Afe header

[Taskmaster]

Well, I won't do a dyno comparison on headers. Too much work to install and the cost involved are high. But I'm almost 100% sure I'll probably grab these. I've had experience with the SS stuff and it's good, but I don't believe they have a monopoly on making headers.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I'll probably give them a shot. I don't want to deal with CELs and smelly fumes from catless headers (like my last car)

128i still has secondary cats, so going catless on the headers doesn't add any fumes. After buying my E36 M3 that came with a track pipe from the previous owner(which I removed), I knew I never wanted that on a street car again.

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Well, I won't do a dyno comparison on headers. Too much work to install and the cost involved are high. But I'm almost 100% sure I'll probably grab these. I've had experience with the SS stuff and it's good, but I don't believe they have a monopoly on making headers.

Neither do I, but to claim a catted header from AFE makes the same power as an equal length straight pipe from Supersprint is pretty silly.

[631twentyeighteye]

I really think i'm the only one who loves the way catless exhaust smells. I'm also from the dirt bike and quad world so maybe that's why.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

128i still has secondary cats, so going catless on the headers doesn't add any fumes. After buying my E36 M3 that came with a track pipe from the previous owner(which I removed), I knew I never wanted that on a street car again.



Neither do I, but to claim a catted header from AFE makes the same power as an equal length straight pipe from Supersprint is pretty silly.

Are you sure the SS are equal length?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Are you sure the SS are equal length?

Yes. The only other design they play around with is stepped equal length.

The Subaru BRZ community was annoyed by it because they want they unequal length for that classic "Subaru" sound and SuperSprint refused to do it.

[Taskmaster]

I just looked at them again - those are not equal length headers. SS did unequal for the M series motors, and it looks like the same deal for the N series motors.


Look at the pipe lengths and where the collector is. No way.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I just looked at them again - those are not equal length headers. SS did unequal for the M series motors, and it looks like the same deal for the N series motors.


Look at the pipe lengths and where the collector is. No way.

I believe it is by bank. IE, 1-3=3-1 and 4-6=6-4.

[Taskmaster]

The last runner of the last bank looks to be the longest by far.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

The last runner of the last bank looks to be the longest by far.

I'm going to assume you mean the first runner of the first bank.

Look at how much more cylinder 3 projects outward from the block as compared to cylinder 1. 1 makes a near right angle to the exhaust track, while 1 go towards the fender for a bit, then turns down.

You can see that here:

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Well, I won't do a dyno comparison on headers. Too much work to install and the cost involved are high. But I'm almost 100% sure I'll probably grab these. I've had experience with the SS stuff and it's good, but I don't believe they have a monopoly on making headers.

your second statement explains exactly why I'd like to see the dynos (to a degree). I know SS is good and there certain folk who rave about them, but my thing is how much better are they compared to the competition? Not doubting anyone Im just the type to see #'s backup claims is all.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by mechavore884

your second statement explains exactly why I'd like to see the dynos (to a degree). I know SS is good and there certain folk who rave about them, but my thing is how much better are they compared to the competition? Not doubting anyone Im just the type to see #'s backup claims is all.

It the same boat. I had SS Reps on my car and they were fantastic. They actually were unequal in length (each runner was longer than another) and someone actually came out with an equal length set. The Equal length set had more mid range power, but peak power was about equal between the two.

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

It the same boat. I had SS Reps on my car and they were fantastic. They actually were unequal in length (each runner was longer than another) and someone actually came out with an equal length set. The Equal length set had more mid range power, but peak power was about equal between the two.

Gotchya, how about emissions/fitment? I know for me thats a HUGE determinant gratned Im sure the AFE/Superspring and else (decently designed) will develop some power

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mechavore884

Gotchya, how about emissions/fitment? I know for me thats a HUGE determinant gratned Im sure the AFE/Superspring and else (decently designed) will develop some power

My buddy had Supersprint reps for a bit, they vibrated against his heat shielding and torqued the entire exhaust system slightly out of spec, prematurely failing hangers.

Part of the reason I'm against the entire Chinese knockoff market, in addition to the rather unethical approach to R&D/quality of materials.

[Taskmaster]

Fit was perfect, and there are no emissions in FLA.

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

My buddy had Supersprint reps for a bit, they vibrated against his heat shielding and torqued the entire exhaust system slightly out of spec, prematurely failing hangers.

Part of the reason I'm against the entire Chinese knockoff market, in addition to the rather unethical approach to R&D/quality of materials.

LOL don't get the wrong idea I can't stand chinese knockoffs...but the reason I made this thread is to expose what other options are out there so its not like a SS monopoly. Im not saying anything is wrong with SS by any means but I am curious to know what else is there out there thats a GOOD product.

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Fit was perfect, and there are no emissions in FLA.

LOL CA folk aside...I feel left out with the whole emissions thing but I am reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyy yyyyyyy hoping ST1G is accurate with the evolve tune thing for emissions cuz thats one of the deciding factors for getting headers LOL

[ilikebmxbikes]

where the dynos at?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mechavore884

LOL CA folk aside...I feel left out with the whole emissions thing but I am reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyy yyyyyyy hoping ST1G is accurate with the evolve tune thing for emissions cuz thats one of the deciding factors for getting headers LOL

Go browse M3Forum on the subject, it's a non issue.

[MarkkyyMan]

You could also shoot Evolve an email and ask if they have heard any customer experiences/issues with US emissions testing.

[Southjersey128]

At this point I think i'm just going to start to put my mod allowance in a savings account marked 2 series. I don't think that kind of money(1500 headers+400 tune) is going to get me what I want out of the 1er. Stig is right, no way those gains are legit. I will have my wheels powder coated in late winter once I'm ready to swap them for my winters, and swap out my rear sway bar for one that I already have, I think that will be it tho.

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by Southjersey128

At this point I think i'm just going to start to put my mod allowance in a savings account marked 2 series. I don't think that kind of money(1500 headers+400 tune) is going to get me what I want out of the 1er. Stig is right, no way those gains are legit. I will have my wheels powder coated in late winter once I'm ready to swap them for my winters, and swap out my rear sway bar for one that I already have, I think that will be it tho.

cannnnnnnnnnnnnnnot blame you on this one....however I will admit I'm a bit blown that the new 2 series is as expensive as it is

[TheSt|G]

Zero desire for the 2.

If you want a turbo 1er, get a 135i.