BMW E30 M52 Swap Exhaust Pipe [BMConversions Manifolds + Scorpion 325i Muffler] & DIY Cerakote | 049

BMW E30 M52 Swap Exhaust Pipe [BMConversions Manifolds + Scorpion 325i Muffler] & DIY Cerakote | 049
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In this E30 build episode, I take on what was always anticipated as one of the most challenging parts of the M52 engine swap - the exhaust.
M50 M52 Exhaust Manifold Studs: ebay.us/utiUJ2
M52 M50 Exhaust Gaskets: ebay.us/BU82yv
M50 M52 Lambda Sensors: ebay.us/97mTjN
During the early days of the E30 project, I'd done some reading into what was ahead of me in terms of a custom exhaust. On one hand, it seemed straightforward if using the M52B28's standard exhaust manifolds (headers), why couldn't one simply find an adapter of some kind to connect the headers to a normal E30 325i downpipe?
Well the real complications begin thanks to being in the UK with a right hand drive E30 (RHD). The issue with this BMW being RHD is that the exhaust manifold and downpipes need to pass from the engine bay to beneath the car, past the steering linkage which connects between the steering rack and the steering column.
If you're using a standard BMW E30 steering knuckle, there's absolutely no chance that you can route the exhaust downpipes from an M50 or M52 engine past it. However, there are solutions for this. You could either go for a custom steering linkage, or like me you can make your own using the steering linkage from a Vauxhall Corsa - I did a whole video about that, check it out for all the details.
Luckily for me, I'd foreseen this and done the Corsa steering linkage mod, giving me more room to play with in getting an exhaust to route. Despite that though, the space is still very tight.
Knowing getting a full custom stainless steel exhaust for the car was going to be out of the question due to the sheer cost of such a thing, I realised I was going to have to make most of a pre-existing exhaust work, so I scouted on ebay until a bargain Scorpion E30 325i exhaust system came up, when it did, I snapped it up and put it on the shelf.
When I purchased the M52B28 engine, I'd noticed that one of the two exhaust headers had been modified, chopped and re-welded with shorter runners from the exhaust ports. The quality of this welding wasn't very good, but could potentially be cleaned up if needs be.
It turns out that chopping the rear exhaust header is a necessity when running an M52 engine in an E30 in order to have a fighting chance of clearing the steering column, and as the M52 I'd acquired had previously come from an E30 build, that made sense.
Unfortunately, despite that, the headers were chopped very short. I can't imagine what the exhaust was like for the previous E30 it was fitted in.
After spending a lot of time fitting new exhaust studs while the engine was in situ, and purchasing new exhaust gaskets and lambda oxygen sensors I was ready to start work.
The more I looked at the manifolds, the Scorpion 325i system, and the amount of space I had to work with. The more I realised I'd bitten off more than I could chew, with my limited welding abilities and 0 exhaust-making experience.
It was at that point I reached out to Dan at BMConversions-UK, AKA Danthe from the E30zone forum. To be honest, if you're doing an M50 or M52 swapped E30 and are in the UK, you'll definitely have heard of BMConversions. Dan has been providing customs solutions for E30 engine swaps for years, specialising in parts such as custom PAS lines, and importantly in this case, custom M52 exhausts.
I shipped out my exhaust header (the unmodified one) to him, and he took care of it from there, producing a set of manifolds and down pipes to perfectly route and connect to the 325i system's centre section, without the need to modify it.
In the video, I also went to the effort to Cerakote it so keep it protected and also keep engine bay temperatures down. I went ahead and test-fitted the custom exhaust, and the fit is absolutely perfect. The only issue is the fact the Scorpion back box is massive and the hangers are fouling the spare wheel well, but that's solvable.
I've got to acquire slip joints for all of the connections and refit all the heat shields before I can properly mount the new exhaust.
For more helpful how-to guides and restorations: www.spannerrash.com/
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#bmwe30 #e30build #m52 #cerakote

[@felixjayasuria8963]

Wow.. the cerakote stepped up the exhaust manifold to another level. Looks a million bucks in there. 😊 good job Rash.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks Felix, extremely happy with this exhaust now, especially with the Cerakote protection. It's way better than the hack job I'd have done myself if I tried to make it. 😆

[@cmack4life]

for a more simple install for the exhaust studs you can use the e90 exhaust studs

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting, what is different about the E90 ones? Or are they effectively the same and interchangeable?

[@ataylor5539]

Things coming along so nice brotha! Can't wait to see you cheeky behind the wheel banging gears!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks man! I can't wait either, it's going to be a satisfying first drive after all the graft. 😄

[@e30_318is_project]

🤤 the exhaust is looking mint. Didnt know about bm conversions, nice one. Putting new stuff back on the car is so satisfying, cant wait to assemble the rear back together on mine.

