Page 2 of 6 FirstFirst 123456 LastLast
Results 26 to 50 of 139

Thread: REVIEW: Magnaflow "California" Replacement Catalytic Converters - M3

  1. #26
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    OC Cali
    Posts
    14
    My Cars
    e36
    Ya I will have to agree with you on the cost. so I go to PULL THE TRIGGER on the magnaflows they don't make one for the 96 M3.

  2. #27
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Dublin, OH
    Posts
    7,886
    My Cars
    '95 M3, '17 Civic Si
    Quote Originally Posted by LuxoM3 View Post

    Long story short, Scott got me the cats AND installation for $400 ($429 with tax). Yes, I got parts and labor for less than retail!
    -Rich-


  3. #28
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    A hat
    Posts
    1,426
    My Cars
    99
    every single aftermarket i have used and/or have experience has failed in a yr - 1.5 yrs.

    incl magnaflow. Just saying. Its how it typically goes.

  4. #29
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    Quote Originally Posted by bimdaddy50 View Post
    Ya I will have to agree with you on the cost. so I go to PULL THE TRIGGER on the magnaflows they don't make one for the 96 M3.
    Argh - so the suck!
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  5. #30
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Norcal
    Posts
    220
    My Cars
    95 M3 LTW

    Two or one?

    Did you buy two converters or one - realoem.com shows the 95 with two converters side by side. Is one #36004 enough to replace the pair of converters there now?

  6. #31
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    It's TWO units. A pair of 36004's.
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  7. #32
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Bay Area, CA
    Posts
    556
    My Cars
    97 m3/4/5
    Glad you got it all worked out.

    I was thinking of getting the exhaust shop to make a cutout of just the CAT section and replace it with regular pipping with bolt on flangs. Then when the time comes to smog, the CATS can be bolted back on. Did you ever consider this?

  8. #33
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    Yeah, but the fit is REALLY tight when you look at the Y where the O2 sensor sits and the exhaust cats. The CARB guidelines has a strict code of where the cat can be up/down stream in the exhaust track. Kinda nuts really.

    Most of the track guys just run a track pipe and for SMOG, bolt on the stock system.
    I say system as we're talking cats and piping.

    There were a lot of people here willing to let me either borrow their system or sell me one. I decided on going a bit more permanent for this gig - and as much as I liked the price of a used system, there's no guarantee it'll work or last. I'm getting old now (41) so the song and dance to get past smog is a bit of a hassle and I tend to like things to just work and not worry about them.

    The other thing is getting an exhaust shop to work with you. CARB has a lot of these guys pretty spooked. Offenders are publicly humiliated via a newsletter all the shops gets. Whack if you asked me considered they get heavily fined too.
    Last edited by LuxoM3; 03-19-2011 at 04:10 PM.
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  9. #34
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    East Bay, CA
    Posts
    353
    My Cars
    97 M3/4/A
    Quote Originally Posted by LuxoM3 View Post
    It's TWO units. A pair of 36004's.

    So just to make sure I am understanding correctly. You had TWO cats installed at your shop, and only paid $429? From what I have been seeing, ONE CAT is like $400, how did that work?

    The reason I am asking is because I might be in the same boat soon. I just got my DMV renewal, and I need to smog. 2 years ago I just barely passed, and was thinking that maybe the CATs were starting to go south on me.
    Last edited by 2K6TBSS; 03-19-2011 at 05:15 PM.

  10. #35
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    Yes, see my 1st post.

    I also posted a pic... there are TWO cats... and yes, got both units installed for $429!

    [IMG]http://www.percydesign.com/********S/cats-magnaflow.jpg[/IMG]
    Last edited by LuxoM3; 03-19-2011 at 05:42 PM.
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  11. #36
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    East Bay, CA
    Posts
    353
    My Cars
    97 M3/4/A
    Thanks. I didn't realize that the $410 that Magnaflow has listed on their site was for 2 CATs, not per CAT.

  12. #37
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    Yeah, the Magnaflow site isn't too clear about it. It just says #36004. And shows a single cat photo. No help really. It took a chat with my muffler guy to figure that one out.

