Need help choosing an exhaust setup

[rotarievtec]

Ok i finally got the swap running and it's time to get my exhaust done.
First off what is the major factor in having a raspy exhaust? I remember reading somewhere that it comes from having no cat but correct me if im wrong.

Also i need it to pass a visual inspection and not be too loud, it's a semi dd. Im running obd2 manifolds into a y pipe and single 2 3/4 inch piping to a thrush muffler as of now and it is stupid loud.

If anyone has any sound clips of their setup or can suggest what components to buy to achieve these goals with my exhaust setup i would appreciate it. Also im trying to stay under 500 bucks.

[ck_taft325is]

What year is your car and what are the emission's regulations in your state? In WA, 25 + years there's no more emissions so you're free to run no cat if you desire. Pretty much what I'm doing.

I would suggest Remus as I love the sound they make. It's not too loud but when you open it up it's amazing. Head turner.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npCYAMjYuGk

[rotarievtec]

I dont have emissions testing where i live just visual inspection. If i lived closer to D.C by about 20 miles i would have to deal with emission testing. My car is an 89 so i still have a few years for the 25+ thing. 800 bucks is a little more than im trying to spend. Plus i would still have to have it customized for my swap as they don't make an application specific exhaust for my setup. The car in that youtube clip souds just about perfect for what i am thinking though.

I was thinking from the y pipe either going muffler or race cat 2.5 inch single piping all the way back to another muffler. The only thing i am worried about is rasp.
Also is anyone running a complete stock e36 exhaust? How does it sound and how much work was it to make it fit. I can get a complete setup for around 100 bucks.

[e30pq]

Here are a couple of video clips of another S50 Remus exhaust.

This was at an autocross.

http://vimeo.com/9639079

This was a camera test on the street.

http://vimeo.com/9594657

I'm running 95 E36 cats and 95 M3 Remus cat back with stock cast iron exhaust manifolds.

[naarleven]

I bought my car with an awfully raspy ebay long tubes to a homemade 2.5in back to a ricer fart can. It sounds funny and mean to have such an open exhaust system but I've gotta quiet mine down.

My personal plan is an OEM header back to good dual cat converter to a y pipe to 2.5" back to the biggest magnaflow I can fit and a turn down. Its cheap, effective and it will likely sound real nice. But then again these straight 6's are notoriously raspy, right?

p.s. this is my first time around with an e30 m52 and appreciate input.

[OdSkE30]

"X" pipe can take out some rasp. I'm running two 24" resonators and the biggest muffler I could fit and reduced the outlet to 2 1/4 inch and it still screams. No cat. :) Those three mods were all done at separate times and the outlet reduction made the biggest improvement on rasp. Definitely not lacking in the back pressure department. Pops like a mofo. :P Muffler is 2 in 2 out. Any questions feel free. I can snap some pics later if ya want. Good luck bro and don't be disappointed if ya end up with a little rasp. I like the bite.

[OdSkE30]

"X" pipe can take out some rasp. I'm running two 24" resonators and the biggest muffler I could fit and reduced the outlet to 2 1/4 inch and it still screams. No cat. :) Those three mods were all done at separate times and the outlet reduction made the biggest improvement on rasp. Definitely not lacking in the back pressure department. Pops like a mofo. :P Muffler is 2 in 2 out. Any questions feel free. I can snap some pics later if ya want. Good luck bro and don't be disappointed if ya end up with a little rasp. I like the bite.

EDIT: Sorry for double post. Moderator help please!

[ACHTUNG]

From what I've read, rasp is mostly attributed to cheaper thin-walled headers.

[weaksauce]

hum, i wonder if thats what makes the e46 m3 so raspy....... BMW used cheap headers on them.

[I*Do*Werke]

any 6 cylinder engine has some rasp. And since when has rasp been a bad thing?

My e46 with m52 had stock exhaust manifold > y-pipe > catalytic converter > single 2.5 > 2 bmw resonators > y pipe > dual tips.
Also known as a muffler delete on a stock e46, but the exhaust was perfect. I could not have been any happier for the price. Minimal rasp, deep throaty tone, loud when I pushed it, yet quiet when I didnt. When I finish my swap, ill be putting in the same (or close to the same) exhaust setup

[etxxz]

i think the best input will come from what the e36 crowd is doing.

the sickest exhausts/notes come from straight pipe to a GOOD muffler ie. remus, borla (my setup), uuc, stromung, eisenman (one of my favs).

Best way to quiet down an exhaust is to put components as close to the headers as possible. Best way to get rid of rasp is to arrange the flow early. "Y" as close to the downpipe as possible, put a flex right after, [cats, or short resonator here if you want quieter], Muffler selection. Forget dual piping.. hence no "X" What's killing you right now in sound is the thrush muffler. Add a resonator in the middle if anything. I also think you should go and do the visual like that.