3.0 Stainless Headers
 

Well Guys,

I final finished a mod that I have been wanting to do for awhile. I bought these headers back in February, and today I got around to putting them on today. It was a little bit of work...about 5 hours. I still need to take it to an exhaust shop to extend the flanges that bolt to the headers from the exhaust. The new headers were about an 1" short of the old ones. I will try to post an audio clip on Monday once I am done.

Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Td9B5Y7kGM

were did you get them i want to this mod for a while

I bought them off of Ebay. I think I paid around $100.

do you have the seller name ?

So what are you going to do about cats since the OE ones are built into the manifold??

I have the option of mounting some universal high flow cats further down where the resonator used to be, and buying some O2 sensor extenders. But for now I am going to drive without them. We don't have to have our cars tested for emission here.:D The cats are just HP robbers.

This is the guy that I bought them from: EBAY Seller: formulajdmparts(3386) They were $ 119.00 Shipped

That looks awesome! Will flow much better than those stock manifolds for sure. Can't wait to hear the exhaust.

wallyx5 what year is you truck?

It says 2001 in his sig...

I will defintely have to look at doing this if/ when my cats go again. $2200 to replace the cats was ridiculous!! Going this route and adding the universal high flo cats would probably be way less expensive.

I was just thinking the same thing, would be a good option for all 3.0i drivers. Now if there were some decent headers to fit the V8 X5s...

whats the hp gains from this mod ???10-15 hp???

Well I would post the audio but I can't seem to get it to load. It tells me that it is an invalid file. I took some video with my iphone. After having have the exhaust shop modify the flanges to fit the new headers the exhaust sounds awesome. In the car below 2500rpm there is now difference in sound. Zero drone, but if you punch it the exhaust just comes alive. On the performance side there is much better throttle response, more low end torque and upper rpm pull. The X really accelerate much faster from 70-110mph. The exhaust note is just great. What I really like is there isn't much change inside the X unless you step on it, so freeway cruising isn't loud and annoying. I am pleased that I change the headers...just the HP gain was worth it.:thumbup:

I will keep working on trying to figure out a way to upload the video.

I am sure a lot of the extra power is due to having no cats.

Were there any clearance issues in the engine bay with the new headers??

The youtube app on the iphone should allow you to upload it directly from your phone, then you can just throw the video on here with ease using the youtube tags in advanced editor mode.

Thanks Weasel,

Here is the video:
YouTube - X5 3.0 exhaust w/stainless headers

I can't keep my foot out of it now that I made the change.:D

Sounds pretty aggressive! (for a 3.0 that is... :nanana:) But really, I like it. :thumbup:

Maybe sometime you can get a vid while driving, to show the sound under load.

LOL I know...it's still just a 3.0. I am just trying to tap every option for a little extra HP. The problem is that it's paid for and the damn thing just keeps running. I am waiting for the 2011 M5 to start selling so that the E60 M5 drops some more in price then I will buy one of those. So the X5 will be the stand by truck. But for now I will keep playing. The headers cost 119.00, the exhaust shop cost was $ 121.00 and I got some new manifold gaskets for I think $ 60. I did the work so all in I only put in about $300.00.

I bought the BavAuto performance coils this morning. Hope to have those on this this weekend. Now that you helped me figure out how to load video I will get some while driving. What do you mean under load?

that sounds great , even through a laptop speakers .
I will rig up a sound system later to get more bass .

Under load is pretty much while driving, engine pulling weight vs free rev. Definitely let us know the before and after feel with the coils, I was thinking of that for a future mod myself. Maybe after that you can try some mustang injectors! They are supposed to make a noticeable difference.

Mustangs Fuel Injectors Are Awsome! [Archive] - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

http://www.fiveomotorsport.com/fuel-...rs/bmw/?v=6771

nice mod. great sound Wally

do you have the part number for the injectors i am interested but only for the 3.0i :D. i like the sound of more power!!!

wally do you have some pics of the headers from the engine bay????i would love to see them i think this is my next mod!!!!

When I went on the site with the injectors and put in 02 3.0i it pulled up the same injectors as the V8... 19lb injectors. It is supposed to be the same flow rate but with a better tip/spray pattern making it more efficient. And more efficient combustion cycle would equal more power and better economy. (but not usually both at the same time, depending on how far down you press the skinny pedal :D)

I'm not sure off hand how many spray holes the injectors in the 3.0i have as I simply didn't pay attention to that detail any time I had them off in the past, but the mustang injectors have 4 which does give a finer mist spray pattern for optimum combustion.

I was wondering about upgrading the injector because when I was researching super chargers for the X, the supercharger package always included upgraded fuel injectors.

Weasel is it a bad idea to super charge this motor? Or should I just leave it alone? I found a super charger kit from ESS for around 6100.00 It claims to put out another 125 hp.

I will get some picture of the headers install. The old manifold is a pain in the but to remove, because there is little clearance to maneuver a wrench around but installing the new headers was easy because it free up a lot of space.

Here is a lousy video of accelerating. I will get something better.
YouTube - IMG_2292.MOV

Wally :wow: I like it.:thumbup:
Mrbmwx5 please add this mod to your list.:D

Supercharging should be ok, especially once this is a secondary vehicle to play with. You just don't want to go too high with the pressures, sticking with how the kit is set for would be ideal. (because of compression ratios etc.) The only adverse affect over time would be possible accelerated ring wear and more load/wear on the tranny clutch packs etc. But not enough to stop a secondary vehicle from being a good play toy.

