Exhaust recommendation

[russellrh72]

Hey everyone. What do y'all recommend for a replacement exhaust? The whole thing from front to rear?

[jimoreno]

It depends on what you need and what you are looking for. Also, knowing which model/engine helps!

[russellrh72]

It depends on what you need and what you are looking for. Also, knowing which model/engine helps!

Valid response! 1987 535is with it's original M30B34. Looking for something stock-ish....nothing too loud and hopefully just a bolt straight up like original kind of thing. Helping my dad fix up his old car piece by piece.

[jimoreno]

Do you need everything from the manifolds back or just cat-back? My '86 535i has the Ireland Engineering SS catback exhaust. It does sound deeper but nothing like a Billy Boat plus no drone. A plus is that being SS is the last one that you'll have to buy.

[stuartinmn]

I have the Ireland stainless steel exhaust as well (in fact, the one on my car was the prototype system that they sold me after they went into production) and I've been happy with it.

[russellrh72]

Do you need everything from the manifolds back or just cat-back? My '86 535i has the Ireland Engineering SS catback exhaust. It does sound deeper but nothing like a Billy Boat plus no drone. A plus is that being SS is the last one that you'll have to buy.

Yes unfortunately I need everything from the manifolds back. Replacing the whoooooole thing. I did see the IE item when browsing but figured since I need the entire exhaust it wouldn't make sense to get that one. Is there a place to buy it all? I haven't seen one yet

[jimoreno]

Well, there's one place, Supersprint but it's going to cost you a pretty penny! Do you need to have a working catalytic converter where you live?

[russellrh72]

Well, there's one place, Supersprint but it's going to cost you a pretty penny! Do you need to have a working catalytic converter where you live?

I'm in NC and I believe the car is old enough to not require an emissions inspection here

[kojo96]

Finding a usable complete exhaust today could be problematic, given the age most would be beat up.
Better odds on the West Coast for a full exhaust in reasonably good condition but the cost and the shipping would be expensive.
Personally, I'd source a pr of b35 exhaust manifolds amd down pipes from a e34. Go to a decent muffler shop and have them build a system for you.
Use a decent resonator and muffler. Copying the original exhaust as a template, it should be a walk in the park It'd be cost effective and will give better performance and last a long time.
I did the same thing to a early e23 733i, cost was around $900 all in and it really woke up the motor, and sounded great.

[russellrh72]

Finding a usable complete exhaust today could be problematic, given the age most would be beat up.
Better odds on the West Coast for a full exhaust in reasonably good condition but the cost and the shipping would be expensive.
Personally, I'd source a pr of b35 exhaust manifolds amd down pipes from a e34. Go to a decent muffler shop and have them build a system for you.
Use a decent resonator and muffler. Copying the original exhaust as a template, it should be a walk in the park It'd be cost effective and will give better performance and last a long time.
I did the same thing to a early e23 733i, cost was around $900 all in and it really woke up the motor, and sounded great.

This is something I can definitely look into!

[Etip]

I have a B&B cat back and I like it. It's low and not too loud. I don't notice any drone.