Exhausts

Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:53 pm

Are there different sizes of exhaust manifold to front pipe flanges. Just bought an exhaust which I thought would fit an '89 325i but the front pipe flange is about 10mm to narrow so the studs and the holes in the pipe will not match up.

Are there different specs for the 325i??

Any ideas what BMW this front section is for???

I got the whole system will the rest still be ok if I just change the front pipe??

Cheers,

Andy

Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:35 pm

Have got hold of another 325i front section and the flange is the same as the new one which does not fit

Whats going on??

Is it my manifold that is not standard (unlikely from the look)?? anyone else coma across this. Might have to resort to welding the old flange to the new exhaust.

Any thoughts???

Desperatly trying to change the exhaust. Got to drive to work tomorrow somehow

Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:55 pm

Not sure I can help but this website may be useful.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... g=18&fg=05

Pete

Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:42 pm

Cheers have checked out the website and narrowed the exhaust down to a twin pipe with front flange what according to Bosal was fitted to the '87-'89 saloon 325i's. But I still cannot account for the difference between the flange size and the exhaust manifold size.

Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:10 pm

I had the same issue! There's 2 different types... I'll try & find the relevant thread for you

Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:16 pm

Here ya go

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=22254

Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:08 pm

Cheers,
So basically I think I agree with you. I have the larger flanged 3 piece but I have 2 small flange downpipes. That leaves me with 2 options. Get an exhaust manifold that fits the smaller flanged downpipe. Or try and get my hands on one of the larger flanged downpipes. Sounds like they are less common though. You don't still happen to have yours or have you cut and welded it now???

If not I have several spare small flanged 3 piece downpipes

Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:15 pm

I just modified the holes on the downpipe to match up with the manifold in the end...

Bit of a bodge, but I ground the welds down a bit too & I really don't think it'll flow any worse than it would have done before...

I thought the bigger ones were more common!

Damn, we should have just swapped manifolds! :lol:

Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:23 pm

hehe oh well

If you happen to know anyone who has a spare large flanged one let me know. Have thought about modifying the one I have but moving the bolt holes out does not leave a lot of metal left and will probably cause the flange to shear. Will wait a bit and see if anyone can help out with the downpipe. Otherwise I will have to weld the larger flange onto the smaller one and do it that way, or something.

Cheers

Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:30 pm

Yeah it worked the way I was going, but wouldn't have fancied it the other way. Mine's fine now, but if you wanna come & swap your manifold for mine then feel free! :lol:

Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:45 am

I had same prob once, i ended up changing the manifold at the same time, bit of work but i had all the spare parts kicking around. Today i would have probably got the welder out cause its more fun!