Opinions needed

[rneedham1979]

Gents,

I am tackling the exhaust again in hopes of reducing the noise. The 3" was ridiculously loud even with multiple mufflers etc.

I plan on reducing the diameter to 2.5" and running dual exhaust from the headers back. So far this is what I am considering,

magnaflow 11386 (middle muffler)
Magnaflow 12568 (rear muffler)
magnaflow 59956 (dual cats)
magnaflow 10791 ( x-pipe)

The only question I have is the rear muffler, it is 5x11 oval and the body is 22" long.

I need to verify it will fit in the stock exhaust brackets and an overall opinion of the exhaust. DO you think it will be quite? Do you think it will make power? Any alternative suggestions?

Thanks!

[FredK]

I have a 3" single in, single out 5x11x22 Magnaflow muffler. It's fairly loud, but it's not earsplitting.

I have Bosal-branded stock-type exhaust brackets fitted to the stock rubber exhaust donuts. Now, there is a slight difference between the OE and Bosal brackets in that the aftermarket brackets have longer screws and studs. This allows you to fit a muffler with a fairly large can with a little strategic bending.

In terms of can size, the muffler will fit fine. However, because the pipes are spaced fairly far apart on the dual in dual out 12568, you will likely have clearance issues in the rear valance. My muffler is a few inches away from the rear valance. To make an aesthetically pleasing dual tip muffler out of the 12568 will be fairly challenging since there's nearly no room to bring the tips closer to each other.

[triggrhaapi]

I'm planning on biting the bullet and just getting a used AA Gen III. All this making your own exhaust stuff seems silly to me when there's a damn near bolt on aftermarket application.

[rneedham1979]

You consider an E36 "bolt on"? Everything I have read indicates it is far from a bolt on exhaust, I would prefer not to cut up an expensive AA exhaust to make it fit the E30. But hey, give it a shot and let me know how it goes.

Fredk- Thanks for the info!

[triggrhaapi]

You consider an E36 "bolt on"? Everything I have read indicates it is far from a bolt on exhaust, I would prefer not to cut up an expensive AA exhaust to make it fit the E30. But hey, give it a shot and let me know how it goes.

Fredk- Thanks for the info!

Well, I have a stock E36 M3 muffler on there and all I had to do was drill the trunk floor to put in E36 muffler mounts. Not a big deal in the slightest. Whomever told you that the E36 stuff is not bolt on is a friggin idiot.

[FredK]

I thought the E36 stuff bolted right on as well.

So, I installed some nice headers, an OBD-II midpipe, and a stock E36 M3 muffler thinking it'd bolt right up. Sadly, the muffler sat at an angle and did not want to poke through the sheetmetal valance of a 325i. Most people cut the tips on an E36 muffler to adjust the fit and angle at which they sit. At the time, I did not have the fabrication skill or equipment to make the necessary adjustments. I know I could do it now, but then again, I'd rather not have to make modifications to a $400 exhaust.

Can you take a picture of how your exhaust sits?

[rneedham1979]

There are like 100 post about it, can you post a pic of the exhaust and how you were able to align the tail pipes?

[triggrhaapi]

I thought the E36 stuff bolted right on as well.

So, I installed some nice headers, an OBD-II midpipe, and a stock E36 M3 muffler thinking it'd bolt right up. Sadly, the muffler sat at an angle and did not want to poke through the sheetmetal valance of a 325i. Most people cut the tips on an E36 muffler to adjust the fit and angle at which they sit. At the time, I did not have the fabrication skill or equipment to make the necessary adjustments. I know I could do it now, but then again, I'd rather not have to make modifications to a $400 exhaust.

Can you take a picture of how your exhaust sits?

When I mount it back up, sure will! You HAVE to use the E36 mounts or it will sit cocked at an angle because of the odd weight distribution of the E36 muffler, and it's extremely heavy weight. That think is a friggin anchor!

You might be able to make your own straps and mount up an aftermarket muffler with the E30 mounts. I wouldn't doubt it. It's the odd shape and sheer weight that makes the stock M3 one sit funny. I also don't have a rear valence to worry about muffler tips sticking out of, being that I have an 87.

[FredK]

I was all ready to drill some holes in my trunk as well, but just holding it in place, it did not appear as though there'd be an easy way out.

And yes, the E36 M3 stock muffler is heavy as hell.

[hoveringuy]

I swear I just posted this a few days ago...

Here are the pics of how my e36 stuff fits. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=162067

[triggrhaapi]

Interesting. I probably don't have that problem because I already had to modify the midpipe to connect my headers.

[rneedham1979]

Yeah, you did. The E36 was not the topic or point of this thread. Because of your previous post I know the E36 stuff is not a direct bolt in.

I swear I just posted this a few days ago...
Here are the pics of how my e36 stuff fits. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=162067

This is a horse of a completely different color then. There is substantially more work involved and I see no reason to cut up an OK exhaust when i can have a great exhaust fabbed up for a similar price.

I also don't have a rear valence to worry about muffler tips sticking out of, being that I have an 87.

[rneedham1979]

I would really appreciate more opinions on the exhaust components in the first post. Thanks!

[FredK]

I bet an aftermarket E30 exhaust with a custom center section will get you the reduced volume, dual pipes, and clean install with stock hangers you want.

You have a supercharged car, right? Dual 2.5" pipes sounds like overkill.

[rneedham1979]

The car is making 450whp and should be around 500whp when it is all said and done. The E30 exhaust are 1.75" that is WAY to small