Now I have picked up a lot of information in the last few months, i improperly installed ebay headers, reinstalled stocks, and am now going to install ebay headers correctly.:facepalm: If i had a thread like this it would have saved me a ton of time and money. while this site is a great source of information, it can be sometimes hard to find the correct information. So after all my research and purchases I have decided to make a new thread to go over the entire project inclusively. I am not making a DIY on how to do anything I am simply putting together some FAQ answers and a shopping list. Hope this helps out.
PS DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND READ THIS WHOLE THREAD, THERE IS USEFUL INFO ON THE SECOND PAGE.
First of all if you have no idea what any of this is please read this. It is known as Kpeng's thread. it contains a lot of good information even if it is a little outdated. so please read this first.
FAQ
1. Maks who should I buy from? Will it fit?
there are a few different ways to go about this. "surewinproducts" seems to be the dominent ebay seller right now and they sell quality products. generally they cost about $95 shipped to your door. however keep your eyes out for their auctions and you can get a set as cheap at $51 shipped.
the other option is to be part of a group buy. I think the F1 autohouse GB is closed but Anthony@BimmerBrakes is doing another one now. he is a good guy and will take care of you, but it will be more expensive. Here is the link. Good guy to deal with.
The cheap headers fit just fine but you can only put o2 sensors in the two lower bungs. but it will fit with no modification.
2. Ok I have bought the headers but I have no clue how to install them please help?!?!?!
this DIY is pretty good. scroll down a little to see pics. if you have specific questions please pm me, but like i said I AM NOT making a DIY on this.
3. I dont want a CEL light, I wanna pass inspection blah blah blah....
sure. we all do. Here is a DIY that will allow you to pass inspection. Just do what he did. A note on buying the o2 sim. o2sim.com has TERRIBLE customer service, plus the sim i got from them was not the appropriate one for my car, never managed to even talk to them. Buy the one from Anthony, he is a good guy, a strong forum rep, and an excellent vendor.
4. So you told me i would get a complete shopping list....
I did. here it is. the prices listed are approximate but it will help you get an idea. I listed parts numbers for a 323i. if you have a different car i suggest you visit RealOEM. when it comes to things like gaskets I always go OEM, you can use the ebay sh1t for cheaper but I do not recommend it.
HEADER INSTALL PARTS:
1 x Ebay headers $51
2 x exhaust manifold to header gasket + heatshield (11621732969) - $41.92 each
2 x header to exhaust gasket (18301436334) - $12.63 each
16 x header nuts (11721437202) - $.78 each
16 header studs (11127506203) - $.38 each
2 x bolts and nuts for connection between header and exhaust - (11621427586 - bolts: 18301737774 - nuts) $.99 each - (Can substitute Grade 8, M10-40 bolts)
1 tube of red locktite - $3
o2 SIMULATOR INSTALL PARTS (electronics and relocation stuff)
1 x o2 sim from Anthony at BimmerBrakes.com - $40
1 x small project box from radioshack - $3
1 x double sided tape
2 x 18mm 1.25 pitch nuts (muffler shop) - $5
1 x small socket box + cover - $5
Real life cost for everything is about $220.
Pictures of all the necessary stuff (or almost all of it) can be found here.
5. Maks, some people told my car will be super loud. is this true?
Loud is an opinion. For example for about 4 months i drove around with oem headers with reused ebay gaskets (cheap much?). Today when i went under the car there was basically a half cm gap between my headers and exhaust :facepalm:. so basically a dump. I didnt think it was that loud just kinda drony. I used new oem gaskets and tightened everything down, and my car is actually quieter than my buddies with stock headers and stock gaskets (never been touched) so whoever says headers are loud probably has an exhaust leak. So my car is OEM quite. Eurospec Muffler in the future i think :4ngie:
6. Tell the truth. Any negatives?
Not really. The only thing I noticed was a faint smell of gasoline when idleing for a longer period of time. No cats so this makes sense. not dangerous or harmfull.
7. OMGZZZZZ my engine is loping and throwing miss fire codes and crap and I dont know what to do.....!!!!!!!!
It will be ok. This is normal. All you did was mix up the precat o2 sensors. basically you put two o2 sensors into the headers. right? and you plugged them into the harness on the left side of the engine. right? Simply go and unplug both of them, and swap the connectors. Problem solved.
8. Maks do i need any special tools? any great tips?
-I would highly recommend a set of ratcheting wrenches and S wrenches. $20 at harbor freight for both, definitely worth it.
-take out the windshield wiper fluid tank, it will create space and make it easier to get to that nut on the very top first stud. when you get there you will know what I am talking about.
-DO NOT GRIND YOUR MOTOR MOUNT!!!!! comon guys its even called a motor mount - that means it supports your motor, you should NEVER grind down a thing that supports your motor. so if you cant get it to go back in it often helps to jack up the motor a little (you should already have a jack under it since one of the mounts is gone remember.....) It will fit. make sure you are putting it back in the right place.
- buy the stuff you need, dont cheap out. get good gaskets, an exhaust leak will make your car sound like a tractor dont ask me how i know.
- the precat o2 sensors HAVE to go back into the headers, its only the post cat ones that are relocated to the drugbin.
-The wiring harness for the o2 sensors takes almost as long to make as it takes to put the sensors in right (if you do it right) do it ahead of time so you just have to splice in the o2 connectors.
--get multi colored wires so you dont get confused when you extend the lines
-- at least 8 feet of shrink wrap in small sizes
-you can use the post cat o2 (stock) as the precat (simed) since they are longer, but if you do this pay attention to the connector. they are different and you will have to swap them.
--pull the secondary oxygen pump so you can get to the top bolts of the longer header from above.
