E36 M3/M3 Evo Manifolds on E30 Engine Swap

[Motorhole]

Hey chaps,

Have been led to believe the E36 M3/Evo exhaust manifolds bolt up nicely to an M52. Couple of questions...

1) Is this true?
2) Is this worthwhile?
3) If so, what extra clearance issues (if any) will be encountered on an M52 E30? Are the manifolds as simple to modify as the stock M52 ones?

Thanks.

[jmc330i]

1) Not exactly true. Standard manifolds won't fit, the modded ones for S50 conversions will fit.

2) Has been debated that the larger exhaust port size of the S50 is too large for the M50/M52, so any gains made by the nice 6 branch are affected by the step that is created by the differing size of head port and manifold port. However, I think the predator manifold sold at Fritz Bits was designed with the S50 conversions in mind, but also the M50/52 and I believe gains were seen.

3) Clearance issues are pretty much the same. The M3 manifolds need a decent tig welder and someone who knows what they are doing to weld them.

[Motorhole]

Superb, cheers Jim just what I wanted to know.

[jmc330i]

TBF, I should of said I drove Daves (from Fritz) 2.5 M50d car with the full predator system - it went very well and sounded nuts

[penton08]

To make the s50 manifolds fit a RHD m52'd e30 properly is a major faff, or you pay the likes of BTB £1200. IMO they are a waste of time on the m52 anyway. There will be no real power increase on an otherwise standard engine, The only real benefit is the noise!!