s54 swap headers fitment

[FredK]

This is probably a better starting point if you want to modify a set of Ebay headers:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXHAUST-HEADER-BMW-M3-E46-01-02-03-04-05-3-2L-EXHAUST-HEADER-01-05-BMW-E46-M3-/300796448994?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4608dd90e2&vxp=mtr

As the flanges appear to be the right ones.

Mine aren't exactly the same ones as the above headers. The way the header is constructed is cheaper on the above set.

[King Mufasa]

That looks pretty off to me.. could be a different company/brand from fredK's headers. Thanks for the pic's nando.

[King Mufasa]

I have a stock front subframe, and I had to shim the driver's side mount up 3/8" to clear Ebay S54 headers. Some people in the past who have swapped in Euro S50B32 headers with an S50/52 have either notched the front subframe for clearance or used a torch and a hammer to get clearance.

The front swaybar also needs to be shimmed down around 1/2" in order to clear the headers.

My recommendation is, while the engine is on a stand, to verify header flange fitment. A lot of these Ebay headers have poor flange alignment, which is easy to address while the engine is on a stand and you can heat the pipes to realign the primaries. It's a lot more difficult to do this when the engine is already in the car.

Those Ebay headers appear to have the WRONG flange. It looks like an S50/52/S50 Euro fitment, NOT an S54 fitment.

Hey, thanks alot for the input man:up:.

I went and checked out the ebay headers they posted and verified it with them and was told they ment e46 non M3 headers with mid section, and apologize for the error.

I wonder if for that price I could just simply cut the flange and weld on the e46 m3 separate flange style. Just a thought to find what we all try to find, a "iinexpensive solution".

[nando]

This isn't just the camera, the flange alignment is really that bad:


when it comes to headers, you get what you pay for.

[FredK]

I have a stock front subframe, and I had to shim the driver's side mount up 3/8" to clear Ebay S54 headers. Some people in the past who have swapped in Euro S50B32 headers with an S50/52 have either notched the front subframe for clearance or used a torch and a hammer to get clearance.

The front swaybar also needs to be shimmed down around 1/2" in order to clear the headers.

My recommendation is, while the engine is on a stand, to verify header flange fitment. A lot of these Ebay headers have poor flange alignment, which is easy to address while the engine is on a stand and you can heat the pipes to realign the primaries. It's a lot more difficult to do this when the engine is already in the car.

Those Ebay headers appear to have the WRONG flange. It looks like an S50/52/S50 Euro fitment, NOT an S54 fitment.

[King Mufasa]

Well be working on my s54 and finished with all the things I wanted done to the cylinder head and forged pistons.

Now Iam looking forward for the install and one thing is now on my mined and its the headers.

Has any one installed a s54 engine in a e30 chasis using the catless euro headers without running into any clearance issues.

I know the e30 325i/318i are known for swaps but rarely do you see a s54 e30 but I know you guys are out there and hope you guys can enlighten a fellow enthusiast on your experiece.

I seached around and ran into a few items. Here for reference below:
vac headers a bit costy and below ebay headers with midpipe for half the cost.





I appreciate any help.