N/A to F/I Exhaust.

[SwiftE30]

So i am at the point where i need to buy a full exhaust setup for my s52 e30. I want to get the car running when it is N/A, make sure everything is running right and smooth before i jump into the turbo build.

I have the Good&Tight turbo manifold and downpipe already.

My question is, what should i take into account when looking for an exhaust setup that will work fine for N/A, but also be good for airflow when i switch to F/I?

i can pick up a set of OBD1 headers from the JY no problem, btw.

I am thinking stromung muffler for sound, but dont really know what i should be looking at for a cat, or if i should go single to dual before cats, or stay single throughout. etc. etc.

Any suggestion is greatly appreciated.

I have about $800 for budget.

[nando]

if you use real headers (not OEM manifolds, they're not headers), go with 3" single exhaust with a Y-merge. /done

[SwiftE30]

if you use real headers (not OEM manifolds, they're not headers), go with 3" single exhaust with a Y-merge. /done

oh ok, some ebay cheapy headers?

so... Y merge the headers---> to single 3" --> to muffler (single inlet)

no cat? wont that be difficult to pass emmisions then?

thanks.

edit: then once i switch over to F/I i can cut the pipes after the Y and have a pipe fabbed to hook up with the Good&Tight downpipe. Right?

[nando]

you could run a cat, like a metal core from vibrant. it really won't restrict anything with 3" tubing. ebay headers would be fine since they're temp. I'd couple it with 2 straight through mufflers, or 1 straight through muffler and a cherry bomb, to keep the sound sane while N/A. when you go turbo you can remove one of the mufflers since the turbo acts like a muffler already.

that's basically the plan i went with except I'm coupling the 3" exhaust with something else instead of a turbo. :p

dynoed vs my previous exhaust (stock M20B25 cat, SS catback), the 3" didn't lose any torque at all because I coupled it with RD headers and a Y-merge ~18" from the collectors. With manifolds there's no real scavenging so you don't get any benefit from the larger exhaust.

[SwiftE30]

you could run a cat, like a metal core from vibrant. it really won't restrict anything with 3" tubing. ebay headers would be fine since they're temp. I'd couple it with 2 straight through mufflers, or 1 straight through muffler and a cherry bomb, to keep the sound sane while N/A. when you go turbo you can remove one of the mufflers since the turbo acts like a muffler already.

that's basically the plan i went with except I'm coupling the 3" exhaust with something else instead of a turbo. :p

dynoed vs my previous exhaust (stock M20B25 cat, SS catback), the 3" didn't lose any torque at all because I coupled it with RD headers and a Y-merge ~18" from the collectors. With manifolds there's no real scavenging so you don't get any benefit from the larger exhaust.

when you say two stright through mufflers are you suggesting i have them in consecutive order, one right after the other? I'm confused with this style. I am only familiar with cat--> to muffler where the muffler is basically at the very back. where would both these straight mufflers go?

Sorry if these are retarted questions. I am very new to researching about exhaust systems and want to make sure i get the right setup first time around.

i like the idea of a Y-merge 18" after collectors. The sound doesnt need to be sane at all while running the N/A setup because its only going to be for about a month or so. My neighbors will have to put up with it. :)

from this i think i am going to go with...

longtube headers--> Y-Merg --> metal core cat--> stromung muffler.

what about dual all the way back, running dual metal cores into a dual inlet/outlet muffler? kind of like post #2 in this thread

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=64373

[nando]

Dual costs and weighs more. Single is where its at, esp. turbo.

[SwiftE30]

Dual costs and weighs more. Single is where its at, esp. turbo.

thats a huge bummer because from what I have been seeing/hearing on the forums for swapped 24v e30's and even regular e36 with exhaust i like the Stromung sound the best, and it is dual in/out.

Any suggestions on what i should be looking for for single inlet setups? ....for future turbo setup.

thanks

[nando]

being turbo it isn't going to sound anything like those cars anyway

IMO, the sound difference really isn't there, it's merged before the cat section on the stock exhaust anyway.

I like dynomax and borla, others may have different opinions.

[MR 325]

If you're going turbo you're likely not going to be passing any emissions tests anyway... ;)

[nando]

oh yeah, as far as fitting 2 mufflers and a cat - the cat and muffler go where the old cat used to be (the stock cat/resonator is HUGE, there's plenty of room) and the 2nd muffler goes where the stock muffler was. if I can do it with a transfercase in the way I don't see the problem for a RWD car.. :)

[SwiftE30]

yeah that thing was a monster!

I like what your talking about, but as you said earlier, the turbo is going to act as a muffler also so I'm thinking a single metal core highflow cat and a muffler (where the stock one was) all with 3" tubing would be the way to go.

any thoughts?

[Boosted E30]

Untill its turbo just do
Headers-> Y merge > cat or resonater > Y > stromung.
Then once you have the turbo on there all you need is downpipe to cat or resonater.

Im going to do somthing similar
Downpipe > 18" resonater > Y merge > dinan catback from e36 m3

I really dispise how bmw's look with a single outlet muffler and welding on tips is not my cup of tea either. And so what ill loose a bit of flow but im not going for world record hp either.

[johndoe777]

i wouldn't worry about the emissions tests that's what Moses Lake is for. You only need one more test before you are exempt ... i have also taken my license plates and put them on my other stock car and that worked same year/model but different color

[SwiftE30]

i wouldn't worry about the emissions tests that's what Moses Lake is for. You only need one more test before you are exempt ... i have also taken my license plates and put them on my other stock car and that worked same year/model but different color

oh is that right johnny? for some reason I skipped over the fact that my car will be turbo and wont be able to pass emissions. But i gues thats why i have my aunts house in Enumclaw!

when are you getting your bigger turbo?

[johndoe777]

turbo/intercooler upgrade hopefully this spring/summer