Exhaust talk.

I like the fact that a stainless is basically lifetime and looks better under the car especially if polished whereas there's nothing I've found other than ceramic coating a steel exhaust that you can do to make them look good. As for sound you're right on there Tony!! Makes it more harsh I've found whereas the steel mellows out!! JIM
 
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I too like the fact that a stainless system will carry a lifetime warranty Jim, but really what is the point? My car is still using it's original 15 year old exhaust, it still sounds great when you plant the loud pedal and it doesn't look as though it will drop to pieces anytime soon and how long is a lifetime, yours or the cars ? I don't know what I would cost to replace it with genuine BMW parts but I do know I would prefer the sound it makes to a stainless system what ever the cost. As for what extra performance a stainless system may offer I'm not sure but there are probably as good or if not better sounding systems in mild steel with a performance upgrade too?

Tony.
 
That's true enough Tony, I would have to be something special to me to put a full stainless system on any vehicle I own especially at my age. My 58 -190sl will get one but not for me for whomever inherits it. With the new ceramic coatings they have I would put those where the pipes/ headers are exposed as they also keep the heat in the pipes and look fantastic. I don't believe stainless increases performance to a point where spending what it costs could be spent on something better to increase hp where it would be an advantage. By the way, my friend's school has pulled the plug on the Model A project so I have it stored and need to make a trip out to trailer it home. Very disappointed to say the least. Was planning on donating it to the school when it was done but not now. Will try to find a school willing to finish it. Just needs an exhaust, steering column, fuel cell and paint and interior and all the parts are there or I have them. JIM
 
Steven Bostock said:
Interesting reading all these things about exhausts cus i'v been thinking about doing some thing on my Z,the powerflow sounds a good choice so i googled it to find a local dealer and there's 2 of them near me so i might just mozey on over there tomorrow to get some advise :)
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If you go Steven let me know what they say. Which supplier are you going to because I imagine they'll quote drifferent figures? My local powerflow dealer is Mr Tyre at Mansfield. Would you get a price. My down pipe is fine so I'd go from there back. I obviously need the cat as this is the reason all this has sprung up.
Cheers
Dave
 
roadvoyager1 said:
You have a stainless back section and seem happy with it, so why change it? From what you have posted previously I think you tend to take your Z3 for a decent run when you use it. This being the case the front section will get hot and dry out the condensation, which is one of the main causes of corrosion. To keep your costs down you could buy a mild steel front section with new CAT and fit it with your existing rear. Europarts did pipes with a few different. grade of CAT when I checked a few months ago. I understand the cheaper ones are just that and the CATs are prone to break up, so a better choice would be one of the higher spec versions.

Be interested to hear if some of our more knowledgeable member would agree with this approach or advise otherwise. I am still running the original 16 year old system on my 2.8 so expect to face similar decisions to yours sometime soon.
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I do like the tone my back box makes so that may well be worth looking into. Thanks
 
t-tony said:
If it were me in Grumpy's shoes I would look into having a new cat welded into the original front pipe.

Tony.
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I think looking at the the rest of the pipe Tony it would be false economy. It's not blowing but I don't think it's got years of life left in it. I do like the idea of a stainless system as the car will never be sold so I would benefit hugely from a long life system. My only concern is having all this done and it doesn't cure the original problem of high emissions.
 
t-tony said:
Plus the added bonus of not having the noise that you get from a stainless system, personally I don't like it and prefer a mild steel system for a better exhaust noise. IMHO.

Tony.
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I do like a sensible tone of a stainless. Love the sound of my back box so would be happy to keep that. Not into those brain rattlers, I'm a bit old for those!
 
You need a smaller engine Dave, less emissions. Get a 1.9
 
Paul Rice said:
You need a smaller engine Dave, less emissions. Get a 1.9
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Well you certainly know how to make your 1.9 work mate! The big test will be keeping up with Bill on the cruise lol!
 
Steven Bostock said:
Hi excuse me for asking but do you live near Wirksworth ? its just that i think i saw you about 3 or 4 weeks back as passed through there on my way home after a run out in the Derbyshire Dales,i was in blue Z3. Steve.
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Don't want to take this thread off topic but Ihope i will be forgiven for posting a quick answer for Steve. No I live near Durham.
 
Grumpy said:
B*******! Can I ask what you had on it Jim and what you paid? (Pm if you prefer) just looked at there website.
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I paid £550 for the system, from Manifold back, Full system, they used the old cat but I never got around to changing it to a sports cat as I intended)

Sounds Nice though not too loud: Lovely Popping sound as you lift off.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIeqJUNQjcI
 
@Grumpy it's maybe worth asking like Roy said, if they can make you a new front pipe (inc the Cat) and keep your back section mate.

Tony.
 
t-tony said:
@Grumpy it's maybe worth asking like Roy said, if they can make you a new front pipe (inc the Cat) and keep your back section mate.

Tony.
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Yeah I will mate. Makes financial sense with having a stainless back box I like the sound of.
 
If that's not possible Dave you could always sell your old one on here and recoup some of the cost? And don't forget the old cat has scrap value too.

Tony.
 
Grumpy said:
If you go Steven let me know what they say. Which supplier are you going to because I imagine they'll quote drifferent figures? My local powerflow dealer is Mr Tyre at Mansfield. Would you get a price. My down pipe is fine so I'd go from there back. I obviously need the cat as this is the reason all this has sprung up.
Cheers
Dave
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Sorry Grumpy i didn't get time today to get any prices :meh: .The dealers i saw were also Mr Tyre in Notts and Derby.Its a shame your Z's gonna be off the road for a bit,hope you get it sorted soon.
 
Steven Bostock said:
Sorry Grumpy i didn't get time today to get any prices :meh: .The dealers i saw were also Mr Tyre in Notts and Derby.Its a shame your Z's gonna be off the road for a bit,hope you get it sorted soon.
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Thanks mate. No problem on prices. I'll look into it when I get back off holiday.
 
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