Another headers thread

[smeard]

Anyone in SoCal know where I can get my headers put on for decent price? I am located in Bakersfield, but have had to drive down to LA anyway to see my dad in the hospital so an LA shop works too. Also, is the car safe to drive with headers 100+ miles to get it tuned? Thanks in advance! (Mods please move this if you think it should be in regional thread, i thought i would get more attention here.)

[Rmtt]

It should not hurt it to drive it without being tuned as I have heard of others on here going forever without being tuned for them. I think I even read a few accounts of people not even getting them tuned although that will always give you the most bang for your buck.

As for shops, I'm on the other side of the US from you. But aside from Mail-Order from BPC, doesn't AA's site have a place on their website where you can put your zip code in, and they will show if they have any licensed installers/tuners in the area you entered?

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Rmtt

It should not hurt it to drive it without being tuned as I have heard of others on here going forever without being tuned for them. I think I even read a few accounts of people not even getting them tuned although that will always give you the most bang for your buck.

As for shops, I'm on the other side of the US from you. But aside from Mail-Order from BPC, doesn't AA's site have a place on their website where you can put your zip code in, and they will show if they have any licensed installers/tuners in the area you entered?

yes they have the dealers on their website just wondering if anyone had any experiences with shops in LA area. Man that thread about the N51 responding to headers with erratic idle is kind of scaring me. My car without headers has an awkward idle sometimes that dips to 500 rpm and shoots back up.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by smeard

yes they have the sites on their website just wondering if anyone had any experiences with shops in LA area. Man that thread about the N51 responding to headers with erratic idle is kind of scaring me. My car without headers has an awkward idle sometimes that dips to 500 rpm and shoots back up.

Just noticed in your signature that you don't have secondary cats. Is this true of all N51's... or did you remove them? If you removed them did you have an idle issue before removing them?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to gather as much data as possible.

I have the N52, but plan to leave my everything from the flange of the headers back stock including secondary cats and resonator.

[smeard]

Originally Posted by Rmtt

Just noticed in your signature that you don't have secondary cats. Is this true of all N51's... or did you remove them? If you removed them did you have an idle issue before removing them?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to gather as much data as possible.

I have the N52, but plan to leave my everything from the flange of the headers back stock including secondary cats and resonator.

Removed them, had the idle issue when the car was stock though. I'm thinking the idle is from eccentric shaft sensor, and if that's the case dealer should cover under SULEV. My idle issue is never severe to point of stalling, but you feel a drop to 500 rpm vibrate the car a little then it jumps back to normal.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by smeard

Removed them, had the idle issue when the car was stock though. I'm thinking the idle is from eccentric shaft sensor, and if that's the case dealer should cover under SULEV. My idle issue is never severe to point of stalling, but you feel a drop to 500 rpm vibrate the car a little then it jumps back to normal.

Rowsdower has a thread or posts going on here which prompted me to start the headers thread. I know he's done quite a bit of work on his issue, but can't remember if he swapped out that sensor yet or not.

I know he was leaning towards the same conclusion though.

[rowsdower]

I replaced the eccentric shaft sensor when I did my leaky valve cover gasket, no effect on idle.

If you had idle problems before the headers, maybe it is the ESS. Pull the connector off and look for oil in the connector. That might indicate it has gone bad.