I recently received a few questions on an exhaust project I had planned, and since my bavauto header arrived a few days ago, I thought I would document the process.
I am restoring an 85 318i, along with some misc. custom work; much of which has yet to be done. At this point, I have worked most of the kinks out of a horribly abused engine. (included wrong oil used for years) The Exhaust was shot. muffler had holes / separation, Cat was clogged (O² sensor bad) and the increased backpressure blew out the welds on my downpipe. I paid $500 for the car total.
SO, I purchased a Bavauto ceramic / sterling coated header ($445), and was lucky to find a beautiful AC Schnitzer muffler for an e46 318, relatively cheap. ($365) I paid around $150 total in shipping for both.
I knew I would have to move some hangers around, and / or get some custom pipework done. Exhausts shops can usually fit any muffler to any car. Depending on size, and space available, of course. If you aren't relatively proficient with a welder, ask a local exhaust professional, they are usually pretty helpful.
I used an inner shield MIG welder, so the welds are a little sloppy / splattery, but they work =) not bad for a portable welder with hand tools done in my driveway tho =)
I DID have to get a piece of midpipe bent by an exhaust shop for me, because I took the opportunity to increase the size to 2". The Header came with a midpipe that reached as far as a stock cat would. (I have no cat... I may put one in later if my O² sensor isn't getting enough heat to function properly) My muffler pipe was about 2' short of where the midpipe ended. Also, the stock pipe had a factory "crush" in it so it wouldn't contact the Rear diff, or drivelines. Instead of having the shop do this, I just had them make the bend closest to the muffler at a slightly different angle, with a slight increase to the bend. note slight... around 1-2°.
Well enough History, I will end this post and repost with pictures in the next few minutes.
I am restoring an 85 318i, along with some misc. custom work; much of which has yet to be done. At this point, I have worked most of the kinks out of a horribly abused engine. (included wrong oil used for years) The Exhaust was shot. muffler had holes / separation, Cat was clogged (O² sensor bad) and the increased backpressure blew out the welds on my downpipe. I paid $500 for the car total.
SO, I purchased a Bavauto ceramic / sterling coated header ($445), and was lucky to find a beautiful AC Schnitzer muffler for an e46 318, relatively cheap. ($365) I paid around $150 total in shipping for both.
I knew I would have to move some hangers around, and / or get some custom pipework done. Exhausts shops can usually fit any muffler to any car. Depending on size, and space available, of course. If you aren't relatively proficient with a welder, ask a local exhaust professional, they are usually pretty helpful.
I used an inner shield MIG welder, so the welds are a little sloppy / splattery, but they work =) not bad for a portable welder with hand tools done in my driveway tho =)
I DID have to get a piece of midpipe bent by an exhaust shop for me, because I took the opportunity to increase the size to 2". The Header came with a midpipe that reached as far as a stock cat would. (I have no cat... I may put one in later if my O² sensor isn't getting enough heat to function properly) My muffler pipe was about 2' short of where the midpipe ended. Also, the stock pipe had a factory "crush" in it so it wouldn't contact the Rear diff, or drivelines. Instead of having the shop do this, I just had them make the bend closest to the muffler at a slightly different angle, with a slight increase to the bend. note slight... around 1-2°.
Well enough History, I will end this post and repost with pictures in the next few minutes.
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