Exhaust Q

#1

Take a look at the attached pic. Is this piece an x-pipe (i.e. does it crossover between the two pipes)?

#2

Yes it does. Everyone with a dual pipe config. needs to keep that section since it comes right before the cat.

#3

Off topic: what control arm bushings are you using there?

#4

This is not my car, but those are delrin inserts (with a carbon fiber front piece). I use the powerflex bushings on my car - both available from Bimmerworld.

#5

I had those CF delrin bushings on my e36 M3 (with the three bolts going through), and they wore out quick, so did the poly inserts that came in the kit. I think I got mine from BavAuto, or BMP maybe. I am currently running some delrins that I just pressed in, they are offset, and are really snug and working great.

~Forrest

#6

foshoopd wrote:

[quote]I had those CF delrin bushings on my e36 M3 (with the three bolts going through), and they wore out quick, so did the poly inserts that came in the kit. I think I got mine from BavAuto, or BMP maybe. I am currently running some delrins that I just pressed in, they are offset, and are really snug and working great.

~Forrest[/quote]

What? The ones from Bimmerworld, the delrin with the fancy schmancy CF cover plates? Those wore out? Do you have a PTG E36 or something? I have these on my CM car (after having run them on my JS car for 3+ seasons) and NEVER seen any wear. I think you’re doing something wrong, they should not wear out.

From what I’ve heard, but never experienced, the Powerflex have been reported to fail (at least in the past, maybe they’ve been improved).

#7

Actually, I have worn the bushings on my aluminum control arms on my M3 with the delrin bushings…but I also didn’t have ANY rubber in the entire suspension, and was running it on the street - an extremely harsh environment for this setup.

I heard about failures of the powerflex bushings, but the only evidence I’ve seen was with their early non-offset design. I’ve also heard stories of people using set screws that were WAY too long and destrying the bushings…but that’s a whole other issure.

I’m very happy with my new design powerflex, which I use on the racecar, and my M3. My Salazar teamates run the delrin bushings. I think either is fine - I just wouldn’t recommend the delrin for the street.

-Vic
SO #325

#8

I’ve used both the newer offset powerflex bushings and Delrin. This is just me, but the car destroyed three powerflex bushings. A couple months after installing them the first time, I discovered the drivers side had broken apart. Replaced both and two weeks later the passenger side broke apart. REPLACED THE CONROL ARMS along with two new powerflex bushings and it took one week to brake apart.

The car was daily driven during this time. After the last ones, I replaced them with Delrin (and the car has been semi-retired to track duty) and had no problems…

This is just my experience. Along the same lines, the Delrin is much crisper turn in (closer to the treehouse racing solid control arm bushings) than anything else I have tried.

#9

Weird. I had powerflex in my 318is and never had an issue over 15000 miles or so.

I have a set of delrins in there now and they are great…not something I’d want to drive daily, but a joy on the track.

I have a spare set of m3 OEM offsets I picked up that just sit in the spares bin.

#10

Elephant1 wrote:

[quote]foshoopd wrote:

[quote]I had those CF delrin bushings on my e36 M3 (with the three bolts going through), and they wore out quick, so did the poly inserts that came in the kit. I think I got mine from BavAuto, or BMP maybe. I am currently running some delrins that I just pressed in, they are offset, and are really snug and working great.

~Forrest[/quote]

What? The ones from Bimmerworld, the delrin with the fancy schmancy CF cover plates? Those wore out? Do you have a PTG E36 or something? I have these on my CM car (after having run them on my JS car for 3+ seasons) and NEVER seen any wear. I think you’re doing something wrong, they should not wear out.

From what I’ve heard, but never experienced, the Powerflex have been reported to fail (at least in the past, maybe they’ve been improved).[/quote]

I probably still have them, all worn out looking. How could I screw up putting in CA bushings? They had two CF plates sandwiching the delrin, I also had poly inserts. Like above, I think I got them from BMP since I was ordering some stock parts from them when I first got the M3. I did have some great coilovers (600/750) spring rates I as running on my everyday driver…hehe.