Catching Some Z's

[FluidMotorUnion]

Now that the C63’s header and midsection are done and fitted, and the car is back on the dyno (with video coming soon), it’s back to catching up on the Z4M.

This is what the underbody of a Z4M without an exhaust looks like. As you can see, there’s going to be ample room for what we have in store.

http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catch_z1.jpg

Now this is an engine we’ve worked with countless times in the past, just in the body of a different vehicle, so we’re moving through this exhaust pretty quickly.

http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catch_z2.jpg

Much like his E38’s exhaust, Eric is aiming for more of a sleeper style with the roadster, something that won’t offend entire towns (not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s all based on the client’s personal aesthetic), so we’re going with a set of mufflers and a set of resonators. That way, the Fluid custom sound will still be apparent, even in muted tones, which is spot-on with our goal for this setup.

http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catch_z3.jpg

As always, watching an exhaust be created is a thing of wonder. Not just because so many smaller pieces of metal seemingly arrange themselves in some sort of tube made of awesome, but because of the level of workmanship involved in crafting such a thing. Even though we’re moving at the speed of light with this exhaust, we never let quality dip one bit:

http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catch_z4.jpg
http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catch_z5.jpg
http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catch_z6.jpg
http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catch_z7.jpg

We’ll keep you updated on this exhaust as it develops. However, by the time this sentence is finished being typed, we’ve probably managed to make 5 copies of this exhaust. Don’t worry, though, the next blog post will contain everything we hope you like about the exhaust blogs — metal and welds (occasionally with interesting colors!)

As a final addendum, the official Autobahn Tech Inspection sheet is available for viewing, downloading, printing out, etc. Take a look at the post to see it. (http://www.fluidmotorunion.com/archives/7752)

[cobrawannabe]

How far do your welders extend their tungsten beyond the shielding cup when welding in tight areas like that? Also, would you be able to divulge what size cup they use when welding exhaust systems (especially the tight areas)?

[FluidMotorUnion]

How far do your welders extend their tungsten beyond the shielding cup when welding in tight areas like that? Also, would you be able to divulge what size cup they use when welding exhaust systems (especially the tight areas)?

Craig imparted this advice:

"Use as much as you need." And that's pretty much true - if you need to extend it five inches, extend it five inches and crank up the gas. There's a lot of learned trial and error involved when it comes to welding in tight spaces.

[cobrawannabe]

Awesome stuff! That makes a lot of sense, since the boundaries naturally provided by the tight space would probably do a great job of keeping the shielding gas local to the weld. Thanks so much for the quick feedback on both threads!