What exhaust system is most efficient for S50 engine?

[Lakis]

So, I kept my stock e36 M3 manifold on even though I have a set of ebay headers in the garage.
Are you suggesting I put them on because the stock ones suck?

thanks

[e30polak]

So, I kept my stock e36 M3 manifold on even though I have a set of ebay headers in the garage.
Are you suggesting I put them on because the stock ones suck?

thanks

s52 manifolds are better than s50 ones, but neither suck. Ebay headers will perform differently in different areas of the powerband. I liked the way the s52 manifolds performed on my car.

[nando]

I guess it depends on what your definition of "sucks" is. Stock "manifolds" have little to no gas velocity or wave tuning in them. They're functional to get the gasses out of the head and into the rest of the exhaust, but that's about it.

But ebay headers aren't really going to be a huge improvement, because they're made to look nice, not perform.. if it's already together I'd just leave it alone.

[Lakis]

This site is awesome. Wish I could contribute something; all I have is ig and laz.

Roger that. Like I said, I have cut some flanges of another s52 to marry the connection from my s52 manifold. So, now I need to go into a 2 to 1?

Recommendations?: I am not going to run cats. So < I need to come off my manifold into a Y Pipe then straight pipes then a muffler I gather. I thought there was a flex pipe in there somewhere....

I really like the sound (and price) of that MagnaFlow although I've always wanted a supersprint muffler.

Out here in Utah though (I am Greek not mormon) they steel cat-conv...maybe they would start stealing SSprint is my fear!
ha

[nando]

try to keep the y pipe near the factory X pipe location. Otherwise it's not going to be too critical if you're using manifolds.

[z31maniac]

Just giving you shit Buddy. The TMS shorties are awesome. :p

ACtually when I was doing the build, I was just about to order the Racelands, but was reading some fitment issues on E36 cars. I figured those issues would be exagerated on an E30.

Then the opportunity to get those popped up.

You'd be sick to your stomach if you knew what I paid for the headers/downpipe.

[5ickride]

looking to start gathering parts...i found a mid pipe from a 97 M3 (OBDII?) for $200. I just got my car back from the shop that did the S50 swap (I shouldn't have an issue, right? S50 engine, S52 midpipe?)...took a look underneath and my pipes were also changed....looks like i'm now running straight dual, i think 3" pipes, to an X and out to muffler...no resonator, no cat...just loud as fuck! I think I've seen some of your post here saying you're running this setup...i need some friendly advice...

thanks

[Lakis]

Nando and E30Polak; thanks for your input.

Car is finally at the shop/exhaust.
I live in Park City UT so there are no inspections / emissions in Summit County.
That said- is running no cats really worth it? HP gain? I was thinking of putting in a test tube so I can just bolt on a cat if I move to NY next year.
THANKS

[nando]

no, it's not worth it. It can make it sound like ass, pollute more, and it automatically acts as a resonator to the tuned portion of the exhaust (headers).

just make sure it's metal core and not ceramic core

[Lakis]

Just got my first quote for customizing the exhaust. I have the stock e36 manifold on the engine. They said: Mandrel bending, 2.5", no cats in the quote, to a stainless magnaflow: '
$700.

Price seems high, no?

[nando]

it's going to be really loud too

surprised they would even touch an exhaust with no cat. you sure that's from the headers back? I had to peel off the California emissions sticker for them to even look at my car, and I put in a new cat.

[Lakis]

Yep, you told me so. I haven't said yes. I saw magnaflow cats on ebay new for $70 or so.

But you're saying it's expensive I gather?

What are people that don't make their own exhausts paying for this setup?

Yes- I have the original manifolds; and I gave them an extra set flanges so that is an easy match....

[Lakis]

it's going to be really loud too

surprised they would even touch an exhaust with no cat. you sure that's from the headers back? I had to peel off the California emissions sticker for them to even look at my car, and I put in a new cat.

Ok- bought a metal core high flow cat. so that, 2.5 inch all the way and a magnaflow muffler.

Do you think it'll be very loud still? I could always add a resonator.

Thanks