Again if you have any questions please post here, or if its urgent feel free to pm me. but if you pm a dumb question that was answered in one of the links or in this thread i wont respond.
GOOD LUCK GUYS :thumbsup:
PS DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND READ THIS WHOLE THREAD, THERE IS USEFUL INFO ON THE SECOND PAGE.
First of all if you have no idea what any of this is please read this. It is known as Kpeng's thread. it contains a lot of good information even if it is a little outdated. so please read this first.
FAQ
1. Maks who should I buy from? Will it fit?
there are a few different ways to go about this. "surewinproducts" seems to be the dominent ebay seller right now and they sell quality products. generally they cost about $95 shipped to your door. however keep your eyes out for their auctions and you can get a set as cheap at $51 shipped.
the other option is to be part of a group buy. I think the F1 autohouse GB is closed but Anthony@BimmerBrakes is doing another one now. he is a good guy and will take care of you, but it will be more expensive. Here is the link. Good guy to deal with.
The cheap headers fit just fine but you can only put o2 sensors in the two lower bungs. but it will fit with no modification.
2. Ok I have bought the headers but I have no clue how to install them please help?!?!?!
this DIY is pretty good. scroll down a little to see pics. if you have specific questions please pm me, but like i said I AM NOT making a DIY on this.
3. I dont want a CEL light, I wanna pass inspection blah blah blah....
sure. we all do. Here is a DIY that will allow you to pass inspection. Just do what he did. A note on buying the o2 sim. o2sim.com has TERRIBLE customer service, plus the sim i got from them was not the appropriate one for my car, never managed to even talk to them. Buy the one from Anthony, he is a good guy, a strong forum rep, and an excellent vendor.
4. So you told me i would get a complete shopping list....
I did. here it is. the prices listed are approximate but it will help you get an idea. I listed parts numbers for a 323i. if you have a different car i suggest you visit RealOEM. when it comes to things like gaskets I always go OEM, you can use the ebay sh1t for cheaper but I do not recommend it.
HEADER INSTALL PARTS:
1 x Ebay headers $51
2 x exhaust manifold to header gasket + heatshield (11621732969) - $41.92 each
2 x header to exhaust gasket (18301436334) - $12.63 each
16 x header nuts (11721437202) - $.78 each
16 header studs (11127506203) - $.38 each
2 x bolts and nuts for connection between header and exhaust - (11621427586 - bolts: 18301737774 - nuts) $.99 each - (Can substitute Grade 8, M10-40 bolts)
1 tube of red locktite - $3
o2 SIMULATOR INSTALL PARTS (electronics and relocation stuff)
1 x o2 sim from Anthony at BimmerBrakes.com - $40
1 x small project box from radioshack - $3
1 x double sided tape
2 x 18mm 1.25 pitch nuts (muffler shop) - $5
1 x small socket box + cover - $5
Real life cost for everything is about $220.
Pictures of all the necessary stuff (or almost all of it) can be found here.
5. Maks, some people told my car will be super loud. is this true?
Loud is an opinion. For example for about 4 months i drove around with oem headers with reused ebay gaskets (cheap much?). Today when i went under the car there was basically a half cm gap between my headers and exhaust :facepalm:. so basically a dump. I didnt think it was that loud just kinda drony. I used new oem gaskets and tightened everything down, and my car is actually quieter than my buddies with stock headers and stock gaskets (never been touched) so whoever says headers are loud probably has an exhaust leak. So my car is OEM quite. Eurospec Muffler in the future i think :4ngie:
6. Tell the truth. Any negatives?
Not really. The only thing I noticed was a faint smell of gasoline when idleing for a longer period of time. No cats so this makes sense. not dangerous or harmfull.
7. OMGZZZZZ my engine is loping and throwing miss fire codes and crap and I dont know what to do.....!!!!!!!!
It will be ok. This is normal. All you did was mix up the precat o2 sensors. basically you put two o2 sensors into the headers. right? and you plugged them into the harness on the left side of the engine. right? Simply go and unplug both of them, and swap the connectors. Problem solved.
8. Maks do i need any special tools? any great tips?
-I would highly recommend a set of ratcheting wrenches and S wrenches. $20 at harbor freight for both, definitely worth it.
-take out the windshield wiper fluid tank, it will create space and make it easier to get to that nut on the very top first stud. when you get there you will know what I am talking about.
-DO NOT GRIND YOUR MOTOR MOUNT!!!!! comon guys its even called a motor mount - that means it supports your motor, you should NEVER grind down a thing that supports your motor. so if you cant get it to go back in it often helps to jack up the motor a little (you should already have a jack under it since one of the mounts is gone remember.....) It will fit. make sure you are putting it back in the right place.
- buy the stuff you need, dont cheap out. get good gaskets, an exhaust leak will make your car sound like a tractor dont ask me how i know.
- the precat o2 sensors HAVE to go back into the headers, its only the post cat ones that are relocated to the drugbin.
-The wiring harness for the o2 sensors takes almost as long to make as it takes to put the sensors in right (if you do it right) do it ahead of time so you just have to splice in the o2 connectors.
--get multi colored wires so you dont get confused when you extend the lines
-- at least 8 feet of shrink wrap in small sizes
-you can use the post cat o2 (stock) as the precat (simed) since they are longer, but if you do this pay attention to the connector. they are different and you will have to swap them.
--pull the secondary oxygen pump so you can get to the top bolts of the longer header from above.
Again if you have any questions please post here, or if its urgent feel free to pm me. but if you pm a dumb question that was answered in one of the links or in this thread i wont respond.
GOOD LUCK GUYS :thumbsup: