Thinking about buying AA headers

Bimmer128i · 02-10-2021, 06:18 PM

I have been thinking about buying the AA headers and I just found a shop that will install them for me. But, the owner of the shops said that he wants to keep my old headers once the AA headers are installed and he thinks that I won't find a shop that wouldn't want to keep them. I don't have a garage or any good space to work on my car myself. What do you guys think I should do? This will be my first major modification to my car and I have been contemplating it for a while.

JemBash · 02-10-2021, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer128i

I have been thinking about buying the AA headers and I just found a shop that will install them for me. But, the owner of the shops said that he wants to keep my old headers once the AA headers are installed and he thinks that I won't find a shop that wouldn't want to keep them. I don't have a garage or any good space to work on my car myself. What do you guys think I should do? This will be my first major modification to my car and I have been contemplating it for a while.

Hey man I have AA headers on my car and I love it. A huge difference for sure

Bimmer128i · 02-10-2021, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JemBash

Hey man I have AA headers on my car and I love it. A huge difference for sure

Oh nice, what do you have for a muffler?

asbrr · 02-10-2021, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer128i

I have been thinking about buying the AA headers and I just found a shop that will install them for me. But, the owner of the shops said that he wants to keep my old headers once the AA headers are installed and he thinks that I won't find a shop that wouldn't want to keep them. I don't have a garage or any good space to work on my car myself. What do you guys think I should do? This will be my first major modification to my car and I have been contemplating it for a while.

This makes no sense. The old ones are your property, why would the shop keep them? They don't have any right to the old parts...

I can think of many reasons a shop would want them though...to re-sell, or salvage the platinum etc out of them (not sure what a recycler would pay for working cats).

But bottom line, it sounds shady to me. Find another shop that will be reasonable.

Bimmer128i · 02-10-2021, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asbrr

This makes no sense. The old ones are your property, why would the shop keep them? They don't have any right to the old parts...

I can think of many reasons a shop would want them though...to re-sell, or salvage the platinum etc out of them (not sure what a recycler would pay for working cats).

But bottom line, it sounds shady to me. Find another shop that will be reasonable.

Exactly what I was thinking

Thunderguts · 02-11-2021, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asbrr

I can think of many reasons a shop would want them though...to re-sell, or salvage the platinum etc out of them (not sure what a recycler would pay for working cats).

DING! DING!

I just sold a 25 year old catalytic converter that I had lying around the garage for $385.

OP, tell them they can keep your old headers if they install the new ones for free.

E92William · 02-12-2021, 01:35 AM

Tell the shop owner that he can put the old exhaust manifolds up his rear once you're done selling the cats to a scrapper. (Hopefully they'll also look like my bank 1 ones for his enjoyment) Scumbag...

He wants to take all the money the catalytic converters are worth, you could theoretically even pay for most of the headers with that much or installation but he's being a typical mechanic. Guy I bought my parts e90 from sold the two secondaries and primaries for close to 800. So start thinking about why he wouldn't wanna give them back and what a pos he is for it trying to cheat you out of your money/property, find a different guy.

Bimmer128i · 02-12-2021, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92William

Tell the shop owner that he can put the old exhaust manifolds up his rear once you're done selling the cats to a scrapper. (Hopefully they'll also look like my bank 1 ones for his enjoyment) Scumbag...

He wants to take all the money the catalytic converters are worth, you could theoretically even pay for most of the headers with that much or installation but he's being a typical mechanic. Guy I bought my parts e90 from sold the two secondaries and primaries for close to 800. So start thinking about why he wouldn't wanna give them back and what a pos he is for it trying to cheat you out of your money/property, find a different guy.

Ya that's definitely what he is trying to do. Probably going to try doing this in a friends garage.

E92William · 02-12-2021, 02:21 PM

I did it on my car and recorded it all step by step but haven't gotten around to putting it together. Really the things you need to DIY that efficiently are to remove the coolant reservoir, electric ratchet and make sure you take off all o2s before pulling the stock manifolds through the bottom

Bimmer128i · 02-12-2021, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92William

I did it on my car and recorded it all step by step but haven't gotten around to putting it together. Really the things you need to DIY that efficiently are to remove the coolant reservoir, electric ratchet and make sure you take off all o2s before pulling the stock manifolds through the bottom

Ya, I have found a video of someone installing afe headers on the 328i. Where did you guys buy your headers from though?

E92William · 02-12-2021, 07:08 PM

I had mines made overseas, with the proper o2 sensor location down stream at the merge. They look identical to AA. Decat.

JemBash · 02-14-2021, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer128i

Quote:

Originally Posted by JemBash

Hey man I have AA headers on my car and I love it. A huge difference for sure

Oh nice, what do you have for a muffler?

I don't have a muffler on it. It's so loud check my video on YouTube to hear it

Bimmer128i · 02-23-2021, 02:08 PM

I bought the headers and they come tomorrow, I plan on installing them myself. Thanks everyone

markslc1 · 02-23-2021, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer128i

I bought the headers and they come tomorrow, I plan on installing them myself. Thanks everyone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer128i

I bought the headers and they come tomorrow, I plan on installing them myself. Thanks everyone

Can't go wrong with AA headers. Enjoy!

