E53 with 540 headers...?? Anyone tried?
 

Has anyone tried fitting 540 headers onto there m62 powered e53?

I have a 02 4.6is that currently ha trans pulled due to,doing a 6 speed manual swap. As we all do i want some more ooomph out of it and recently found headers by obx and becker for a very affordable price for my m62 swapped e36. An was pondering the thought of getting a set to try on the IS but wanted to see if anyone else gad already attempted this. And if so how did it turn out.
Thanks in advance

I have 4.6is and pre vanos 540 (same headers as M5) that I installed Supersprint headers on.
Therefore I can say with certainty that the best design for X5 is Supersprint although stock 4.6is headers are much better than vanos 540 with pre cats integrated in exhaust manifold.
If I were you, I'd spring for Supersprint or keep the stock headers.

Yea I was going to say the same thing about 4.6is headers probably being better than the 540's. Supersprint makes headers for the 4.6 but they are $$$$. Talk to Plattus1000, he just had some headers made for his 4.6is motor by a M5board member. If I had to guess they were big $$$ as well. I was lucky and jumped a group buy on SS headers for my M5 a couple years ago.

That must be one I helped organized then I stupidly sold mine.
Than I got the itch again and found a decent price from well know UK supplier. $2370 to the door. Not as good as $2000 GB but much better than $3k here in US. Every time I have my 98 540i6 between 3-5k rpm, they're worth it every penny. Sound is unreal.

Thanks for the quick replies. I wasnt refering to factory headers tho. Was referring to aftermarket tube headers. Ive seen the supersprint and the ones from the m5 board the (unicorn headers) awesome designa nd gains but for 5500 i could rebuild the top end and turbo this beast lol

May just save the money to force some air down its throat later in the year

You may be able to find someone on m5board who hasn't installed their SS headers and may sell them. Also, Clemster on m5board parts out M5s, might be able to source a used set for a good price

You need to buy a set of quality headers such as the supersprint or evolve headers. Stay away from cheap knock-offs.

They can be had for under $3000. You just have to do your homework as I did and find a European distributor willing to ship in US. The shipping in my case (supersprint headers for 540) was reasonable and custom fee was not much. The good thing is that we don't pay VAT here in US and that's around 20% tax .