Headers-Driveway Install

RazRokz.! · 07-28-2015, 06:59 AM

Thinking about trying to install my AA Headers this weekend in my driveway. Do y'all think it's possible? Or would I need a lift?

E90joee · 07-28-2015, 07:49 AM

theres a diy on someone doing supersprint headers in their home garage so i would think its possible

RazRokz.! · 07-28-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90joee

theres a diy on someone doing supersprint headers in their home garage so i would think its possible

Nice, I haven't seen that thread yet. I put the car on jack stands. Looks feasible but I'm realizing I have no idea what the torque specs should be. Anyone know?

E90joee · 07-28-2015, 08:07 AM

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...php?p=13506265

hope that helps..not too sure about the torques

SDemetris · 07-28-2015, 08:58 AM

Shouldnt be too hard.. from my experiences with other cars, something with a swiveling head makes things way easier to get to the nuts on the head studs

MBP0202 · 07-28-2015, 09:05 AM

You can definitely do it on jack stands, and since your RWD you should have plenty of room underneath the car. Don't loosen the midpipes, disconnect them. That way they won't be in your way when you take off the manifolds. Also remove all the o2 sensors first, and like SDemetris said have a swivel head extension because some of the nuts are at weird angles. Good luck!

FYI, torque spec for nuts to cylinder head studs are 15ft/lb.

RazRokz.! · 07-28-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBP0202

You can definitely do it on jack stands, and since your RWD you should have plenty of room underneath the car. Don't loosen the midpipes, disconnect them. That way they won't be in your way when you take off the manifolds. Also remove all the o2 sensors first, and like SDemetris said have a swivel head extension because some of the nuts are at weird angles. Good luck!

FYI, torque spec for nuts to cylinder head studs are 15ft/lb.

Thanks!

Benny Lane · 07-28-2015, 09:30 AM

I did my AA header install in my apartment garage on jack stands, took about 6 hours. I googled N52 exhaust manifold torque specs.

TheSt|G · 07-28-2015, 09:42 AM

Yeah it's very easy on these cars. Plenty of room to work with, especially compared to most BMW header installs. Get new hardware/gaskets and don't be surprised if an 02 sensor or two dies shortly after the install. I found no need to remove the midpipes, YMMV.

RazRokz.! · 07-28-2015, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Yeah it's very easy on these cars. Plenty of room to work with, especially compared to most BMW header installs. Get new hardware/gaskets and don't be surprised if an 02 sensor or two dies shortly after the install. I found no need to remove the midpipes, YMMV.

Nice, how's your setup holding up by the way?

Tom Droze · 07-28-2015, 10:01 AM

Be sure to mark your 02 sensors (forward and aft) so you don't mix them up. While it may not matter with the cats removed, it's best to not mix them up.

TheSt|G · 07-28-2015, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Nice, how's your setup holding up by the way?

Perfect. Not a hint of a leak or any issue in general. Money well spent.

Delusive · 07-29-2015, 05:40 AM

What tools did you guys use because my first attempt with hand tools I failed miserably, I couldn't unbolt the bolts that connect the headers to the midpipe so I gave up and said I will try a second attempt another day with an electric impact wrench next time.

mlifxs · 07-29-2015, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Yeah it's very easy on these cars. Plenty of room to work with, especially compared to most BMW header installs. Get new hardware/gaskets and don't be surprised if an 02 sensor or two dies shortly after the install. I found no need to remove the midpipes, YMMV.

From some of your DIY pics, it looked like your car was on a lift?

I would think this would be somewhat difficult on jack-stands, or they would be pretty tall jack-stands, no?

TheSt|G · 07-29-2015, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delusive

What tools did you guys use because my first attempt with hand tools I failed miserably, I couldn't unbolt the bolts that connect the headers to the midpipe so I gave up and said I will try a second attempt another day with an electric impact wrench next time.

