Need help with 24V exhaust/mufflers

[LJ851]

this. I learned with my first project car, that rushing things and cutting corners will always end up costing you more later. That's just my opinion. This isn't that big of a deal though, as you can always have ricer tips welded on later.

fixed!

[e30polak]

well since the picnic is already over and you've got one bad experience under your belt - do whatever you think you need to do to make it right the first time around, whether that means waiting for more cash or not. Although I know how you probably feel about wanting to drive it right now!

This. I learned with my first project car, that rushing things and cutting corners will always end up costing you more later. That's just my opinion. This isn't that big of a deal though, as you can always have nicer tips welded on later.

[nando]

well since the picnic is already over and you've got one bad experience under your belt - do whatever you think you need to do to make it right the first time around, whether that means waiting for more cash or not. Although I know how you probably feel about wanting to drive it right now!

[Jand3rson]

Did you have 3.5" tips on yours? That seems HUGE, do they fit in the opening? And I don't really care what my tips look like, I don't really even want big flashy polished tips that stick out, I want them to come out just past the opening in the valance and end. The way those tips are done on the E36 you posted look fine to me, no one is ever going to be looking under my rear valance to see what the outlets look like.

That's also another $17 for shipping, making it almost $180, and Summit has free shipping on the Borla, which is only $92. I might go with the one that has no tips, at least the outlets are closer together and they wouldn't have to space one or both of them in.

[e30polak]

Josh I'm not sure where you've looked for Vibrant, but they're the same price rang as Borla without tips. IMO the quality can't be beat if you buy one with tips for $160. An exhaust shop will charge you atleast $30 to weld on tips and it probably wont look as good...

$101 w/out tips:

http://www.verociousmotorsports.com/Shop-by-Category/Dual-Outlet-Universal-Mufflers_2/Vibrant-Performance-Oval-Universal-Muffler-2-5-Center-In-x-2-Dual-Out-1110

$160 with tips:

http://www.verociousmotorsports.com/Shop-by-Category/Dual-Tip-Universal-Mufflers_2/2-5-Vibrant-Performance-Universal-Muffler-Dual-3-5-Round-Straight-Cut-Tips-1040

http://www.verociousmotorsports.com/Shop-by-Category/Dual-Tip-Universal-Mufflers_2/2-5-Vibrant-Performance-Universal-Muffler-Dual-3-5-Round-Angle-Cut-Tips-1032

[Jand3rson]

Vibrant seems pretty pricey, working on a tight budget for this exhaust system, so I think I'll go with the Borla.

[e30polak]

yeah, my top choices would be a borla, a dynomax super turbo, or a vibrant. No magnaflows for me..

This man knows his shit. :-D

[nando]

yeah, my top choices would be a borla, a dynomax super turbo, or a vibrant. No magnaflows for me..

[e30polak]

I'm going to try to get a sound clip of mine tonight. I've got the dual exhaust the whole way back, but it's all magnaflow components. It's a loud screamer with a little rasp in the higher RPMs, but pretty quiet cruising on the interstate...no drone.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=209855

Magnaflow is simply a raspy muffler on the 24v engines, unless you have a turbo. :p

I'd say go for Vibrant Josh, as they're my favorite, but they're pretty loud. ;)

My old Vibrant + Borla set-up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS2RJCk_itY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2H5YreLZqk&feature=related

[Beej '86 325es]

I'm going to try to get a sound clip of mine tonight. I've got the dual exhaust the whole way back, but it's all magnaflow components. It's a loud screamer with a little rasp in the higher RPMs, but pretty quiet cruising on the interstate...no drone.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=209855

[RobertK]

We don't have emission in Knoxville either but over the years ive noticed cars without cats tend to billow smoke at some point even if its just a rich puff of black smoke when slam the gas.

If you're building a nice E30 I recommend some sort of high flow cat because it helps to not reinforce the "yeah your old car looks nice but it still smokes" stigma many E30s get. It also helps when you're ready to sell because it doesn't single out buyers who love in an emissions state.

I picked up a 2" dual in dual out magnflow cat for $89+ shipping and kept the dual exhaust out to the stainless IE catback. It's a nice quiet stockish sound. I also had custom flanges welded on each end of the cat dissection that makes transmission / drivetrain work 10x easier.

Either way, single or dual, I'm was impressed with the magnaflow cat for the price and i recommend running one on the long run.

[nando]

dual pipes is just more cost/weight. there's nothing wrong with a single exhaust. 2.5" or 3" isn't going to make much difference unless you don't have enough muffling, but either can be too loud in that case.

[e30polak]

Is going from a dual-pipe system into a single after the Magnaflow going to create power problems, as in being too restrictive? What's shown above on the E36 is exactly what I'm looking to do, per the shop's recommendations.

Josh, as long as the Y-pipe is done properly, or you buy a decent one, there won't be any real restriction. Kromer Kraft, who specializes in the most Godly custom headers and exhausts for these motors go from dual to single right after the header.

I like the flowmaster and magnaflow y-pipes available on Jeg's:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Flowmaster/389/Y200250/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/Magnaflow/642/10748/10002/-1

Why not sell your magnaflow and get a dual in, single out muffler in the middle?

Of all the 24v exhaust setups I have heard, I think my own setup is probably the best sounding of them all. I'm not just saying that because it is my own setup, but because i actually think it sounds the best. OBD2 headers to obd1 s50 midpipes to e36 m3 stromung catback exhaust. It's quiet but gives off a rather awesome note in the higher rpm range. A few people have been in my car and can attest to this.

I don't even think this pertains to your original question but I just wanted to let you know.

I would have to agree that the Stromung is one of the best sounding mufflers made for these motors, but it's pricey.

[Jand3rson]

I'm not required to have a cat here, we don't have emissions testing. But the guy I spoke with at the shop said that having something at least in place of them, like that small Magnaflow I have pictured above is a good idea, will help to keep it from not being too loud.

I'm inclined to go with their ideas as they're the most well recommended shop in town, but I'd still like to get opinions from other people on what they think is good and will work well. I'm no exhaust expert, and they are, it's just that I keep getting 10 different people telling me different things.

[RobertK]

Have you considered maybe going with a dual-in dual-out Magnaflow cat to keep dual pipes all the way out?