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I have lucked out immensely with the Baron (new name) and this car works flawless like new. Of course these thermal reactors are killing me.

So smog today and had awesome numbers. I am in California so I am so glad to have that under my belt.

New radiator, water pump and thermostat and of course my Baron is running at 3/4...

I see the EGR and reactors have to go.

So I have the chart and know these items marked expendable need to be removed. I am leaving it in tact other than the removal. I understand I need headers? Anyone know the most affordable route for these? I have 2 years before the next smog and within that time I will have more than likely converted engine. Right now I need to do everything on a tight budget.

Any pain spots that might prohibit me from removing these things from engine as instructed? Should I take it to a shop to have them do it?

Appreciate as always the help!

Still can't believe the numbers across the board with this old baby! Almost better than my e60 07.

Glad to hear it passed smog, no small achievement here in California. You don't need headers, you need exhaust manifolds. But they aren't the same size or length or rotation as the thermo reactors which are basically tin cans with flanges on them. So either welding or a complete 528i exhaust system will be needed. You could pick one up from a DIY junkyard, except it would include the cat which they can't sell. E28 parts are close, but there is an interference with the idler arm so that doesn't work. I think if you supplied them with manifolds a muffler shop should be able to do it, I know they can't remove a cat, but I don't think (but I'm not sure) there is the same prohibition on removing thermo reactors. You can use E28 manifolds, M30 manifolds off a 533/535 as they're common, hell, I've probably got some. But do some homework with shops, unless you can weld and have some spare pipe, I think about 3" per leg, you'll need some welding one way or another. Unless you can pick up a complete E12 528i or E24 80-81 exhaust system. Probably 82 E24 too, but I'm not positive.

Mike gave you more options than I did in your other post. Let us know how you do with this.

Mike, my '82 Euro is E12 based, shouldn't that work??
But the injection system is Motronic, not L-Jet, but that's the intake side.

GripGreg wrote:Mike, my '82 Euro is E12 based, shouldn't that work??

Probably. I haven't checked Realoem.

Awesome! Thanks so much guys for the help. I gotta tell you, sad but I am confused!

So basically m30 headers? Then muffler shop that is skilled and can weld/build?

Since I am good for 2 years with smog, do I have to have cats right now?

I know a shop with many e28's so should I get the manifolds and let the muffler shop weld the pipes?

Also here in Sun Valley area we have a guy who specializes in e24's and he may have some older ones...Can I take these manifolds or even the entire system and bolt up?

Sorry I am just lost a bit.

I thought perhaps other than a 528i (which aren't easy to find) I could use another bolt and go...

Again all help is appreciated. Thanks so much.

You can replace the entire system with one from an e28. The only issue will be that the down pipe from the new e28 manifolds will hit the idler arm, so someone with a big hammer will have to put a little dent in the downpipe so it will clear the idler arm, and then you will have to have e28 style exhaust hangers welded to the rear cross-member. You will also have to use the e28 rear hanger (near the tail-pipe).

...tom



-----Original Message-----
From: shebuilt <sheblt@pacbell.net>
To: tech_forum <tech_forum@firstfives.org>
Sent: Wed, Jun 5, 2013 1:37 am
Subject: Re: The Red Barons' smog complete and ready for next project.EGR

#AOLMsgPart_1_4bce4c06-8efa-4fe4-9a87-3bfefa354487 td{color: black;} Awesome! Thanks so much guys for the help. I gotta tell you, sad but I am confused!

So basically m30 headers? Then muffler shop that is skilled and can weld/build?

Since I am good for 2 years with smog, do I have to have cats right now?

I know a shop with many e28's so should I get the manifolds and let the muffler shop weld the pipes?

Also here in Sun Valley area we have a guy who specializes in e24's and he may have some older ones...Can I take these manifolds or even the entire system and bolt up?

Sorry I am just lost a bit.

I thought perhaps other than a 528i (which aren't easy to find) I could use another bolt and go...

Again all help is appreciated. Thanks so much.



Nikki
1978 e12 530i (newest baby)
2003 e53 X5 4.6is
2007 e60 525i
1998 e38 750il
RIP
1991 e31 850i
1972 Bavaria
1989 e24 shark CSi









Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

Nikki
Think of it like this; once you've passed the smog test, you can lose the cat.
Get it? And, it's just one cat, not two.

Tom, will any year e28 work? Went up today and found one complete, but before I commit to purchase I want to make sure any year will work.

Thanks

shebuilt wrote:Tom, will any year e28 work? Went up today and found one complete, but before I commit to purchase I want to make sure any year will work.

Thanks

I know 535s will hit the idler, usable, but less than ideal, that's whats currently on my '80 528i. I tried to move it with a jack for clearance but all I did was lift the car. Some persuasion will definitely be needed. The support at the tranny can probably be ignored, the one midway is easy, but the hanger at the rear is more difficult. Not insurmountable, but much more creativity is required. I haven't tried 533 but I'd guess the same as E28 535. Nor have I tried E23.

E24 from 80-81 and probably 82 will work just fine.

I used one from an '85. You want the whole system from the manifolds to the tip. Get the hangers if possible, my shop had the middle hangers that they welded to the rear cross member and I drilled a hole through the trunk floor to mount the e28 rear hanger. I don't know if there were any changes during the e28 model.


...tom



-----Original Message-----
From: shebuilt <sheblt@pacbell.net>
To: tech_forum <tech_forum@firstfives.org>
Sent: Wed, Jun 5, 2013 7:28 pm
Subject: Re: The Red Barons' smog complete and ready for next project.EGR

#AOLMsgPart_1_d18f40f8-1f7e-442f-a13e-425487393755 td{color: black;} Tom, will any year e28 work? Went up today and found one complete, but before I commit to purchase I want to make sure any year will work.

Thanks



Nikki
1978 e12 530i (newest baby)
2003 e53 X5 4.6is
2007 e60 525i
1998 e38 750il
RIP
1991 e31 850i
1972 Bavaria
1989 e24 shark CSi









Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

Super helpful! Thanks. They are removing exhaust this week for me as car is complete and running. I will tell them as you stated and inform muffler shop.

Anyone have an idea how much this should cost from muffler shop? Lots of labor?

Also I am paying $200 for exhaust - is that fair?

If it includes an OE cat, any BMW OE cat, it's a steal. Otherwise it's a reasonable price if it includes the manifolds. It's a lot of work, so labor will be a consideration. No one part is all that bad, just a lot of work.

Mike...Hoping you will get this prior to Monday. My guy has a 1988 535is that I just killed...(it was on its way out anyway) and this is the now donor car. My question is will this complete system work?

I am the chosen one to yank it out (can't say I can get it in mine, but boy am I going to try!)...

Will any M30 from any e28 year work basically or do I have to find a older e28 year model that is an M30?

Appreciate it. Not too many infinite wisdom folks for us on the outside of our FF world.

Tom...just re read my posting again and realized you chimed in as well to assist.

Any idea if this e28 535is 88 will suffice? Sounds like yes, but work it around the idler?

It is completely bolted to existing car now, so I will take out everything that holds it.

Hope this isn't impossible for me!