Best first move

330cirider · 02-10-2010, 06:47 PM

I got my 330ci a few months ago and want to put some performance into it now. The engine is completely stock and I'm contemplating either getting ebay headers or an exhaust. I've heard from a few people that headers with a stock exhaust will do nothing for me. What would be the best thing to do with around $500 dollars? Ebay headers are cheap but I'm not sure how much installation will be. Acceleration and horsepower is my main goal. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

nightrunner20 · 02-10-2010, 06:54 PM

Man as far as power gains with our car the only real difference would be to boost it. Yea chip intake headers will do a little. But never enough IMO.

But then again my friend has a 500hp Sti so it makes everything seem slow LOL.

Headers would be best move I think.

95blkmax · 02-10-2010, 07:14 PM

I say headers as well!

aggieE46 · 02-10-2010, 07:14 PM

Get some headers from Stett Performance. DIY the install. You still have $200 to buy O2 simulators and gas.

330cirider · 02-10-2010, 07:24 PM

what does doing the install myself entale?

330cirider · 02-11-2010, 01:52 PM

around how much will headers cost to install??

cabl3i · 02-11-2010, 01:56 PM

Usually an indy BMW mechanic will charge $50/hr.

If you were to DIY it you'd have to either lift the car entirely or at least get the front lift supports on jack stands.
It'd be a lot easier if you had someone helping you and the right tools.

*edit

True, headers alone wont do much for you, but then again, a performance exhaust will do NOTHING with stock headers.
The headers BMW slaps on at the factory are VERY restrictive. So if you plan to do headers first, definitely do an exhaust later on.

*double edit
+1 on getting the Stett performance headers, they are made of stronger stainless steel and ceramic coated so they'll stay cooler than ebay headers.

johnnyalbs5 · 02-11-2010, 02:53 PM

im thinkin about puttin in headers also

aggieE46 · 02-11-2010, 03:10 PM

DIY isn't that bad. It looks much worse than it is. Just have to have patience. If you plan to continually work on your car, this is a good way to learn a bit about it.

Activ3 · 02-11-2010, 09:35 PM

3.46 differential + headers.

DSpencer18 · 02-11-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by activ3

3.46 differential + headers.

+1

02-10-2010, 06:47 PM	#1
330cirider Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Jersey Posts: 7 My Ride: 330 ci View My Garage	Best first move I got my 330ci a few months ago and want to put some performance into it now. The engine is completely stock and I'm contemplating either getting ebay headers or an exhaust. I've heard from a few people that headers with a stock exhaust will do nothing for me. What would be the best thing to do with around $500 dollars? Ebay headers are cheap but I'm not sure how much installation will be. Acceleration and horsepower is my main goal. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

02-10-2010, 06:54 PM	#2
nightrunner20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,011 My Ride: will eat your dust View My Garage	Man as far as power gains with our car the only real difference would be to boost it. Yea chip intake headers will do a little. But never enough IMO. But then again my friend has a 500hp Sti so it makes everything seem slow LOL. Headers would be best move I think. __________________ Last edited by nightrunner20; 02-10-2010 at 07:01 PM.

02-10-2010, 07:14 PM	#3
95blkmax Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 204 My Ride: 00 BMW 328i View My Garage	I say headers as well! __________________ Hi, my name is 95BlkMax, and I am a Boostaholic "DANGER TO MANIFOLD!!!!" O_o!

02-10-2010, 07:14 PM	#4
aggieE46 Keep it clean Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Royse City Posts: 8,011 My Ride: Evo, 330Ci, Xterra View My Garage	Get some headers from Stett Performance. DIY the install. You still have $200 to buy O2 simulators and gas. __________________ ^No longer looks like this Buy my:: 3.46 Differential Coolant hard line European Head Unit

02-11-2010, 01:56 PM	#7
cabl3i Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: tx Posts: 481 My Ride: 03 330i ZHP View My Garage	Usually an indy BMW mechanic will charge $50/hr. If you were to DIY it you'd have to either lift the car entirely or at least get the front lift supports on jack stands. It'd be a lot easier if you had someone helping you and the right tools. edit True, headers alone wont do much for you, but then again, a performance exhaust will do NOTHING with stock headers. The headers BMW slaps on at the factory are VERY restrictive. So if you plan to do headers first, definitely do an exhaust later on. double edit +1 on getting the Stett performance headers, they are made of stronger stainless steel and ceramic coated so they'll stay cooler than ebay headers. Last edited by cabl3i; 02-11-2010 at 02:04 PM.

02-10-2010, 07:24 PM	#5
330cirider Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Jersey Posts: 7 My Ride: 330 ci View My Garage	what does doing the install myself entale?

02-11-2010, 01:52 PM	#6
330cirider Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Jersey Posts: 7 My Ride: 330 ci View My Garage	around how much will headers cost to install??

02-11-2010, 02:53 PM	#8
johnnyalbs5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mount Kisco, NY Posts: 10 My Ride: 02 330ci View My Garage	im thinkin about puttin in headers also

02-11-2010, 03:10 PM	#9
aggieE46 Keep it clean Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Royse City Posts: 8,011 My Ride: Evo, 330Ci, Xterra View My Garage	DIY isn't that bad. It looks much worse than it is. Just have to have patience. If you plan to continually work on your car, this is a good way to learn a bit about it. __________________ ^No longer looks like this Buy my:: 3.46 Differential Coolant hard line European Head Unit

02-11-2010, 09:35 PM	#10
Activ3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orlando/Miami Posts: 6,353 My Ride: gets DRIVEN. View My Garage	3.46 differential + headers. __________________ -David www.e46nonm.com \| My Videos 2000 328i - Custom Turbo tuned by AA www.activeautowerke.com \| www.precision-sport.com

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