Custom 4-2-1 headers, equal length, without breaking the bank. info inside

razahyde · 18th October 2008, 01:23

alright as you guys know all the vendors that make headers for our cars charge easily 4k+ for the headers alone. I spoke with a very reputable local shop that has done a lot of custom exhaust work and is a privately owned BMW repair shop. The owner and i discussed the matter and we are going to pull the trigger on legit custom headers. i know another member on here has done this with some shop in California but he had headers which weren't even equal length, and had no dyno results to back it up.

here's our plan for this set of headers,

we are going to dyno my car, at least 3 pulls, and see where my car stands before anything is modified. the shop is going to do the research and what not and get in contact with me once all the research part is taken care of. i will then drop my car off and have the shop create the actual set of headers and install them on my car with software for the specific setup. we will go back to the SAME dyno shop and try to replicate the temperature and weather, as it was the first 3 pulls, to keep error to a minimum. we will see what it puts out and i will report back to you guys.

to make it simple and at a rough $$$ price you are looking at.

1)4-2-1 equal length headers
2)complete 1 piece set, like the dinan set, not the headers you assemble like Supersprint.
3)dyno charts to back up the claims, pre and post results
4)the price will be kept around the 2k mark, maybe even lower depending on how many people are seriously interested, which will REALLY help you guys out with the pricing.
5)HP gains will be easily within the numbers the Dinan headers put out, so this wont be a waste of your time.

i will keep you guys updated as i get more information in, and if this does die i will update you guys immediately, but the chances of that happening are extremely slim.

the goal is to have these done as soon as possible but i don't want to put anything out which i cant keep my word to, but it should make a nice little treat under the Christmas tree.

if you are SERIOUS add yourself to the poll, the poll is not because you like the idea, it is to keep an easy track of who is in, might be in and etc.

thank you
-Raza

GBPackerfan1963 · 18th October 2008, 01:35

I'm in fur sure....

havasusteve03Beast · 18th October 2008, 06:33

Im in depending on Dyno and....What material are we talking about here??

Thanks for the work

Steve

razahyde · 18th October 2008, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by havasusteve03Beast

Im in depending on Dyno and....What material are we talking about here??

Thanks for the work

Steve

the shop im having do this will get back to me concerning more details. but what they told me is to see what kind you guys want done and whatever majority says, they can make. so if you guys have any special comments then feel free to post.

Laidback · 18th October 2008, 07:36

I'd say let the shop build you one, dyno before and after (covering all variables) (dyno dynamics if possible) post the results pics and video, invite other members in your area for witness, do some real road testing if possible and on a safe conditions, against another e39 M5 with mods...this will be a long process but if your up for the task, i'd say do it...

razahyde · 18th October 2008, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laidback

I'd say let the shop build you one, dyno before and after (covering all variables) (dyno dynamics if possible) post the results pics and video, invite other members in your area for witness, do some real road testing if possible and on a safe conditions, against another e39 M5 with mods...this will be a long process but if your up for the task, i'd say do it...

thats the plan, i was going to setup a dyno meet for before and after and some runs vs another members m5 to see how the cars compared before are after. as we go along ill set things up, there are plenty of m5 owners in the area that im sure wouldnt mind running me haha. the dyno charts should speak for themselves though.

JTB · 18th October 2008, 21:11

I like the idea as I also feel the existing headers are overpriced. You do, however, have to be careful how you do this.
Since you specifically mention Dinan’s headers and that we can expect output similar then you need to also consider how Dinan got his numbers. If you read his site you will see that the estimated 28 BHP gains also requires an intake, MAFs, full exhaust and, most importantly, a tune. In other words you need to remove other restrictions, both on the intake and exhaust sides, to take full advantage of the headers. You, then, will have to adjust the tune accordingly. As Dinan’s numbers are already notoriously optimistic, you have set yourself a high target.
Another consideration is the testing. A quality dyno is a must. I agree that DynoDynamics would be a high quality option if available. Make sure you post all variables and correction factors. Nothing raises red flags faster than before and after dyno runs without correction factors.
As you are assembling the headers you will need to make sure the collectors are high quality. You might look into Burns Stainless. They have some very high quality parts - http://www.burnsstainless.com/
Another thing you might consider is partnering with a tuner that can release a flash optimized for the headers. This could legitimize the product as well as provide an available flash for those that really want to take advantage of their investment while not possibly causing lean issues due to increased flow.
I wish you luck and hope you make good progress!

firebird400 · 19th October 2008, 03:37

I am definitely interested, and I look forward to learning more about this as things progress. Good luck!

Dysfnctnl85 · 19th October 2008, 03:42

I'm very interested in seeing what another company can do with respect to headers. I understand the mantra of "you get what you pay for" and that's something [insert BMW tuner here] is known for, but I've often wondered why. I simply cannot fathom monumental R&D (to justify the extremely high price) in a set of headers, but maybe I'm just ignorant!

I voted for results, FWIW!

razahyde · 20th October 2008, 02:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dysfnctnl85

I'm very interested in seeing what another company can do with respect to headers. I understand the mantra of "you get what you pay for" and that's something [insert BMW tuner here] is known for, but I've often wondered why. I simply cannot fathom monumental R&D (to justify the extremely high price) in a set of headers, but maybe I'm just ignorant!

I voted for results, FWIW!

well to be fair when the cars first came out in 00 and the price tag was 70k it somewhat made sense to see the prices where they were at, which is what they are still at. i could justify 5-8k for 40ish HP on a high end car like the m5 back in 00-03.

but the cars being in the teens and twenties, it does not make sense paying the same thing as back in 00-03. from what ive gathered the headers are still the same price and nobody has really jumped in the market, or dropped their prices.

correct me if anything i said is wrong, i wouldnt mind learning more or knowing whats right.