“Bavauto” Headers Group Buy

[Bullet Ride]

So I’ve been looking for a set of headers for my M20 stroker build for a while. Unfortunately, as most of you know, the available options are very polarized. Either you can spend $1000+ on a set of name brand headers that fit wonderfully, or you can spend $200 on a set of ebay headers and hope that the stars were aligned when that set was welded to have a chance that they fit at all. It’d be nice if there was a middle ground right? That use to be the Bavauto headers, but unfortunately they discontinued their header program last year. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Bavauto headers, they are a true long tube header. The primaries are 1 3/8” diameter and the collectors are 2” diameter. The headers are manufactured out of AKDQ mild steel and then coated. Here are a few pictures of what they look like installed:

http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/StevoM5/Bavauto%20GB/header.jpg
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/StevoM5/Bavauto%20GB/pic3.jpg
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/StevoM5/Bavauto%20GB/111005-001.jpg
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/StevoM5/Bavauto%20GB/120405-001.jpg
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/StevoM5/Bavauto%20GB/120405-002.jpg

After a couple e-mails with Bavauto I found out that they were getting their headers manufactured by a company in Rockland, MA called Tubular Automotive and then sent out to Jet-Hot for coating. Last week I called them up to see if they’d make me a set. Once I found out they would, I inquired about group buy pricing. After speaking with them today I have the following information to report…

Traditionally Bavauto would sell these headers with the mid-section that deletes the cat and resonator. However after speaking with the company they offered me pricing on just the headers as well as the headers and mid-section. Please note that without the mid-section you will need to have an exhaust shop connect the dots for you. The only reason I asked for this option is because some people may have no use for the catless midsection and will need to get a custom mid-section fabricated to include a cat for emissions purposes.

For the 325i and 325e the price for a set of uncoated headers will be $500. The price for the headers and mid-section is $550. At 10 sets the price will drop by $10 so $490 and $540 respectively.

For the 318i the price of a set of uncoated headers will be $490, however that price includes the mid-section. From what he said, the mid-section on the 318i header was welded to the header. So if you want no mid-section it will be dealt with on a per-case basis. The same discount applies here at 10 sets

The discount will apply to the total number of sets, regardless of whether they are 325 or 318.

If you’d like your headers coated, Tubular Automotive will send them to a local coater. The price is $200 per set for the 325 and $190 for the 318i and if the volume was high enough (5-10+ sets) the coater will give a 10% discount on that price.

On a final note, one thing that the gentleman at Tubular Automotive mentioned to me is that the pricing might float a little bit depending on what price he can buy the material at. The pricing he gave me was based on what it was costing them to make the headers when they were buying high volumes of the material, however he hasn’t had to buy the material in a while since the demand was so low. This time around he won’t be buying as much so he warned me that he may have to adjust the pricing slightly once he prices out the material. Availability of the material will also determine what the lead time will be on manufacturing these headers, however once they have the material in house the turn around will be fairly quick (3-4 weeks).

Also, these prices do not include shipping. The gentleman at Tubular Automotive said that they could ship to your doorstep but the cost will depend on the location and will be determined on a per-order basis (shipping will be with UPS standard).

With all that being said, I’m posting this to see whose interested in a set of these headers? If you’re interested please PM me or add your name to the list with the type of header you want (325 or 318 cyl), if you want the mid-section (6-cyl only), coated or uncoated, and the number of sets (if you want more than one set).

Thanks for looking.

Just to help me keep track, and so you can see the number of people interested in buying a set, I'm going to cross reference the list of interested parties across the different forums that I have the group buy posted on...

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
7)
...
...

[Irish1]

I'LL buy a set of M20 headers coated. Thanks for doing the leg-work on this. :buttrock

[Bullet Ride]

I'LL buy a set of M20 headers coated. Thanks for doing the leg-work on this. :buttrock

Did you want the mid-section as well?

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
7) Mendi3, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
8) Irish1, 325, mid-section included?, coated, 1 set (BFC)
9)
10)
...
...

[Irish1]

Nope, I'm in California, I HAVE to run a Cat. :nono Thanks. The BMW Cataytics actually flow pretty well anyway, so you're not going to lose power by using them.
BUT I'm a little confused by the wording in your first post: I can't figure out if I NEED the midsection to join with the catalytic convertor or NOT. I don't NEED the
resonator, but I have to be able to bolt-in/weld-in an OEM BMW Cat. Sorry for my ding-battedness.