    But keep in mind this unit is just for the OBD1-BMWs like the 95 M3.

    If you are looking for your 97+... you are pretty much stuck with one from BMW. Although East Bay BMW can be talked into getting you one for $1400-ish if you ask and mention you are a BMW CCA Member. Retail is $2300+
    Last edited by LuxoM3; 03-21-2011 at 04:11 PM.
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  13. #38
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Norcal
    Posts
    220
    My Cars
    95 M3 LTW

    Another option?

    I thought the 96 and later factory cars were reasonably priced...will the 3.2L manifold fit the '95 which allows you to use the 96+ cat if you do it yourself - not suggesting anyone break the law, but does the manifold fit and is the later cat cheaper? You would need to plug one o2 sensor port.

  14. #39
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Posts
    5,016
    My Cars
    96 M3, 15 Golf R, 18 Q5
    Quote Originally Posted by LuxoM3 View Post
    If you are looking for your 97+... you are pretty much stuck with one from BMW. Although East Bay BMW can be talked into getting you one for $1400-ish if you ask and mention you are a BMW CCA Member. Retail is $2300+
    DEC brand, 96+ M3 direct replacement, 49-state $635 at Bimmerworld. CARB version runs $900.

    Neil

  15. #40
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    Thanks Neil - small issue, DEC only warrantees it for 2 years. We do our SMOG (CA) every 2 years so that can be a crap shoot. BavarianAutosport sells it for $750-ish.

    It's a screwy dilema for owners in CA. :\
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  16. #41
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    60517
    Posts
    5,195
    My Cars
    94 325i, 95 M3, 1997 325
    Man am I glad I live in the midwest
    Washedit1 by thedude60526, on Flickr
    11/10's Racing
    94 325i #36/64 TEAM PENISTON OILS/ LARSENS BISCUITS

  17. #42
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    586
    My Cars
    1995 M3, Z06 Vette
    Let's say you bought a direct replacement system & bolted it up & passed smog.

    Save the old system.

    Gut the cat on the old system & then put it back for 2 years until next smog.

    That way you don't "wear out" the cat.

    Rinse & repeat.

    Would your car run ok with the gutted cat? Any engine codes? Ck engine?

    07 328i coupe, 95 M3 coupe, 04 Z06 Corvette, 04 Lexus IS300, several SUV's.


    I have a Bentley service manual & still want to post this question, thanks.

    Check out my DIY videos http://www.youtube.com/user/1947froggy?feature=guide

  18. #43
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fort Wayne, IN
    Posts
    5,016
    My Cars
    96 M3, 15 Golf R, 18 Q5
    Quote Originally Posted by LuxoM3 View Post
    It's a screwy dilema for owners in CA. :\
    Yes, I guess it is, and I certainly have no sense of whether the DECs can be expected to last longer or not.

    Here in Indiana there is no emissions inspection at all, although the original stock cats on my car seem to be working fine anyhow.

    Neil

  19. #44
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    East Bay, CA
    Posts
    353
    My Cars
    97 M3/4/A
    Quote Originally Posted by LuxoM3 View Post
    Yeah, the Magnaflow site isn't too clear about it. It just says #36004. And shows a single cat photo. No help really. It took a chat with my muffler guy to figure that one out.

    But keep in mind this unit is just for the OBD1-BMWs like the 95 M3.

    If you are looking for your 97+... you are pretty much stuck with one from BMW. Although East Bay BMW can be talked into getting you one for $1400-ish if you ask and mention you are a BMW CCA Member. Retail is $2300+

    I wonder if this cat setup would work for the 97. The Magnaflow site says for OBDII Caifornia systems, but it shows for a 99 M3.

    http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalytic...niversal=46104

    Will have to wait and see what my smog comes back with this year.

  20. #45
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    2K6TBSS
    if it's ok for the 99, then its okay for the 97... same cats, same part numbers from BMW.

    FROGGY
    I'm not a huge fan of gutted or cat-less systems. Call me an environmentalist or liberal. But from a more scientific view - guys running catless or gutted made 1 hp less than a fully flowing CAT system last I remember. So from a performance and emissions standpoint, I'd just rather breathe easy and such.

