Eta-to-M50: Build thread

[Van Westervelt]

Oh it Burns! So deep! ;)

http://www.burnsstainless.com/aluminumv-band-3.aspx

[MR 325]

It's a company...

[Jand3rson]

Did mine like this (crappy cell phone pic); burns v-band

Do you mean that the exhaust actually burns the V-Bands?

[samiam3356]

I'm using ebay headers to OEM OBDI S50 midpipes and exhaust all the way back so yes, it will be dual pipe.

Again, this also isn't the car's permanent exhaust system. I got all the M3 exhaust stuff for cheap, so it was the temporary solution to get the car running asap on the cheap.

Did mine like this (crappy cell phone pic); burns v-band

[Van Westervelt]

I would probably do the v-bands at the headers. No sense in redoing it again right later. Do it right, right now. Its not like you are doing it at the catback too (stock e36 clamps, right?).

[5spoke]

Everything looks sweet. I am glad to see it running. Good work.

[Jand3rson]

if it's temp, then just weld all that shit together :) who cares if it leaks or anything. cut it off when you're done with it.

I think that's going to be the plan, V-Bands aren't cheap, either. That will save me about $90 right there.

Once I have the money, I will be having a MUCH better system built and installed, probably this winter.

[LJ851]

if it's temp, then just weld all that shit together :) who cares if it leaks or anything. cut it off when you're done with it.

+1 , forgot it was a temp system.

[shiboujin]

if it's temp, then just weld all that shit together :) who cares if it leaks or anything. cut it off when you're done with it.

[Jand3rson]

I'm using ebay headers to OEM OBDI S50 midpipes and exhaust all the way back so yes, it will be dual pipe.

Again, this also isn't the car's permanent exhaust system. I got all the M3 exhaust stuff for cheap, so it was the temporary solution to get the car running asap on the cheap.

[shiboujin]

So you're doing dual pipe? That'll make Vbands fun to place. I'd do a single pipe and a regular 3 or 4 bolt flange. Vbands work in a very narrow band of conditions. The exhaust must be low on movement/external forces. IE your exhaust will need to be hung such that with the rest of the exhaust out of the car, it should still sit close to it's normal position.

Vbands tend to leak due to getting hit a bunch, warping, over tightening the clamps, and many other reasons. Technically Vbands don't require gaskets, but you can still buy them for a reason. Things will need to line up 100% and your installation needs to be 100% or it will leak.

Personally, I don't mind replacing gaskets every time I mess with my exhaust. and if the flange warps a bit over time or with initial welding, just tighten that bitch down some more. Vbands work great IFF they are fabricated properly, installed properly, and nothing ever majorly contacts the pipes. To me, it's too much work.

[LJ851]

Put as few joints as possible that allow reasonably easy exhaust system removal, cause it will be coming off. Less places to leak + more clearance and cheaper. Exhaust removal by cutting for service operations is not acceptable.

[Jand3rson]

Yoshi dislikes Vbands. To each their own tho.

What do you recommend, just welded all the way back? I mean, I don't anticipate having to drop the exhaust very often, and even if I did, it can always just be cut and re-welded. And it would only be one piece back to where the S50 midpipes meet the rest of the S50 exhaust section.

[shiboujin]

Yoshi dislikes Vbands. To each their own tho.

[Huff]

I'm going to be doing a 24v swap on my 4 door and will be referencing this thread for sure. You’ve done great work and I’m SO glad to see it alive!