Here are some more pictures:

wow they look really nice !!!!! i think headers and injectors are my next mods

do you have emission laws where you are??? here in toronto we do and they are bitch's about it.just a bit worried that it wont pass after the mod.

You will definitely fail emission after the mod if you don't tack on an aftermarket cat and O2 sensor. But then it may somewhat defeats the purpose of the mod since the added HP won't be as dramatic with a cat tacked back on.

A supercharger would be VERY nice! But, as you've indicated, I'm worry about the tranny, especially being the weakest link in the drive train. I would definitely consider a supercharger if mine had a 5/6 speed manual.

This sure is very tempting...

ESS SuperChargerProduct Description $ 5350.00
The ESS M54B30 TS1 series system is equipped with a Lysholm Twin Screw supercharger which has several advantages over the centrifugal compressors used in earlier ESS M52TU/M54 systems. It creates a higher boost-pressure at lower engine rpm, thus significantly increasing bottom and mid range torque. Lag time during shifts and on-off throttling are reduced to a minimum and the throttle response is incredible. The twin screw principle is also highly energy efficient, which contributes to the extreme power and torque output of the ESS TS Series systems. The system also utilizes a throttle body type butterfly air bypass valve to reduce SC parasitic drag and increase fuel economy during cruising conditions. The entire ESS TS system consumes less than 2hp during cruising and it is very energy and heat efficient.

The overall system efficiency, torque delivery, power production and room for higher power stages is considerably higher than that of any competitor. The Twin Screw supercharger is the only product on the market today to combine both a positive displacement design for maximum low-end torque and highly efficient top-end horsepower output. Also emission levels at high speed and boost are lower than with other turbo and supercharging systems.

The redesigned ESS MS43/45 engine control software is perfectly calibrated for the TS supercharged engine providing optimum ignition timing under all conditions, recalibrated EGas for quicker throttle response, recalibrated VANOS control and perfectly optimized fuel delivery supplied by the 6 larger Bosch fuel injectors included with the kit. The software also features a 6800RPM rev limit and removed top speed governor.

Power development is 100% smooth and the car behaves just like stock until you demand raw power. Then, the car completely transforms, providing brutal acceleration normally reserved for big displacement performance cars.

The system maintains all OBD-II functions and it is backed by a comprehensive 2 year, unlimited mileage warranty program. The system installs in 6-8 hours using normal hand tools and no irreversible modifications to the car is necessary.

System components:

-Custom ESS Spec Lysholm 1.6L Twin Screw supercharger unit.
-High strength, dual-layer cast aluminum alloy ESS intake manifold.
-Uni-belt SC drive system with additional OEM quality idler pulleys.
-6 larger Bosch fuel injectors.
-Throttle body style butterfly bypass system for superior fuel economy during cruising and optimal throttle response under all conditions.
-Perfectly optimized, dyno tweaked MS43/45 ECU software.
-CNC hard anodized brackets and hardware.
-Cast aluminium SC intake system with crankcase fume reduction system designed for boost.
-High temperature, custom made silicone hoses with clamps throughout the system.
-Detailed, step-by-step installation manual
-Heavy-Duty drive belt.
-All required installation hardware included
-2yr./unlimited mileage warranty.

ESS TS Series superchargers gives you the best of both worlds with instant boost, true industry-leading torque AND throttle response, while the ultra high efficiency of the twin-screw gives you maximum top end power. The TS1 is fully upgradeable to TS2 and TS3 and comes with the chambers for the Laminova based liquid intercoolers machined in, so if you ever decide to upgrade to TS2 or TS3 it can be easily retrofitted as part of the upgrade package.

ESS TS Series superchargers with it's Lysholm supercharger technology and CAD designed intake runners creates boost the instant the throttle is touched usually reaching full boost by ~2200 rpm – long before a centrifugal supercharger commonly even creates 1psi of boost, resulting in breathtaking low-mid range acceleration and it also removes the need to rev the engine high to get good acceleration.

Correction factor for drivetrain loss is 15% above RWHP as seen in dynograph (RWHP/0.85)

Part number: 115-11
Boost pressure: 7 PSI
Horsepower: 320 SAE/325 DIN (ZHP vehicles +10HP)
Torque: 302 lf-ft/410 Nm
Installation time : 5-7 hours

Wally,
I'm getting ready to take the plunge and follow your footsteps and put on some e46 headers on the 3.0. :thumbup:

I had a few questions for you on your set up. Does you CEL come on at all now that the cats are gone? I'm not so much worried about emissions as I am bugged by a check engine light. We don't have emissions here in my part of Northern Utah.

I also see you went with an oem style exhaust manifold gasket versus the non-heat shielded one normally provided with the kit. Is that a better choice or just preference? Less heat on the valve cover gasket and etc?

Do you think that the current cat back exhaust could easily be modified in such a way that you could easily reverse it if necessary? Seems like I read that there was only an inch difference b/w the header and exhaust. Perhaps just some spacers made up? If you have a pic of that junction that would be rad.

Did you ever put some aftermarket cats back on it?

Lastly..... Please remove the pic of your M5...... Dammit all! I have to wipe the drool from my keyboard every time I see it in your signature! JK I'm jealous. I hope you love it. I may be getting an e60 for the wife, but not the M5 yet. ;)

Are these still sold on eBay for $100-200?
I can't seem to find much