exhaust stuff...

[robcarync]

hey all. this is kind of a random post about exhaust. In AP Environmental Science the other day at school, we did a lab where we measured exhaust emissions on our car. upon completing the experiment and examining the emissions under a microscope, my teacher was amazed about how dirty my sample was and was saying that my exhaust is so dirty and it was the dirtiest exhaust shes ever seen in her history of teaching and doing this experiment. she said any exhaust would be better than the one i have now.

anyway...has anyone ever heard of the bmw exhaust being like really dirty (it must not be too dirty if it passes EPA's standards). of course there is a large possibility that i did the experiment wrong, but thought it was kind of odd...i have now been shunned from the class as the kid with the horrible exhaust that is polluting the planet.

well anyway now that ill be having a job soon i was thinking about upgrading exhaust and was wondering what some good upgrade exhaust would be.

[graphik]

bmws are clean running cars, especially the m44. you either did the experiment wrong or tis possible you might need something else i.e. oxygen sensor, cat, oil change, air filter, multiple things could cause dirty emissions. hth.

alex

[robcarync]

mine is e36 though that wouldnt make a difference. thanks for the info cause i didnt think my exhaust should be that bad,

[writeb]

LOL Rob, M44 is the engine type in the e36 BMW Ti Compact (Post '95). So still consider what he was mentioning...

Also find out what type of car the teacher drives. If it is a SAAB then case closed. (haters!)

I'd be suspect of the methodology of sample collection. Perhaps someone tainted your sample?

Lastly, you're in an Advanced Placement class, and in High School, driving a Bimmer? I'd give you a hard time too!

Regards,

writeb

[robcarync]

lol i thought the e36 was the type of engine...my bad...yeah i really dont know much about cars...my pops makes fun of me all the time but im trying to learn here.

though you say post 95...mine was made in october 95...what difference does that make.

so what does e36 mean then if its not the engine. yeah i feel really dumb in this message board of people that know what they are talking abot...but i figure theres no better way to learn.

====edit====

and im also due for an inspection II service soon as well...which i know replaces some of the suspect parts you were mentioning...which i could infer may be the reason for dirty exhaust.

my teacher makes fun of me all the time for driving a bimmer. my school is suposedly a "rich" school (thats what our reputation is at least). theres like 5 m3s in the parking lot and some z3s, corvettes, mustangs, etc(this is only the student parking lot btw)...nice cars are def not uncommon...but she went off when she found out what i drove and gave a speech about how teens are suposed to drive 200 dollar junker cars that barely run.

[writeb]

Well, from what I understand E36 is the chassis type. From the B pillar forward, our ti is pretty much identical (structure-wise) as the other 3 series BMW's.[which are straight on E36's-- we must say "compact" or risk getting misfitted parts] (with exception to the 3 series coupe's corner lights, I think....). The rear is pretty much unique in the whole BMW line, although I think we can use 5 series tail lights!!! Other Chassis types: E30 (older school 3 series), E39 (5 series before this latest one out now). E46 (New 3 series), And a variety of different ones that elude me now.

Regarding Engine type, you have a tricky one, you'll have to ask some of the old heads on the board whether or not your engine is an M42 or an M44. Both are 4 cylinder, but the older one is a 1.8liter Inline 4 and the ones made after the 95 cut off is 1.9 liter. The main good thing about having a 95 or earlier is OBDI, where you can really mod your car with a chip effectively. The later model cars have OBDII (On Board Diagnostics), and finding vendors that have cracked or effectively licensed the encryption is few and far between. But that's for another post.

[graphik]

if your car is a 95MY then its the m42, if its a 96+MY then you ahve the m44, either way, it should run pretty clean.

[the51]

I'm pretty sure you have a M44, cuz I think September is the cut off.

[flex_318]

If you are looking at upgrading your exhaust i highly recommmend a Brullen exhaust. I love mine to death. It has such a well defined tone to it and i get compliments on it all the time. It might be a little tricky finding one however since they are no longer made.

[GDB]

The only thing in your exhaust that would cause problems is the cat. As long as it's working then it's probably an o2 sensor or a temp sensor (o2 most likely) but if you're not throwing any codes then don't worry about it.

As for the E36 thing:
E36 is the chassis code for all 3 series bimmers made from 1991-1999 (with a few minor exceptions).
Our 318tis (and any of the european compacts) are an E36/5. This is because of the unique body from the firewall back and the E30 (previous model 3 series) derived rear suspension. From the firewall forward our cars are identical to a 4 door E36.
Just an extra FYI, the Z3 verts are E36/7 and the Z3 coupes are E36/8

As for the taillights being interchangeable with a 5er, I can't confirm or deny that, but I've never seen a five series with taillights even close to ours.