CHEAP EBAY BMW E46 Performance Headers Review!

[@UnapologeticIslam]

He or rather his girlfriend didn't notice any power gains or more torque because he did not have the O2 sensors hooked up. BMW's are actually very sensitive to minor/major modifications due to the DME being programmed to be safe in the event any components fail. If the O2 sensors don't get a reading in their correct margin, they show a fault to the DME which then reduces engine performance greatly to avoid damage. There are two ways to fool the DME. 1. You install a spark plug fouler in between to extend the distance between the O2 sensor and headers to get a false (safe) reading. 2. You purchase an O2 sensor simulator (a computer that provides safe false readings) and wire it in to the O2 sensor wires and plug the holes for the O2 sensors on the headers completely. For most cars that's it, you go enjoy the new headers and performance... However, for BMW it's not quite that simple.... --->

[@orangecounty60]

Very true.

[@abelucious]

Are you saying the DME will reduce engine power even if the post cat sensors are throwing codes ? those just read the fumes exiting the car for emission , nothing to do with performance ,

[@jasonl5589]

I've read a bmw tech article that rear o2 sensor actually contribute to fuel trim for e46

[@darrylprice2679]

My BMW just past the 20 year old mark so just standered inspection was having same issue bank one sencer #2 mechanic worked two hours could not get the O2 sensor out so I decided to ordered a set of headers off of eBay which have yet to install but the car still runs fine. 193,000 miles the headers I purchased Nice looking set I might add can't wait to have them installed and the car tuned...

[@kindrickcarter6231]

You didn't comment on this in the video or not but just throwing in headers won't change much unless you allow the engine to pull more air in on the intake side of things. I bought the same headers but from a different company on Amazon for about $115. I combined that with a spectre high flow cone filter that I mounted straight onto the MAF. With just those two I noticed substantial increase in torque using my handy dandy "butt-dyno" as you called it. I recently had a performance exhaust put on to put the cherry on top of everything and not only does she scream from 4.5k up to redline but she also puts the power down way better. (I have an e46 325xi 5 speed manual if you're wondering) I look at engine air flow like a math equation. What you do to one side do to the other. If you're going to increase air intake or air flow out, always do something on the opposite side to support it. As far as the headers go the only fitment problems I had was the o2 sensors and putting them back in. I shopped around for some defaulers that are angled to make them fit and I've been happy with them.

[@UnapologeticIslam]

--> BMW decided to program the DME with a redundant safeguard specifically with the O2 sensors. The DME at random will send a specific signal to the primary O2 sensor and expect a specific signal to return from the secondary O2 sensor. If what the DME sends out and receives aren't in sync, you will immediately get a fault which will cause a CEL.

[@moihawk666]

this just broke my brain... i mean i kind of get it but i dont think ill be taking apart my e46 while not knowing what you just said

[@JP-st8sf]

I think the catless headers with stock exhaust sounds great on the M54’s! Its definitely quiet but wide open throttle sounds really nice outside of the car

[@nelsonmelgar999]

what about smell. is this strong as mentioned? i'm looking performance do you recommend go header for it?

[@JP-st8sf]

@@nelsonmelgar999 the smell is not noticeable. my e36 convertible is catless and I never notice it. Some catless 335is you can really smell

[@nelsonmelgar999]

@@JP-st8sf thank you!!!! i'm really appreciate your prompt answered 👍

[@jcoach3064]

That’s the gayest shit I’ve ever heard wtf!!!? Straight pipe that bitch let it roar !! like a Man , U glitter dusting power fairy

[@JP-st8sf]

@@jcoach3064 do you even own a car?

[@jasonl5589]

I mean if there is potential exhaust leak and you didn't feel noticeable improvement on top of the Check Engine light(due to catless), I would say it's not worth it. Additionally, you have to do this all over again for emission test so.. it's def. not worth the time, money, and hassle you have to deal with.

[@jasonl5589]

+Jason Lee But I installed the headers yesterday LOL. RIP CEL

[@E46TY]

Well if you actually use O2 sensors and it doesnt leak, itll bump you in power. But if you increase exhaust flow, you have to increase intake flow or else itll actually DROP in power. Simple CAI in the fender, catless headers, and maybe a shark injector you can expect about a 15-20HP gain. Enough to definitely feel it. You want it to be FAST fast, gut it, lower it, diff swap it, put an ebay E36 manifold on it and 20LB injectors. Shit will be a rocket. I have those things in my 323Ci and DAMN does it feel like i picked up 100HP

[@cgeromi]

Other then cheap ebay catless headers, what are my options for a good catless header that will have good fitment?

[@yungkaos3500]

So what DO you recommend for a great improvement for performance since the headers don’t make a big improvement? Just get a tune and that’s it?

