Exhaust Setup Question

[brutus87]

Hello,
Searched, but I couldn't find an answer.
Doing an S50 swap into my 91 318is.

I understand ill need an exhaust shop to do some mods, etc.

I was wondering if I could use the 95 OBD1 E36 midsection on my swap? Will it be pretty easy to retrofit, or should I do custom and have them use the cats from that midsection?
I have one with cats that I need for emissions testing.

Also, im going Stromung for my muffler, should I get the E36 or E30 for this setup on the midsection?


Thanks!

[Van Westervelt]

Are you using headers of any kind or stock manifolds?

If you do the e36 stromung rear, the only mods you will have to do are to the midpipes. (taking off a few inches off the front is what I did) And to the rear mounting area, took out the space towards the jack box via cutting and welding.

You might actually be able to get them on the phone when you order your box, I almost had them do up an e30 box with the front flanges and pipes e36 size.

[brutus87]

Hey Curt!

Im not sure if I should do stock s50 manifolds or headers, does that make a difference? Im not really going for a loud exhaust, but would of course love some nice sounds when you open it up.


I would order the e36 one, but was concerned it would be too big/stick out to much.

If they could do e36 rear pipes, would that be the best scenario?

Oh and pm me if you want to help put the engine together, just got the head from the machine shop :)
Thanks again!

[Van Westervelt]

Your best bet, is either headers, or obd2 manifolds. S50/M50 manifolds are the least favorable option. I would do either of those, headers dont make it louder really, they just take up more room, and are pricey.

I would get ahold of them and see if they can do an e30 style box with e36 inlet pipes. They were able to 6 or 7 years ago.

Then once you have it all, just have the choke point of the obd1 midpipes removed to take out the extra length. About 4 inches max.

[brutus87]

Thanks for the info!

Just got an email from them, they said they wont do E36 inlets on an E30 muffler.

At this point, do I go with the E30 or E36 one? I would do the E36 one, but didnt want it to stick out also be easy to look oem in terms of fitment.

[Van Westervelt]

Ill see if I have some pictures later tonight.

[brutus87]

Thanks!

[brutus87]

So R3v, do I order the E30 or E36 one?

[Van Westervelt]

You'll either have to modify your jack well, making it unusable for a jack (e36), or you are going to have to modify the front of the pipes to mate with the e36 mids (e30).

I would go with the e30 one, and modify the midpipes to mate up to them, and eliminate the choke point before the cats as well.

[nl328i]

This was the best my mechanic could get the e36 exhaust to fit (using s50 to the cat, then an e36 Borla from the cat back.) It works, but as you can see if hangs a little low and to the passenger side. At some point I'll probably switch to something different, but for the time being I just want to get this project rolling!

[agent]

Active Autowerke E36 cat-back on a full stainless custom setup using a Magnaflow 94008 cat. The noise at WOT is nothing short of glorious. Build thread coming soon.

[brutus87]

Thanks R3v!
Youre the best, ill go Stromung E30.


I really appreciate it.