I just used hand tools, but the car also only had 10,000 miles on it when I did so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlifxs

From some of your DIY pics, it looked like your car was on a lift?

I would think this would be somewhat difficult on jack-stands, or they would be pretty tall jack-stands, no?

It was on my lift, but I see no reason that would be required. You just need jackstands tall enough that you can get under the car with a bit of room.

avocet · 07-29-2015, 11:42 AM

Did mine in a small garage on jack stands. Wasn't difficult, technically, but sure was a pain in the ass.

Rival · 07-29-2015, 11:46 AM

you ll be fine if you have tools.

Tom Droze · 07-29-2015, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avocet

Did mine in a small garage on jack stands. Wasn't difficult, technically, but sure was a pain in the ass.

Exactly! I have all the necessary tools and such, and I got about an hour into the install and decided it was not the type of fun automobile work I enjoy. So, I said screw it and put my car back together. I paid a local shop $400 to do the header install.

RazRokz.! · 07-30-2015, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delusive

What tools did you guys use because my first attempt with hand tools I failed miserably, I couldn't unbolt the bolts that connect the headers to the midpipe so I gave up and said I will try a second attempt another day with an electric impact wrench next time.

Breaker bar, mine are rusted so same problem.

RazRokz.! · 07-30-2015, 03:51 AM

Got some bad news today. Not sure if I'm going to install them. Received notice that I'm on orders to California. Originally I was supposed to go back to Kansas. (No emissions laws) IIRC, California still does smog, sniffer and all that other nonsense. Anybody here in California with headers? Police bother you about the extra noise etc. ? How is it?

Delusive · 07-30-2015, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Got some bad news today. Not sure if I'm going to install them. Received notice that I'm on orders to California. Originally I was supposed to go back to Kansas. (No emissions laws) IIRC, California still does smog, sniffer and all that other nonsense. Anybody here in California with headers? Police bother you about the extra noise etc. ? How is it?

My friends with full on straight pipes (catless headers, no secondary cats, no resonator, no muffler) haven't been bothered yet, it really depends on the cop and where you live. So far no cops has pulled me over for exhaust being to loud and hoping it stays that way after I install my catless headers.

david in germany · 07-30-2015, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazRokz.!

Got some bad news today. Not sure if I'm going to install them. Received notice that I'm on orders to California. Originally I was supposed to go back to Kansas. (No emissions laws) IIRC, California still does smog, sniffer and all that other nonsense. Anybody here in California with headers? Police bother you about the extra noise etc. ? How is it?

Are you Military? Register the car in your home of record state and give California the finger. Permanent residents are required to register the cars in Cali, military do not need to. When I was stationed there, I was pulled for a few things but each time, showed my Florida registration, drivers license, and mil ID, and they could do nothing. I had warnings after warnings for no front plate, no smog, I would tell them thanks and have a great day, never a ticket.