[@elliottsteele]

Odd, i gained noticeable performance when i swapped my headers.

[@ShopLifeTV]

+Elliott Steele Yea I think my main reason for the loss might have been exhaust leaks and lack of o2 sensors

[@elliottsteele]

i could only fit one in out of 4 on the ebay headers

[@thof8287]

Get Supersprint headers or some other reputable company. Even activewerke make decent headers for 3 series. Then get a tune.

[@rikuperry2792]

Just buy M52 BMW OEM stainless steel headers, perfect fit and and cheap, for cats use E46 UK model secondary cats that also fit under the car perfect.

[@the46guide94]

Will it???

[@nickdonato9493]

I'm surprised you didn't feel any improvement in power. I know it isn't a lot but removing the catalytic converters should create enough power to feel at least a little bit on the butt dyno. I have some Active Autowereke Headers Im about to install so hopefully they won't be a waste! Also Go PACK!

[@SqueezeTop]

I've had AA headers for year and half, no install issues use the gaskets they give you. And use the O2 fowlers. You feel a bit of a bump in power.

[@ShopLifeTV]

+Nick Donato The headers I installed were from topspeed through ebay and I did not use any o2 sensors. Your result might be different if you follow what +GIlbert says. GO PACK!

[@RCincorporated]

Can you advise what gaskets I should get? I notice the headers have more holes than the OEM gasket? Thanks

[@eastsideofthetracks8311]

So you said they don’t really do anything for performance or for sound so then what are these for lol why buy them if there not doing any of those two ?

[@weirderspace7644]

Got my headers done, and an hour later I started running super rough. I checked codes, and it says issue with bank 1 sensor 2, and bank 2 sensor 2. Also a code saying upstream o2s switched from bank to bank. Cylinder 4 5 6 are misfiring, car is not drivable. I was told that the o2s were swapped incorrect and need to just reswapped.

[@RoninGaijin]

Are E46 headers and E30 compatible? I would think E36 is a better option... Supersprint tubolare headers are the way to go as well.. a little pricier but better quality.

[@ChrisFLPS]

Great Video! Do you think that an ecu tune without any other changes would make sense? I have an 320ci 2.2 , i''d like to have more torque in the lower rpm range. I already replaced the vanos but it still feels too weak for me

[@user-ws7jn2gu9s]

Hello! I also have the 320i M54B22. No one in the world does a tune for our car of the shelf sadly. There is a little power to be gained from headers. Intake, exhaust and basic bolt one mentioned above. There are kits we're you can do you're own tuning but you'd need to invest in a 02 sensor and air fuel ratio gauge ect ect. Costly and risky but worth it to some. I actually was blown away with the improvement in power with UUC under drive pulleys and a Stewart water pump. I did this when I did other coolant system maintenance. The two reduce drag on the engine freeing up power we have already. Light wheels and brakes and a lightweight flywheel are the next mods to reduce drivetrain powerless. Our cars are a lot lighter than 330s or 325s so other mods to reduce weight go along ways.

[@user-ws7jn2gu9s]

But to answer your torque question there is little can do except turbo or supercharge it. Aggressive camshafts will make a difference but your looking at $1200 for the cams $1k for springs and install. Adding power to these NA engines isn't cheap. Swap an S54 like he's doing.

[@ShopLifeTV]

+Chris FLPS Miguel pretty much covered it all! Thanks Miguel.

[@johnbobby3298]

Sprint Booster V3

[@yatishnowrang1692]

hey Jason good work on the channel seen all your video ! I have a 03 e46 325ci coupe I started to have a problem with my car it has a lag when I gave it gas it take a few second then it take off why is that ??

[@ShopLifeTV]

Any check engine lights? Message me on instagram@ ShopLifeTV

[@NotVeryNiceToYou]

hey did you replace the studs that come out from the exhaust manifold? or did you reuse the ones already on the car

[@ShopLifeTV]

+BarberKid I bought new stainless steel bolts and corresponding nuts that way it is easier to remove later on if needed.

[@johnsmith-gm4kf]

How did you wire the pre cat o2 sensors since the wires are short and the new placement is low

[@michaelstaeps9473]

Hey, I've really have learned a lot from you, so thank you for your time and be very exact and clear .I have a 1971 bavarea thats perfect. Seriously you really would in joy seeing FRITZ. I have a question if ,say some one, LoL. Unhooked all 4 o2 sensors and didn't mark 1 or 2 on the harness side how do you determine whether its pre or post cat .Ok the lower ones you know by the lengths But the upper one same length coming out of the harness.

[@nebilbaqhum2162]

Hey Jason, nice vlog...i am going to guess that you will be putting those headers on an E30 that you are prepping for racing... 👍👍

[@user-ws7jn2gu9s]

How bad was the clearance on the motor mount? I plan on purring revshift poly mounts when I do mine.

