A few amateur questions regarding exhaust installation

kamber · 10-22-2016, 08:09 PM

So earlier today I set out to install the Akrapovic Evo full system I purchased 2 weeks ago. I managed to do the swap, but had a couple questions for those more versed in this area.

Previously, I've never worked on a vehicle before besides changing oil, but figured an exhaust wouldn't be very hard to do. Looked up a video by EAS, then took the car to the auto skills center on my local military base and used their lift/tools at the auto skills center.

While doing the swap, I ran into a few problems. I'm missing nearly all of the bolts that connect the underbody panels to the heat shields and what not, and what hardware I do have are rusted/in bad shape. I'm planning on ordering and replacing them all, but I used what I had for now to get the Akra mounted for the time being.

I noticed my driver side exhaust hanger rubber mount was torn in the section where the "peg" from the exhaust sits in. So, while I was able to get everything mounted and use the torn rubber hanger mount for now, the tips on the drivers side sits slightly canted and lower than the passenger side. I'll be ordering a replacement rubber hanger mount and getting it on there along with the new underbody bolts and whatnot when they arrive.
(Torn part is part number 8 in this diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=18_0747)

In hindsight, this was very dumb of me, but I didn't use any anti-seize on the bolts or connection points between the different exhaust sections themselves and the connection point with the header. I also didn't use any gaskets at all. I plan on doing both next week or the week after, whenever the supplemental parts I'm ordering arrive. I'm going to be buying some nickel anti-seize and I'd also like to order any appropriate gaskets. My question is, is driving around for 1-2 weeks without a gasket between the headers and exhaust and no anti-seize on the connection points of the pipes and bolt threads going to cause any kind of lasting problems? Is part number 3 in this diagram the only gasket that is needed as far as the exhaust is concerned? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=18_0745

Thanks fellas!

roastbeef · 10-22-2016, 10:38 PM

i don't think its a big deal.

on the torn mount- there is so much stuff holding our exhausts on that i don't think a single mount is going to have a huge effect on it.

kamber · 10-23-2016, 12:58 AM

Cool, I appreciate it! Any idea if the only gasket required is the one that goes between the exhaust flange and the headers? I merely hooked up and clamped tight the other pieces of the Akra.

roastbeef · 10-23-2016, 01:43 AM

i have never messed with the xpipe myself. i think the akra sort of does its own fitting for the xpipe/muffler, so i'm not sure.

pbonsalb · 10-23-2016, 08:02 AM

No problem short term. Now you know how to do it and it will be easier and better next time. I would get new cone shaped header to midpipe gasket rings as well.

kamber · 10-23-2016, 04:51 PM

Sounds good, I'm planning on doing just that.

Side question; does anyone know if part number 22 includes both the black plastic underbody panel AND the 2 metal heatshields that are attached on the sides? My driver side heatshield that is attached to the underbody panel is missing a chunk, looking to purchase a replacement but not sure if part number 22 in this link is JUST the black piece or includes the 2 side heatshields.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_6216

10-22-2016, 08:09 PM	#1
kamber E90 181 Rep 835 Posts Drives: '08 M3 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: NJ iTrader: (7)	A few amateur questions regarding exhaust installation So earlier today I set out to install the Akrapovic Evo full system I purchased 2 weeks ago. I managed to do the swap, but had a couple questions for those more versed in this area. Previously, I've never worked on a vehicle before besides changing oil, but figured an exhaust wouldn't be very hard to do. Looked up a video by EAS, then took the car to the auto skills center on my local military base and used their lift/tools at the auto skills center. While doing the swap, I ran into a few problems. I'm missing nearly all of the bolts that connect the underbody panels to the heat shields and what not, and what hardware I do have are rusted/in bad shape. I'm planning on ordering and replacing them all, but I used what I had for now to get the Akra mounted for the time being. I noticed my driver side exhaust hanger rubber mount was torn in the section where the "peg" from the exhaust sits in. So, while I was able to get everything mounted and use the torn rubber hanger mount for now, the tips on the drivers side sits slightly canted and lower than the passenger side. I'll be ordering a replacement rubber hanger mount and getting it on there along with the new underbody bolts and whatnot when they arrive. (Torn part is part number 8 in this diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=18_0747) In hindsight, this was very dumb of me, but I didn't use any anti-seize on the bolts or connection points between the different exhaust sections themselves and the connection point with the header. I also didn't use any gaskets at all. I plan on doing both next week or the week after, whenever the supplemental parts I'm ordering arrive. I'm going to be buying some nickel anti-seize and I'd also like to order any appropriate gaskets. My question is, is driving around for 1-2 weeks without a gasket between the headers and exhaust and no anti-seize on the connection points of the pipes and bolt threads going to cause any kind of lasting problems? Is part number 3 in this diagram the only gasket that is needed as far as the exhaust is concerned? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=18_0745 Thanks fellas!
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10-22-2016, 10:38 PM	#2
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11865 Rep 12,880 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	i don't think its a big deal. on the torn mount- there is so much stuff holding our exhausts on that i don't think a single mount is going to have a huge effect on it. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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10-23-2016, 12:58 AM	#3
kamber E90 181 Rep 835 Posts Drives: '08 M3 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: NJ iTrader: (7)	Cool, I appreciate it! Any idea if the only gasket required is the one that goes between the exhaust flange and the headers? I merely hooked up and clamped tight the other pieces of the Akra.
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10-23-2016, 01:43 AM	#4
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11865 Rep 12,880 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	i have never messed with the xpipe myself. i think the akra sort of does its own fitting for the xpipe/muffler, so i'm not sure. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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10-23-2016, 08:02 AM	#5
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 7679 Rep 13,759 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	No problem short term. Now you know how to do it and it will be easier and better next time. I would get new cone shaped header to midpipe gasket rings as well.
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10-23-2016, 04:51 PM	#6
kamber E90 181 Rep 835 Posts Drives: '08 M3 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: NJ iTrader: (7)	Sounds good, I'm planning on doing just that. Side question; does anyone know if part number 22 includes both the black plastic underbody panel AND the 2 metal heatshields that are attached on the sides? My driver side heatshield that is attached to the underbody panel is missing a chunk, looking to purchase a replacement but not sure if part number 22 in this link is JUST the black piece or includes the 2 side heatshields. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_6216
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