Searched but just need confirmation.

[trackjunkie21]

Well I'm picking up a new exhaust finally and the PO ran this setup with OBD1 manifolds, now everyone around here says that they are restrictive and so on and so forth so I searched to see if the downpipes would mate with OBD2 manifolds, I've got a lot of contradicting answers so just wondering if they are in fact interchangeable. Thanks!

[RobertK]

I ran OBD2 headers with stock OBD1 downpipes on my NV M50 years ago without any issues.

[328ijunkie]

Youre gonna have to shim the hell out of the motor on the pass side btw.

[trackjunkie21]

Youre gonna have to shim the hell out of the motor on the pass side btw.

Why is that? This was run on an e30 without any issues.

[Mr.SWISS]

There's no way that's gonna clear the subframe without loosening the mount and jacking up the pass side of the motor.


And *IF* it clears at all it will be like a sheet of paper thin amount and will rub and vibrate out the fillings in yo teeth son!

[trackjunkie21]

Really? the seller had a picture of it clearing by a decent amount, he took them down as I basically have *dibs* on it.

[Gnarles]

he probably had the motor shimmed in the picture.

you will have to dent the forward downpipe or the subframe to make these fit along with shimming the motor up. Also, you have to loosen the motor mounts and jack up the motor to get the exhaust on and off - gets old quick!

[trackjunkie21]

Here are a few more pictures of the exhaust on the car, seller had no problems with any rubbing or interferance of any kind.

[328ijunkie]

Look closely at the first pic. First off you can't see where it hits the subframe and Also notice something else missing that the exhaust will rub on?

F swaybar.

This isn't my first rodeo.

[goarmy]

I can see a weld done by the small plate heat shield he most likely moded the down pipe Iam selling right now a remus muffler and manifold we simply moded the s52 manifold instead of the down pipe

[trackjunkie21]

Look closely at the first pic. First off you can't see where it hits the subframe and Also notice something else missing that the exhaust will rub on?

F swaybar.

This isn't my first rodeo.

Picture was after he sold the swaybar, it doesn't bother me, I can modify them if need be.

[RobertK]

I will say mine originally rubbed the subframe and I eventually took it back to the exhaust shop to have it modified / welded for better clearance of the subframe.

[MrSlacker]

Look closely at the first pic. First off you can't see where it hits the subframe and Also notice something else missing that the exhaust will rub on?

F swaybar.

This isn't my first rodeo.

This made me

[Mr.SWISS]

Look closely at the first pic. First off you can't see where it hits the subframe and Also notice something else missing that the exhaust will rub on?

F swaybar.
This isn't my first rodeo.

Me neither, I leaned this lesson hard on swap #1 back in 05 using obd1 manifolds that had the flanges still on and about 4 inches of pipe coming out. Took forever to get the motor set in place because the forward amount of pipe sticking out of the flange ( maybe 2-4") was hitting the subframe.

HAd to unbolt flanges and motor sat down. Drove to muffler shop and they made it work all right, but I wouldn't want a turn that sharp on the flanges on my S52 inhibiting optimal flow.


IMO the best option is to buy a set of headers, test fit the motor,o2's,sway bar and lollipop clearance first thing before more stuff gets bolted and welded on.

[trackjunkie21]

Well I have the exhaust in my possession and I will have manifolds by the end of the week and will be installing it, It seems they follow the same angle as my ebay headers (Duh!) which shouldn't be too bad considered I barely had to shim to motor. Will report back!