Question Regarding Exhaust

[Admiral-Awesome]

I have a 1993 325is and it's feeling a bit bogged to me - it's not performing at it's peak.

When I go from a stop, there is a shaking noise coming from the exhaust that makes me feel like I'm in a riced out Civic - however, from the outside - the noise is throaty, like most BMW's are meant to sound like. I'm not sure if the two have anything to do with each other, but I would like to replace the exhuast, and since I'm in Illinois (no emmision checks), I would also like to remove the cat.

My question is, where can I get a full racing exhaust with a straight pipe all the way through? I've seen some from SuperSprint, and they are in the $1500 range, I'm looking to spend around $300-400.

Has anyone here done this on an OBDI? If so, was it as easy as bolting the new exhaust on? I know OBDII O2 sensors trip the check engine light.

Thanks.

[SCANDINAVIAN13]

You're not going to get a good exhaust - especially straight pipe - for $300-400. Save the Christmas money and work up to a good exhaust. If you're removing the cats, you're going to get some codes thrown on you, unless you find a way around it.

Do it the right way, not the cheap way.

[Admiral-Awesome]

Thanks, I wasn't looking for the cheap way out - I just don't know the market like you guys. Do you have any recommendations? I'm open to keeping the cats, I just want some boosted performance.

[odin328]

Go with Active Autowerke. Awesome build quality, awesome sound (not to loud, but you know it is there), no fitment issues, and it looks great on the car. check out bimmerperformancestore.com this is where i got mine and they have awesome customer service and good prices.

[Halston@BSW]

Where in Illinois are you? IIRC when I lived there everywhere in the state had emissions... If not they are coming eventually.

Removing the cats on an obd1 e36 is not going to throw any codes. You have 1 O2 sensor that is pre cat and is designed to measure exhaust gases to help with the fuel mixture. Nothing wrong with removing it at all. However the catalyst itself is not the hold up for performance. The obd1 midpipe is to blame, it has a huge bottleneck right before the cats, it goes into a single 1.5" pipe and then back into the cats. The real upgrade comes from getting that bottleneck out. Just installing an obd2 midsection on an obd1 car will result in a noticeable improvement in power, something you will feel. They can be had for 150-200 dollars used and will bolt right in. Just need a couple exhaust plugs and extend the o2 wire.

Your best bet is to buy an obd2 center section and then get some type of aftermarket catback. Go for noise and what sound you like as they all make the same power. Just buy one that is good quality and you will be set for life. Search the classified on this forum or any others as there are usually lots of exhaust up for sale!

[E36 Phantom]

No emissions checks?
You can run catless?

FCUK YOU, I'm jealous!!! Lol.

Anyway, yeah, 3-400 will get you a cheap eBay knockoff catback, you can't even get an eBay full exhaust for that price. You can get cheaper than SuperSprint, but not a ton. You can always just get a good catback then just bolt on a track pipe instead of the cat's, that'll work just fine for ya.


Edit, H@BSW, I didn't know that! I haven't spent enough time under my car apparently. I'll check that out, and I think I know my next mod. Thanks!

[Halston@BSW]

No emissions checks?
You can run catless?

FCUK YOU, I'm jealous!!! Lol.

Anyway, yeah, 3-400 will get you a cheap eBay knockoff catback, you can't even get an eBay full exhaust for that price. You can get cheaper than SuperSprint, but not a ton. You can always just get a good catback then just bolt on a track pipe instead of the cat's, that'll work just fine for ya.


Edit, H@BSW, I didn't know that! I haven't spent enough time under my car apparently. I'll check that out, and I think I know my next mod. Thanks!

I lost the pictures that show it. But it goes down to a single 1.5" pipe. OBD2 is 2 1/4 dual pipe with an H pipe :)

[Admiral-Awesome]

Great, thanks guys. I'll definitely check out all of these options. I'm still iffy on upgrading my car too much because it is an automatic and has some body damage - I would like the car I spend money on to be as close to immaculate as possible and if it's going to be a toy BMW, it has to be a manual (I just couldn't pass up the deal on this auto).

[SCANDINAVIAN13]

So do a manual swap later.
Pull an old transmission out of a car that's junked and swap it. It's not too difficult or expensive. So you can mod now without worrying about later.