Where are the headers?

[Sticky]

By now, I expected us to have some aftermarket header options. There has really been no development in this area whatsoever.

Yes, I know about the RDsport headers, but no dyno tests, and it seems as if the priority is the stroker which is fine.

Where is supersprint? Are they not doing headers?

Evosport says the gains will be small for a fairly large cost. Basically, it isn't worth it.

RPI says the same basic thing. It isn't worth the investment.

Now, the S85 makes good gains with headers and I don't see a radical change in the S65 design that makes me think there are not gains to be had.

Maybe BMW really did nail the header design, but even the E46 had great gains with aftermarket headers and I believe there is less head room in that motor.

So, what gives?

[Jonmartin]

Originally Posted by Sticky

By now, I expected us to have some aftermarket header options. There has really been no development in this area whatsoever.

Yes, I know about the RDsport headers, but no dyno tests, and it seems as if the priority is the stroker which is fine.

Where is supersprint? Are they not doing headers?

Evosport says the gains will be small for a fairly large cost. Basically, it isn't worth it.

RPI says the same basic thing. It isn't worth the investment.

Now, the S85 makes good gains with headers and I don't see a radical change in the S65 design that makes me think there are not gains to be had.

Maybe BMW really did nail the header design, but even the E46 had great gains with aftermarket headers and I believe there is less head room in that motor.

So, what gives?

Wait a couple years and get some ebay headers lol... like the E46 guys

[Sticky]

Originally Posted by Jonmartin

Wait a couple years and get some ebay headers lol... like the E46 guys

Those headers are awesome and cheap, but the only reason they exist is because someone at a fab shop ripped off a design.

[FStop7]

Have you seen the stock headers? I would be hard pressed to believe that there is any room for any real improvement unless you're running a stroker or forced induction.

[camaross305]

with long tubes and a tune i think you could pick up 15-20hp especially under the curve

[niterider]

Alex at Gintani said he should be making some soon. He said the factory ones are very good for factory headers but that he was gonna make some improved ones with power gains.

I know a lot of people havent heard of Gintani but there shop does some real good stuff. I saw pics of there twin blower kit on a Ferrari and the set up was sick...Anyways ill keep u guys posted on those, im hoping he uses my car to help develop them so i can get first dibs.

[Sticky]

Originally Posted by FStop7

Have you seen the stock headers? I would be hard pressed to believe that there is any room for any real improvement unless you're running a stroker or forced induction.

Yes, I've seen them. People said the same sort of thing about the E46 and the E60 M5 though. The factory header obviously is very, very good.

A step header should increase some torque, I believe.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Sticky

Those headers are awesome and cheap, but the only reason they exist is because someone at a fab shop ripped off a design.

I've seen the E46 ebay headers and I have technik headers. There is an obvious difference in the quality of the welds and machining of the flange. My technik headers looked a lot smoother and more well rounded on the insides.

Is it worth an extra $600-$800? Not sure.

I'm sure there will be some headers out soon. It seems like companies are coming out with aftermarket mods MUCH faster for the E9X than the E46.

[eclipsisNA]

The American E46 M3 headers had the cats built directly into them, while the E92 headers don't have the cats (which are now installed at the front of the mid-pipes). My guess is that the E92 headers are nowhere near as restrictive in airflow as the E46 headers were.

[Griz]

SuperSprint is at least in the development phase.

Amuse Ericcson also has a set out.

Originally Posted by FStop7

Have you seen the stock headers? I would be hard pressed to believe that there is any room for any real improvement unless you're running a stroker or forced induction.

Of course, SuperSprint wants to make money, but they believe there's room.

LINK

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by camaross305

with long tubes and a tune i think you could pick up 15-20hp especially under the curve

Not going to pick up that much. It is just not possible. The existing headers are aslready very well done equal length design. Stubby headers but still very good.

I'd take your number and cut it in half.

[Sticky]

Originally Posted by Eclipse Motors

The American E46 M3 headers had the cats built directly into them, while the E92 headers don't have the cats (which are now installed at the front of the mid-pipes). My guess is that the E92 headers are nowhere near as restrictive in airflow as the E46 headers were.

The US M3 header still had the cats about as far downstream as the E92 does. They just aren't one solid piece. You could make the argument that most of the gain comes from eliminating the first set of cats.

[Sticky]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

Not going to pick up that much. It is just not possible. The existing headers are aslready very well done equal length design. Stubby headers but still very good.

I'd take your number and cut it in half.

It is possible, but you might sacrifice low end torque building them for a high end hp gain.

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by Sticky

The US M3 header still had the cats about as far downstream as the E92 does. They just aren't one solid piece. You could make the argument that most of the gain comes from eliminating the first set of cats.

Thank God BMW didn't integrate the cats into the headers themselves this time around. That was a shitty thing they did on the E46.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Sticky

Evosport says the gains will be small for a fairly large cost. Basically, it isn't worth it.

Welcome to the vast majority of the weight savings mods or power gain mods for our cars. Just too much money for the losses or gains.

[Sticky]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Welcome to the vast majority of the weight savings mods or power gain mods for our cars. Just too much money for the losses or gains.

I would say the vast majority of mods are available because they are worth the gains for the money. Headers are just a large initial investment, because later on people will rip off the design and produce things like the ebay headers.

[niterider]

Originally Posted by Sticky

I would say the vast majority of mods are available because they are worth the gains for the money. Headers are just a large initial investment, because later on people will rip off the design and produce things like the ebay headers.

This is very true.