[T67Regal]

Those who may have aftermarkert turbo inlets/intakes, charge pipes, catted DP, and who also have swapped out to ARM/AWE/Dinan midpipes in place of the OEM midpipe, HOWEVER, you decided to keep the OEM exhaust, did you determine:

• midpipes permitted me to run Stage 2 with less issues?
• there was a positive effect to the power + better quality sound?
• they only gave the car a better quality sound but not noticeable power?
• did not notice much until I also replaced the OEM exhaust?
• midpipes made my exhaust too loud in comfort mode and I can no longer sneak in/out of the 'hood without everyone knowing?
• something else?

I do prefer a QUIETER exhaust sound at idle and cruising. I don't want pops, bangs, burbles, but I am ok with a louder exhaust sound at WOT.
On the other hand, I don't want exhaust restrictions, like the resonators. So trying to figure out my best route to free flowing, relatively quiet exhaust while cruising and without all the racket...until I am WOT.

I installed an electronic cut-out in my buick and for the most part that kept me out of trouble, lol, so maybe thats an option.

Forgot to mention, back of my muffler says "M Performance" in large black letters. so I am assuming my OEM exhaust is the M Performance exhaust. I am just not well enough trained to know for sure...

[n55david]

Originally Posted by T67Regal

Those who may have aftermarkert turbo inlets/intakes, charge pipes, catted DP, and who also have swapped out to ARM/AWE/Dinan midpipes in place of the OEM midpipe, HOWEVER, you decided to keep the OEM exhaust, did you determine:


midpipes permitted me to run Stage 2 with less issues?
there was a positive effect to the power + better quality sound?
they only gave the car a better quality sound but not noticeable power?
did not notice much until I also replaced the OEM exhaust?
midpipes made my exhaust too loud in comfort mode and I can no longer sneak in/out of the 'hood without everyone knowing?
something else?


I do prefer a QUIETER exhaust sound at idle and cruising. I don't want pops, bangs, burbles, but I am ok with a louder exhaust sound at WOT.
On the other hand, I don't want exhaust restrictions, like the resonators. So trying to figure out my best route to free flowing, relatively quiet exhaust while cruising and without all the racket...until I am WOT.

I installed an electronic cut-out in my buick and for the most part that kept me out of trouble, lol, so maybe thats an option.

Forgot to mention, back of my muffler says "M Performance" in large black letters. so I am assuming my OEM exhaust is the M Performance exhaust. I am just not well enough trained to know for sure...

The amount of over thinking in your questions is killing me.

Normally Id be a complete ass in a reply but im going to try and answer your specific questions 😀

The mid pipe will have no bearing on making stage 2 better or worse..

There might be a small gain in power based on your other mods, but honestly without a bigger turbo etc its not going to be much if anything really, maybe if you are running a max effort e40/50 custom tune.. maybe. As far as sound, it will be louder, maybe not much under normal crusing while inside the car etc.. you could get some drone, I cant remember.. but shouldn't be bad with a m performance muffler, however your level of sensitivity is different than mine.

If your m performance axleback has the valve in it, itll be fine when the valve is closed basically.. I wouldnt worry about it.

When people nitpick over little things like this it makes me giggle or roll my eyes as im turbo, catless and have a full 3.5" single exhaust and its loud as fuck. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being unbearable and 1 being completely stock, im like a 7 to 8. People look over when I start the car, it will startle people sometimes and its hilarious.

Honestly, just do it.. screw everyone else.

[T67Regal]

Originally Posted by n55david

The amount of over thinking in your questions is killing me.

Normally Id be a complete ass in a reply but im going to try and answer your specific questions 😀

The mid pipe will have no bearing on making stage 2 better or worse..

There might be a small gain in power based on your other mods, but honestly without a bigger turbo etc its not going to be much if anything really, maybe if you are running a max effort e40/50 custom tune.. maybe. As far as sound, it will be louder, maybe not much under normal crusing while inside the car etc.. you could get some drone, I cant remember.. but shouldn't be bad with a m performance muffler, however your level of sensitivity is different than mine.

If your m performance axleback has the valve in it, itll be fine when the valve is closed basically.. I wouldnt worry about it.

When people nitpick over little things like this it makes me giggle or roll my eyes as im turbo, catless and have a full 3.5" single exhaust and its loud as fuck. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being unbearable and 1 being completely stock, im like a 7 to 8. People look over when I start the car, it will startle people sometimes and its hilarious.

Honestly, just do it.. screw everyone else.

TY for your opinion. I was not sure if the midpipes/resonators were too restrictive or not for only a stage 2 tune. At some point I may possibly have an e85 tune but not an e40/50 custom tune.

