For those who paid for Header installation, what did you pay?

[DOB2009]

I'm just trying to get Idea of what a "good" deal for labor would be compared to average. I have heard $150 for the install up to $1000. for those who have paid to get headers installed, how much did you pay. I saw one member posted links to DIY saying "its not that hard" but I see several threads of people complaining that the shops couldn't even complete the installation some times, and you have to jack the engine up? Another member said 7-8 hours. So I think I have read enough and I'm not going to try to install these my self! Thanks for input guys.

[DOB2009]

bump*

[jtrejo]

$400 installed pm me for the shop info there in riverside

[bigjae1976]

I paid $500.

[n2Bimmer]

hhaaa, i paid 150, i did my muffler by him to so i guess he gave me a discount, thats what he said, took him 3 hours, i will never DIY. wow are you serious, especially if you dont have a lift.

[DOB2009]

hhaaa, i paid 150, i did my muffler by him to so i guess he gave me a discount, thats what he said, took him 3 hours, i will never DIY. wow are you serious, especially if you dont have a lift.

Nice you are local, you have his # I can call for a quote? $150 If I can find that price I will buy the headers.

Do any of you guys have any regrets, can you definitely feel a difference? Also did any one keep stock Exhaust system/cats?

[teknoracing]

Riverside is also local, well somewhat. Definitely good deal. I want to give my 330ci a little boost.

[n2Bimmer]

Nice you are local, you have his # I can call for a quote? $150 If I can find that price I will buy the headers.

Do any of you guys have any regrets, can you definitely feel a difference? Also did any one keep stock Exhaust system/cats?

Steves Muffler (818)545-0447. Again he will NOT quote you 150, but call him. it cant be too much more. Hes in Glendale.

[DOB2009]

Steves Muffler (818)545-0447. Again he will NOT quote you 150, but call him. it cant be too much more. Hes in Glendale.

sounds good thanks man!

[sillieidiot]

just install it yourself lol. a couple members of the socal gen chat is going to be tackling the DIY soon

[lrinco01]

^^^^^ +2 on what sillieidiot is saying ^^^^^^^^^

if i were you, I would get together with a few forum members who Have done Header installs on our E46 and ask them t help you D.I.Y so you could gain the experience and save some money in the process but if your in no way a gear or grease monkey then yeah, keep doing what your doing

my 2 cts

[NightRunner]

I bought myself a case of beer. made the installation go MUCH easier.

[330i ZHP]

free

[carbonbmw]

If you have no lift its a pain, but if you drop the tranny you have alot more room.

[pish180]

Long story short...

Take it to a shop!!! I spent 6 hrs trying to Do in myself, before I decided "F" that. And another 4 hrs putting it back together.

Shop quotes 8-9 hrs of labor. In Va its like 108$ an hr (yes I know its expensive!!). most places give discounts to CCA members (5-10%). You will need aftermarkets cats to get installed at the same time if you want a performance shop to install them! It is illegal for them to remove the headers, and for them to at least sign a waiver you need to have cats to replace the stock ones.

Like "carbonbmw" said.... I would not even attempt it without lift access! If you are that ambitious to DIY.


NOTES:
======
---Also if you from VA... i really doubt they will do this for you. My car is registered out of state.
---You will need a torch to head up the flange bolts to remove them!! or else they will just break right off.
--- I am going to try the o2 defouler to try and fix my CEL upcoming issues. If you try and relocated the o2's lower in the pipe you will still have problems because of the wire resistance. Your CEL will prolly say your O2 is bad, because the voltage will be really low.

That my 2 cents. My car will have headers tomorrow!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D . Ill let you know the performance feeling differ.

[MachRc]

^its true what NOVA phish is sayin

its expensive..and 150 sounds like a miracle price..

count on $500 dollars and up. I believe mine was 6 or 7 something.. but not cheap.

[jtrejo]

i can still hook u up 400 installed at a shop

[hamann330ci]

Free if you DIY. All you need are tools and some patience!

$150 is cheap btw!

[pish180]

Free if you DIY. All you need are tools and some patience!

$150 is cheap btw!

i think its a little bit more than just patience. Its more like tiiiiiimmmmmmeeeeeee. I guess if you dont really drive your car and you really want to dedicated time in your garage and dont want to do anything else... Then your good to go.

The DIY does not work for Xi's BTW. The bottom engine bracket is completely different. And even less room to do anything because you have the front CV's and the front diff.

150$ is cheap. But 8 hrs of labor depending on your state is (VA is 110$/hr) = 880 installed. I didn't have to worry about anything but dropping the car off and picking it up. And of course if they forget to tighten a bolt or one comes loose... they get the pleasure of fixing it for free. Unlike if you forget, you go back to the drawing board.

I'm a honest believer in... there are some jobs you do and some you just have other people do! I tried this... and never again will I attempt to do another header install like this one. I4 are a completely differ game tho. I've done integra's, civic'c, talons before, that's CAKE. Like is suggested... well worth the 880$!! 5% off for my BMW CCA discount(-44), so 836$ was my actual cost. BMW CCA membership was only 50$ so this one install just about paid it off. :D :D


=========
hamann330ci I just realized you made the header DIY. Nice except there are no pics left... I can host them on my web server if you want me to. I think you should add in there what year your 330ci is. I know for a fact the DIY does not work for XI's! It would be a VERY GOOD note to add!! Bolt sizes are different as well. I have 16,17,18,19 22mm bolts, as well as inverted torqx sockets to remove the bottom engine bracket. Just email me the pics and Ill post them up. You can give me the higher res photos. Then I'll send you the links and you can update the thread.

[Minnoe07]

Just did it myself. Definitely the biggest pain the ass EVER, but if I could do it again and pay somebody to do it or do it myself, I would do it again!