Local pick up preferred, Southern California area.
This is a ready-to-go bolt-on exhaust for a swapped car. I built this 3 years ago for my own car. I recently built myself an updated version of it, so now this is available.
It is fully 304 stainless tubing. Tig welded, not back purged but the interior of the tubing being coated with solar flux (a type of ceramic coating on the inside of the tubing to prevent contamination). It is a proven means of preventing oxidation when gas coverage is not available.
This was built on an early model chassis, but it should fit the same on a late model too. Where the tips of the muffler sit may be of contention... must test fit to see.
The front flanges will mate up to the tubular OBD2 headers; I don't know if the OBD1 cast headers are the same.
So assuming you have the correct headers, this should fit either of the M50/52 or S50/52 engines.
It has 2 O2 ports, 1 pre cat and 1 post cat.
Yes, this does have a CA-legal catalytic converter, by Magnaflow, which is still in good condition (about 3 years, 30k miles on it). It is meant for the Z3 chassis. In fact, this exhaust was modeled after the Z3 since it merges into 1 pipe instead of a fully-dual setup like the E36. This simplified complexity and cost.
Tubing sizes are as follows: downpipes are 1.75" , which merge into a 2.25", then 2.5" after the cat and all the way back. If you do research on engine airflow and horsepower output for these engines, even with a slight bump in power, a 2.5" is perfectly fine to maintain velocity. Don't be upsold by anyone saying you need 3" unless you're boosted.
The resonator and muffler are both from Vibrant, and they do a pretty good job of controlling rasp, so you don't get that piercing sound that some E36's have. Overall the sound is present, not quiet, but not loud either, until you really get on it.
The system is split in half with a Vibrant V-band, making assembly easy with no gaskets or potential for leaks.
Speaking of assembly, this also clears the E30 subframe, which is famously known for being very close to the headers. While it will be a tight fit, you do not need to modify or move anything to install these. You can even keep the stock CAB's! You can reach all 6 nuts with normal tools as well. Be sure to use new copper nuts with copper anti-seize.
The rear muffler hangs from the included modified hangers, hung from the stock early-model hangers. I cannot confirm how well it fits with the late model hangers or bumper.
The tubing in the middle of the rear section does have dents in it on purpose, for extra clearance under the rear subframe and gas tank. The car is low, so over time, a few bumps pushed the pipe up, so I needed to tap it back down so it wouldn't rattle. The dent on the muffler was an accident but nothing is damaged. The packing material inside is unaffected.
Lastly, while the tubing does look brown and worn, believe me the integrity is perfectly fine, that's just how stainless wears in after a few years. It's not rust-proof (no stainless is), but it is holding up nicely for having been through all seasons. The car has spent its life in Southern California, with many trips here and there, including Washington (during the summer) and Big Bear (during the winter).
The price reflects the cost of materials used to build it, and does not factor in the tools and labor needed to build a custom stainless exhaust.
Thank you for reading! Any more questions, just ask.
Edited for price drop, now
$900 OBO
