# Changing baffles in thermal reactors - 1976 BMW 530

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-baffles-in-thermal-reactors-1976-bmw-530/132654>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** bmw, 530\
**Created:** [January 14, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-baffles-in-thermal-reactors-1976-bmw-530/132654 "2019-01-14T21:40:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GaryLinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@GaryLinsky](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GaryLinsky)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-baffles-in-thermal-reactors-1976-bmw-530/132654/1 "2019-01-14T21:40:48Z")

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anyone ever tried to replace the baffles in the thermal reactors?

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-baffles-in-thermal-reactors-1976-bmw-530/132654/2 "2019-01-15T14:33:38Z")

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The thermal reactor 530i was only made for a couple of years, 40+ years ago. Most have gone to the happy hunting ground. You might find somebody that’s tried this on a BMW forum for the first generation 5 series (also called the E12).

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**Author:** ![GaryLinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@GaryLinsky](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GaryLinsky)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 3:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-baffles-in-thermal-reactors-1976-bmw-530/132654/3 "2019-01-15T15:51:28Z")

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Thanks for your trouble to reply. I am one of those E12 original owners stuck in California, where Smog Inspection requires original equipment (including Thermal Reactors).

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-baffles-in-thermal-reactors-1976-bmw-530/132654/4 "2019-01-15T16:12:18Z")

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Don’t know if it is any good but there is a thermal reactor on Ebay .  
I thought after so many years vehicles were exempt from some of the smog requirements.