E36 318IS/E30 318IS manifold steering knuckle clearence issue help needed

[Venom]

Hi All,

My car is in the garage today getting an exhaust manifold fitted. I had purchased a stainless manifold that appeared to be from an E30 but was told by the seller that it would fit. It does not, my mechanic has reported that it does not clear the steering knuckle . My car is a right hand drive M42 engine. Luckily, I have a full exhaust from an RHD M44 E36 with the manifold as well which I hope will resolve my current issue and get the car on the road again.

In the intervening time between buying the stainless manifold I had also purchased a stainless decat and stainless Remus back box in the hope that I could have a full stainless system. So ideally I would like to use it all as intended.

The parts I have are as follows:

Stainless e30 exhaust manifold
Stainless E36 decat
Stainless Remus back box
Standard full M44 exhaust including manifold
Standard from manifold back M42 Exhaust (on the car)
Spare M44 steering knuckle
M42 steering knuckle (on the car)

Is there a way of modifying either knuckle so it does not foul the stainless manifold? I do not have the measurements as I have yet to get the car and parts back. I have been looking online and all my research has shown me is that yes this manifold swap will work fine if the car had been LHD but little other information. As there is a lack of any information I'm assuming that it is simply not possible to do this swap?

I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience in doing this or has knowledge of altering either steering knuckle to clear manifolds.

Hoping I don't have to sell my manifold

Any help is much appreciated.

[Darky]

Hi Venom

Where did you buy the stainless manifold from?
Post a pic or 2.
The stock exhaust manifold lhd is pretty good. Rhd not so good, they changed the lengths of the pipes just to make it fit.
Modifying the knuckle is not a good idea!
Modifying the manifold would be the best idea.

Cheers

[Venom]

Here's a pic.  I'm assuming it would be for an e30 318is

[Beeker1972]

Isn't M42 E30s exhaust manifolds stainless steal from BMW?  I'm have an extra one I'm thinking of cleaning it up, exhaust wrapping it, and painting it with high temp rattle can paint.

[MLM]

Is there a way of modifying either knuckle so it does not foul the stainless manifold? I do not have the measurements as I have yet to get the car and parts back. I have been looking online and all my research has shown me is that yes this manifold swap will work fine if the car had been LHD but little other information. As there is a lack of any information I'm assuming that it is simply not possible to do this swap?

I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience in doing this or has knowledge of altering either steering knuckle to clear manifolds.

Hoping I don't have to sell my manifold

Any help is much appreciated.

Your only option would be to check out Vorshlag and their competition steering shaft which gives more room (e30 one here) and hope its enough. http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?products_id=459

Fitting an equal lenght manifold on a RHD is a mission but not impossible. I made one but took ages to get right and carried its own compromises anyway. Looking at your pic runner 3 & 4 will be an issue for you.

Yes stock manifolds are S/S

[Darky]

Hi venom
That's a lhd copy of the original m42 manifold. Nice!


This pic is a rhd drive manifold see the 3rd and 4th cylinder and what they had to do to get them in, yuk!

[Venom]

Want to buy it?