody is going to be 100% happy, but I think I have it pretty close.

Misc
I’m running the supplied O2 extenders after the high flow cats, and I have not encountered any CELs. I’ve been driving on this for several weeks now from a track event, to a charity rally, to putzing around town and no issues have popped up. I’ve also driven in temperatures from 75 degrees to 32 degrees so far.”

Agency Power Exhaust System E92 BMW M3 08+

“The ultimate driving machine now sounds like a true sports car. Agency Power has taken the E92 BMW M3 big V8 engine and given it some sound steroids. The Agency Power exhaust has a great tone which gives your car that racing sound many desire. The Agency Power exhaust system has been engineered and dyno tested to not only improve the sound, but gain horsepower, and improve top end performance. After months of testing, Agency Power has completed this beautiful dual muffler design system.

The all T304 stainless steel exhaust is TIG welded and polished to a mirror finish. The exhaust uses the existing hangers for a secure, rattle free fit. To stand out amongst the rest, the system features quad 3 inch tips in either rolled stainless or in titanium with a burnt finish for an exotic look. This muffler section also includes the S pipes to give you a complete bolt on exhaust system. As tested on our Mustang dyno, the exhaust gained power throughout the RPM band and its peak gain was 5hp and 3ft/lbs of torque, however with a software upgrade this exhaust can reach 30hp and 20ft/lbs of torque (as shown on dyno graph). A great addition to an already well factory tuned car. The exhaust is designed to fit the E92 M3 coupe only.”

Below are some of the first photos to surface of our NEW Sport Exhaust System installed on a 2007 Porsche 997TT.

The key to designing a high quality and fully functional system is in the balance between sound and performance. Turbo chargers perform best with virtually zero restriction off of the exhaust outlet, but that’s a recipe for noise that would be unbearable for a street prepared vehicle. Our job is to find the right combination of performance enhancing low restriction exhaust flow, while creating a “voice” that you enjoy hearing, all while preventing side effects such as the unpleasant drone at cruising speeds.

For more information on this system, including more photos, video, and dynamometer results, visit the product page here.

Anyways, in case you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a big fan of the DIY. There’s nothing more exciting than a box full of brand new Agency Power parts, and it doesn’t get any more gratifying than knowing it was your hard work that’s making all the difference.

I think this guy knows what I’m talking about.
http://neiliuxSTi.blogspot.com/
A mod list sprinkled with Agency Power parts will always get attention in my book.

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If any of you out there have a good DIY story, blog, or video featuring Agency Power products, go ahead and send them my way*.
Who knows, if this rapping thing doesn’t take off soon, maybe it’ll be your car I’m rhyming, I mean WRITING, about next.

* Send links to gary@agencypower.com

We all know that the majority of OEM intercoolers are most efficient at stock horsepower levels and under what the manufacturer would consider “normal” driving conditions. Our goal is to provide an upgrade that will improve efficiency and performance as you increase the horsepower of your vehicle and expose it to spirited driving, on-road and at the track.

What you may not have known, all Agency Power intercoolers are application specific, with significant on-road and dynamometer testing to ensure optimum performance for each vehicle model.The selection of the core is important in two aspects: One is to select a dimension that will allow for maximum surface area and cooling via ambient airflow to the intercooler. The second is to optimize the internal flow area to ensure minimal loss in boost pressure while still allowing for the desired CFM. After the engineering and testing ensures the proper core sizing, it’s on to the design of end tanks, and fabrication and selection of all necessary bracketry, piping and silicone.

Each intercooler kit includes the necessary silicone hoses, hardware, brackets, and is designed to be a simple bolt on installation. Contact your local dealer or wholesale rep to be one of the first to receive this new Intercooler Kit for the BMW 135i and 335i.

“Sign here” said the man in the brown polyester shorts, followed by the predictable request for “Last name, please?”

“Nickel…just put Nickel” replied the happy new owner of this Agency Power cat back exhaust and downpipe.

The see and “hear” more from this happy Agency Power customer, and one of our new favorite bloggers, be sure to keep an eye ***HERE*** as he documents the build of his 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR.  We’ve been promised more photos, video, and EVEN sound clips coming soon !

http://nickelsevo.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html

And how could anyone not?

It’s carbon fiber, it’s made in the USA, it fits like a glove, and it’s a DIY install.

I personally can’t think of a better way to spend a day than installing some brand new carbon fiber, taking it on the road, and showing it off to other tuner fans. And that’s exactly what this customer had the chance to do.

“Very easy, and extremely surprised about the fitment, like a glove.”
“Total time of 10 minutes, no hardware, used the factory screws.”
After his install he had a chance to take it up to speed on the highway and even “had to put a 335i and STi in their place“.

I have a feeling though, that the 335i and STi may have only had a quick glimpse of this Agency Power front lip in their rear view mirror as this 2002 996TT made his way past them.

No worries though, here’s some close up shots that aren’t going anywhere…

What to do:

E-mail gary@Agency-Power.com with your thoughts and experiences regarding Agency Power products you own*, products you would like to own, or ideas for products you would like to see in the future.

* For current owners of Agency Power products, be sure to include your Name, Age, Location, detailed description of your Agency Power equipped vehcile, along with a photo(s) for a chance to have your vehicle featured on our own website, receive Agency Power swag, and become eligible for future product related promotions.

Start an interactive thread about Agency Power on any popular online automotive forum* and receive Agency Power stickers, swag, and be eligible for future product give-a-ways.

* E-mail those links to  gary@Agency-Power.com.
Threads featuring images, video, links back to www.Agency-Power.com, and generating the most responses will have the best to be noticed.

We will be keeping track of all above activities through Sept. 30th, 2009, and rewarding Agency power customers & fans along the way.

Gary@AP – - – -

The next part we are working on is a cold air intake kit to work with the OEM intake box.  This piece will include a carbon fiber elbow with a CNC machined aluminum connector to a large K&N cone filter.  The carbon fiber piece will have a CNC machined flange for the OEM breather hose.  This replaces the stock corregated unit with a smoother internal piece for improved air flow and throttle response.

The last part we prototyped was a underdrive pulley set for the E92 M3.  However this kit only works on the early production models to August 2008.  After that, there was a significant change in the belt design and crank pulley.  This part may or may not be released.

Stay tuned to see what else we have coming out for the car at www.agency-power.com.

Check out the video of the exhaust. This car sounds like a rocket!!!