Full Exhaust System Replacement I’m Considering – Feedback Please

[///MDex]

My goals are 1) to replace the rusting center cat section, 2) achieve a little more flow, 3) maintain a reasonable noise level, 4) have a nice looking, full system replacement bolt-on exhaust.

After going with a full custom setup on my Mcoupe (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6930703&postcount=44), which even then was less than what most places charge for a quality catback-only system only for the MZ3, this fully bolt-on system seems like a reasonable deal.

BavAuto Long Tube Headers, $600 + BavAuto Scorpion Muffler with Ansa Midpipe, $450

I have confirmation from BavAuto that the Ansa midpipe mates to their headers.

I will have the Ansa midpipe and the muffler [not the tips] also coated, I guess with the same JetHot Sterling finish to remain consistent, although my first choice would be Swaintech – but its certainly not worth stripping the headers for it.

BavAuto Long Tube Headers, $600

Our performance headers optimize exhaust flow so your BMW can produce more power. Bavarian Autosport high performance headers are given a proprietary Sterling¨ coating. This coating allows higher exhaust gas velocity, reduces temperatures in the engine compartment and provides greater corrosion resistance than ordinary ceramic coatings. Keeps headers looking new for years and protects against thermal fatigue. Our headers are designed to bolt directly to your engine and stock or aftermarket exhaust systems. For off-road use only. This header is for cars with manual transmissions only.http://www.bavauto.com/assets/imglib500/header.jpg


BavAuto Scorpion Muffler with Ansa Midpipe, $450

From England, Scorpion stainless steel performance exhaust systems have been sought after by tuners the world over. Now these free-flow, stainless steel systems are available in the U.S. from Bavarian Autosport! They have been engineered to deliver a horsepower boost yet not be quite as loud as other free-flow systems. And they're built to last using the best 304 stainless steel. - TUV certified. - This system includes an Ansa painted steel center pipe and the Stainless Scorpion rear muffler.http://www.bavauto.com/assets/imglib500/bw_4836.jpg

http://www.bavauto.com/assets/imglib500/scorpionround.jpg

[Matt]

I think that will be very loud.

[///MDex]

I think that will be very loud.Can you recommend a quieter muffler?

[Matt]

Not really. Any aftermarket muffler will be pretty loud. That's why people buy them.

[96 Cosmos]

Can you recommend a quieter muffler?

Ireland Engineering. These things are not loud. Nice low growl, but nothing at all obnoxious when you put your foot in it. Just installed mine last weekend... love it! Check eBay for a seller called Carr Industries... they sell the IE cat back for $375 plus $40 shipping. That beats IE's price if you buy it directly from them.

[lachssilberbim]

My BAS headers came with catless mids FYI.

The headers go down to catless mids and straight into my remus, if you want a subtle muffler i suggest that one.

[SWISS]

Not really. Any aftermarket muffler will be pretty loud. That's why people buy them.:rofl cuz it's true.

[///MDex]

My BAS headers came with catless mids FYI. The headers go down to catless mids and straight into my remus, if you want a subtle muffler i suggest that one.That sounds like a viable option. The catless mids were sent by BavAuto?


Ireland Engineering. These things are not loud. Nice low growl, but nothing at all obnoxious when you put your foot in it. Just installed mine last weekend... love it! Check eBay for a seller called Carr Industries... they sell the IE cat back for $375 plus $40 shipping. That beats IE's price if you buy it directly from them.That’s cool. They are actually only couple hours away from me. I’ll look into it.

[lachssilberbim]

That sounds like a viable option. The catless mids were sent by BavAuto?

That’s cool. They are actually only couple hours away from me. I’ll look into it.

Yeah, they came in the same box as the headers.

[Schneller3er]

while browsing through Craigslist I found this...I think that's a good deal. I don't know who the seller is, just passing the info to someone that needs an exhaust.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/pts/327899099.html

[Matt]

while browsing through Craigslist I found this...I think that's a good deal. I don't know who the seller is, just passing the info to someone that needs an exhaust.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/pts/327899099.html

I know the seller, he goes by Reynard38 on here. Great guy.

[X Mon]

I'd check on where the BavAuto header's meet up.

