Stock is the best. Dyno proven that they are not restrictive.

 

:hmm:

Well if you want to purchase headers, bimmerbrakes would be the cheapest/most reputable.

Edit: http://www.europartsonline.com/bimmerbrakes-ss-m54b25-m54b30-v1-performance-headers/

+1

If I ever go down the headers path, BimmerBrakes would be my choice...although I would go with the GEN3's.

http://www.europartsonline.com/bimmerbrakes-gen3-m54b25-m54b30-performance-headers/

 

Well if you want to purchase headers, bimmerbrakes would be the cheapest/most reputable.

Edit: http://www.europartsonline.com/bimmerbrakes-ss-m54b25-m54b30-v1-performance-headers/

 

Well if you want to purchase headers, bimmerbrakes would be the cheapest/most reputable.

+1 :thumbup:

 

don't start down this path.
You can spend $thousands and your car will still be slower than a stock 300i. You want a faster car, sell and buy a 330 or M3.

 

1. Where are you getting "thousands" from?
2. Headers have merit beyond just trying to squeeze some extra power out.

I am keeping the factory exhaust on both of my E46's until the point of failure. However, if/when the cats fail, neither going with the absurdly overpriced OE units or with "direct fit" aftermarkets with questionable longevity sounds appealing.

On the earlier models, a free Euro 2 tune, quality headers and possibly some high flow cats downstream is much more friendly on the wallet.

 

Either the Trader-Nas from Ebay or the BimmerBrakes, both fit very well & are the same design. The BB V3 design (equal length) proved to Not make good HP, so I wouldn't buy them.


EDIT: Good bang for the buck:

1) Header
2) Shark Injector
3) Cosmo Racing CAI
4) 3.46 Diff

If you did all of these at the same time you'd think you're driving a new better Bimmer.



Rob43

 

Either the Trader-Nas from Ebay or the BimmerBrakes, both fit very well & are the same design. The BB V3 design (equal length) proved to Not make good HP, so I wouldn't buy them.


EDIT: Good bang for the buck:

1) Header
2) Shark Injector
3) Cosmo Racing CAI
4) 3.46 Diff

If you did all of these at the same time you'd think you're driving a new better Bimmer.



Rob43

Those 3 gave me a 177 WHP dyno out of a 323i. Not too bad.

 

Awesome thanks guys. All post were helpful. Ima go with bimmer brakes. But this is my 5th BMW and I'm not looking for full power yet. I'm going to turbo the car in a year and make it look stock so people can make fun of me and all they will see is my taillights. If the turbo and everything goes well. Does anyone know about performance radiators for the non M cars. I want one but they don't seem to sell any for the non m styles? Any help?

 

First guess is Mishimoto. Looks like theyre developing one right now. But youll have to do some more digging
http://engineering.mishimoto.com/category/bmw-e46-non-m-aluminum-radiator-1999-2006/

 

does supersprint make headers for the non m? i thought they did. i would assume those would be best.

stock are not best. they are sucky for power. good for a clean smelling exhaust though. that's why i have em

 

GEN3 or GEN1?

 

What's your question ?



Rob43

 

Which is best?

 

Gen 1 makes a lot more HP.

Also, stop being lazy & install your Shark Injector.



Rob43

 

Lol Haha I will been busy with skool.

 

Trader-Nas does not seem to stock them anymore...

 

Yep, they currently don't show up.

BimmerBrakes V1, maybe Email them to make sure they're in stock.

http://www.europartsonline.com/bimmerbrakes-ss-m54b25-m54b30-v1-performance-headers/


Rob43

 

Will those trigger a CEL? I saw a youtube video where the guy welded the bungs at a right angle so the CEL wouldnt comeon.

 

That method is hit or miss. The idea with the de foulers is to place the sensors away from the exhaust flow as to not read as much. So far there is no perfect way to do that. I also know that you can get an LC2 wideband and program it to bypass the post cat 02s

 

I am about to order some Gen3 headers from Bimmer Brakes but a note says "does not fit cars with ZF automatic transmission" .....is this because of the size of the auto tranny itself? Because I HAD a ZF auto tranny but swapped in a zhp tranny. So I should be good right? Thanks!

Also are they simply out of stock on the bimmer brakes site or do i buy them from a different vendore?

 

Also are they simply out of stock on the bimmer brakes site or do i buy them from a different vendore?

Hmm. They're the guys who had them made. Guess they sold out.

How about another group buy? :str8pimpi

 

I have a set, brand new, but I might try and find a fabricator that can make them fit with my ZF trans.

 

Does anyone know if that rumor is true that they aren't making them anymore?! I need some!

 

I'm trying to find out who has the best headers out there. I'm looking for some for my 325ci 03 standard.

If you could afford the best headers out there, you wouldn't be driving a 325.

 

Again, does anyone know if bimmer brakes stopped making the Gen3 headers?

 

You Don't want the Gen 3 headers.



Rob43

 

Don't headers also come with quite a few downsides? mainly making the car quite a bit louder, and not to mention the smell inside the cabin??

 

Those are not downsides.

 

They do make a few WHP compared to stock OE exhaust manifolds, but only about 1/4 of the WHP when compared to the Gen 1 style Super Sprint non-stepped knockoff headers.


Rob43

 

Wow for a long time i thought the Gen3's were the best option out there from what everyone was saying about them...interesting. So where can i get quality gen 1 SS reps? with the gen3's out the window what is the best available header option? the $325 SS V1's from bimmer brakes?

 

I may try the headers from xcess. Search zentrose headers. He ordered from them and made 90 degree adapters for the o2s and no check engine light

 

Why won't you just share it with me and the community here so it's available for all the people who read this thread? The more places the link is the better. I don't see why you're withholding information from us if you have it readily available. There's hundreds of threads on headers I have searched up already so it would be much appreciated if you could save me the hassle if you have the info. I only get to hop on the forum for a few mins every day. Thanks

 

The Gen three's are known to produce HP in the high RPM's and the V1's are through the mid range.

 

No.

If anything it's the reverse of that statement.



Rob43

 

Opps, must have my Data backwards :slap:

 

shame on you! :rofl: