Hey guys , the exhaust on my 81 633Csi died on me today.
Ever since getting this car two years ago I've had a couple of exhaust leaks, one at the beginning of the exhaust system right past the header flange and one or two on the backside of the muffler. Well today I hit a pothole and the exhaust completely ripped off the front flange where it connects to the header right in front of the 02 sensor.
Now I'm trying to decide whether to re-weld the flange onto the exhaust , maybe fix the leak on the muffler and call it a day or take this as an opportunity to upgrade since this system seems very restrictive and has seen better days.
I don't want to spend $1K+ on a aftermarket system but was thinking about maybe take the whole system to a local muffler shop and have them build me something from scratch. I don't need a cat where I live since we don't have any emissions/inspections to deal with and would like to maybe straight pipe it all the way back to an aftermarket muffler. I could possibly even tackle something like this myself as I have a welder and a bit of welding experience but time is always an issue for me.
There doesn't seem to be much out there for these E12 based cars so I'm trying to get creative and not spend a fortune.
Also it seems most systems out there begin with two pipes coming from two separate headers where my system starts from one single pipe. I know I don't have the "thermal reactors" but also don't seem to have the same headers E28 based card have.
What have you guys done on your E12 based cars? I'm open to suggestions. I'm not going for super quiet but I also don't need my car to be obnoxiously loud. A sportier , louder tone from stock would be great.
81 E12 Based 633Csi Exhaust
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81 E12 Based 633Csi Exhaust
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1981 633Csi USA 5Speed
2002 325Xi
1985 635Csi USA 5Speed (Sold)
2002 325Xi
1985 635Csi USA 5Speed (Sold)
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Re: 81 E12 Based 633Csi Exhaust
Wow, that is restrictive, always wondered what the stock exhaust looked like
With only one downpipe, what do you have for an exhaust manifold
You probably won't find a "new" replacement downpipe, although it appears that the center resonator and rear muffler are still available out there, from searches I recently went through, smog woes that I would prefer not to discuss, too depressing
Depending on what the rest of the system looks like, maybe just see about having it repaired at an exhaust shop
Otherwise, things are not going to be cheap, factory or aftermarket
With only one downpipe, what do you have for an exhaust manifold
You probably won't find a "new" replacement downpipe, although it appears that the center resonator and rear muffler are still available out there, from searches I recently went through, smog woes that I would prefer not to discuss, too depressing
Depending on what the rest of the system looks like, maybe just see about having it repaired at an exhaust shop
Otherwise, things are not going to be cheap, factory or aftermarket
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
Re: 81 E12 Based 633Csi Exhaust
Hey Marco, the real answer would be euro spec M30 exhaust, but those aren't super easy to find and you need the o2 provision.
Another vote for custom/local, just find a good shop.
Another vote for custom/local, just find a good shop.
http://www.Drive4Corners.com
'79 635CSi Revival
'80 635CSi
'83 633CSi Callaway Turbo continued as 1988 535is Turbo
SOLD: '81 635CSi/A
'79 635CSi Revival
'80 635CSi
'83 633CSi Callaway Turbo continued as 1988 535is Turbo
SOLD: '81 635CSi/A
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- Joined: Sun May 08, 2016 5:03 am
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Re: 81 E12 Based 633Csi Exhaust
Thanks guys. I'll try and contacts some local shops and see what they can do.
I'll try and take a picture of the exhaust manifold later today. seems like they are two separate pieces. The front 3 cylinders connect to the rear 3 in the middle and only one pipe comes out the back.
I'll try and take a picture of the exhaust manifold later today. seems like they are two separate pieces. The front 3 cylinders connect to the rear 3 in the middle and only one pipe comes out the back.
1981 633Csi USA 5Speed
2002 325Xi
1985 635Csi USA 5Speed (Sold)
2002 325Xi
1985 635Csi USA 5Speed (Sold)
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Re: 81 E12 Based 633Csi Exhaust
Spend a few bucks and get the better exhaust manifolds that are two separate banks of three, without being joined together, which will give you a true dual exhaust system all the way through
81 Euro 635 M90 with motronic. Currently under a complete nut and bolt restoration. Pictures at
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.