Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-27-2015, 05:22 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boston
Posts: 42
IslandRoad is on a distinguished road
Cheap Ebay Headers for M62 transplanted to 4.4i X5 - Will they fit, clearance issues?

First off before everybody goes into a rant about the quality of ebay headers. Yes I know they are made in china mass produced ect ect. I don't care about that, this is just a winter car for me that I am having fun with. Yes I know a tune helps as well with hardware change ect. This is just a fun project I have been thinking about and wanted to see if anybody has attempted it before.

Car - 2006 X5 4.4i

Plan - Take M62 ebay headers put them on X5 to replace restrictive stock exhaust manifold.

Ebay has a bunch of cheap headers that are meant for a 740i/540. Our engine is based off the same block. I have no doubt the exhaust ports will line up and i'm just about certain that the passenger side will fit but the driver side might be an issue with the steering column in the way.

The E46 guys, 740/540 and even 3.0 E53 X5 use them all the time with great results and actually do gain some HP. I am sure some tuning would be beneficial for HP gain but the E53 manifold is very restrictive in anyway so anything can help.

Below is the manifold in question. It can be had for the low $200. As you can already see the other issues is that the mating flange that bolts up to the stock exhaust is now divided into two and not merged like our stock exhaust. Below is another picture that will correct this issue, or simply have an exhaust shop fab something.

This would be a fun project before the winter. Thoughts regarding clearances?



__________________
2006 E53 4.4i | 2008 E92 335i | 2008 E61 535xi | 2011 E70 35i

Last edited by IslandRoad; 10-27-2015 at 05:28 PM.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 10-28-2015, 06:51 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,690
g300d is on a distinguished road
Looks like a good plan so far, I say go for it, and post results here!

We have a few documented 6cy ebay headers installs here, have not seen one on the V8's yet.
__________________
04 X5 3.0i auto
03 X5 4.6is
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-28-2015, 07:47 AM
Helihover's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 627
Helihover is on a distinguished road
I believe there was a member who put an m62 in his X out of a 7 series. The head had to be drilled and tapped because the exhaust manifold bolt holes did not line up.
__________________
2001 E53 4.4 Alpine White, Sports Package
2000 E36/7 2.8 5 speed Bright Red w/ a HT!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-28-2015, 10:06 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boston
Posts: 42
IslandRoad is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by g300d View Post
Looks like a good plan so far, I say go for it, and post results here!

We have a few documented 6cy ebay headers installs here, have not seen one on the V8's yet.
Well that's the plan, I think if it was done a few people would be willing to try it. Considering some headers for this car are worth 1/3 the price of the vehicle.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Helihover View Post
I believe there was a member who put an m62 in his X out of a 7 series. The head had to be drilled and tapped because the exhaust manifold bolt holes did not line up.
Hmm ok this is good to know, any links? From looking at the pictures on realoem and the web it seems as though all the flanges between the two cars have all the same bolt holes. I want to gather as much information as possible though. I think a two of the exhaust pipes need to be crushed a bit clear the trans case but only ever so slightly but if i am not mistaken this was only for the older style OBX headers.
__________________
2006 E53 4.4i | 2008 E92 335i | 2008 E61 535xi | 2011 E70 35i
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-22-2017, 12:12 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Georgia, United States
Posts: 12
royawood is on a distinguished road
Were you ever able to fit the headers properly?
Would definitely like to see how it turned out!

Cheers!
__________________
2003 Mystic Blue X5 3.0i Sport E53

Mods:
• AFE DryS CAI • DEPO Angel Eye Headlights • Morimoto HID Ballasts • Eibach Rear Sway Bar • Stainless Steel Headers & Magnaflow X-pipe
• Stainless Steel Brake Lines • WeatherTech Wind Deflectors • 25mm Wheel Spacers
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-22-2017, 12:59 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boston
Posts: 42
IslandRoad is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by royawood View Post
Were you ever able to fit the headers properly?
Would definitely like to see how it turned out!

Cheers!
This is a project that I never finished. I am actually selling the truck seeing as i picked up a 535xiT. If I kept the car I was going to do it.

I did a bit of research and the headers are cheap, There is some denting to get them to fit along with some welding mate them up to the existing exhaust. I think its def doable if you wanted to play around with it. My biggest pain was not being able to find a used exhaust to that just bolt it up like my prior picture. Although any good exhaust shop could fab something up but I was just trying to do everything as cheap as possible.
__________________
2006 E53 4.4i | 2008 E92 335i | 2008 E61 535xi | 2011 E70 35i
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-23-2017, 12:26 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Georgia, United States
Posts: 12
royawood is on a distinguished road
If you are parting with your X5 and have no use for the headers, I would be glad to take them off your hands. If you still have them.

As my sig suggests, I had a BMW X5 3.0i but sadly within the past week it has met its end. I will be continuing the BMW tradition and sticking with e53 X5 but upgrading to an 02' 4.6is.

These headers would be a great upgrade down the road and a great pet project for the weekends to come.
__________________
2003 Mystic Blue X5 3.0i Sport E53

Mods:
• AFE DryS CAI • DEPO Angel Eye Headlights • Morimoto HID Ballasts • Eibach Rear Sway Bar • Stainless Steel Headers & Magnaflow X-pipe
• Stainless Steel Brake Lines • WeatherTech Wind Deflectors • 25mm Wheel Spacers
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-23-2017, 09:32 PM
Plattus1000's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 473
Plattus1000 is on a distinguished road
Bolt holes will line up. Steering box shouldn't be a problem but if it is, add a washer on each motor mount to raise the pipes up a bit. Your starter's heat shield will get in the way.

The #1 thing you'll hate is the geometry on an e53 vs an e39 let's say, is different after the bell housing. The e53 collrctors drop way down at a sharp angle compared to the sedans so you'll have to deal with that.

Just as well, the o2 sensor will/might need to be repositioned or your DME will rrad wrong and give you bad a/f ratios.

Good luck.
__________________
'03 4.6is (the wife' s ride)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:16 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.