S50 exhaust - opinions

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jmc330i
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Post Sat Jun 17, 2006 6:35 pm

First off, if the MODS want to move this into General Chat then fine, but I thought Id post here because its for my conversion.


Right, I need a backbox for my E36 M3 conversion and other than a complete custom job, 2 options have come up.

I have the chance of a brand new standard E36 M3 backbox for which the guy wants about £150-£160 - I think its for an Evo, but that shouldnt be a problem. A quick check on ECP shows it as £315 or £420 for the Evo box 8O

Or option 2, I spied on Ebay a Blueflame stainless backbox with 3" rolled in tailpipes, for £235 delivered, Buy It Now.

Now both boxes would need some modding to fit, but I know a guy who would do that with ease.
Ive heard good things about Blueflame and think I would be happy with a little extra noise over standard. I also think the Blueflame box would fit easier due the size of the standard backbox.

So, what do you guys think I should go for???
James
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Post Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:05 pm

never heard of blueflame so i cant offer an opinion on that, for that sort of price couldnt you get a custom back box made up to whatever you want as a direct fit so that will also save you the hassle of modding one .
gareth
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Post Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:36 pm

would you not be better off looking fo a E30 M3 system as a starting point due to the larger bore?

i used a second hand scorpion system. the M3 boys hate them as they resonate like a bastard with the revvy M3 lump but is sounds like a skyline with my M30. it'll cost a lot less and fit better than a custom jobbie too.
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ian332isport
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Post Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:28 am

James,

When Henry did his S50B32 conversion (E30 M3), he used an AC Schnitzer E36 M3 Evo back box. It physically fitted fine, but needed mounts welding on in the right places to hang off the E30 hangers.

Not sure about Blue Flame either. If this is an E30 back box then it probably won't have big enough internal pipes for the S50. Mine are 2.5" all the way down (standard M3 Evo size) and look like a pair of drain pipes 8)

Out of the two, I would go with the E36 box. You can always change it later if you wan't a bit more noise, but as you get older you appreciate a bit more refinement :mad:

Ian.
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jmc330i
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Post Sun Jun 18, 2006 2:03 pm

Cheers guys.

Blueflame do a lot of bike exhausts but also car exhaust and custom builds. The backbox I was looking at was for an E36 M3, but it has gone now, so thats that decided :(

The E30 M3 system wont have a big enough bore for the S50 engine, as Ian pointed out, I really need a 2x2.5" system, although Im considering a single 3" to keep cost down at the moment.

I spoke to Henry at Hestercombe this year and he told me about his exhaust and what needed doing which is why Im looking at the E36 M3 backboxes as I know it should fit with a little work and have the correct size pipe work.

The problem I have with custom built exhausts, is that when I tell people what car and engine is being used they think they can sting me for big bucks. Theres also the question of how well the custom exhaust would actually work - Im always getting told "well we gained 10-20bhp on this car with our custom exhaust" :?

Cheers for comments guys :thumb:
James
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Post Sun Jun 18, 2006 8:58 pm

jmc330i wrote:The E30 M3 system wont have a big enough bore for the S50 engine, as Ian pointed out, I really need a 2x2.5" system, although Im considering a single 3" to keep cost down at the moment
ahaa, suppose a S50 is another step on again! forgot that!

if you decide to go single pipe, though i reckon it's sacrelidge (sp?), you'll need a 3.5" bore to equal 2x2.5" bores.
2x2.5" = 9.82 square inches
1x3" = 7.06 square inches
1x3.5" = 9.62 square inches.

you'll be very down on ground clearance with a single 3.5" pipe under your rear subframe!!!
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Post Sun Jul 09, 2006 7:12 pm

Does anyone know how well a standard E36 M3 Evo rear box fits into the space of an E30 exhaust?

I would like a nice std looking exhaust that isn't too loud and the availability of the M3 one makes them ideal.

I also have the centre section of a ZMRoadster to play with. It LOOKS the right shape and when the cats are removed and replaced with pipe, may stand a better chance of fitting. If it does, the only bit that would need making is the two pipes from the centre section to the rear box. Easy for most exhaust places and hopefully not too expensive.

I also considered fitting the twin back-boxes of the MRoadster but that would mean removing the spare wheel well which seems a little extreme.

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ian332isport
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Post Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:38 pm

Hi Jai,

I believe the M3 Evo back box will fit in the available space, but you need to weld suitable hangers to the box to fit it properly.

Cheers,

Ian.
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Post Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:50 pm

no no no,the evo one wont fit.
As i said in my conversion thread,the evo one i bought would have needed a stupid amount of modding to fit.In the end i decided i would sell it on ,sold it on ebay and actually made a small profit on it.
What you need is an after market e36 m3 exhaust (ac or scorpian etc).I am looking for one now,i think im going to go for one of those blue flame ones also.Dont get me wrong i think after a lot of chopping a standard one will go but theres no way i was going to chop it up as i sold it on for £190.
The blue flame one,the silencer section is 450mm by 225mm by 150mm.

cheers
andy
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Post Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:53 pm

buster wrote:What you need is an after market e36 m3 exhaust (ac or scorpian etc).
Sorry, my bad :oops:

I keep forgetting that Henry fitted an AC Schnitzer Evo back box on his car, not a standard one. I just kind of assumed that the AC Schnitzer box would be a similar size.

Ian.
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Post Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:53 pm

my friend bought a blue flame half system for his e36 328i, it gave noticable gains. hope this helps.
jmc330i
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Post Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:03 pm

Cheers mate :thumb:

I know a few people with blueflame exhausts on their bikes, and they all say how good they are.

It sounds like Blueflame are the way to go - Im pretty sure those measurements Andy has will fit the E30 :D
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Post Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:21 pm

I don't know if it helps but, Blueflame, Mongoose and Collins all used to be the same company.

Blueflame make the Mongoose range of exhausts. So look to them in terms of quality etc.