Posted by Michael P. Vrh on August 04, 1999 at 13:52:04:
In Reply to: We need pictures - Re: Thermal Reactors. posted by Luis Cordero on August 04, 1999 at 09:53:40:
: Can anyone post pictures of these famous nuclear thermost raptures, I mean thermal reactors.
: Pictures of both components: many-folds (muchos dobles) and the tractors will be useful for everyone.
: ....just a suggestion.
:
: : Thermal reactors are BMW's revenge to all the American Smog Nazi bastards.
: : They came stock on 75-76 3.0Si's and 530's
: : They are bolted onto the car and look like a manifold (sorta) They are big and bulky and they REBURN all of the exhaust gasses inside of them to greate 'cleaner' exhaust. Because of this extra combustion process, an airpump had to be added to the engine compartment, not to mention all of the extra EGR components on there, Plus if you are unfortunate enough to live in CA you have to deal with the Crap that is extra on these cars only.
: : *The main problem with the Reactors was that they created MUCHO amounts of heat - It's been said that you can see them glowing bright red after a long night drive. Whether this is true or not, The extra heat DID cause allot of problems with the Older Cyl. heads which tended to crack and warp because of their poor design.
Yes, I can provide pictures, how should I provide them. I am completing a complete rebuild of my 78 530. I am installing Bavaria headers and can take pictures of the old thermal headers for you. Plus I would like to show off the rebuild which includes powder coated intake plenum and intake runners as well as the valve cover and oil pan.