Exhaust: Need a Definitive Answer...

[mbonder]

To those with quiet exhaust systems on their s50/s52 swaps:

What exactly are you running?

I have read through several of the threads here and on e30tech and not come up with a real answer as to what works. And when I say real answer I mean EXACT components. From what I've read I hear many people saying magnaflow cat, muffler right after it, and then a big muffler at the rear.

My problem is this: that's pretty freakin' generic!! Seeing as magnaflow, dynomax, borla, etc carry 5 bajillion different types of mufflers for various applications, I find myself getting lost among the muck. Is there anyone out there who can give me exact specs (IE sizes and model #s) for the exhaust system that you have on your swapped car?

Reason being is that I just purchased an s50 swapped car and it is loud enough the rattle your fillings out. Plus the catalytic converter's insides rattle around and make all sorts of metal on metal noises at various speeds. Directly after that is a small magnaflow/dynomax muffler, which is only about 8-9" long, and finally an ebay special SS muffler about 12" long with straight dual rounded tips.

I don't need this car to be limo quiet or anything, but I would like it to be civilized. Compared to a stock 325is it can be louder, but within reason. So let's see what you swap guys have got!

Thanks--Matt

Cliffnotes: Need a quiet exhaust for my s50 swapped car!

[e30polak]

Run ebay headers to a flowmaster Y pipe. Go with 2.5 inch piping all the way back, with a glasspack or small magnaflow muffler in the middle. Then go Borla XR-1 at the rear. This is about what Farbin Kaiber is running I believe and he says it's pretty quiet. PM him to find out.

Don't go w/ 3 inch if you care about your neighbors :giggle:.

[mbonder]

yeah its already 2.5" so I'll stay with that just to conserve money, just looking for what cat and mufflers to run.

So far one vote for Borla XR-1, but which series of XR-1??

Matt

[hugh jass]

Have you considered going to an exhaust shop and asking them what they recommend? Your definition of quiet is likely to be very different from another persons.

[mbonder]

I understand that my definition is different from others and the like, but I'm trying to get a bit of a consensus on this from other enthusiasts. Obviously there is a grey area here, but I'm willing to live with that, so please speak up people! If you think yours is quiet enough for regular driving/ highways, type it up here with what you've got.

Plus I don't really know of too many dedicated muffler shops around my area that have even heard of the s50 swap. Most places around here are either midas/meineke/bullshit or are strictly import honda/toyota stuff.

On that note, anyone from Northern NJ care to point out a shop they've used?

Matt

[Charlie]

Plus I don't really know of too many dedicated muffler shops around my area that have even heard of the s50 swap. Most places around here are either midas/meineke/bullshit or are strictly import honda/toyota stuff.

On that note, anyone from Northern NJ care to point out a shop they've used?

Matt

It's an exhaust. Tell them what you want, and that you'd like quiet. It's just tubing.

-Charlie

[mbonder]

well thanks for the enormous amount of help there charlie!

[EtaSport]

Well he does have a point.. the e30 exhaust is pretty simple to do. A reputible shop should be able to set you right up.

I run headers with e30 midsection and an e30 catback without resonators or anything to an e36 style borla with twin inlets. My car is nice and quiet while cruising and loud when your on it. Sounds really good IMO.

[PiercedE30]

I need to put a set of resonators on mine. It's LOUD.

[hugh jass]

I understand that my definition is different from others and the like, but I'm trying to get a bit of a consensus on this from other enthusiasts. Obviously there is a grey area here, but I'm willing to live with that, so please speak up people! If you think yours is quiet enough for regular driving/ highways, type it up here with what you've got.

Plus I don't really know of too many dedicated muffler shops around my area that have even heard of the s50 swap. Most places around here are either midas/meineke/bullshit or are strictly import honda/toyota stuff.

On that note, anyone from Northern NJ care to point out a shop they've used?

Matt

most guys here run loud exhaust. i have a magnaflow cat and muffler and it is loud. what i'm saying is take your car to any exhaust shop and tell them you want a quiet exhaust. they will be able to suggest a resonator and muffler that are big enough to give your a quiet exhaust note as they will have many options to choose from. the shop doesn't have to be familiar with a twincam swap to make a good quiet exhaust. and most bolt on systems are aftermarket and loud. you will be very hard pressed to find a quiet cat back system that you will simply be able to bolt on, meaning that you will probably have to get an exhaust shop involved not matter what to bend tubing for you, etc.

[mbonder]

well let me take a different approach than:

What do you guys think about using the e30 catalytic converter with the s50? I'm afraid it won't flow enough as a single 2.5". But on the other hand I have a complete e30 exhaust sitting around thats taking up space...

I could use the e30 cat welded up to the ebay headers and than get a nice e30 catback.


What say you?

Matt

[e30pq]

well let me take a different approach than:

What do you guys think about using the e30 catalytic converter with the s50? I'm afraid it won't flow enough as a single 2.5". But on the other hand I have a complete e30 exhaust sitting around thats taking up space...

I could use the e30 cat welded up to the ebay headers and than get a nice e30 catback.


What say you?

Matt

I have an S50 in my car. I'm running the stock cast iron exhaust manfolds with E36 OBDI cat into a Remus E36 M3 catback exhaust. This exhaust is a little louder than my Supersprint catback that I ran on my M20.

I think most people would consider the Supersprint catback to be a conservative exhaust for the M20 (I little more exhaust note than stock but mild mannered).

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=107147

For my S50 I wanted my exhaust to flow like an E36 M3. I wanted twin pipes to the rear (after the Y where the o2 sensor is located) like BMW designed the E36 M3 exhaust.

If you want quiet it might make sense to use the E30 cat and whichever M20 catback (stock or aftermarket). The smaller diameter pipes on the E30 exhaust should make for a quieter exhaust. If it's too quiet you could always change.

[mbonder]

Thanks for the suggestion--that sounds reasonable enough.

[EtaSport]

you could aways try and get an obd2 midsection/cats. They dont restrict down to a single pipe right before the convertors like on the m50. I think that even the e30 flows a little better than the obd1 downpipes and midsections. obd1 gets pretty small right before it goes into the convertor. If you use the e30 keep the X pipe, it reduces noise just a little bit. I removed it when I installed flanges on mine and it made a little difference in noise.

[mbonder]

thanks for the advice guys...I'm going to go the cheapest route at this point and use the e30 stuff...if its too restrictive I'll go the custom route again...but I'll cross that bridge if and when I get there.

Matt