It may seem like a little thing but it is important to me. I can get in plenty of trouble without trying too hard at all. quieter is MUCH better for keeping me out of trouble.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by T67Regal

TY for your opinion. I was not sure if the midpipes/resonators were too restrictive or not for only a stage 2 tune. At some point I may possibly have an e85 tune but not an e40/50 custom tune.

It may seem like a little thing but it is important to me. I can get in plenty of trouble without trying too hard at all. quieter is MUCH better for keeping me out of trouble.

If you're really worried, any kind of resonated mid pipe will work. Get the least expensive one you can find as it really won't matter the brand.. little hint as most coke from China regardless of what the company says.. I honestly dont really remember if any are resonated or not and if they arent you can just add one..

If youre really in need for power, just upgrade the hpfp and a flex kit for whatever tuning software youre using and have fun, its a big jump in power and itll not be louder.

[T67Regal]

Originally Posted by n55david

If you're really worried, any kind of resonated mid pipe will work. Get the least expensive one you can find as it really won't matter the brand.. little hint as most coke from China regardless of what the company says.. I honestly dont really remember if any are resonated or not and if they arent you can just add one..

If youre really in need for power, just upgrade the hpfp and a flex kit for whatever tuning software youre using and have fun, its a big jump in power and itll not be louder.

TY for info. on a resonated midpipe.
I don't really care if its too loud for the neighbors. I just need to be smarter and quieter exhaust to keep out trouble. When cruising and I pass a sitting 'black and white', I have watched as they pull out about 100-200 yards behind, keeping several cars between us, and follow me for many lights and turns. They follow the loud exhaust sound...watching for me to misbehave. I'm sure you understand.

TY for info. about hpfp and flex kit and that it will not be louder. That is the mod level where I suspect I will end up but I was feeling I need to learn more before I go flex or e85. I just picked up the car in october 2025, just purchased my MHD & Xhp combo on black friday, and have not even driven it since early december(huge amount of snow/salt this year). I have not even done any data logging yet.
So I was not sure I had enough skill/knowledge to jump from bone stock and go right to a TU or other hpfp pump & flex kit without having a better b58 foundation, plus a better understanding of MHD/xHP and monitoring.

LMK if you feel going from stock to hpfp/flex is not too much of a jump and you think I can figure it out from the get go.

Thanks for patience in reply, was traveling.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by T67Regal

TY for info. on a resonated midpipe.
I don't really care if its too loud for the neighbors. I just need to be smarter and quieter exhaust to keep out trouble. When cruising and I pass a sitting 'black and white', I have watched as they pull out about 100-200 yards behind, keeping several cars between us, and follow me for many lights and turns. They follow the loud exhaust sound...watching for me to misbehave. I'm sure you understand.

TY for info. about hpfp and flex kit and that it will not be louder. That is the mod level where I suspect I will end up but I was feeling I need to learn more before I go flex or e85. I just picked up the car in october 2025, just purchased my MHD & Xhp combo on black friday, and have not even driven it since early december(huge amount of snow/salt this year). I have not even done any data logging yet.
So I was not sure I had enough skill/knowledge to jump from bone stock and go right to a TU or other hpfp pump & flex kit without having a better b58 foundation, plus a better understanding of MHD/xHP and monitoring.

LMK if you feel going from stock to hpfp/flex is not too much of a jump and you think I can figure it out from the get go.

Thanks for patience in reply, was traveling.

Have ever had a csr that made any decent reasonable amount of power? If yes, its never too much..

Where in PA are you? Im going to the bimmers vs the world even in april.. depending on where you are maybe ill swing through and let you hear the car and so whats too much for you?

[T67Regal]

Originally Posted by n55david

Have ever had a csr that made any decent reasonable amount of power? If yes, its never too much..

Where in PA are you? Im going to the bimmers vs the world even in april.. depending on where you are maybe ill swing through and let you hear the car and so whats too much for you?

At 22psi(t67 prefers a little more)my buick made 540whp. but it was FWD and I did not get traction till 70mph. in that chassis, it was enough because it was sooo hard to control and breaking other stuff. actually had to keep it turned down on the street.

But now I have xdrive.

yep, would enjoy hearing your car. I'm very close to route I99 & I80. Will PM my location.

Help speed up my learning curve...

[n55david]

Originally Posted by T67Regal

At 22psi(t67 prefers a little more)my buick made 540whp. but it was FWD and I did not get traction till 70mph. in that chassis, it was enough because it was sooo hard to control and breaking other stuff. actually had to keep it turned down on the street.

But now I have xdrive.

yep, would enjoy hearing your car. I'm very close to route I99 & I80. Will PM my location.

Help speed up my learning curve...

Im going mid low 10s on all seasons, xdrive is fun