where can i find headers for an m30b35 swapped e30?

[rvaughnp]

Yeah, you'll have 450hp with headers and an otherwise stock engine.

:loco::eeek::nice:

[E34driver]

Headers HP Gains

Headers alone add 250 hp..?

I have custom made headers on my 3.5L M30 they are full length followed by a free flowing true dual exhaust. And there are a couple variables on HP gains like polishing head and intake, but even with all the work it takes to polish the intake and head. You are looking at a max gain of 20Hp, most likely you'll gain about five HP from headers alone. Mine is chipped w/maf conversion, diff swap from3.46 to 3.91 completely rebuilt shaved head w/new cam rockers rods, valves etc.. all that and more and I might be around 285hp now. Good luck. And BTW BMW USA makes headers for around $250 distributed by Raceland usa and you can find them sometimes on amazon. Dont get mad but I helped by friend swap a 24 valve from a E36 into his E30 and he loves the headers I got for him from Raceland and it has been almost a year now and no problems and the stainless steel still looks great!

[Bearmw]

I tried to get the Schmiedmann headers to fit with my swap but the primary pipe on cylinder (4 or 5?) hits the TOP of my motor mount and I am using the smaller size Revshift mounts. I don't see any easy way to get around this clearance problem.Anyone tried the NLA Bavauto headers? What about some of the European or UK offerings?

[SkiFree]

I tried to get the Schmiedmann headers

The Schmiedmanns are an ill-fitting chinese copy of the IE headers, the collectors are pretty wonky, the ports tend not to be centered, and the tubing can vary from one to the next. Normally I don't knock something this way but I've had a good amount of experience with the schmiedmann headers, chinese company who makes them and the IE headers (and the hot-rodder in pasadena who makes them).

If you're willing to put some work into the Schmeidmann, then go for it just caveat emptor.

[Bearmw]

^ Maybe the Schmiedmann stainless headers are not top quality but if I have to cut and modify them to fit then I don't want to spend much anyway. At this point it looks most like I will modify a pipe or two of the Schmiedmann's or modify the beautiful but small primary Stahl's to fit. I don't want to dimple the primary on the Stah's where they hit the CAB though because the pipe is so small to begin with (only 1 3/8" OD) so that would mean I would have to find a way to slightly relocate the pipes somehow.

I priced the new Alpina and it would be at least $1100 shipped and the BtB from the UK would be something like $1300...ouch


I was hoping to hear from someone who may have tried the NLA Bavauto E28 M30 headers which are generally regarded as very good for performance.

[Huff]

Has anyone tried the IE M30 Headers on an e30 swap?

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E28-...m30header.html

[Bearmw]

^ Since the IE headers look very similar to the Schmiedmann ones there will probably be a clearance issue with # 4 or 5 primary hitting the motor mount.

[Bearmw]

I finally picked up a set of used Bavauto headers. I have not mounted them yet but it looks like they will easily clear my Otis designed B35 motor mounts and also clear the stock CAB. I will have to do some extra mashing of the floor area under the glove box near the trans tunnel and may need to grind off a casting protrusion on the back of the engine block but things look promising. These look like the best option. This spring I will retune after installing these and a BBTB from Maxbore.


If my engine was closer to stock I might run the Stahl's with a smaller CAB like THR or Bimmerworld. Supposedly the long small tubes do wonders on a lot of M30's.

[R1m30]

I have racing dynamic header on my e30 m30 and to install them I had to bang in the side alil, but now I'm removing them and trying to sell

[Bearmw]

Some pics of Bavauto headers that only require pushing in the foot well area a bit and grinding down a block protrusion about an inch. I didn't use the rear most sections because I Y piped them into a single 2 1/2" resonator and then a 2 1/2" turbo muffler.


Plenty of clearance at the CAB

...and clearance at the engine mounts

My finger is pointing at what I ground down.

I like this view.

[Brian D]

Thanks for posting the info and pictures, I'm just a little frustrated though because the group buy for the Bavauto remakes is over now. Your swap looks really good, looking forward to finally getting mine together.

[G-Man the Visionary]

Hi guys, I have a question that I may have missed the answer to somehow...

I have the Stahl long tubes, and some run of the mill mounts... while on the stand, I couldn't get the header to clear the mount... All I need right now is to get the exhaust finished up and then I can finish the other minor details to get her on the road... I noticed that Bearmw had mentioned putting a dimple in a tube, which tube and where should I look to do this at? I'm going to see if the exhaust shop can also modify that mount to get clearance... If you know of any other issues I may face, please help! Otherwise, I'll try to get pics up and explanations when mine is complete... Thanks!

[wannaBMthree]

Thanks for posting the info and pictures, I'm just a little frustrated though because the group buy for the Bavauto remakes is over now. Your swap looks really good, looking forward to finally getting mine together.

Bummer this is true, I need headers. My current manifold has some issues.

[Bearmw]

When fitting the Stahl's they need to be dimpled where one of the primary pipes hits the factory CAB. You can't really determine where until the engine is mounted in the car. With the smaller aftermarket CAB like the Treehouse style this may clear without dimpling.

[Brian D]

Bummer this is true, I need headers. My current manifold has some issues.

Here you go, round 3! You M30 guys should jump on this.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=304402

I'm out because I sold my E30.