Bought these Ebay headers. Quality?

bimmerclad · 10-11-2018, 06:57 PM

Hey guys, so I decicded to do something interesting and cheap out on my headers so I got them off ebay. They came in and looking at the welds, they don't look half bad. My only concern is that there seems to be gaps between the pipe and the part that rests on the engine. Is this normal? Would it cause leaks? Any input would be appreciated as I have never seen any other headers outside the car in perosn.

EDIT: I pulled up pictures of what they are supposed to look like (last picture), what kinda issues can this cause?

EDIT** added pictures of the welds

EDIT*** I added a picture of the entire headers so all sensors are visible

hassmaschine · 10-11-2018, 07:49 PM

Do the OEM gaskets fit? The primaries do extend past the mount flange but those look way off to me.

IMO - you get what you pay for. I've bought similar ebay headers before, and ended up recycling them....

Blueeyesredpanda · 10-11-2018, 08:23 PM

Link?

bimmerclad · 10-11-2018, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Do the OEM gaskets fit? The primaries do extend past the mount flange but those look way off to me.

IMO - you get what you pay for. I've bought similar ebay headers before, and ended up recycling them....

Ive only had them out of the box for a day so I have no idea about the Oem gaskets. But I pulled up a picture of the headers from online.. Like I should have to begin with, but I definitely see that the gap is not suppose to be there. Also I definitely agree, you get what you pay for, but I never learn

bimmerclad · 10-11-2018, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueeyesredpanda

Link?

Im not sure if it was this exact listing, they always change

https://ebay.to/2Psl5l9

nsjames · 10-12-2018, 11:07 AM

what do the welds look like on the outside of the flange?

yupetc · 10-12-2018, 12:24 PM

Nice try, I, too, have done this before with other cars, and never once able to really use EBAY headers, there's always something not fitting or missing an O2 bung somewhere. Nowadays, I just do what the forum guys do and buy tested items to dodge those bullets.

bimmerclad · 10-13-2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

what do the welds look like on the outside of the flange?

I'll attach some pic of the welds. They look decent imo

bimmerclad · 10-13-2018, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yupetc

Nice try, I, too, have done this before with other cars, and never once able to really use EBAY headers, there's always something not fitting or missing an O2 bung somewhere. Nowadays, I just do what the forum guys do and buy tested items to dodge those bullets.

I honestly hadn't heard to many Horror stories about e90 ebay headers. Alot of "took a bit of adjustment" and things similar but I guess saving over 50% cost was to appealing. Im sure I'll learn to respect quality a bit more later on in life haha

nsjames · 10-13-2018, 08:49 AM

well if the welds up front look decent and the tubes fit into the recesses on the head, run it.

that gap around the flange isn't pretty, but if the welds on the face don't leak it will not affect performance.
long term durability may be an issue, but if the tubes fit into the head properly they will be supported.

You own them now, might as well send it.

Phyrexia · 10-13-2018, 11:19 AM

What is their country of origin? Where were they built?

CTrink · 10-14-2018, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

well if the welds up front look decent and the tubes fit into the recesses on the head, run it.

that gap around the flange isn't pretty, but if the welds on the face don't leak it will not affect performance.
long term durability may be an issue, but if the tubes fit into the head properly they will be supported.

You own them now, might as well send it.

There's a slight chance it's made in the U.S., but in reality there's usually no free returns for larger products. I bought some LEDs off Wish that ended up being the wrong size and asked for a return. They were happy to refund my $1.86, but shipping to China was $7+. Live and learn.

desertman123 · 10-14-2018, 09:35 AM

That o2 sensor placement is what's gonna mess things up if anything

whyzee125 · 10-14-2018, 11:08 AM

E46 guy's have had great luck with eBay headers for years. These do look a bit concerning.

bimmerclad · 10-15-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

well if the welds up front look decent and the tubes fit into the recesses on the head, run it.

that gap around the flange isn't pretty, but if the welds on the face don't leak it will not affect performance.
long term durability may be an issue, but if the tubes fit into the head properly they will be supported.

You own them now, might as well send it.

Lol Gottcha. Will do.

bimmerclad · 10-15-2018, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phyrexia

What is their country of origin? Where were they built?

China I believe

bimmerclad · 10-15-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

That o2 sensor placement is what's gonna mess things up if anything

Why do you say that?

bimmerclad · 10-15-2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

E46 guy's have had great luck with eBay headers for years. These do look a bit concerning.

Yes! I know! I have seen so many e46's and even z4's with eBay headers that cost them like $100 and they work fine. Made me a but jealous lol. So I figured I'd try ebay myself

desertman123 · 10-15-2018, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerclad

Why do you say that?

The O2 sensors are only going to read cylinders 2 and 5.

Here's a stock manifold. You can see the O2 sensor IS placed at cylinder 2 (or 5), but the difference is that's where the other 2 cylinders merge as well.

