M50 Exhausts

[Sooty]

I wonder if any of you guys can help a dumb Brit out.

I'm fitting an M50 into my 320 ragtop and I need to sort out my exhaust.
I could go down the cut'n'shut route with standard headers but they look absolute crap, so I've decided to get a custom job made that will mate up with a standard rear box.

I've got in mind a pair of 3 into 1 headers, then two pipes running into an 'X' pipe down by the gearbox before mating up with the standard rear system.
Getting the header flanges made is not a problem but what I would really like to know is:

1. What would be the best tube diameter to use from the header flanges down to the 3-way collectors?
2. Is there an easy way of shaping the round tubing to match the oval port shape?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.......apart from smartass ones of course :-)

Iain

[C ///M]

I wonder if any of you guys can help a dumb Brit out.

I'm fitting an M50 into my 320 ragtop and I need to sort out my exhaust.
I could go down the cut'n'shut route with standard headers but they look absolute crap, so I've decided to get a custom job made that will mate up with a standard rear box.

I've got in mind a pair of 3 into 1 headers, then two pipes running into an 'X' pipe down by the gearbox before mating up with the standard rear system.
Getting the header flanges made is not a problem but what I would really like to know is:

1. What would be the best tube diameter to use from the header flanges down to the 3-way collectors?
2. Is there an easy way of shaping the round tubing to match the oval port shape?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.......apart from smartass ones of course :-)

Iain

Hey, sounds like a cool project. Depending on how these turn out, maybe you could make a couple sets and sell them?

I'd go with atleast 2.25" into a 3" collector. A company here in the U.S. (Active Autowerke) has re-released a new version of their M50 and S50 series headers. It uses 2.5" collector tubes going into one 3" collector.

What diameters does the Euro S50 headers use?

EDIT: I just noticed you're looking at what diameter pipe you should use for the primaries. That I have no idea. Looking back I realized that I didn't answer your question at all. I'll look into it a bit and see if I can find some decent info. You can buy 3 into 1 collectors for whatever size pipes you want I believe.

[Sooty]

Many thanks Chris.
The thought of making some extra sets and selling them did cross my mind, but I'd probably have to give them away because everyone's a tightass over here :-).

It would be so much easier if I could just buy one from Active Autowerke, but of course, we Brits have the steering column on the correct side of the car ( :-) ) and it gets in the way of the headers.

I'll see if I can find out what diameter the Euro S50's use. I would imagine it would be the same as the U.S. version though.

I didn't think to check around for pre-made collectors. Doh!!!
I'll start ringing around tomorrow.