    And FWIW, the Manga cats after 2 weeks are awesome. Man talk about A LOT of torque.
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  21. #46
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    586
    My Cars
    1995 M3, Z06 Vette
    Quote Originally Posted by LuxoM3 View Post
    .

    FROGGY
    I'm not a huge fan of gutted or cat-less systems. Call me an environmentalist or liberal. But from a more scientific view - guys running catless or gutted made 1 hp less than a fully flowing CAT system last I remember. So from a performance and emissions standpoint, I'd just rather breathe easy and such.

    And FWIW, the Manga cats after 2 weeks are awesome. Man talk about A LOT of torque.
    Thanks for the post.

    My concern is not making more power at all.

    My concern is having to spend from $500 to $1500 every 2 years to pass a (rigged) smog law. I call it rigged because even if you pass sniffer with flying colors, they can fail you on visual for not having a CARB # for some stupid little (inconsequential) part. So it's really not only about clean air, it's about CONTROL & PUNISHMENT by the state. Some of us are getting to that clarity.

    Those of you on the forum who live in the other 49 have no idea the c**p laws that comes out of the Sacramento legislature. They have spent themselves broke, but still keep churning it out.
    07 328i coupe, 95 M3 coupe, 04 Z06 Corvette, 04 Lexus IS300, several SUV's.


    I have a Bentley service manual & still want to post this question, thanks.

    Check out my DIY videos http://www.youtube.com/user/1947froggy?feature=guide

  22. #47
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    95 M3
    Sorry to resurrect and old thread, but I'm now in the same boat as LuxoM3 and others: just failed smog and need new cats etc.

    I brought my '95 M3 to an exhaust shop this morning to see about installing some MagnaFlow 36004's and we discovered that there would be no way to install them without losing about 2" of clearance under the car.

    Because of the oval shape of the cats and the flange that goes around the outer edge, they will need to be turned at an angle to fit them in and because of this, they will protrude downward a couple inches.

    If I were to have these installed, I would be really concerned about hitting these on speedbumps and the like.

    LuxoM3, is there any way you could post some pics of your cat installation? Did you lose clearance? If so, what has your experience been? Have you hit them on anything?

    I'm really hoping you can chime in here.

    Thanks!

  23. #48
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    Hey Cycle - my exhaust shop is considered well THE shop to go to in my area.



    The guy cut the old ones out, welded in the Magna's at a light angle AND added about 6" of additional tubing to get it all to curve/flow right and NOT hang too low. At most, it's maybe 1/2" lower than before... but after about 6 months of driving (and I'm lowered by an easy 2") no scrapes or bad noises from speed bumps. Heck my X-Brace hits the bumps before the cats do!

    Also, man the additional torque from the Magnas is AWESOME. I had to sell my TRM chip/Euro intake to get money to do this - but it REALLY doesn't feel like I lost that much power.

    And now the car NEVER PINGS. I'll do 5th gear pulls at 25mph and the car won't PING.

    So for $400 installed, hard to beat that performance.
    Last edited by LuxoM3; 07-26-2011 at 04:12 PM.
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

  24. #49
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    10
    My Cars
    95 M3
    Luxo,

    Looks like a great install! Going to take the picture to my muffler shop to see if they can do mine as nicely as yours.

    Thanks a lot for posting the picture. It is a big help. Nothing like clarity!
    Last edited by Cycle; 07-27-2011 at 12:30 AM.

  25. #50
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area - East Bay
    Posts
    5,848
    My Cars
    2015 435i M Sport
    Glad I could help - even better I saw this thread! I'm gonna bet you are going to be crazy stoked when you get them on. It's amazing how much more power you get back.
    BMW CCA Member 186373 - Golden Gate Chapter
    Former (e)Bombe Magazine Editor, "The Toy Box" product review writer | Current member of Team Jesus



    Gone: 1995 E36 M3 Arctik Silber, 1996 E36 M3 Cosmos, 1991 E30 318is Cosmos

Page 2 of 6 FirstFirst 123456 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •