eBay/Chinese/Replica Header Picture and Review Thread

[dinanm3atl]

As a longtime E36 M3 owner and 328iC owner I was always interested in these headers. The Supersprint Replica long tube headers that are all over eBay. I am currently working on an E30 OBD1 M52 swap. After talking with many 24v E30 owners I would apparently be leaving power on the table if I did not do something about the manifolds since I was going OBD1 and a 93 octane TRM tune. So I ordered a set.

I chose one set that shipped from California. It was 108 shipped to my door. Took exactly 1 week. Packaging left a little to be desired. Nothing wrong with the box. The tape. Even put on extra straps. The pieces are in their own plastic bag and the hardware kit in a seperate one. The problem is they rattle around are are not restrained in the box. So it clangs around. I see no problem on mine but a potential for a problem.

The overall feel is very good in my opinion for 108 dollars shipped. The welds are not exceptional. The piping is not exceptional. The flange is not great. When you put it all together and realize the price paid you realize what you are getting. For an E30 swap this is very good stuff in my opinion.

If anyone is on the fence I would give them a try. If you have the time and tools you could file down/dremel the pipes at the flange and make it nice and smooth. I will let the detailed photos and macro shots do the talking. Questions? Comments? Want additional pictures? Fire away!

Hardware/Sleeves:




Single Long Tube:




Pair of manifolds/headers:








Weld Details/Macro:








Flange Details:

[Farbin Kaiber]

Some work on those flanges with some extra material and Andrews dremel ant those wouldn't be half bad. High temp paint, some header wrap and call it a week.

[jrdeamicis]

I wouldn't use those, but thanks for the awesome photography. Now if only everyone can have as nice of photos. :)

[dinanm3atl]

Some work on those flanges with some extra material and Andrews dremel ant those wouldn't be half bad. High temp paint, some header wrap and call it a week.

I plan to use the dremel to smooth out that transition.

Is everyone wrapping their headers? I was going to leave them open to the world to see :)

[Naplm00]

for 108 they look bangin
!

[Farbin Kaiber]

I wouldn't dremel it , but add some material first, a bead around those six flange face to tube joints will cut down on the cracking everyone deals with, and cut out some of the rattle they are known for. then grind it smooth.

[Danny]

LOL at the lens propping up the header.

[dinanm3atl]

LOL at the lens propping up the header.

What I had close at hand. Prop my chinese replicas on my nice Canon macro lens. rofl

I wouldn't dremel it , but add some material first, a bead around those six flange face to tube joints will cut down on the cracking everyone deals with, and cut out some of the rattle they are known for. then grind it smooth.

Didn't even think of that. Good idea.

[evil_twin]

not too shabby.

[e30polak]

Meh, they're eBay headers. Very impressive photography though!

I wouldn't recommend wrapping these. They will crack from the inside, because you're insulating the heat.

I'm switching it up to Raceland headers for the super-charger set-up. I drove an s52 swap with my same mods, and Racelands, and they make more power everywhere! They also don't sound raspy like these.

[dinanm3atl]

I wasn't planning on wrapping them. I also like rasp... I think that a lot of potential noise would be from the flange and how the inner pipe is just sort of 'hanging out' in the flange. I plan to weld/smooth that as suggested. We shall see.

[Gnarles]

Do these clear the E30 subframe and swaybar?

[M3Bimmerbilly]

Do these clear the E30 subframe and swaybar?

you have to shape the subframe to make room. I used a body forming hammer.

They will clear a stock sway bar.

However, you will need to use treehouse LCABs.

I would throw the supplied manifold gaskets in the trash and use OEM bmw ones.

[dinanm3atl]

I was planning on that as well.

I hear stock lollipops can be used.

[StereoInstaller1]

Ya can't wrap stainless headers, ya fucking newbs!