Good exhaust design

[Andy325i]

I now have the M52 in and pretty soon will be looking to replace the current 320i system (after finding a few chavs to tease) for something a bit more tasteful. Whatever it will be S/S but what about design? Forgetting the headers for a moment (more on that later!) what is the optimum design for the rest of the system? Does it need any backpressure, or is backpressure the enemy? Is it a case of bigger is better in terms of performance, or would a slightly smaller size and the gases moving faster be a better idea? Also what are the thoughts on the exhaust wrap available, do hotter gasses move faster than cooler ones?

Any help appreciated

Andy

[kam-325i]

I think the wrap is used just to reduce the engine bay temps.

How compilcated do you want the design ?

Dose Pulsing worry you ?

I would use some off the shelf stuff as much as possible....

[DaveD]

the consensus in an earlier thread on this is that it might,,,it does say on some of the sights i have looked on that it definitley does aid the flow of gas

but anyway here is a site i found with it at a very reasonable cost
http://www.proven-products.co.uk/products/cooltek.htm


I must admit tho that a stainless 6 branch nice and polished does look good!

[Ant]

Decent thermal wrap is a must have, exhaust are all about energy, and maintaining it as much as poss, heat lost is energy lost...

My car would be unbearable without it , it gets toasty in the drivers footwell with the wrap