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  #1  
Old 04-15-2024, 03:26 PM
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3.0L replacement exhaust suggestions 2024

I'll continue my search but I figured I'd start a current thread, for some fresh discussion

I finished a complete mechanical service on that E36. I'm going to be daily driving that for a few weeks. That thing is actually great. Now the X5 is back in the garage for a similar laundry list of needs, including the oil pan gasket and transmission output shaft seal. So the exhaust is going to be coming down. Perfect.

I was going to post a picture, but we've all seen it, the rusty 3.0 exhaust with the tips that angle down. I don't want to put that one back up. It is well out of place on this car, they really did wrong with those tips.

I would like to get the nice shiny silver tips from that 4.8L or 4.6, whatever it was. Nothing absurdly loud though. Just a good sound, stock-ish volume. It's mostly for looks. Suggestions?

What about headers, are there any nice upgrades for a 3.0 to pair with a nice exhaust? I have to run cats but maybe there's a good high flow cat out there. TIA
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  #2  
Old 04-20-2024, 07:05 PM
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The 4.4i exhaust with dual tips are a direct bolt on.
A few companies make stainless cat-back systems (billyboat, super sprint, etc), but they are pricey.
You can also just take your 3.0i exhaust to a local shop and they can weld on some dual or single stainless tips. This is probably your best option if you just want the exhaust area to look better.
There is or was a company out of Russia called drlavr. They make very high quality headers specifically for 3.0 e53s. Once the war started they stopped selling in the US. Their site also recently went down. So this might not be an option anymore.
Pics of header: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/170151692164140957/
Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/bmwdoctor.ru/
Their (no longer available) site: https://drlavr.com
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Old 04-20-2024, 11:47 PM
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FYI, the 4.6 mufflers are also identical to the 3.0 and I would assume the 4.4 except for the tips. The 4.6 mufflers have 10mm larger pipes but are bolt on. I found no difference in performance or sound at all, though they do look much nicer.
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Old 04-21-2024, 11:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdc101 View Post
FYI, the 4.6 mufflers are also identical to the 3.0 and I would assume the 4.4 except for the tips. The 4.6 mufflers have 10mm larger pipes but are bolt on. I found no difference in performance or sound at all, though they do look much nicer.
Didn't know that. Thanks!
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Old 04-21-2024, 11:45 AM
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Russian M54 e53 headers guys have updated their site at a new URL: https://www.doctorlavr.com/catalog/v...39_e60_61_e65/

Translation doesn't work and still don't think you can order direct. You might be able to contact and figure out something.
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Old 04-21-2024, 05:52 PM
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The facelift N62 mufflers are louder than the M62 mufflers. (M62 and M54 mufflers appear to be the same. N62 mufflers have an obviously different case.)

Your simplest cheap upgrade is N62 4.4i mufflers, which will bolt on directly.

The ideal upgrade is a 4.8is muffler set, which is louder and has more tone without being obnoxious or drone-y. The 4.8is flanges are too large, however. The easiest way to adapt them is with the N62 4.4i pipes - these just slide inside and then can be welded or clamped in place. 3.0i pipes will be MUCH smaller and require some adapting.
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Old 04-22-2024, 01:45 AM
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Good info thanks everyone

I might just get some nice tips welded on, that would probably do it for now. Overall the exhaust isn't in too bad condition. If it looked decent I could live with the stock sound for a period of time. Those headers look great. I might be able to get them through a certain intermediate person.

There's a sound clip of the super sprint one. I'm not sure, It is probably too loud.The muffler delete kit is definitely not it.

Are there any good high flow cat options?
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'05 E53 3.0 6mt. Sterling gray metallic / black. 135k daily driver
'96 E36 328is 5mt. Alpine white / gray. 160k restoration project
'17 F30 340ix 6mt. Black sapphire metallic / black. 80k missing engine
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