Beware of CXRacing (ebay) headers

[e30_kid]

Maybe it's just me but that motor mount looks really sketchy.

[rcfanatic]

more..

[rcfanatic]

Here are the pics of the headers not fitting and the angle grind post mortem. Removing material from the motor mount got the headers very close, but the two studs at cylinder #1 still wouldn't fit into the header flange because the header needed to tilt downward about a couple degrees. This would have been possible if the pipe after the collector wasn't already smashed into the floorboard.

I ended up getting the headers to "fit" by removing the studs at cylinder 1. They still needed to tilt toward the cylinder head more (but were prevented by the floorboard), so I used the nuts to basically force the header into place.

On the way to the exhaust shop this morning I got a $104 for excessive noise/no muffler. Go figure. My stepdad who is a police officer told me I should be able to get it easily dismissed if I take my receipt for the exhaust work. Anyway, ended up getting the headers to truly fit by having the muffler shop cut off the pipe after the collector and welding in a new one at an angle that wouldn't interfere with the body of the car. We had already tried heating with an acetylene torch, but couldn't get it to bend - so cutting it was the only option.

Forgot my camera so had to use cell phone:

[StereoInstaller1]

[IMG] tags. You need to host your photos elsewhere. I use Photobucket, there are lots of others.

[rcfanatic]

How do I post multiple pictures and have them show up as images instead of links?

[rcfanatic]

@ OP - Could you headers be for a 5 serie with M20 motor?

They were for 3 series. The title of the item "BMW E30 Stainless Steel Racing Header 323 325 328 (140454298435)"

Did you try unbolting the motor mount arm, then bolting on the headers, and then finally reinstalling the motor mount arm?
Sometimes the header won't clear over the motor mount arm while the motor mount is installed, but if you install the headers first, they will clear.

Erik

I didn't try this, but you're right it would have worked. The way the headers finally fit when they are flush against the cylinder head, does not cause any interference with the motor mount. However, these headers also had another issue with the floorboard of my car.

[castros]

Very good point I had to do that for some headers I installed.

[erik325i]

Did you try unbolting the motor mount arm, then bolting on the headers, and then finally reinstalling the motor mount arm?
Sometimes the header won't clear over the motor mount arm while the motor mount is installed, but if you install the headers first, they will clear.

Erik

[castros]

That sucks, but Headers aren't worth the effort IMO anyhow, but if you only have to cut the bracket 1/4'' cut it and box/reinforce it.

[Massive Lee]

@ OP - Could you headers be for a 5 serie with M20 motor?

[einstein57]

well, I have a spare motor sitting on a stand, I kinda figured everyone did.

We should put a shout out, see if anyone has a motor on a stand around your area.

Same here. I plan on keeping my e30 forever and figure m20s will be hard to come by 10 years from now. So i'm covered with a spare longblock and a spare 885 head on top of that.

[rcfanatic]

We should put a shout out, see if anyone has a motor on a stand around your area.

There's probably about a dozen E30s here, so it's doubtful.

My friend's uncle has a bunch of good tools for modifying metal - plasma cutter, acetaline torch, angle grinder, etc. So tomorrow we'll see what we can make happen with the headers. Pictures to follow

[StereoInstaller1]

LOL! Not trying to be rude, but if I had the money and space to keep a SPARE engine, and a hoist, do you think I would be dicking around with $150 ebay headers? I just graduated from college in August and I live in an apt, hence the interview I mentioned before.

well, I have a spare motor sitting on a stand, I kinda figured everyone did.

We should put a shout out, see if anyone has a motor on a stand around your area.

[rcfanatic]

No spare motor on a stand?

LOL! Not trying to be rude, but if I had the money and space to keep a SPARE engine, and a hoist, do you think I would be dicking around with $150 ebay headers? I just graduated from college in August and I live in an apt, hence the interview I mentioned before.

[StereoInstaller1]

I'd have to remove the eta exhaust manifolds (for a third time) to get the header in there and take the pics. I wouldn't mind as much but I'm trying to clean up my hands before my interview on Friday (sounds silly, but whatever). I can shoot a pic of the motor mount though and circle the area where it strikes, if that helps.

No spare motor on a stand?