Few problems with an old 87'325

[MitchFong]

For starters the exhaust gets extremely hot to the point it is glowing red. Its rusted to shit and the muffler and half the exhaust has fallen off. I got a new muffler and new piping but im wondering if the new exhaust will just get red hot and melt or something. Also it has a ford ranger radiator in it, hasnt been driven far with it but far enough for the exhaust piping to become glowing red.
Also when I really hit the gas it spits and spudders and doesnt pick up speed.. I think its the fuel/air ratio but i am not sure.. I dont drive the car anymore as im getting a new one but i wouldnt mind fixing it up and selling it. Iam getting a rad out of a 2 door 325, and i have access to a 87 318 but im not sure if thats much good.
So to sum it up
1) exhaust gets really hot
2)ford radiator in it
3) doesnt have any power when i hit the gas hard. Just spudders and theres not alot of response.

Anyways let me know if you think it is a lost cause, it drives fine, shifts smooth etc. Everything on the interior works minus the wipers. I had to take the fuse out becuase the wipers didnt turn off.. All the settings worked but the off setting lol.
Thanks alot for your time
-Mitch

[James Crivellone]

Sounds like the Cat is clogged beyond belief.

[Dave]

Sounds like the Cat is clogged beyond belief.

I agree. It would cause the glowing and the rough running, I think.

[PeaveyBassist]

Buy a backpressure gauge. Shouldnt cost too much. Warm the car up good and hot. Take out the o2 sensor and screw in the gauge. Rev the car up to about 2500rpm and see what the gauge reads. It should be lower than 1lb. If it is higher, then your exhaust has a restriction in it somewhere. More than likely its the cat.

Will

[MitchFong]

well im replacing the exhaust very soon, i have the muffler, just need to get the piping bent.. The exhaust is completely gone right now to the cat.. I bet that is the problem, i didnt even think about that. Is the rad killing my car or should it work with it? the guy said it will cool better than the original rad but might as well get a new one.
thanks alot for the info.

[AdamF 88iS]

Running very rich can cause glowing exhaust and poor running. Does the exhaust smoke or smell like gas?

[MitchFong]

what do you mean by running rich? and i havnt noticed the exhaust smelling like gas or excessively smoking. all the same i can barely see the end of the exhaust at the moment.. still waiting for new piping, i got a new muffler buts thats not much good with 3 feet of piping from the manifold..

[Jordan325iC]

Running rich means it's using up more gas than it should be.

[Sean]

What's your gas milage?

If your exhaust is shit, is it making loads of noise?

[MitchFong]

well it goes manifold, 2 feet of pipe, cat, then nothing lol. that last section of exhaust pipe and muffler are gone..So year fucking eh shes loud ahah.. I got a new muffler, i just need to get piping bent to fit it. Any idea what that will cost?

[Sean]

Check around, maybe someone has OEM exhaust from an I that they wanna off.

If not, I would investigate to see if the cats bad, cause if it is, you can have the muffler shop install some aftermarket one when you go to isntall a new muffler with new pipes.

[mattska]

You can hook up a vacuum gauge to your intake. rev the car up to 2500 and keep it steady, if the reading drops continuously then you have an exhaust restriction.

[MitchFong]

where do i get a vaccuum gauge? Or should i get a shop to do it?
also would a pre 88' 318 exhaust fit my car? both are 4 door.

[Sean]

where do i get a vaccuum gauge? Or should i get a shop to do it?
also would a pre 88' 318 exhaust fit my car? both are 4 door.

No, a 318 has a 4 cylinder engine - entire different exhaust from your M20, which in an inline 6.

The doors on an e30 have no affect on the exhaust, however.

[mattska]

you should be able to pick up a vacuum gauge at any parts store.