E36 M3 Muffler Hanger Carnage

Before I went to the smog station, I figured I should put my muffler back on. Here is what 150k miles of OE Exhaust hanger looks like.

Exhaust Hanger #1.

And, exhaust hanger #2.

So only God know's how long they've been like that just waiting to let go unassumingly on the track one day. Oh right, that's what happened. Here is the metal insert bolted to the bracket. I lost the other bracket on the track.  : /

Call me a skeptic but I'm not sure this "flimsy rubber bracing metal sleeve,"is the best design . I ordered all new parts from either thebmwpartstore or AutohausAZ.

Installing it was about 10 times harder than taking it off. There is only (1) inner and (1) outer gasket. I hadn't been down there to notice they were still on so I ordered new ones, and 2 too many at that. I guess the good news is the car passed smog, but look forward to a custom single pipe race exhaust coming up. :D

Shout Out, C&G Smog Test Only in Eagle Rock

Thankfully my car can go another two years without worrying for smog. I take it over to Giancarlo at C&G Smog test only in Eagle Rock at the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock Blvd. Giancarlo is a nice guy and his shop is clean. This time around he did it for $45 but the lowest he said he can go in 2012 is $50 due to increasing fees from the state.

He didn't care about the ITG cone filter intake element and for those wondering, the car passed CA smog emissions with a 3.5" euro HFM, ITG Cone filter, 21.5# injectors, TMS software and stock exhaust. It was close to the edge of what was allowable but nothing crazy. Those mods are safe, just drive the car super hard for awhile before you take it in.

Here's a link to some Yelp reviews on the man Giancarlo.