Questions about an Exhaust setup for an E30 M50

[formula driver]

I plan on calling Pete within the next day or so.......... But I am just trying to get a better understanding of the expenses invloved in doing an M50 swap before I waiste his time. Ive been told that the stock E30 exhaust flanges will bolt directly up to an E34 M50 manilfold with little to no modification. Is this bullshit? If this is the case than I know what setup ill be using. If its not the case then what do you guys with expirence doing this recomend?


thanks

[Bryson]

no way, if that's true I'll be very happy. If you hold out a few weeks, I can tell you, my m50 is from an e34

[formula driver]

lol.....

Cool.

That makes the swap a little bit easier doesnt it? Starting out with the varient from the E34. Being that you have the oil pan you need.

[Bryson]

It makes it much easier, no oil pan stuff to deal with, and no fabbing for a dipstick. I've heard that you need an e36 harness to fit the e30 correctly, I couldn't understand why it would make a difference. Maybe just for easy fitment/aesthetics. The swap ultimately seems like a piece of cake, I'm even shooting to use an m42 radiator with built in overflow tank with an electric fan. (Have spare m20 rad and tank just in case)

[rs4pro3]

If the E34 M50 manifold has the same flange as the E36 manifold then No it won't. Check the part number for the exhuast gaskets for the two and see if there the same. I've got an E36( i believe M50 manifold in the basement and just tried to hook it up to a m20 down pie and the M50 Bolt flange was larger diameter then the E30 flange and the bolts no where near lined up.
Oh and you need the E36 harness as it has the ECU in the glovebox where as the E34 has the ECU mounted in the engine bay so the E34 harness will be too short to reach into the glove box of the e30.

[formula driver]

If the E34 M50 manifold has the same flange as the E36 manifold then No it won't. Check the part number for the exhuast gaskets for the two and see if there the same. I've got an E36( i believe M50 manifold in the basement and just tried to hook it up to a m20 down pie and the M50 Bolt flange was larger diameter then the E30 flange and the bolts no where near lined up.
Oh and you need the E36 harness as it has the ECU in the glovebox where as the E34 has the ECU mounted in the engine bay so the E34 harness will be too short to reach into the glove box of the e30.

Cool. this helps out quite a bit. I know its easy to bolt on the E34 oil pan but whats involved in adding the dipstick????

[formula driver]

hey Bryson what Exhaust setup are you using?

[M3 Ryan]

why spend all the money and time on it to use the crappy stock E30 exhaust setup? isn't it a bit restrictive for an M50?
just a thought... this is an intereating/eye-opening thread (not that I am in any position to do an M50 into any of my cars...)

[Bryson]

hey Bryson what Exhaust setup are you using?

I'm going custom, I was just wondering if I could retain any of the custom work already done to my m20 exhaust.
I'll probably end up going with a single pipe all the way back to some inexpensive industry standard muffler

[RedBaron86325]

Use an e34 or e36, M50 exhaust. It will require some minor modification on the down pipes and connectors behind the cat(s). It took a few hours to complete this in my garage. Make sure you have something that will cut the oem exhaust pipe. It is some hard ass alloy which ate an entire bandsaw blade. Chop saw will work best. Sand/grind the outer coating of the steel and your weld will penetrate better.

I apologize for posting without permission from the east coast.

[EVOIIIM3]

Use an e34 or e36, M50 exhaust. It will require some minor modification on the down pipes and connectors behind the cat(s). It took a few hours to complete this in my garage. Make sure you have something that will cut the oem exhaust pipe. It is some hard ass alloy which ate an entire bandsaw blade. Chop saw will work best. Sand/grind the outer coating of the steel and your weld will penetrate better.

I apologize for posting without permission from the east coast.

The E34 M50 header is slightly different from the E36 one, the flanges that bolt to the down pipe are different.

I have a set of E34 M50 manifolds and a M50 E34 exhaust, I can't see the exhaust fitting on a E30, it's just to BIG!

If anyone wants them, $50!

[formula driver]

If I use the E36 or E34 exhaust for that matter.... could I use my E30 muffler. Its a DTM sparco so I want to use it. Restrictive? It would prolly work just as fine dont yall think? How hard was it to modify the headers?????

This was what I planned for my setup before I really had any real info on the swap. E36 or E34 headers (slightly modified, dont know in which way) with E30 exhaust the rest of the way.

Ill prolly end up getting a full system from an M50 and bolting up my stock E30 muffler. Is this a good idea or should I just cave in and sell my exhaust.

And one more..... What has to be done to the manifolds to get them to work?

[formula driver]

EVOIIIM3 you have PM.

You should also have them sold.

[formula driver]

Stu and Alex are using full custom systems right with Dynomax muufler? I really just need to stop by and talk to Pete next time im in Buenavista.

Thanks for all the input yall.

[formula driver]

You guys know if the wiring harness is the same on the vanos and non-vanos units?