[DrAnzo2.0]

I started hearing an annoying high frequency rattle/buzz from the downpipe area of my car, which starts around 3K RPM under load. I am not able to reproduce this sound by just revving the car. The sound developed about a week after I had the SportCat installed with a new gasket and clamps. Planning on bringing it back to the shop who installed it on Monday. Anyone have any ideas?
https://youtu.be/7cGtCTJIj2Q

[K9GunSlinger]

i couldnt really hear it from the video. hoping it was sometihng wrong on the installer's end. Tried searching the forums, didnt see anyone else having the same problem. Let us know if you resolve it or get any updates!!

[K9GunSlinger]

Originally Posted by brooke1972

This isn't the first time in these aftermarket cats..

can you elaborate?

[DrAnzo2.0]

Originally Posted by brooke1972

RESEARCH, most aftermarket cat have more than average failure rate in a short time.

Wouldn’t I be seeing a CEL if the cat failed? I’m bringing my stock cat with me in case it’s an issue with the SportCat.

[RedCarrot]

I can’t hear the described rattle/buzz in the video. The fact it happens only when the car is in motion suggests to me that pipes are not sitted properly in the clamp, or the clamp was not properly tightened and worked itself loose over time. It’s also possible the sensor(s) have become loose.

My friend and I installed the Fabspeed Sport Cat on my car 2.5 months and 2500 mi. ago. No rattle in my case nor have I read any on the forum. Extremely happy with its sound and looking forward to its full performance potential when tuned.

[DrAnzo2.0]

Originally Posted by RedCarrot

I can’t hear the described rattle/buzz in the video. The fact it happens only when the car is in motion suggests to me that pipes are not sitted properly in the clamp, or the clamp was not properly tightened and worked itself loose over time. It’s also possible the sensor(s) have become loose.

My friend and I installed the Fabspeed Sport Cat on my car 2.5 months and 2500 mi. ago. No rattle in my case nor have I read any on the forum. Extremely happy with its sound and looking forward to its full performance potential when tuned.

It’s hard to capture on video. I almost think I’m smelling a slight exhaust leak from the engine bay. We’ll see what the verdict is tomorrow morning when I bring it in to the shop.

[specka]

I believe there was a thread reporting the very same issue just a few weeks back. Fabspeed replied themselves.
Concerns me as I have ordered this part and it's a going to take weeks to get to me, hope this isn't a systemic issue with the product.

Please report back once you've had it investigated.

[K9GunSlinger]

^ yes please.

[DrAnzo2.0]

Originally Posted by specka

I believe there was a thread reporting the very same issue just a few weeks back. Fabspeed replied themselves.
Concerns me as I have ordered this part and it's a going to take weeks to get to me, hope this isn't a systemic issue with the product.

Please report back once you've had it investigated.

At the shop now. Apparently the bolt on the clamp connecting to the downpipe to the turbo loosened up. The shop is going to retighten and loctite it. As a side note, they did use brand new clamps and a new gasket from BMW when installing the downpipe. Problem seems to be completely resolved.

[K9GunSlinger]

Originally Posted by DrAnzo2.0

At the shop now. Apparently the bolt on the clamp connecting to the downpipe to the turbo loosened up. The shop is going to retighten and loctite it. As a side note, they did use brand new clamps and a new gasket from BMW when installing the downpipe. Problem seems to be completely resolved.

Good to hear just a tightening install issue. thanks

[mike@x-ph.com]

Glad it turned out to be an install issue

[DrAnzo2.0]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Glad it turned out to be an install issue

Me too. Figured it wasn’t the actual SportCat... that thing looks bulletproof.

[specka]

I had mine installed 2 days ago. I did my first cold start in my garage today and there is a very noticeable metallic ringing sound coming from the car, somewhere. Im going to try to record it tomorrow. I am really hoping it is just an install thing where something has loosened.

I expect these components deal with serious temperature fluctuation so perhaps for whatever reason something is loose. I just worry what that can mean if I have to drive it fo a few days before the workshop is open again to inspect it.

[Mosely]

Originally Posted by specka

I had mine installed 2 days ago. I did my first cold start in my garage today and there is a very noticeable metallic ringing sound coming from the car, somewhere. Im going to try to record it tomorrow. I am really hoping it is just an install thing where something has loosened.

I expect these components deal with serious temperature fluctuation so perhaps for whatever reason something is loose. I just worry what that can mean if I have to drive it fo a few days before the workshop is open again to inspect it.

http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1435756

[specka]

Thanks for the link, I recall that thread now you point it out.

Seems an unresolved, unexplained situation.

[Mosely]

Originally Posted by specka

Thanks for the link, I recall that thread now you point it out.

Seems an unresolved, unexplained situation.

I heard the ringing noise in another video recently with a newly installed fabspeed sport cat. I ended up just leaving my on until my next service in August, will swap back to stock right before and if the noise goes away, then its definitely the sport cat.

[skiparock]

Originally Posted by Mosely

I heard the ringing noise in another video recently with a newly installed fabspeed sport cat. I ended up just leaving my on until my next service in August, will swap back to stock right before and if the noise goes away, then its definitely the sport cat.

Or installed incorrectly, likely vclamp not seated right?

[Mosely]

Originally Posted by skiparock

Or installed incorrectly, likely vclamp not seated right?

If you read the other thread, I reinstalled it twice and everything is seated well, brand new gaskets were used, etc. The fact that a bunch of other people have experienced it too makes me think its not the v-band, but who knows.

[wjjkoevoets]

Don't think this is an issue with the downpipe. I have a Wagner DP "without any internals" and my car does this as well, albeit not as loud or bad as OP's. The sound started after swapping DPs.

Still, if anybody finds a solution for this, that would be great

EDIT: Mine only seems to do it on startup though.

[K9GunSlinger]

does anyone know the dimensions? i was looking at the pictures online is it just the cat thats replaced? or is it the whole Downpipe with the cat? something that i can fit in the car with the seats down? should be gettin installed soon

[No Boost]

Originally Posted by K9GunSlinger

does anyone know the dimensions? i was looking at the pictures online is it just the cat thats replaced? or is it the whole Downpipe with the cat? something that i can fit in the car with the seats down? should be gettin installed soon

You can fit it in your glove box

[skiparock]

Originally Posted by K9GunSlinger

does anyone know the dimensions? i was looking at the pictures online is it just the cat thats replaced? or is it the whole Downpipe with the cat? something that i can fit in the car with the seats down? should be gettin installed soon

Sitting on a door mat