[@ShopLifeTV]

+Miguel Yetman They were touching the heat shield plate on the mount arm.

[@user-ws7jn2gu9s]

What was the part number for the gaskets you ended up using? Did you use the ones that came off the manifolds with cats? The ones with integrated heat shields? Do you have any sound clips of your gf's car driving before the removal?

[@ShopLifeTV]

+Miguel Yetman They were the oem ones from the dealer with integrated heat shields. I do not think I have any sound clips but there are quite a few on youtube.

[@NotVeryNiceToYou]

if I do the spark plug defouler trick, can I then pass emissions? what about adding an aftermarket cat somewhere down the exhaust line and extending the downstream o2 sensors?

[@ShopLifeTV]

+BarberKid You should be able to as long as the tech doing the inspection does not visually inspect for cats. Theoretically adding a cat further down should be good enough to pass the visual inspection as well, but not sure how the o2 sensors would react.

[@michael101802]

Wa State got rid of emissions. Only need a muffler here now.

[@Palininja]

How did you solve the motor mount clearance issue?

[@ShopLifeTV]

I took the arm off and then put the headers on. The mount arm has a metal plate that you can remove and will add a little bit more clearance.

[@dhrglobalinvestor1596]

hey how you, I have a 1992 bmw 325is and it seems there not much parts these days for my car, but the issue that I'm having is , when I started the car I got a lot of smoke that seems to be coming from the exhaust area by the motor. i'm doing the repairs myself and I want to be sure I'm doing things right so what I intend on doing is chancing out the exhaust manifold and I don't see any vid on how to go about doing it so can you give me something that shows me how to go about it the right way..

[@ShopLifeTV]

+Dorant Robinson I am fine, and you? Does the smoke smell like oil? Does it sound like an exhaust leak?

[@javiesolis8093]

nice crack ? how did you notice they finally cracked on you ?

[@friguy4444]

4:35 I would like to add that you can get a much more aggressive sound after you install the headers by using BMW Flash software that allows you to add burbles and pops to the sound if you have headers. It's just a coding thing. Here is all the info needed to do this. It's only $20 and you can code a ton of stuff. In this guys video and down below he gives all the websites etc. Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGmVYoh8paqCepY

[@p3rformanc3fanatic60]

No exhaust or header should have smells in the cabin. If it does. The headers or exhaust were not installed properly and are leaking Period no way to argue that

[@ricardomartinez2615]

I have a 1999 323I and I want performance, what route would you go?

[@ShopLifeTV]

+Ricardo Martinez Honestly your best bet would be to do handling improvements and maintenance. If you were looking for some serious power gains your best option would be an engine swap!

[@bader32]

what can cause my coolant in my expansion tank to just empty out in 5 minutes after filling it

[@ShopLifeTV]

+bader32 There could be a crack in the expansion tank, or a leak in the system elsewhere (hoses, radiator). Has the car overheated?

[@bader32]

+ShopLifeTV nope never overheated, the po changed the radiator and fan clutch i don't know about the hoses expansion tank

[@user-ws7jn2gu9s]

There are a dozen places the system can leak coolant. Any of the hose connections if they're brittle. Sometimes the rubber seal around a temp sensor that plugs into the hose shrinks and leaks. Sounds like it's time for overhaul kit

[@ShopLifeTV]

+bader32 Like Miguel said, I would recommend overhauling the entire cooling system. There are many kits that you can buy through ecstuning or fcpeuro that include many of the hoses that usually leak over time.

[@bader32]

+ShopLifeTV the thing is the owner I bought it off of replaced the fan, fan clutch and radiator and the water pump the over flow tank was reused I'm guessing and held on by zip ties

[@JikaInFamous]

e28 or the e30 i saw in one of your vids

[@ShopLifeTV]

+JikaInFamous It was going to be the e30, but now that I am moving, I sold the headers and will more than likely be selling the e28 and the e30.

[@anthonyslaughter1419]

Aside from the obvious, it’s a fact that what ever you do to the bottom end you do to the top end of the motor. If you only do the exhaust you loss top end = take off power you will see your gains from when your acceleration into power.

[@willk3807]

Did he just say "butt-dyno"??? Skipped back 10secs... 😆 he did say it

[@Mr.Schitzengigglez]

Cool... Won't waste my money.

[@paulgarcia458]

I guess it worth it if my car wont start in the am, guessing clogged cats

[@leodaboss2169]

e30 325i

[@praiseYahshua822]

5:10 But dyno???

[@bort46]

butt dyno* not an actual dyno, just jargon. it just means it _feels_ faster

[@Raptorman5174]

Race Car!

[@jcoach3064]

Will these fit an e39 530i ??????? Same inline 6 right