Did you want the mid-section as well?

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
7) Mendi3, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
8) Irish1, 325, mid-section included?, coated, 1 set (BFC)
9)
10)
...
...

[Bullet Ride]

Nope, I'm in California, I HAVE to run a Cat. :nono Thanks. The BMW Cataytics actually flow pretty well anyway, so you're not going to lose power by using them.
BUT I'm a little confused by the wording in your first post: I can't figure out if I NEED the midsection to join with the catalytic convertor or NOT. I don't NEED the
resonator, but I have to be able to bolt-in/weld-in an OEM BMW Cat. Sorry for my ding-battedness.

If you are running a cat you do not need the mid-section. If there's an OEM BMW cat from another car that is straight in and straight out you can join that up fairly easily. Using the E30 cat is doable, it's just that because of where the collectors exit, in the diagonal section between the collector exit and where the cat is you'd have to fit a flex joint and a reducer from 2" to 1 3/4" and a couple bends. You will also have to weld in an O2 bung because with these headers the O2 bung is welded into the mid-section.

[Jeffnhiscars]

FWIW I installed these headers in my 84 318i. I did a cat delete and Ansa Sport and IIRC the mid section is actually an Ansa pipe. I did it in my garage and no welding was necessary although I would suggest at least a tack weld between the mid and muffler as the clamps dont do a very good job of keeping the muffler from rotating. Could be my hanger setup though.

Also note I installed this setup when I did my 5 spd swap as the headers will NOT FIT on a auto trans M10. Otherwise Im quite pleased with it although I may add a resonator since without the cat its a bit loud for my liking.

my 2c

[Bullet Ride]

FWIW I installed these headers in my 84 318i. I did a cat delete and Ansa Sport and IIRC the mid section is actually an Ansa pipe. I did it in my garage and no welding was necessary although I would suggest at least a tack weld between the mid and muffler as the clamps dont do a very good job of keeping the muffler from rotating. Could be my hanger setup though.

Also note I installed this setup when I did my 5 spd swap as the headers will NOT FIT on a auto trans M10. Otherwise Im quite pleased with it although I may add a resonator since without the cat its a bit loud for my liking.

my 2c

Yeah I'm considering welding on a tab in the mid section to use the stock support bracket off the transmission to help constrain the movement of the system a little.

List update:

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
7) Mendi3, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
8.) Irish1, 325, no mid-section, coated, 1 set (BFC)
9) n0m4d 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
10) ehnaych, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
11) supernaught, 325, no mid-section , coated, 1 set (max)
12) Mfever, 325, mid-section included , coated , 1 set (R3V)
13) e30slidewayz, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
14) tytypetersen, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
15) Pocket Chant, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
16) ihearte30s, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (max)

[Bullet Ride]

Ok, I called Tubular at lunch just now to get an update.

With regards to the material the price, it has gone up slightly, but it’s only going to increase the price per set ~$3 (and that's just straight up material cost, Tubular isn't charging a mark up on the price increase of the material). However when I spoke to them last week, at that time there were about 10 people interested, and that’s what I told them. When they got material pricing they got it for 20 sets worth to get that pricing. So after talking to Tubular this group buy is going to be capped at 20 sets to make things easier for both me and them.

There also needs to be some clarification with regards to the mid-section. The basic mid-section is just 2” tubing with a slip fit on both ends. Tubular said that Bavauto use to send them the two bolt flanges that bolt up to the stock cat back exhaust for the customers that wanted to be able to be able to bolt up to their stock exhaust. For anyone who wants that capability there will be an added cost because they said they’d have to go source the flanges from somewhere. They did say however that for no cost they can drop it down from 2” to an 1 ¾” so that if you want to use your stock exhaust you can just slide the mid-section in to the cat back and use exhaust clamps. So when it comes time for ordering I will be clarifying with each one of you via PM how you’d like the mid-section to terminate.

That being said Tubular and myself are currently sorting out the details of making the initial payment to get the work started (there are a couple extra hoops to jump through since the company’s bank is in the US and my bank and I are in Canada). Once the details are sorted out I’ll contact each of you about deposits and getting your shipping information so Tubular can estimate what it will cost each of you for shipping.

