Header ideas?

[09mageec]

Hey guys, I'm looking into getting headers soon. I was just curious to see who on the forum has what and how they like them. Also open to suggestions. What ever I go with is going to be paired up with my UUC TSE3 full exhaust system. Thanks!:thumbsup

[UdubBadger]

I run uuc tse3 light and headers are so loud on my car. You might reconsider but hang tight the bimmerbrakes gen 3 headers I'm testing will be released in early 2013


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[Newjack]

Headers are great for making more power. But they will make your car louder.

Bimmerbrakes make nice catless headers, but depending on your state you will run into problems with emissions. This makes the headers relatively inexpensive compared to their catalytic counterparts.

If you want headers with cats, then go with active autowerke or someone with a good rep. There is one company in particular that makes nice headers with cats but I cant think of the name right now.

I wouldn't use a UUC TSE3 exhaust with headers. The sound will be deafening. It is REALLY loud.

[Hornung418]

Rob...Magnaflow is what that company :)

Headers with a UUC TSE3 will be obnoxious and you will want to kill yourself after a quick drive on the highway. You'll want to run at least three resonators with headers to get rid of the drone at cruising speeds.

[09mageec]

Well here's the thing. I want the car louder and raspier, but from what you guys are saying its obviously a big difference. I don't want alot of drone. I do want the car to sound more open though.... What to do, what to do.. :scratchinghead

[328ioc]

Just a though, and I am not expert but what about Catless headers then some high flow cats farther down stream?

[Hornung418]

Buy headers.
Sell Tse3.
Put stock exhaust back on.
????
Profit.

[Jlastor]

I have TSE-3L with ebay headers. LOUD!!! But, performance wise, it is awesome! With windows up and radio on you will get used to it, and i have zero drone. Now, with windows down it is scary loud. Since day one i have been wanting to get it a little less loud (replacing stock resonators with magnaflow muffler with internal x-pipe was suggested), but that was a couple of months ago and i have yet to do it.

Under WOT the sound is simply amazing, and downshifts make me laugh of joy every time. But the problem really is that here in Puerto Rico cops dont like loud cars; i have not been stopped for it but I am always nervous when i see them. My wife doesnt really care and has not complained, we always use my car for going out. Under normal driving I consider my car to sound ugly, and loud. But i am not taking my headers out, only if i ever decide to sell the car would I consider installing my OEM manifolds back.

Here is a video that best demonstrates the sound of my car (the vid is not of my car but just the one that sounds the most similar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1YPnZkOR4o

[midlandtech]

Good god and I thought my exhaust was loud


~Steve
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[Newjack]

Just a though, and I am not expert but what about Catless headers then some high flow cats farther down stream?

You could do that, but your car wouldn't legally pass emissions. If you install cats, they have to be in the same location as the factory ones. If the car comes with cats in the headers (Like the ZHP) you have to get cats in the headers for it to be legal.

So you might as well go with magnaflow. Which is exactly what I was thinking of. Thanks Justin.

[UdubBadger]

sounds like mine

[UdubBadger]

You could do that, but your car wouldn't legally pass emissions. If you install cats, they have to be in the same location as the factory ones. If the car comes with cats in the headers (Like the ZHP) you have to get cats in the headers for it to be legal.

So you might as well go with magnaflow. Which is exactly what I was thinking of. Thanks Justin.

Well you can get by if you have a computer test. Put some extensions in your post o2 cats and you'll read about 25% lower than what it actually is.

[nike001]

Well here's the thing. I want the car louder and raspier, but from what you guys are saying its obviously a big difference. I don't want alot of drone. I do want the car to sound more open though.... What to do, what to do.. :scratchinghead

Here, I'll give you my stock zhp exhaust for your UUC. FOR FREE!

Deal?

[UdubBadger]

Dalton Ill sell u my tse3L now if u want it. :p


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[09mageec]

Thanks for all of your input! I really don't know what to do. That honestly sounds pretty sick. You also have to take into effect that that video was recorded in a dyno garage. I want to hear it outside and with my own ears. Videos of the way a car sounds can never really do them any true justice IMHO.

[UdubBadger]

Sounds like maybe you'd like a borla or eisenmann with headers. More "f1" like sounding than deep throaty rumbling


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[330i ZHP]

I was SOOO happy to go back to the stock manifolds on the sedan. I was tired of dealing with O2 issues, or the O2s rubbing/knocking against the bottom of the car, the drone (the only time I didnt have drone - was the Supersprint headers, into SS cats, into SS x-pipe, into SS resonator and finally into SS rear section)

The wagon currently has SS headers into Euro M3 exhaust/cats and then finally into AA Gen6 M3 rear section - it is as raspy as any modded M3....I want to go back to oem cats - but the TS3 would choke on its exhaust

I am beat down enough on exhaust I am weary of getting the down-pipes for the X5M

[Hornung418]

Wait...you're replacing the ZHP with an X5M?! DUUUUUUUDE...that's amazing.

[UdubBadger]

bause

[09mageec]

That's awesome. See I would love the car to be nice and raspy like a modded ///M!! I'm at 168k now. I'm just going to have to settle until the motor gets too iffy. By then I'll hopefully have my e60 ///M and have the ZHP as the project car, then it'll be time for the s54 swap I've always wanted for this future 4 door M3 haha..

[Johal E32]

I was SOOO happy to go back to the stock manifolds on the sedan. I was tired of dealing with O2 issues, or the O2s rubbing/knocking against the bottom of the car, the drone (the only time I didnt have drone - was the Supersprint headers, into SS cats, into SS x-pipe, into SS resonator and finally into SS rear section)

The wagon currently has SS headers into Euro M3 exhaust/cats and then finally into AA Gen6 M3 rear section - it is as raspy as any modded M3....I want to go back to oem cats - but the TS3 would choke on its exhaust

I am beat down enough on exhaust I am weary of getting the down-pipes for the X5M

I have seen quite a few x5M's in my area. They are a very very nice car, probably the one suv that would hesitate me from a G55 AMG or the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

@ op. I think headers with any aftermarket exhaust will be LOUD. And if you use no cats, the car will probably stink if gas after you drive it..