Can I get a standard looking/sounding exhuast on an M30?

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Afternoon all,

My 1988 M30 cab is fitted with a stainless powerflow single pipe system, mated to a 6-2-1 manifold (pics below). The car came with this system, and unfortunately the noise and the looks are far too council for my liking.

I bought various standard 325i exhaust parts to try and build a standard system, but the main issue I have is that the powerflow is single pipe the length of the car and all the OEM exhaust parts are twin pipe. The 6-2 section of the manifold is welded at a Y piece, even cutting those welds would not mate it to any of the OEM bits I have.

Any recommendations or ideas on the best way from here? Custom made? Is there an M30 manifold that would mate with the twin pipe OEM system?

Thanks all,

Martin.
ps: Is the SS powerflow worth anything, with or without manifold, if I sold it?

Powerflow on the right, various OEM bits in the middle and on the left


Manifold is hard to photograph whilst still fitted, but thought I'd try in case this manifold is worth re-use

[zaust]

Anything can be done fella. Just depends on the skills of the person doing it.

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Anything can be done fella. Just depends on the skills of the person doing it.

Very true, but alas I don't know one end of a welder from the other. Nor do I know what variants of M30 manifold are available.

If anyone knows of a reasonably 'out of the box' solution, that would be magnificent.

Martin.

[leeparkes]

There's a thread going on now about m30 exhausts

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=127227

[charlE30]

To mate the standard M30B35 manifold to a standard 325i system easily you'll need to get hold of some more E34 downpipes chop them and cut a couple of slits so it can be clamped up on the 325 downpipes. It's not the best way and I know going to a custom exhaust place would be the best option but it does work.

The only manifold that fits the M30 in the E30 is from the E32/4 which IIRC are the same, the earlier E28 manifold fouls the bulkhead. I had looked at the possibility of using the boxes from a 535 as I like you wanted a standard sound but they are far to big to fit under the E30 floorpan.

Chopped E34 downpipes


325 downpipes clamped into the E34 pipes


Chopped 325 downpipes


I'm currently looking at changing mine to either an M3 Scorpion or building a single pipe system with a twin exit rear box. I decided to do it now as I've just fitted an E46 330 clubsport rack and had to cut and weld the front part of the manifold to clear the coupling.

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

To mate the standard M30B35 manifold to a standard 325i system easily you'll need to get hold of some more E34 downpipes chop them and cut a couple of slits so it can be clamped up on the 325 downpipes.

Chopped E34 downpipes

Excellent stuff, thank you. Very helpful. One further question if I may, the picture above, is that a combination of E34/325 parts, or is that simply a cut/shortened E34 manifold?

If the latter, then this could be achievable for me. If the former, then that is perhaps a step too far as it sounds like welding will be needed.

I think it is time to talk to an exhaust place and use their expertise and skills. Anyone got any recommendations of places to use?

Martin.

[charlE30]

Excellent stuff, thank you. Very helpful. One further question if I may, the picture above, is that a combination of E34/325 parts, or is that simply a cut/shortened E34 manifold?

The above photo's show the standard E34 downpipes chopped and bolted to the standard E34 manifold, the 325 pipes then slide inside and clamp up. No welding involved

If I had the money I would take it somewhere and get a proper system built hence my thread on 335 exhausts.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Charlie

[tomson]

Martin, get yourself another M30 manifold & downpipes, preferably from an E34/E32, and then all you need is someone with a welder to make it all fit.

[Ziggy]

Martin, that pic of your manifold looks remarkably like a standard one to me - guess it must be modified below where we can see it? I might be interested in it as it happens, if it's been done to give more steering rack clearance anyway!

I'll be breaking a 535i as soon as I get round to it really - I'll give you a shout when I've got those bits off & see if you're still looking.

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Ziggy,

I think you are right, the manifolds probably are standard and it is the downpipes that have been modified. It is impossible to take a pic of those, and as I cannot get the O2 sensor to unscrew from the bottom of the downpipes, I cannot remove it to picture.

Very interested in your 535 manifolds and downpipes if they are from an E34. Let me know once you have them for sale.

Martin