Now here's an Active Autowerke header (still technically a SuperSprint rep lol) but you can see each runner is much longer than stock, but the O2 sensor is placed where they all merge.

hassmaschine

bimmerclad · 10-15-2018, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

The O2 sensors are only going to read cylinders 2 and 5.

Here's a stock manifold. You can see the O2 sensor IS placed at cylinder 2 (or 5), but the difference is that's where the other 2 cylinders merge as well.

Now here's an Active Autowerke header (still technically a SuperSprint rep lol) but you can see each runner is much longer than stock, but the O2 sensor is placed where they all merge.

Oh I see. Well I have the two other ports where all the points meet. Wouldent that be fine? I'll update the original post with the pic of the entire headers and the ports.

desertman123 · 10-15-2018, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerclad

Oh I see. Well I have the two other ports where all the points meet. Wouldent that be fine? I'll update the original post with the pic of the entire headers and the ports.

Hmm..

If you wanted you could probably put the primary O2 sensors at the merge, then just have an exhaust shop weld in a spot for for the secondary O2 sensors. Wouldn't be expensive at all. Pretty sure the secondaries are really just to check for emissions equipment (cats).

I just know these motors rely heavily on these sensors - I'm actually running a tune/hardware change which deletes the MAF.

jonwilli · 10-15-2018, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

That o2 sensor placement is what's gonna mess things up if anything

Does that not depend on how the ECU uses the sensor 1 data? If the ECU only changes fuelling for cylinders 1, 2 and 3 from sensor 1 would it matter if it data from the sensor was at the merge or just in cylinder 2 location?

The guys running superchargers are having problems with AA headers as sensor 1 location is away from the engine block and results in a delay between sensor reading to changes in the fuelling confusing the ECU. The supercharger must be exasperating any issues that the NA tune may have? Could it not be that this O2 sensor location is optimised for N52?

The ARMA N52 headers had O2 sensor 1 locations in the same location as the OPs and guys in Oz had no issues with the car running smoothly with those headers.

Curious to know the answer from people who know how the N52 ECU uses O2 data.

10-11-2018, 06:57 PM	#1
bimmerclad First Lieutenant 100 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 330i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: florida iTrader: (0)	Bought these Ebay headers. Quality? Hey guys, so I decicded to do something interesting and cheap out on my headers so I got them off ebay. They came in and looking at the welds, they don't look half bad. My only concern is that there seems to be gaps between the pipe and the part that rests on the engine. Is this normal? Would it cause leaks? Any input would be appreciated as I have never seen any other headers outside the car in perosn. EDIT: I pulled up pictures of what they are supposed to look like (last picture), what kinda issues can this cause? EDIT added pictures of the welds EDIT* I added a picture of the entire headers so all sensors are visible Attached Images Last edited by bimmerclad; 10-15-2018 at 12:40 PM..
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10-11-2018, 07:49 PM	#2
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Do the OEM gaskets fit? The primaries do extend past the mount flange but those look way off to me. IMO - you get what you pay for. I've bought similar ebay headers before, and ended up recycling them....
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10-11-2018, 08:23 PM	#3
Blueeyesredpanda Major 401 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: E90 / F30 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (-2)	Link?
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10-12-2018, 11:07 AM	#6
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	what do the welds look like on the outside of the flange?
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10-12-2018, 12:24 PM	#7
yupetc Captain 390 Rep 661 Posts Drives: 2015 X535i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Nice try, I, too, have done this before with other cars, and never once able to really use EBAY headers, there's always something not fitting or missing an O2 bung somewhere. Nowadays, I just do what the forum guys do and buy tested items to dodge those bullets. __________________ 2015 X535i - CP Piston, Manley Rod, ACL/King bearings, MILVs VRSF full charge Pipe, Wagner FMIC, Hybrid Turbo, MHD2+ VRSF DP, UR Front/Rear Sway Bars, Eibach springs, Bilstein B6 2015 MINI COOPER - Mahle Pistons, Max Rods, BMS intake, CTS charge pipe, Wagner Intercooler, ByteTronik Tune, VRSF DP 2017 540i - MHD2+, VRSF DP, TU Pump
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10-13-2018, 08:49 AM	#10
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,330 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	well if the welds up front look decent and the tubes fit into the recesses on the head, run it. that gap around the flange isn't pretty, but if the welds on the face don't leak it will not affect performance. long term durability may be an issue, but if the tubes fit into the head properly they will be supported. You own them now, might as well send it.
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10-13-2018, 11:19 AM	#11
Phyrexia Resident Pedant 503 Rep 792 Posts Drives: '15 335i 8AT Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Limbo iTrader: (1)	What is their country of origin? Where were they built?
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10-14-2018, 09:35 AM	#13
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	That o2 sensor placement is what's gonna mess things up if anything
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10-14-2018, 11:08 AM	#14
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1679 Rep 3,645 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	E46 guy's have had great luck with eBay headers for years. These do look a bit concerning.
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