The car is finally running, but I need to connect the exhaust manifold to the exhaust. I am using an e30 m3 exhaust, what is the best way to connect it to exaust manifold? I would rather not take it to an exhaust shop, I have a welder but not a tube bender. Could I use a flex pipe?
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Pick up some pre-bent piping and cut away...
That is one option...
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Related exhaust question
I'll take the opportunity to jump onto this thread with my own exhaust question:
Everyone talks about either full custom or an e36 derived exhaust. I actually like my e-30 exhaust, and having not started my own conversion yet I'd like to know what the aversion is to using the e30 exhaust. I realize that it wouldn't flow as well for an S50, but I'd be willing to take a 5hp penalty at the top end for stock fitment.
That said, how difficult is it to match an M50 downpipe to the e30 plumbing? Or would the e-30 downpipe work? How about a little of each??
HoveringuyComment
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I think sorting out the exhaust can be the hardest part of a conversion. I heard that dual 1.75" pipe should be sufficient for 240 hp. Probably not optimal, but sufficient. I'm not sure how wide m20 piping is, but the Borla muffler that I used with my s14 motor was 1.75" (dual), so I went this route. My complete exhaust is s52 headers -> s50 cat and middle section -> s14 Borla. The guy who did my custom exhaust work dimpled the pipe to clear the control arm bushing and the sway-bar. He also shaved off a small ridge from the underbody to help clear the cat. Like the s14 Borla, the dimpling is not optimal but it's gotten me far enough so I can drive the car. I figure I'll sort out a better exhaust next year...
A note to people using the s52 headers - you need to weld up the emissions pipe hole and also pay attention to the gasket. I welded the hole and used the s50 gasket which doesn't seal the recessed port. I assume the s52 gasket seals the area between the exhaust ports? Since it's incredibly difficult to remove the headers, I just shoved a piece of gasket material to cover the hold and my exhaust tick is nearly gone. Does anyone know of any tricks to remove the exhaust studs?? If I can get these out, I can slip in a new gasket, but there is virtually no room to remove the headers with the studs sticking out of the head.
To the orignial poster - are you using a full s14 exhaust including s14 cat?? I imagine that it could be very difficult getting them to mate together, and the s14 cat might not flow very well. You might want to consider the route I went and use the stock s14 muffler. The custom work to get from the e36 cat to the s14 muffler is pretty short.Comment
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Is the reason that nobody uses the e30 cat and mid-section because the e36 just works so well?
Did you need to dimple the tubes to clear your stock CAB's or do you have the Treehouse CABs?
I guess what I am getting at is that the e30 pipes are made to clear the CABs and sway bar so can they be spliced into the e36 plumbing at some point between the CAB's and the manifold?
HoveringuyComment
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You're right. 1.75 is a little bigger than optimal for a 240hp S50.Originally posted by Rev Engineer View PostComment
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Rev Engineer - I changed out my headers in about 1.5 hours and 6 beers. It's really easy if you take the hood off, lots more arm space that way.
Also - I plan on using an e30 m3 center section and muffler next year. I did a cheap-o e36 m3 center section and muffler and it works quite well. But it's heavy and hangs a little low for me. An aftermarket supersprint center section would work well with some custom pipes from the s52 headers down to the center section. It would sit nice and high under the car as well which will give me the clearance I need to get into my parking garage :(Comment
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