[@SPANNERRASH]

It sure is, I'm very pleased with it! Can't recommend the BMConversions headers highly enough, the fit is absolutely perfect. I can't even imagine the mess I'd have made chopping and welding what I had. 😆 Hope your rear end goes back together well, enjoy it!

[@sirstretchyboy69]

You should take a trip to see Dan. Last time I was there he had a fully restored e21 with a m52 engine in it. I nearly wet my pants when I saw it 🤤

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha awesome! He's a sound bloke, I'm sure I'll get to shake his hand at some point. I bet he has some amazing cars pass through his workshop with the services he provides.

[@sirstretchyboy69]

@SPANNERRASH Trust me if there's something he doesn't know about e30s/ bmw's then it's not worth knowing. Quite literally spits out part numbers for stuff you need, like there his children's names. I've had a few parts from him for my m52 conversion and there top notch.

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@sirstretchyboy69 Hahaha! Thats hilarious about the part numbers. 🤣 I guess he's been in the BMW game a long time and they're etched into his mind. A powerful ally to have if you're building an E30!

[@MrRobl200]

Looks excellent. Also good to see stupid vapes getting some stick in the modified box!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha! Yeah I laughed out loud when I spotted that on the box. Not sure if it's one of Dan's jokes or one of FedEx's. Brought a smile either way. 🤣

[@user-js6mf1ju4x]

Looking good keep up the great work

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Jay!

[@dhilankerai3585]

Really looking forward to seeing this build complete! That BMconversions manifold looks like it worked perfectly and was made well. I wonder if it’ll worked for an m54b30 conversion I have planned in the near future. The cerakote seems like amazing stuff, looks mint, is durable and heat proof, might take a look into that for myself. Good luck with the rest of the project. 😊

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks mate! The manifolds are absolutely bang on! I'd have only made a mess of it so glad I bit the bullet and got a proper one made. Shoot Dan a message through his site, I bet he can help with the M54 manifolds. You'll probs get the 10% off too if you mention the vid. 😁 The Cerakote is amazing stuff, only used it once before but it continues to impress me.

[@carlharvey8192]

Looks good

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Carl!

[@samuelaylmore9281]

I have the scorpion exhaust on my m50 e30. I've just replaced the baffling in the centre resonator because there was non left making it extremely loud on the motorway. Sounds good tho.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting, did you have to cut a window in it and weld it back together after repacking? I'm really hoping it doesn't drone!

[@xelad6159]

Nice Progress mate! Dan's products are great i have his purple tag Rack Kit and also LCA Heim Joints they are both great, he's always willing to chat and help too

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks man! Nice, he's a top bloke indeed. I reckon I will be in touch with him for a few more bits yet. 😃

[@mcjjordan]

Wish there would of been a similar solution for e21, i had a hell of a time with exhaust

[@SPANNERRASH]

I'm pretty confident he could supply similar for an E31 actually! Maybe not as well known for them though. I can't imagine how many hours of pain I've saved myself by purchasing one of his manifold kits. Worth every penny! 😄

[@air47100]

Will this manifold system fit a e36 328i cab ?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Amit, hmm if you have an E36 328i, you won't need a custom exhaust manifold will you? Just a standard fit one. Or are you trying to remove cats or something similar to that?

[@benoconnor2649]

What's the name of the song that starts at 15:23?

[@SPANNERRASH]

If I recall, it's King Canyon - Ice & Fire, acquired from YT audio library. Hope that helps

[@muska0213]

3:43 Hello.Are these 4 parts made by custom? Where to buy?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi, yep the whole custom manifold kit is available from BMConversions, and you can get 10% off with my link here: bmconversions-uk.co.uk/manifold-discount/ Hope that helps! 😃

[@muska0213]

@@SPANNERRASH Thanks for the information. May I order these 4 parts for connecting my scorpion half system and my headers? (I've already got the headers.)

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@muska0213 Aha, yes I bet Dan at BMConversions will be able to help you out with this. Shoot him a message on his contact form and mention Spanner Rash. He will no doubt look after you. 😃

[@mkengineering5533]

I dont know why some one like to drive using left hand for gear shift 😂

[@SPANNERRASH]

Haha! It's fully natural when you've only ever driven right hand drive cars all your life. 😆

[@mkengineering5533]

@@SPANNERRASH yeah and also I was born right handed 🤓

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@mkengineering5533 Haha sounds like the hand you'd want gripping the steering wheel so you don't crash when banging gearshifts in, right?? 😂

[@mkengineering5533]

@@SPANNERRASH having fun is when shifting not when crashing ,. If u overthink being crashed go get automatic kia

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@mkengineering5533 Maybe one day I will try a left hand drive car, but I can assure you this feels totally natural after so many years shifting in a RHD. 😆