Jeffs

I am really interested in putting headers on my car. A bodyshop could custom make it for me here in MA for 1500. Is it worth it?? I heard that putting headers adds in alot of performance. Anyone done this before?

ch7656

Not to say it hasnt been done...but I haven't heard of it on an E60 / What would they do for an exhaust...you only mention headers but it stands to reason that you would be doing a full exhaust as well (mufflers cats etc..)

I don't know...it were me I think I would exhaust (no pun intended) all "known" mods before I start being the test-mule for something that hasn't been done yet

Is a 550 an option for you?

znod

You should do at least a cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust if you are going to do headers. To get the full benefit of a single air-flow mod, it is best to "open" it up from stem to stern as far as possible. I have done B&B eshaust and Dinan throttle body and am eagerly awaiting the supposed late September release of a Dinan cold-air intake--among other things. I doubt the 545i's headers are the largest bottleneck in the system. I doubt that headers will be available from Dinan, but maybe. Also, header design is a "science"--not something to be left to any old bodyshop or muffler shop.

ipse dixit

No.

Jeffs

Of course I will put exhaust on. I love how the eisenmann sounds. But 1000 grand for just sound and a small performance gain for an exhaust, compared to 1500 for headers with huge performance gain.....i MIGHT wanna do both at the same time. I have already removed my resonators, and I THINK the car's throttle response is a wee bit more sensitive (could be psychological). Just waiting to sell my Cayenne 18" winter rims and use that money for mods.


PS: anyone want them? they're going for 3800 at the dealer and I'm selling for 2500 with 2k mile usage

TCM

Jeff:

Do the exhuast first and then think about headers. Hard to push a bowling ball out of a golf ball size pipe (the equivelent of doing headers without exhuast IMO).

znod

You probably can get a bigger gain from an exhaust than headers. Also, be aware that headers often produce irritating sound. I would use Dinan in making my decision. That is, if Dinan does not include headers in the upcoming set of mods, then I would not consider doing headers.

gwf545

BMW's factory headers are probably about as efficient as you can get. Without also re-working the heads, you'd probably be wasting your money on after-market headers.

znod

That's what I think. Let's see what Dinan does?