RHD exhaust issues

[Psymon69]

Are there any solutions? This is basicly the only thing between me and m50 power.

Are there any special tricks? I have a s50 manifold and the 6th runner is nowhere near clearing. I do have a set of stock m52b28 manis but same issue. But a bit better

Please help

[Roysneon]

I cut mine just after the flanges, shortened the runners a bit and re welded so that the header hugged down closer to the block. I also had clearance issues with the front manifold hitting the steering rack, so I removed a section of the runner just before the flange. Just beware that you'll then have to have the flanges from the stock e36 exhaust and find a way to mate them up to whatever exhaust piping you want to use.

[Psymon69]

I cut mine just after the flanges, shortened the runners a bit and re welded so that the header hugged down closer to the block. I also had clearance issues with the front manifold hitting the steering rack, so I removed a section of the runner just before the flange. Just beware that you'll then have to have the flanges from the stock e36 exhaust and find a way to mate them up to whatever exhaust piping you want to use.

hmmm so you went under. I was also thinking of cutting it off closest to the flange as possible and then just go straight down. Other thought was going over the column.

Do you maybe have pics? It seems like a damn difficult job...

Thanx for the info.

Heres my problem:

[Roysneon]

Yeah my manifolds didn't even look like that. I don't have any photos right now but I'll try to grab some.

[Wanganstyle]

the problem:

RHD e30
+
24v engine
+
extractors from S50 euro
************************
Solution:

use M52b28 headers and cut up the rear one to re-route a bit.

[Psymon69]

I actually do have b28 headers, we did test fit and could work with steering rack mods. But... its a m50, 2.8 crank, 86mm pistons, 268cams and running management, i really would like the performance headers as I would think the b28 ones would rob me of my hard earned power... or am I wrong?

[Wanganstyle]

If you had a S54b32 USA spec with 2x catalysts in the headers then a set of longtube extractors with no cats is worth about 30rwhp - I've done it and mapped the standalone for it......... but the original pipes for a m52 are more then enough for 2800cc and mild build.


the bulky extractors you are trying to fit is for a different configuration of engine; a BMW ITB motorsports engine with 6 throttles, very aggressive head setup; much different than a common single throttle engine.

I use a single throttle s52b32 usa special 3200cc unit in my grocery-mobile; its a economic engine without the need for extractors of a high rpm heavy breathing motorsports engine.

the OEM M52b28 headers are used in the USA only S52b32.

the s52b32 is a 3200cc version of m52 with tuned up everything; when headers are installed there are very minor gains; the main issue you have is PACKAGING; a set of headers with better packaging would be much more ideal for your RHD E30.

the 2800-3200cc single throttle variant engines will only gain very minor amounts of power with bolt on headers as the catalyst is much further downstream to begin with and the flow of the factory item is already quite good.

Schimedmann makes a compact long tube header set for M50 engines that may give you enough clearance for RHD fit; I would ask them directly.

[Psymon69]

What you say makes total sense. I think I may have gotten caught up in the whole scramble for power thing. Im sure it will have more than enough power to keep me happy for a while. I can always get a set built later on, its not THAT expensive here, but also not in my budget at the moment.

Here in SA a set of headers is basicly a step one mod, it does not matter what car, I think thats what makes me want to get it ASAP.

A guy is coming to look at the headers today, if he can not make a quick mod to them for a nice price Ill make the B28 mani work and get this car running. Very curious to see what this little 2.9 can do.

Thanx for the nice reply

[Wanganstyle]

here in CA headers are a.............. hmm will I be able to smog later mod..... so its only if absolutely killer as there is the chance you will need to revert to original (and re-install the air pump etc) for CA SMOG. I noticed your SA/euro version M52 extractors do not have the airpump BS that we have stateside; we always end up welding up the open air pump holes when fitting 24v engines into e30's

Removing catalysts is a super no-no and large fine although I have gotten away with it for several cars. 30rwhp from S54b32 was enticing enough to do it :)

Do you have any more specifics of fitting the Opel pistons to the BMW engine? how close are the bore/ring spacing specs and the valve clearance? I may possibly be looking to do something similar with the race e30; it runs a "M50" and the pistons may be expired after last enduro.

[Psymon69]

See there are some advantages to live in a 3rd world country hahaha! Here no one gives a crap if you shoot flames or drive a Prius, they will hassle you all the same.

Well here the opel piston is quite a normal thing, most people build M20b29s with the "superboss" piston, but in reality the pistons are the same for the normal GSI C20xe (bigboss).

There is a bit of a piston deck height difference. Initially I was going to use m50b25NV pistons with my 130mm rods. Then we we assembled with the new opel pistons, they sat about 3mm from the deck. I then used my old NV 135mm rods and the piston sat nice and snug 1mm under deck, so no valve issues. From what I have googled the opel piston has deck height of 30.43mm and the M50b25NV piston 38.2mm.

In the end this did help my rod ratio which was nice.

Other than that I basicly dropped my pistons and rings with my block at the engineers and said make fit. They were gona bore anyway, thats why I went with larger piston, so I am not sure about other specs. Best part is they are dirt cheap :-D

Edit:

Apparently if you really want to push compression you can use M40 rods, they are a bit longer

[burkey001]

RHD + S50 euro headers = modify 4,5 & 6 tubes, and also the 1,2,3 collector

ala...






just isnt enough room for everyone to play

[Psymon69]

ooooo now that is the money shot! Thanx a bunch! Looks like a crap load of mods... I did not see any issues with the other runners, but will have to go triple check now.