Bimmer128i · 02-26-2021, 12:10 AM

Got the headers installed and they sound amazing!!

E92William · 02-26-2021, 06:11 AM

They do sound great even with my fully stock exhaust. I also noticed more intake noise which makes sense with more air coming in from the 3 stage and more out with the headers

carscatscoffee15 · 03-05-2021, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer128i

Quote:

Originally Posted by asbrr

This makes no sense. The old ones are your property, why would the shop keep them? They don't have any right to the old parts...

I can think of many reasons a shop would want them though...to re-sell, or salvage the platinum etc out of them (not sure what a recycler would pay for working cats).

But bottom line, it sounds shady to me. Find another shop that will be reasonable.

Exactly what I was thinking

this guy is trying to rip you for the metals inside. I got to keep my primary and secondary cats. I made sure I asked my shop to keep em for me

AA headers are worth it btw

Bimmer128i · 03-29-2021, 11:04 AM

Glad I bought them when I did as they have been completely removed from like everywhere.

tsk94 · 03-30-2021, 12:06 PM

Has AA stopped production of N52 headers?

Bimmer128i · 03-31-2021, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk94

Has AA stopped production of N52 headers?

Idk but catless parts have been completely removed from ecstuning and turnermotorsports websites.They told me that it had to deal with the EPA but, I found a way to order the super sprint mid pipes regardless.

spidertri · 03-31-2021, 01:35 PM

Enforcement against emissions defeat devices has been stepped up in recent years ever since VW Dieselgate scandal.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/31848/...defeat-devices

lakefront · 03-31-2021, 02:29 PM

Vivid Racing still has them, plenty seem available for E46 platform. But even AA web site has them "out of stock" for 128i.

02-10-2021, 06:18 PM	#1
Bimmer128i Enlisted Member 38 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW 128i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Thinking about buying AA headers I have been thinking about buying the AA headers and I just found a shop that will install them for me. But, the owner of the shops said that he wants to keep my old headers once the AA headers are installed and he thinks that I won't find a shop that wouldn't want to keep them. I don't have a garage or any good space to work on my car myself. What do you guys think I should do? This will be my first major modification to my car and I have been contemplating it for a while.
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02-12-2021, 01:35 AM	#7
E92William Banned 1998 Rep 2,026 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328xi Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [0.00]	Tell the shop owner that he can put the old exhaust manifolds up his rear once you're done selling the cats to a scrapper. (Hopefully they'll also look like my bank 1 ones for his enjoyment) Scumbag... He wants to take all the money the catalytic converters are worth, you could theoretically even pay for most of the headers with that much or installation but he's being a typical mechanic. Guy I bought my parts e90 from sold the two secondaries and primaries for close to 800. So start thinking about why he wouldn't wanna give them back and what a pos he is for it trying to cheat you out of your money/property, find a different guy. Attached Images
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02-12-2021, 02:21 PM	#9
E92William Banned 1998 Rep 2,026 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328xi Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [0.00]	I did it on my car and recorded it all step by step but haven't gotten around to putting it together. Really the things you need to DIY that efficiently are to remove the coolant reservoir, electric ratchet and make sure you take off all o2s before pulling the stock manifolds through the bottom
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-12-2021, 07:08 PM	#11
E92William Banned 1998 Rep 2,026 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328xi Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [0.00]	I had mines made overseas, with the proper o2 sensor location down stream at the merge. They look identical to AA. Decat. Attached Images
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02-23-2021, 02:08 PM	#13
Bimmer128i Enlisted Member 38 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW 128i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I bought the headers and they come tomorrow, I plan on installing them myself. Thanks everyone
	Appreciate 2 E92William1998.00 robblr115.50 Quote

02-26-2021, 12:10 AM	#15
Bimmer128i Enlisted Member 38 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW 128i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Got the headers installed and they sound amazing!!
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02-26-2021, 06:11 AM	#16
E92William Banned 1998 Rep 2,026 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328xi Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [0.00]	They do sound great even with my fully stock exhaust. I also noticed more intake noise which makes sense with more air coming in from the 3 stage and more out with the headers
	Appreciate 1 Bimmer128i37.50 Quote

03-29-2021, 11:04 AM	#18
Bimmer128i Enlisted Member 38 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW 128i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Glad I bought them when I did as they have been completely removed from like everywhere.
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03-30-2021, 12:06 PM	#19
tsk94 Lieutenant Colonel 1522 Rep 1,591 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E82 128i, F82 M4, E36 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Calgary iTrader: (2)	Has AA stopped production of N52 headers?
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03-31-2021, 01:35 PM	#21
spidertri Lieutenant 398 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 11 128i 6MT Sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Rock Hill, SC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 128i [0.00]	Enforcement against emissions defeat devices has been stepped up in recent years ever since VW Dieselgate scandal. https://www.thedrive.com/news/31848/...defeat-devices __________________ 11 128i slicktop 13 WK2 19 Alltrack S
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03-31-2021, 02:29 PM	#22
lakefront Captain 561 Rep 755 Posts Drives: 2017 Macan GTS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SE Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	Vivid Racing still has them, plenty seem available for E46 platform. But even AA web site has them "out of stock" for 128i.
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