M50 / M52 / S50 manifold group buy?

[Sooty]

Sooty
E30_tracker
jaistanley

You have all told me you are 100% in - I need the deposit cheques or I'm afraid you'll be missing out. I'm not going to spunk £3k on manifolds to be left stuck with them.

Money sent so Sooty's in

[ste]

So far I have confirmation and deposits from the following people:

1) Me (me to provide manifold)
2) Ian332isport
3) Sooty (me to provide manifold)
4) ?
5) ?

Still awaiting deposits from the following:

Adil
E30_tracker
jaistanley
Jhonno

Anyone else interested who isn't on the list?

Remember we need at least 5 for this price. There's just about 1 week left to get your deposits in. If Christmas has left you a bit strapped I'm happy to take Paypal so you can stick it on your credit card.

[Jimbob]

Is this with downpipes?

I can see myself doing this just to get round the manifold issue lol

[Jimbob]

ste?

[ian332isport]

Is this with downpipes?

If it's anything like my manifold (which it should be), then you don't really have a downpipe as such. It's all part of the manifold.

Mine runs all the way down past the anti roll bar and ends up with a pair of pipes pointing backwards under the car. This is where you connect the rest of the system. I'm not sure if these are going to be designed to work with any off the shelf system though.

Ian.

[ste]

Ian as usual is correct. The e36 M3 manifolds are longer than the standard e30 manifolds and essentially have downpipes as part of the design. I could in theory have BTB make the join at the same place as the standard down pipes to mate up to a standard system but it seems like a silly thing to do. Fit a beautiful high flow manifold and then stick it to a standard 325i system thst's going to strangle any twin cam engine.

I'm going to phone around the chaps in on the group buy a nd check they don't want to join to a standard 325 system, it's obviously an option that can be done but it seems a shame to me. I guessed you'd all at least be fitting aftermarket performance systems and having them joined to the manifolds?

Adil and myself, liike Ian332isport already has done, will be having full BTB systems. The extra cost isn't that much more than an very good off-the-shelf stainless system (for an M20 engine) but will be made to work better with the twin cam engine.

[Jimbob]

So how much will it cost ste for the whole system?

I was planning on running standard exhaust as I'm a firm believer most aftermarket exhausts do more harm than good with regards to performance.

I think I'm gonna go over budget for this conversion

[ste]

Replied via email fella.

For anyone else that's interested the rest of the system costs an extra £917 + VAT (£1,077.48 ) or £917 + £150 + VAT (£1,253.73) if you want to retain the 'x' pipe like the standard M3 system.

I've spoke to BTB again today and have confirmed it is a 2x2" system. I discussed the standard e36 M3 system being 2 x 2.5" but he says the standard system is ovalised to less than 2" at the rear beam (weakest link in a chain...) and that the standard system is 2.5" bore size not for power but to keep gas volume high through the cats to make them more efficient (to lower emmisions). From most other companies I'd think he was sales spieling but these guys have a proven race record. tailpipes are twin 2" and look very subtle. Noise levels are with regard to track-day noise limits (not loud and boomy).

We have 2 people on the manifold list now having a full BTB system to match their manifold, anyone else for manifolds or systems before it's too late? Anyone else got any spare e36 M3 manifolds for sale as my stock is running low!?

[Simon13]

glad to see this is happening! and people are keeping to their words!

[Sooty]

For anyone else that's interested the rest of the system costs an extra £917 + VAT (£1,077.48 ) or £917 + £150 + VAT (£1,253.73) if you want to retain the 'x' pipe like the standard M3 system.

Bloody hell Ste ...........I was expecting the rest of the system to cost a few quid but not quite that much.

Still....you gets what you pay for I suppose.

For those of us that can't afford the rest of the system just yet, have you any idea how (or if) the new manifolds can mate up to an existing system.
It's not the ideal set-up I know, but simple economics dictate.

It would also be handy to know a bit more about this 'X' pipe (I know what it's for but where does it sit in relation to the manifolds & how big is it, etc).
I also presume its another £150.00 from the above quote.

One final thing; what about the lambda sensor?
I don't know about the M52/S50 but my humble M50 has a single sensor that did go into the centre box.
Are you planning on just leaving it out?

Sorry to be a pain but don't worry...........I'm still in regardless

[ste]

Quick update (as I'm in the middle of dropping the engine in, will answer any Qs later)

Updated list of those who have paid deposits:

1) Me (me to provide manifold)
2) Ian332isport
3) Sooty (me to provide manifold)
4) jaistanley
5) Jimbob (me to provide manifold)

Still awaiting deposits from the following:

Adil
E30_tracker
Jhonno

So, we now have 5 and it's definitely going ahead. The trailer is booked, the tow car is primed... Better get the lump in place...

[Jimbob]

Payment now sent ste, thanks

[Jhonno]

Deposit sent Ste

[Simon13]

Sorry chipping in again here!

Sooty why don't you use a secondhand M3 system of some kind? the bore is 50 odd mm so in the right ball park. Shouldn't be mega bucks

hth

[Jhonno]

An e30 M3 system would be ideal i think for an m50/52 based project imo

Player6's 260bhp M20 was running a standard centre section afaik

[Sooty]

Sooty why don't you use a secondhand M3 system of some kind? the bore is 50 odd mm so in the right ball park. Shouldn't be mega bucks

An e30 M3 system would be ideal i think for an m50/52 based project imo

I had'nt thought of that............ Doh!!!!!

Cheers fellas

So let the hunt begin
(knowing my luck though, it'll be easier to find a 20yr old blonde, brewery owning virgin . I can dream can't I?)

[Jhonno]

Ive got an M3 rear section in stainless.. Not that old

[Jimbob]

What a plan

[Sooty]

Wow, that was quick Jhonno What sort of price would you be looking for?



