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[tobybmw]

I currently have a pretty stock M20 with a performance cat and SS exhaust. This summer I was planning on installing a MAF from Split Second to increase throttle response and I would like to remove my bulky exhaust manifolds with something a little nicer looking.

What are your opinions on the Shorty Headers offered by Ireland Engineering? What other options do I have under $350. I am not wanting something very loud ie. "race car like" just something nicer to look at and a little more punch to go with the MAF.

Thanks
Andy

[Jon '92 325ic]

One inexpensive option would be to get some stock cast-iron

manifolds ($10 on eBay) and get Jet Hot to put a ceramic thermal coating on them. You can get them done in chrome, matte greay, black and maybe some other colors. It should be more free-flowing than stock because your stock ones probably have over a decade of build up on them. Jet Hot sandblasts them before applying the coating. It should also lower your engine bay temps which in theory should help lower the temp of the air going into the combustion chamberwhich in theory should give you more HP and economy. I think the cost of the ceramic coating is $125 but you should check with jet hot at www.jet-hot.com.

[Snowmann]

I must say Im not at all impressed with the IE headers, for christ sake the welds were shit and there were die grinder marks all on the outside, yet they decided it wasnt worth it to grind down the welds, there also wasnt much of a sound difference which was something I was hoping for too. They did mount easy with just slipping over and welding. But be careful as your center section tubing is super small and easy as hell to burn through. And the 2 studs on the front header underneath are a freaking pain, all and all I guess they are worth the 220 I payed, but the one downside is you have to paint them, yet the paint is going to peel so its just a endless cycle, Its just alumnized steel crap. So overall review

1-10 scale

Fitment: 9
Looks: 3
Performance: yet to find out
Sound: 4 (some header cackle, nothing much though)

[tobybmw]

Snowmann, Thank you for your response. That sucks about the quality issues, now I know what not to purchase. Thanks
Andy

[M-technik-3]

Ebay.de will net you a goood set of long tube headers some times. IE shorties are not what we really need for our cars.

[Snowmann]

I have a feeling that they were running late and were pissing these out from the outside contractor. I did finnaly get to drive it last nite and there is a decent difference of sound while getting on it and I did notice a nice difference in performance, all top end though, however I didnt really notice any thing robbed from my low end, or i may just be un-noticeable.

[M-technik-3]

I have a feeling that they were running late and were pissing these out from the outside contractor. I did finnaly get to drive it last nite and there is a decent difference of sound while getting on it and I did notice a nice difference in performance, all top end though, however I didnt really notice any thing robbed from my low end, or i may just be un-noticeable.

All top end due to you bought shorties and they did exactly what was advertised. Shorts are made for gains on top end, Mediums are a good balance and longs are designed for torque.

I hate to say but you should have done slightly more research before just plopping them in if you wanted gains else where also.

[Low Level E30]

I have a feeling that they were running late and were pissing these out from the outside contractor. I did finnaly get to drive it last nite and there is a decent difference of sound while getting on it and I did notice a nice difference in performance, all top end though, however I didnt really notice any thing robbed from my low end, or i may just be un-noticeable.

Are yours the newer, redesigned IE shorties? I have been looking at getting a set of these - I'd like a li'l more top end, to complement my higher ratio diff, out on road courses.

What were they like to install? How long did it take?

[darien28]

IE's headers sound like MSDS headers.. shitty welds that needed to be grinded down to fit the bolts correctly...

I have yet to find a good set of headers for the E30 M20 engine aside from the awsome looking RD headers

[M-technik-3]

I have yet to find a good set of headers for the E30 M20 engine aside from the awsome looking RD headers

Alpina, Hartge and Supersprint come to mind. All are medium to long tube design.

[Snowmann]

actually m-tecknik I did do my research I wasnt complaining where I got my gains I was complaining about the build of the headers, I have not noticed any loss on bottom end if there is any it is extremmely minimal. And as a correction I never said the welds had to be ground to fit the studs, the fit was near perfect, the welds on one of the bends was shitty and tacky and several of the welds down each pipe were shitty looking, The welds on to the flanges are simple tacks not a constant bead like I believe the MSDS's ones were, The new IE ones are much better then the MSDS ones, they are a direct fit.

People have a problem with putting words in others mouths :roll:

However those are far superior headers the IE ones are the best deal, I can't justify that much on some bent pipes, for that price Id make my own. And considering I got the IE headers for 220 I couldnt pass that up,

[M-technik-3]

However those are far superior headers the IE ones are the best deal, I can't justify that much on some bent pipes, for that price Id make my own. And considering I got the IE headers for 220 I couldnt pass that up,

$220 is a great price, I just hear many saying the same thing tey look like @#$% and did not net that much hp. I never said that you'd loose low end hp.

[Low Level E30]

However those are far superior headers the IE ones are the best deal, I can't justify that much on some bent pipes, for that price Id make my own. And considering I got the IE headers for 220 I couldnt pass that up,

I'm going to buy some of these - how'd you get 'em for $220, if I may ask?

[Snowmann]

group buy through c3, hell I got my back section for 270 all and all a price I just couldnt pass up