The BMW i8’s small displacement, three-cylinder turbocharged engine certainly makes enough power when combined with the electric motors to propel the i8 down the road. However, many turbocharged cars suffer from a lack of exhaust noise, and the i8 is no exception. It’s widely known that a large amount of the exhaust “noise” you hear in the interior cabin isn’t produced by the engine and exhaust, but rather is piped-in through the speakers.
In order to gain some more actual exhaust noise while driving the car, Turner Motorsport have installed the Arqray Titanium Exhaust onto their Project i8.
Installation requires removal of the various protective undertrays and heat shields that cover the area around the bottom of the engine and the exhaust. Once these are removed the stock exhaust is removed from the three factory hangers that hold the unit in place. The factory hanger that sits directly behind the middle of the rear bumper can remain in place, while the other two on the sides of the exhaust need to be removed and installed on the Arqray exhaust.
Once the factory hangers are on the Arqray exhaust, you will need to attach some additional short sections of exhaust that allow it to connect with the section of the stock exhaust directly behind the catalytic converter. After the entire exhaust is ready to be installed it is relatively easy to put the Arqray exhaust into place.
The Arqray Titanium Exhaust provides plenty of added noise and driving enjoyment over the stock exhaust. It makes lots of satisfying pops and burbles after letting off the accelerator during full throttle accelerations. In addition to the added driving enjoyment thanks to the added sound, the Arqray Titanium Exhaust is 50% lighter than the stock exhaust, with the Arqray exhaust weighing in at 18.0 lbs and the stock unit at 36.0 lbs.
Here is a video of the i8 with the new exhaust:
