Stromung/Supersprint Comparison

[moku]

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.

[nick_hegel]

Awesome post! This should be a sticky for people looking for exhaust.

[L84THSKY]

I have the Stromung, and found your description of it very accurate.....good job.

[Panzer_M]

please post a pic of the stromung.

The Super-spring looks bulker than the stromung

and I think the Stromung is 24lbs.

[moku]

Thanks guys. Hopefully people will find it helpful.

I'm going to try to add some pictures to my post later, for reference.

[gooten1]

I have the SuperSprint, and wasn't quite satisfied with the sound, so I had a friend remove my catalytic converter. Good thing I don't have to pass emissions, but it makes the sound a bit better, slightly louder during acceleration, but no where near obnoxious. I still don't hear it during highway driving unless I punch it, and then it is smooth. I'd say on that loudness scale, it's a 3 during cruise, and a 6 under accel.

[myblueTI]

Very good post, and i also think it should be a sticky so that people know where to find a comparison on the two different exhausts. I have the supersprint and i would do it again if i had to do it over

[barische]

i installed my remus exhasut today and its loud. much more louder than stock, im also happy that it doesnt sound like a ricer, uits more like a v8 engine at idle then at accelaration its a bit alouder than stock so im very pleased with it. i got the remus used from some guy for 200. and he said it had only 10,000 miles on it, so im guessing its already broken in, but i dunno if the sound will change or not, either way im satisfied with it. i would really recommend it.

[bimmerboi318]

Nice post. I've got a Stromung and that's a dead on description.

[Platanos]

This is why you guys rock

I needed someone to tell me the difference and you did it!! Now i have an idea which I wanna get.....supersprint

I have an automatic....will the description be the same?

[moku]

Originally Posted by Platanos

I have an automatic....will the description be the same?

I have an automatic, so my write-up directly applies to you as well. Although the fact that I have a DASC may have made it slightly louder than stock.

But overall, transmission shouldn't make a difference. If anything, it may be quieter since automatics usually don't rev as high through the gears.

[Viper3812]

Originally Posted by Platanos

I have an automatic....will the description be the same?

I have an automatic and the description is the same with the Supersprint. I just ordered my Stromung today and can't wait to get it and hear it with my Supersprint mid pipe.

[moku]

It's been 6 months since switching from the Stromung to the Supersprint and I've noticed that the tone of the exhaust has changed. It's a little louder and has a really nice, low rumble to it, but it's still not as loud as the Stromung. On the downside, I've noticed that because it hangs lower, I scrape more often than I did with the Stromung. Despite the occasional scrape, I'm still very happy with the Supersprint.

[pi4ovete_84]

thank you guys for the info. I know it's a old thread but any body know from where can I find a mid pipe?

[Platanos]

lol, I like seeing old threads. It means you did some searching. I also like to see my old posts and how much of a newb i was..lol

What type of midsection you looking for? Do you already have a cat back? I've had both, first the stromung and currently a supersprint. I liked the stromung better because of the deeper note, there was some droning on the highways but I got used to it.