Now where's that virgin ?

[Jhonno]

Make me an offer, basically bought it as a complete system, but it turned out after i'd paid my dollar the centre section was butchered.. Paid £160 at the time, rear box cost £250 but obviously not after that much It'll go toward my S50 exhaust so a valid charity

[Sooty]

Was the £250 for the rear box new?

I don't want to insult you with a derisory offer m8

[Jhonno]

Yeah - they both came together for £160 tho (if that makes sense ie person i bought it off paid for the backbox)

Derisory offer.. Im a student i know all about them, normally giving them out

[Sooty]

Im a student i know all about them, normally giving them out

Know what you mean m8

Ok if I go & sweet-talk my piggy-bank (she who must be obeyed ) & get back to you?

[Jhonno]

Yeah thats cool

[jaistanley]

The S50 conversions will need a bit more room to breathe wont they? I think the std E36 M3 exhaust is a double 2.5" isn't it?

I have an aftermarket E36 (blue flame) back box to modify. Thinking about just constructing a straight through centre sections made from easily available tubing and radius's. It'll be loud but I have 300 brake, and whilst I hate loud cars. I have 300 brake. Ha!

Jai

[ste]

Updated list of those who have paid deposits:

1) Ste (me to provide manifold) [+ full system]
2) Ian332isport (me to provide manifold)
3) Sooty (me to provide manifold)
4) jaistanley
5) Jimbob (me to provide manifold)
6) Adil [+ possibly full system]
7) Jhonno
8 ) old_skool_2002 [+ full system]

Still awaiting deposits from the following:

E30_tracker

[Beemer Redeemer]

Deposit sent Ste

* Attention everyone *

Does anyone have any spare manifolds for sale.
I desperately need a set of 3.0 S50 manifolds for this conversion.

If anyone has any or knows of any, please let me know asap.

Cheers
James
07795 821002

[ste]

Updated list:

1) Ste (me to provide manifold) [+ full system] [PAID IN FULL]
2) Ian332isport (me to provide manifold) [PAID IN FULL]
3) Sooty (me to provide manifold) [DEPOSIT PAID]
4) jaistanley [DEPOSIT PAID]
5) Jimbob (me to provide manifold) [DEPOSIT PAID]
6) Adil [+ possibly full system??] [PAID IN FULL]
7) Jhonno [DEPOSIT PAID]
8 ) old_skool_2002 [+ full system] [DEPOSIT PAID]
9) E30_tracker [DEPOSIT PAID]

[jaistanley]

How'd it go today Ste?

Any joy with the prices of the exhaust with varying no.'s of people? Been mulling it over in my head all day..

Jai

[Jimbob]

Would be nice wouldn't it, there's a possibility of 5 people for the full system.

I'd love it but I'd go way over budget

[ste]

It's not actually going very well people. At the moment BTB are saying we won't have a working manifold by the end of this week - it's simply more work than they anticipated. The problem is that they are booked solid with other work until mid march. It may well mean my car going back up there then to finish all of this off. We may also be looking at different fitments for S50 and M52 so I may need someone with an S50 engined conversion to volunteer their car to visit BTB too...

On the plus side, after discussions with BTB prices for exhaust systems (after the manifold) can potentially come down in price quite a way We're looking at possibly £300 savings on the systems .

Apologies for any problems this may cause, I'll obviously keep you all updated as and when I find out more. Please bear with me as this is currently costing me and my costs are potentially spiraling, I'm already well over £1k in costs (buying donor manifolds, getting my car trailered to BTB etc..)

[ste]

The S50 conversions will need a bit more room to breathe wont they? I think the std E36 M3 exhaust is a double 2.5" isn't it?

As already stated, it is double 2.5 in places, but is actually less than 2 x 2" in other places (manifold collector 'downpipes', ovalisation under rear beam etc.). As you know a system with consistent 2 x 2" will flow much better than a system that varies from 2 x 2.5" to less than 2 x 2" in places.

[Jhonno]

Ste if you need an S50 car to go up there i might be able to offer mine.. Have access to a trailer and towing vehicle for nothing.. Couldnt promise anything tho. Keep us updated!

The delay gives me time to sort out the bits that are left to do tho n i can blame the delay rather than my lazyness

[Jimbob]

That's harsh news Ste!

There's no rush for mine, although March would be a good time to be finishing it off.

The negotiations about the full system prices is great news though, as it now seems very much affordable - of which I'll be very interested.

Thanks for all the effort Ste.

[jaistanley]

Yea, the delay will give me more time to sort the money for a full system too.

The idea of dropping that much from the cost of the exhaust certainly puts me in the will-have-one group! I think that unless you already have a system or have the parts sorted, you'd be mad not to for the savings in your own time (there I am sounding like a grown up and not a student!).

Hopefully a system of a true 2" all the way through will increase low down torque too. Hell, even if you lost a few bhp from the peak value, you'll more than likely gain a lot more from the torque increase over the rev-renge as power is a function of the area under the graph after all.

If it helps I can pay the full amount for the manifold sooner rather than later, I'd set the money aside already (I'll just need till Saturday to get the money out). Having to lay all that cash out for all that time would suck.

It's a bummer that you've had to do so much running around so here's another big thanks for all the effort from me too buddy.

It's also a shame the two engines can't have the same manifold. Are BTB honouring the original price per unit? If there are two groups (the S50's and the M50's) surely we are effectively having two smaller group-buys. You are bringing them quite a bit of business though so hopefully they wont renaige.

Jhonno:Good if you could help. My engine isn't in the car yet otherwise I'd say the same. I'm lazier and more useless than you I'll bet you!

Cheers Ste.

Jai Stanley.