M20 stainless exhaust manifold and system options?

[svenga]

Afternoon guys.

For some time now I have been contemplating getting a new exhaust system to replace the stainless butchered one the car came with when I bought it, it is cheap and the flexi pipe at the front is blowing through anyway.

However more recently I have looked further into getting a new manifold as well, at the same time my car has developed a 'ticking' and it appears two manifold studs are missing, great timing

My car is a stock 89 m20 convertible, wild chip & e36 steering rack fitted..

Can anybody recommend a readily available, good quality, reasonably priced manifold and exhaust system which will clear the steering linkage and fit on nicely without too much cursing? I have looked on the wiki but it appears most of the manifolds available are either for LHD, are rare as hens teeth, or simply out of my price range (ie BTB ). and for obvious reasons, to avoid the ebay specials!

Styling is no issue, massive performance gains are not crucial, as long as it clears the linkage and is a simple solution, with perhaps a little gain and reasonable quality I would be happy!

Can anybody advise or point me in some direction?

NB: I have been recommended a Magnex full system & manifold, however I can not seem to source any let alone info online.

[Topblag]

Afternoon guys.

For some time now I have been contemplating getting a new exhaust system to replace the stainless butchered one the car came with when I bought it, it is cheap and the flexi pipe at the front is blowing through anyway.

However more recently I have looked further into getting a new manifold as well, at the same time my car has developed a 'ticking' and it appears two manifold studs are missing, great timing

My car is a stock 89 m20 convertible, wild chip & e36 steering rack fitted..

Can anybody recommend a readily available, good quality, reasonably priced manifold and exhaust system which will clear the steering linkage and fit on nicely without too much cursing? I have looked on the wiki but it appears most of the manifolds available are either for LHD, are rare as hens teeth, or simply out of my price range (ie BTB ). and for obvious reasons, to avoid the ebay specials!

Styling is no issue, massive performance gains are not crucial, as long as it clears the linkage and is a simple solution, with perhaps a little gain and reasonable quality I would be happy!

Can anybody advise or point me in some direction?

NB: I have been recommended a Magnex full system & manifold, however I can not seem to source any let alone info online.

You just need to be patient, they do come up on occasion. I think it's only BTB who will make them these days. Good luck.

[Blitz]

I would just put a standard manifold back on.

[svenga]

Any particular reason Blitz?

I have read conflicting posts regarding the OEM manifold & stainless replacements. BMW did not spend millions in development of the engine I will always understand that, but do the stainless equivalents provide greater flow opposed to the stock mani? in terms of good branded ones and not shiny ebay specials.

I know the Boysen system for the car is considered miles better than any stainless but they appear to be getting scarce or if not that big bucks.

Thank you for your input Topblag, I think it may be time to put in a wanted add!

ideally as said I would like the manifold and exhaust as a bundle, I think I am probably asking for too much especially with my e36 rack fitted

[Topblag]

I'm pretty sure BTB or BTB owners published results for a stock M20B25 performance improvement, but no one else has AFAIK. I noticed a difference when I fitted my Magnex system, but don't have any stats.

[Blitz]

Sorry I misread what you said. I thought you said you had a crappy leaking tubler exhaust manifold.

[Brianmoooore]

The standard E30 manifold is of a perfectly good design and flows as efficiently as any good six branch, but is designed with a different objective in mind. The OE manifold is designed to flatten the power curve in the interests of torque where the engine spends most of its time - 2500 - 3000 RPM. A six branch reshapes the 'area under the curve' to increase maximum power at high revs., which in normal driving, is largely irrelevant.

[reggid]

dont know if there are any BTB3 copies out there yet

[dave525]

if 2 manifold studs are "missing" they have probably snapped in the head.