Help wanted: Supersprint exhaust assembly **SOLVED**

[gwb72tii]

Lots of you all have installed Supersprint exhausts. I am trying.

I am a backyard mechanic, having had to work on cars for better than 50yrs. I figured I'd be able to decipher how to assemble the exhaust, how hard could it be? Well apparently harder than I thought. Problem is there are no assembly instructions that came with the exhaust, and none I can find online. I have searched mye28 for help (limited) and anywhere else with very limited success.

So here's a few questions with pics:
1.  If you look closely, you can see the exhaust pipes just after the header do not line up with the factory bracket that locates the exhaust pipes. Anyone else have this problem? 
 

2.  The double resonator that attaches to the pipes after the header mystifies me. One side has a typical donut, the other side has a slip joint with no way to compress the female side to prevent leaks. Comments?

 

3.  Double resonator to mid muffler. The near coupling looks like it needs a donut, but the far coupling has one flared side (double resonator side) that matches to a flat flange that needs a triangle shaped gasket. If you use a donut on the near side, the far side won't be close enough to couple up, not that it would anyway (how do you use a gasket with a flared pipe?).

 
A pic of the mid muffler connections, one flared, the other flush.

 
Pic of the double resonator pipe connections - both flared

 

These pieces came with the exhaust. Anyone know where they go?

 



 

[Chimi-Changa]

Heres a few pics of my setup. I'll be at the garage this week and can double check but looks like before the resonator there is a flat washer on one and the donut washer on the other.  Your last pic the L bracket is for the top of the muffler to connect with the body in some fashion depending if Euro or US version. (Mine is EU)
Supersprint or other aftermarket systems are not compatible with tranny mount brackets that I have seen. Mine does not attach anywhere except the 2 hangers infront of the subframe, and the rear muffler rubber donut hanger.

 

[tseohs]

1. I did not install an SS system but built one very similar and had the same issue with alignment with the factory bracket. Ended up cutting and extending the bracket with a piece of angle stock. The mystery piece with a single whole and the long bolt and nut look like they may be intended to be the bottom hanger that attaches to the factory bracket. I ended up making my own in more of a rounded "W" shape and it is holding up well. While not ideal, you may be able to secure the bottom bracket off set from the top with a long enough bolt and nut.

2. I used a slip joint in each side along with better quality clamps-the kind that have a slight taper and cover the joint and tighten with bolts. Zero leaks and no issues so far.

3. Not sure about the fit there. Chimi's pic looks like only one side has a gasket.

[ahab]

Pic #1. The bracket doesn't reach. Extend it or ignore it. 200k miles later my car is no worse for not using it.

Pic #2. The resonator section is backwards the way you have it. You should have a loose tri corner flange that you slide over the driver's side header pipe and then use a compression gasket. 

Pic #3.. Ditto to above. Once you spin the resonator around you need a loose gasket and compression fitting. One side is flat to flat with a gasket and the other is a compression fitting.

Last pic. As Chimi says, the parts you are showing are used for the Euro chassis.

[gwb72tii]

Well it helps to orient the exhaust parts correctly for assembly. I had the double resonator piece in backwards (and it fits that way) which completely screws up the way the downstream exhaust flanges connect (no surprise). THANK YOU ahab! The surprising part is Supersprint does not include the correct flange gaskets, which you think they would for what they charge for an exhaust system.

 

I will write up a complete exhaust system assembly step by step step later for anyone like me that has a question.



 

[ahab]

You need a compression gasket on the pipe on the left. The pipe on the right needs what's called a sealing ring in between the two flanged ends. It's a beveled metal donut that floats loose until the bolts tighten down and clamp into place.

I also think there's some kind of issue with your install because the pipes should be in better alignment. I've installed a couple of these systems on my cars and the fitment is usually excellent, but you have to finagle it to get everything properly lined up.

[gwb72tii]

You need a compression gasket on the pipe on the left. The pipe on the right needs what's called a sealing ring in between the two flanged ends. It's a beveled metal donut that floats loose until the bolts tighten down and clamp into place.

I also think there's some kind of issue with your install because the pipes should be in better alignment. I've installed a couple of these systems on my cars and the fitment is usually excellent, but you have to finagle it to get everything properly lined up.

Yes, thanks. The pipes from the header etc are all loose fit for now so nothing is aligning correctly. Again you might think Supersprint would supply the sealing gasket/donuts with their systems. 

Appreciate your help ahab as it gets me really close to being able to start the motor for the first time. My time recently has been helping my wife in the garden with her drip irrigation installation.

[LarryM]

Looks like you've got this mostly figured out with the help of other forum members. The correct gaskets to be used for this setup can be confusing.

Mine is a little different. On my cars I installed Euro downpipes mated to a flanged Supersprint track pipe, followed by a Supersprint cat-back (resonator and muffler) system. I'm not sure if the compression rings I used on the inlet side of the track pipe are the same as the ones you need, but the outlets should be the same:

Flat gasket (outlet, drivers side): Pt # 18-30-1-723-886
Compression ring (outlet, pass side): Pt. #18-11-1-723-533

I hope this is helpful.

(Also, I agree; for the price they charge, Supersprint should provide the correct new gaskets with their systems.)

[gwb72tii]

Thanks Larry, but the challenge has been the sealing compression ring needs to be 50mm I.D., and stock for the 535i is 45mm. The M5, however, is 50mm.