moku
06-30-2005, 07:25 AM
I've seen various threads discussing the differences between the Stromung and Supersprint cat-back exhausts and various debates over which one is better. Almost every person prefers their setup over the other, for obvious reasons, but I have yet to see anyone who has had first-hand experience with both exhausts on their car. Well, I may be the first person who has.
I had originally purchased the Stromung from Chris at Understeer because I was trying to copy the setup that he has on his wife's 318ti. But after installing it, I found it to be a little too aggressive for my taste. So, I swapped it out for a Supersprint with a single tip.
Both exhausts have a certain appeal, and below you'll find the differences that I found between them. Please understand that the information below is based on my experience and opinion. You may or may not agree with it, and that's okay. I just wanted to provide information that might prove helpful for someone debating between these 2 exhausts.
Construction
Stromung
The Stromung exhaust has a nice silver, stainless steel finish throughout. Everything from the C-pipe to the tip has the same finish. All the welds are cleanly done and the construction feels solid. There is no pre-muffler along the C-pipe. It has a 3.5" tip that isn't resonated with a direct 2" inlet from the muffler. The overall weight is lighter than stock.
Supersprint
The Supersprint has a stainless steel construction with a black coating throughout, with the exception of the tip, which is chrome. All the welds are clean and the construction feels solid. There is a pre-muffler along the C-pipe. It has a 3.5"x2.5" square-like, slanted tip that is resonated with a 2" inlet. The overall weight is about the same as stock, so no weight-savings.
Installation
Both exhausts are relatively simple to install. One difference between them is that the Stromung fits up closely against the sub-frame and can rattle, while the Supersprint hangs a little lower and slightly reduces your underside clearance.
Sound
Stromung
The Stromung exhaust is very loud when it's first installed. It has a low, deep growl at idle that climbs up during acceleration, and booms at wide-open-throttle. After breaking in the exhaust, it's not nearly as loud. Only at wide-open-throttle (particularly between 2500-3000 RPM) was it still loud. The sound is aggressive, but may be a bit loud to some. Accelerating from a full stop, I was able to cause a few car alarms to chirp or go off. At cruising speed, there is a slight drone. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being stock and 10 being loud and ricey, the Stromung rates at about a 5 at idle and 8 during acceleration.
Supersprint
The Supersprint exhaust is not loud at all. It has a nice, low growl at idle that continues up during acceleration, but then tapers off. At wide-open-throttle, it has a light growl that's a little deeper than stock. The sound isn't very aggressive, but is definitely beefier than stock. Accelerating from a full stop, I was able to chirp one car, but did not set off any alarms. At cruising speed, there is little sound at all. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being stock and 10 being loud and ricey, the Supersprint rates at about a 3 at idle and 5 during acceleration.
Please note that because I have a DASC, the sound of the exhausts may have been slightly louder than a stock engine.
Performance
I did not dyno my car with either exhaust, so I do not have any numbers to report, but I did notice a very slight difference in performance. The Stromung seemed to offer a little more punch at higher speeds and RPM. While the Supersprint seemed to offer a little extra power throughout the powerband. Neither exhaust appeared to offer substantial increase in power or performance. I might say they offered mild improvement, at best.
Conclusion
Stromung
This is a fun and aggressive exhaust. I love it's deep, rumbling tone, but find it to be a bit too loud during acceleration. If you prefer to always hear your exhaust, then the Stromung is perfect for you.
Supersprint
This exhaust is mild-mannered and slightly deeper in tone compared to stock. If you're looking for an exhaust that sounds better than stock and doesn't call attention to itself, then you may want to get a Supersprint.
Overall, both are well-constructed and may improve performance slightly (maybe 5HP, if that). You really can't go wrong with either one, but your preference in sound and weight may sway you to choose one over the other.
I had originally purchased the Stromung from Chris at Understeer because I was trying to copy the setup that he has on his wife's 318ti. But after installing it, I found it to be a little too aggressive for my taste. So, I swapped it out for a Supersprint with a single tip.
Both exhausts have a certain appeal, and below you'll find the differences that I found between them. Please understand that the information below is based on my experience and opinion. You may or may not agree with it, and that's okay. I just wanted to provide information that might prove helpful for someone debating between these 2 exhausts.
Construction
Stromung
The Stromung exhaust has a nice silver, stainless steel finish throughout. Everything from the C-pipe to the tip has the same finish. All the welds are cleanly done and the construction feels solid. There is no pre-muffler along the C-pipe. It has a 3.5" tip that isn't resonated with a direct 2" inlet from the muffler. The overall weight is lighter than stock.
Supersprint
The Supersprint has a stainless steel construction with a black coating throughout, with the exception of the tip, which is chrome. All the welds are clean and the construction feels solid. There is a pre-muffler along the C-pipe. It has a 3.5"x2.5" square-like, slanted tip that is resonated with a 2" inlet. The overall weight is about the same as stock, so no weight-savings.
Installation
Both exhausts are relatively simple to install. One difference between them is that the Stromung fits up closely against the sub-frame and can rattle, while the Supersprint hangs a little lower and slightly reduces your underside clearance.
Sound
Stromung
The Stromung exhaust is very loud when it's first installed. It has a low, deep growl at idle that climbs up during acceleration, and booms at wide-open-throttle. After breaking in the exhaust, it's not nearly as loud. Only at wide-open-throttle (particularly between 2500-3000 RPM) was it still loud. The sound is aggressive, but may be a bit loud to some. Accelerating from a full stop, I was able to cause a few car alarms to chirp or go off. At cruising speed, there is a slight drone. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being stock and 10 being loud and ricey, the Stromung rates at about a 5 at idle and 8 during acceleration.
Supersprint
The Supersprint exhaust is not loud at all. It has a nice, low growl at idle that continues up during acceleration, but then tapers off. At wide-open-throttle, it has a light growl that's a little deeper than stock. The sound isn't very aggressive, but is definitely beefier than stock. Accelerating from a full stop, I was able to chirp one car, but did not set off any alarms. At cruising speed, there is little sound at all. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being stock and 10 being loud and ricey, the Supersprint rates at about a 3 at idle and 5 during acceleration.
Please note that because I have a DASC, the sound of the exhausts may have been slightly louder than a stock engine.
Performance
I did not dyno my car with either exhaust, so I do not have any numbers to report, but I did notice a very slight difference in performance. The Stromung seemed to offer a little more punch at higher speeds and RPM. While the Supersprint seemed to offer a little extra power throughout the powerband. Neither exhaust appeared to offer substantial increase in power or performance. I might say they offered mild improvement, at best.
Conclusion
Stromung
This is a fun and aggressive exhaust. I love it's deep, rumbling tone, but find it to be a bit too loud during acceleration. If you prefer to always hear your exhaust, then the Stromung is perfect for you.
Supersprint
This exhaust is mild-mannered and slightly deeper in tone compared to stock. If you're looking for an exhaust that sounds better than stock and doesn't call attention to itself, then you may want to get a Supersprint.
Overall, both are well-constructed and may improve performance slightly (maybe 5HP, if that). You really can't go wrong with either one, but your preference in sound and weight may sway you to choose one over the other.