M50 OBD1 Exhaust Options

[itsonlygeorge]

I am currently running OBD2 M52 headers into a stock E36 OBD1 exhaust system and I am not happy with it in any way. The shop that installed it hacked it up the connection from the downpipes to the cats is a big bubble that is interfering with the system. I have been wanting to replace it with something better, preferable a full dull pipe setup and need some suggestions. This is for a street car, so I don't want a race set up because I need to pass inspection (no smog, and I am not in CA)

What are people running for their M50 swaps? I just need something better than what I have now and I don't need anything fancy.I would prefer a full dual system and to replace the stock E36 exhaust that is currently in the car. It is loud, likely causing a loss in power, and heavy.

Things I am considering and need input on:

1. Can I run a x-pipe with 1 O2 sensor and pipe that into a dual pipe E30 exhaust? I need the cats and everything back. Recommendations?
2. Should I replace the m52 headers and get long tube m50 headers instead? I am not sure of the fitment issues in the E30. I chose the m52 headers because I know they fit and I had them on hand along with the OBD1 stock exhaust.
3. Other cost effective options that I can connect to the current m52 headers/downpipe?

I attached photos of the headers/exhaust for reference. The OBD1 exhaust is with the y-pipe on the top.

[mtech325]

The stock e36 exhaust midsection modded to the e30 works pretty good and can be fairly quiet when using an e36 or e30 muffler modified to fit. It’s a bit heavy and bulky but comes with the turf of factory exhaust systems. I’d leave the m52 headers since they work pretty good for factory parts in terms of flow.

On a recent s50 swap I used an entire m20 setup modified to adapt to the s50 m50 stock cast manifolds and it sounds just like an m20, and is quiet. I’m sure power is being left on the table but for cruising around the street it works perfectly fine. An m50 doesn’t make a ton more power stock over an m20 so would probably work out fine.

On my personal car I have an exhaust shop special made to mimic an e36 exhaust routing with a dyno max muffler and 2 cats, and it’s ok but sounds raspy. At some point I’ll try and fit an e36 stock setup to it as it just works and sounds better.