07-28-2015, 06:59 AM	#1
RazRokz.! Captain 18 Rep 551 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Headers-Driveway Install Thinking about trying to install my AA Headers this weekend in my driveway. Do y'all think it's possible? Or would I need a lift?
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07-28-2015, 07:49 AM	#2
E90joee Captain 147 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: queens, ny iTrader: (0)	theres a diy on someone doing supersprint headers in their home garage so i would think its possible
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07-28-2015, 08:07 AM	#4
E90joee Captain 147 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: queens, ny iTrader: (0)	http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...php?p=13506265 hope that helps..not too sure about the torques
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07-28-2015, 08:58 AM	#5
SDemetris FSAE Dude 61 Rep 759 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Shouldnt be too hard.. from my experiences with other cars, something with a swiveling head makes things way easier to get to the nuts on the head studs __________________ 2007 TiAg 328xi: AA Tune, AFE intake, Full exhaust, 335xi Brakes, H&R RSB, UUC FSB, H&R Sports, Billy Sports...BBS SR 17x8 1985 Gazelle Beige 325e: Poly everything, e24 3.25 LSD, 225 lb weight reduction, Corbeau FX1, Shifter machined by me, roll bar, harness, all the other goodies. My "Racecar"...15x7 BBS RA
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07-28-2015, 09:05 AM	#6
MBP0202 Private First Class 28 Rep 159 Posts Drives: n52 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Around... iTrader: (1)	You can definitely do it on jack stands, and since your RWD you should have plenty of room underneath the car. Don't loosen the midpipes, disconnect them. That way they won't be in your way when you take off the manifolds. Also remove all the o2 sensors first, and like SDemetris said have a swivel head extension because some of the nuts are at weird angles. Good luck! FYI, torque spec for nuts to cylinder head studs are 15ft/lb. __________________ 2007 E90 328xi l 6MT l Sparkling Graphite Metallic l ZSP l ZPP l ZCW l iDrive l Logic 7 l Mapleridge Headers l 3 Stage Intake Manifold l AA tune l BMW Performance Intake l Euphoria 6K LED interior l Blacklines l V3 Mtec l VMR VB3
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07-28-2015, 09:30 AM	#8
Benny Lane TIG Welder / Metal Fabricator 21 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 06' E90 325i 6-Speed Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	I did my AA header install in my apartment garage on jack stands, took about 6 hours. I googled N52 exhaust manifold torque specs.
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07-28-2015, 09:42 AM	#9
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	Yeah it's very easy on these cars. Plenty of room to work with, especially compared to most BMW header installs. Get new hardware/gaskets and don't be surprised if an 02 sensor or two dies shortly after the install. I found no need to remove the midpipes, YMMV. __________________ 2005 E46 M3 Interlagos/Cinnamon with Sunroof Delete
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07-28-2015, 10:01 AM	#11
Tom Droze Major 413 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 328i (e92) Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona iTrader: (0)	Be sure to mark your 02 sensors (forward and aft) so you don't mix them up. While it may not matter with the cats removed, it's best to not mix them up. __________________ 2012 Jet Black 328i Coupe / ESS Tuning Gen. 2 Supercharger / Evolution Racewerks Oil Cooler / BMS Oil Catch Can / BMW Performance Exhaust with Dinan Y Pipe / Eibach Pro Kit Springs / Koni FSD Shocks / MFactory LSD & Differential Bushings / Performance Rear Trailing Arms / BMW Performance Strut Brace / Stop Tech Slotted Rotors / Hawk HPS 5.0 / SS Brake Lines / Brass Guide Pins / M3 Front Control Arms, 28 MM FSB, Engine Cowl, and DCT Paddle Shifters / Michelin PSS / APEX ARC-8
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07-29-2015, 05:40 AM	#13
Delusive Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,598 Posts Drives: Bagged E92 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	What tools did you guys use because my first attempt with hand tools I failed miserably, I couldn't unbolt the bolts that connect the headers to the midpipe so I gave up and said I will try a second attempt another day with an electric impact wrench next time. __________________ Instagram Youtube
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07-29-2015, 11:42 AM	#16
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	Did mine in a small garage on jack stands. Wasn't difficult, technically, but sure was a pain in the ass.
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07-29-2015, 11:46 AM	#17
Rival Captain 66 Rep 790 Posts Drives: 95 z28 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: shytown iTrader: (0)	you ll be fine if you have tools. __________________ 2010 335i M sport 2008 328i 2006 325i 1995 Z28 6spd - 377rwhp rip
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07-30-2015, 03:51 AM	#20
RazRokz.! Captain 18 Rep 551 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Got some bad news today. Not sure if I'm going to install them. Received notice that I'm on orders to California. Originally I was supposed to go back to Kansas. (No emissions laws) IIRC, California still does smog, sniffer and all that other nonsense. Anybody here in California with headers? Police bother you about the extra noise etc. ? How is it? Last edited by RazRokz.!; 07-30-2015 at 03:52 AM.. Reason: typo
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