M30 Magnaflow Exhaust System - CA Legal

[JoeMadoo]

Hello, I'm going to build an exhaust system for my M30 swapped E30. It's going to be (hopefully) CARB legal so I will be able to smog her in CA. Here is my parts list from front to back.

Stock E34 M30 Manifolds
Stock E34 M30 Downpipes cut before cats (I believe they are 2" in diameter)
Magnaflow CA Cat #36037 - dual 2" - single 2.5".
Magnaflow Round Muffler #10426 - 18x4" body, 2.5" in/out
A few feet of 2.5" Pipe
Magnaflow Round Muffler #10426 - 18x4" body, 2.5" in/out


The only part I'm worried about is the CA cat. It's listed for any 325i and 535i motors up to 8/87. My motor is from an 89 535i, which has a "different" magnaflow cat associated with it #36008. But the only difference I see is the outlet is a dual instead of a single. I would much rather a single out for simpler exhaust piping. I don't know what the BAR will say about that.

Looking for your opinions and suggestions about the catalytic converter and my exhaust setup in general. I'm looking for a mild sound, a nice tone that's not over bearing.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

What ever you end up doing post it up what you end up doing I want to do an m30 swap in CA as well if it can get bard and smogged

[Danny]

NO you NEED the dual. You will fail if you do not have the dual. You must state the engine is from a model year that is newer than the car, or else you will also fail. You can use the single out if you state the motor is from an 86, but it will be easier to use the dual and say it is from an 89.

[JoeMadoo]

Ok, I will get the dual. Thanks for your info Danny.

I will follow up after I get my exhaust parts and take the test.

[JoeMadoo]

Took my e30 in to the exhaust shop on Monday. Here is my setup I went with after all.

E32/E34 manifolds and downpipes
Magnaflow 36008 CA Cat (Dual 2" In/Out)
Y-Pipe
Magnaflow 14416 Resonator style Muffler (Single 2.5 In/Out)
Dynomax Muffler (Single 2.5 In/Dual Out with Tips).

I went with the dynomax instead of the Magnaflow because it was $100 less and had the same straight thru style and the same tips I wanted.

I'm running a stock M30 with 19# stang injectors, stock airbox, no chip.

Before Install, just downpipes


After Install.

[JoeMadoo]

Here are a few pictures of the exhaust system, not the best pictures.





More media to come.

[C!ph3r]

that sounds pretty good. what did that set up run you? the PO of my car had the cats removed and now i cant pas inspection. so i am taking to the exhaust shop tomorrow to get it all fixed up. ATM, i have duels all the way back into an ansa muffler. i need to get the CAT added back and thought i would get a little better sounding exhaust while i was at it.

[C!ph3r]

oh i just noticed you dont have the stock e30 motor. mine probably wont sound that good.

[C!ph3r]

Sorry for all the questions. What is the part number for the muffler you ended up using?

[JoeMadoo]

No problem. I'm not sure what the part number of the muffler is, it's basically a magnaflow 14816 knock-off, has the same tips and is roughly the same size.

I went with the single pipe after the cat to reduce any rasp that seems to be associated with duals (I think). It's pretty loud still even with both mufflers, it will still sound great on your car I'm sure.

My set up costs:
$200 for the CA Cat
$55 for the round muffler, used
$135 for the dynomax muffler
$260 for the installation including the o2 bung, dual pipes from the downpipes over to the cat, y-pipe after the cat, alot of messaging, and the 2.5" Pipe.

[C!ph3r]

No problem. I'm not sure what the part number of the muffler is, it's basically a magnaflow 14816 knock-off, has the same tips and is roughly the same size.

I went with the single pipe after the cat to reduce any rasp that seems to be associated with duals (I think). It's pretty loud still even with both mufflers, it will still sound great on your car I'm sure.

My set up costs:
$200 for the CA Cat
$55 for the round muffler, used
$135 for the dynomax muffler
$260 for the installation including the o2 bung, dual pipes from the downpipes over to the cat, y-pipe after the cat, alot of messaging, and the 2.5" Pipe.

Cool thanks. Well i got my CAT done Friday and it was ~300 parts and labor. 2 in and 2 out. i think i was robed on the labor. Oh well. I couldnt have done it so maybe not. i actually kinda like the way it sounds with my Ansa muffler. So i may just keep it the way it is. so i am duels all the way from front to back.

[nick526]

How do you like your set-up after a few months? Any new videos? Maybe it's my tiny speakers but all I could really hear in your video was someone welding?

Thanks
Nick

[JoeMadoo]

Hey Nick, I still love the sound. My car has been up on jackstands for a couple weeks, I will definitely upload some more videos when I get the chance.

[nick526]

Awesome! Can't wait to see the new vids.

My swap is in its infancy and I'm still trying to form a solid plan for exhaust. Needless to say, this thread is a big help.