Scorpion makes a 3 piece setup for NON-catalyst cars that matches up with the STOCK Euro-downpipes. It consists of a front section with stainless down pipes (from stock manifold) back to a center resonator section that then meets up with a 3 piece version of the muffler you have listed. That is to say the back section Euro muffler is shorter than the stock muffler.

Ansa stuff is fairly low quality, and I've personally seen multiple Ansa components rust from the inside out. Thus I'd highly suggest staying away from their stuff.

My thought is that you can probably go with the back two pieces of the Scorpion 3 piece matched to the Bav Auto headers. I'm currently running BMW downpipes (I didn't have facilities to weld an 02 bung into Stainless and they weren't offering downpipes at that time) with the back two Scorpion pieces, and it resulted in a nice solid drone at low RPM, but is barely audible at highway speeds with the windows up.

The part numbers on the Scorpion with the Dual 90mm (Lemans) tips are:
SBM005 for the HALF system as sold by BavAuto (2 piece system)
SBM012 for the Center Resonator and Rear Muffler (3 piece system)
SBM014 for the Front (Down) Pipes, Center Resonator and Rear Muffler (3 piece system - No O2 bung)
SBM016 for the Front Section (Down pipes and Resonator) and Rear Muffler (2 piece system - Should have O2 bung)

http://users.rcn.com/xmon/scorpion2.jpg


I bought the SBM012 Need For Speed (http://www.needforspeed.co.uk/pages/sbv_pl.asp?Vehicle=BM__303&PartType=EXS01) back in '05 and received it via FedEX using their shipping company.
http://users.rcn.com/xmon/scorp.JPG
You should be able to get NFS to price match Venom Motorsport (http://www.venommotorsport.com/cgi-bin/products.pl?CategoryField=Exhaust-ScorpionFullSystems-325i) and get the systems a bit cheaper. At least in 2005, Venom would not ship stateside.

Sorry, no pictures of it on the car. I'll have to take some next time it's on the lift for an oil change.

[Stück]

I had the BavAuto headers on my e30. They come with catless midpipes that will accept ANY catback that would fit the factory setup. The flanges at the end of the catless midpipes are OEM hardware, placed appropriately. I cannot speak highly enough of the headers and midpipes... simply put these are the best available part of thier kind for a e30 m20 IMO.

Now that said.. unless you have done some SERIOUS internal mods to your 2.5L m20 there is absolutely no point in such a free flowing exhaust. You will lose a drastic amount of low end tq, and gain next to no high end hp. The exhaust system stock to the car while in good working order is NOT a restriction.

That scorpion catback is garbage IMO, and anything and everything ANSA makes is universal garbage...

Here is a picture of them on my e30...

http://oldmary.lqhome.com/%7Ejordansarette/coppermine/albums/2005/December2005/Underside.jpg

[///MDex]

Hmm, maybe the BAS headers and the rest stock replacements then.

[Stück]

Again.. my same advice applies.

Unless you have done serious internal work to the engine then adding headers will only negate performance... despite looking nice.

[SWISS]

Just get an IE catback.

[///MDex]

Again.. my same advice applies. Unless you have done serious internal work to the engine then adding headers will only negate performance... despite looking nice.Gotcha


Just get an IE catback.The trigger event of this was noticing some rust through on the center cat pipe, so I want to replace and coat the new components.

[X Mon]

Which is exactly why I go back to my original recommendation of running downpipes (either stainless or euro) and a center resonator and rear can. If you order the full system (SBM016) from NFS priced matched to Venom, you can get it to your door for between $1000 and 1050, which puts you in the same ball park as what the stuff from BAV would have been. It'll be well constructed, cleanly welded 304 SS which isn't exactly going to go away on you.

[///MDex]

X Mon, thanks. I'll do some researching.

[///MDex]

Trying to keep it OEM, and relatively quiet, I'm going to try the OEM Euro catless resonator (http://bmwfans.info/original/E30/2-T/325i-M20/ECE/L/M/1990/01/mg-18/ill-18_0207/), and keep the rest stock for now, and see how that treats me.

[Morrison]

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I'm wondering if that catless resonator pictured above has provisions for an 02 sensor. I'm guessing it doesn't. Has anyone had a bung welded in to one of these?