Once Tubular has the money, they said that the lead time on the material is two weeks and that it would take them about two weeks to make all the sets. They also said that they couldn’t comment on what the lead time from the coater would be until they actually send the parts there because it all depends on how busy the coater is at the time. I’d say that right now late August / early September seems like a realistic shipment date

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to PM me.

Cheers.

The list is now capped at 20:

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
7) Mendi3, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
8.) Irish1, 325, no mid-section, coated, 1 set (BFC)
9) n0m4d 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
10) ehnaych, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
11) supernaught, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
12) Mfever, 325, mid-section included , coated , 1 set (R3V)
13) e30slidewayz, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
14) tytypetersen, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
15) Pocket Chant, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
16) ihearte30s, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (max)
17) JuniorDee 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (e30tech)
18.) msf23, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
19) Willy, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
20)

[Bullet Ride]

I called tubular again today to get their banking information. I'm going to be sending them the deposit Monday evening to get things on the move. That means I'll be contacting everyone individually between now and then to verify the details of each order, get shipping information, and sort out deposit payments.

One thing that Tubular clarified for me today when I spoke with them is that the mid-section piping does not get coated, only the headers are coated. They said the cost for coating is about $1/inch so for what it would cost to get it coated you could replace the mid-section 3 times (since there's two pipes that are roughly 4ft). They said that the mid-section pipes are made out of good quality aluminized tubing so they should hold up fairly well.

Cheers.

[Bullet Ride]

For those who sent me deposits, they have been received, there's still about 8 people I'm waiting on. PM's and Emails replied where necessary.

Thanks.

List Update... last spot has been taken. If anyone wants in on a short list in case someone drops out or doesn't send me a deposit within the next week or so please send me a PM.

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
7) Mendi3, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
8.) Irish1, 325, no mid-section, coated, 1 set (BFC)
9) n0m4d 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
10) ehnaych, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
11) supernaught, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
12) Mfever, 325, mid-section included , coated , 1 set (R3V)
13) e30slidewayz, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
14) tytypetersen, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
15) Pocket Chant, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
16) ihearte30s, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (max)
17) JuniorDee 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (e30tech)
18.) msf23, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
19) Willy, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
20) SkiFree, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)

[Bullet Ride]

I wire transferred the money to Tubular last night to get things under way.
Still waiting on your deposit Irish1.

[Bullet Ride]

List update: One guy dropped out so there's an open spot available now

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
7) Mendi3, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
8.) n0m4d 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
9) ehnaych, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
10) supernaught, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
11) Mfever, 325, mid-section included , coated , 1 set (R3V)
12) e30slidewayz, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
13) tytypetersen, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
14) Pocket Chant, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
15) ihearte30s, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (max)
16) JuniorDee 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (e30tech)
17) msf23, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
18.) Willy, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
19) SkiFree, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
20)

[Bullet Ride]

I just spoke with Tubular and they are supposed to be getting the material in this week. So this week or next week they will start bending everything up. They said they already have the header flanges cut. I just need to sort out sourcing the tail pipe flanges for the people who want the mid-section to bolt up to the stock muffler.

There are still a few outstanding deposits and those individuals have been PM'ed again to remind them. If I don't receive the deposit by the end of the week I will be opening up those spots for any interested party with cash in hand.

Cheers.

Update, last spot has been filled again.

1) Bullet Ride 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set.
2) Gary Horneck 325, mid section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
3) tinkerputzer, 325, midsection included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
4) delatlanta1281, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
5) Van Westervelt, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
6) Slippery, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
7) Mendi3, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
8.) n0m4d 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
9) ehnaych, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
10) supernaught, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
11) Mfever, 325, mid-section included , coated , 1 set (R3V)
12) e30slidewayz, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
13) tytypetersen, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
14) Pocket Chant, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (R3V)
15) ihearte30s, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (max)
16) JuniorDee 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (e30tech)
17) msf23, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
18.) Willy, 325, mid-section included, coated, 1 set (max)
19) SkiFree, 325, mid-section included, uncoated, 1 set (R3V)
20) ruqknuf, 325, no mid-section, un-coated, 1 set (R3V)

[bimmernaught]

got mine today! sexy as hell!!


http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh231/supernaught13/Cars/Kombi/exhaust/20120910_172621.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh231/supernaught13/Cars/Kombi/exhaust/20120910_172538.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh231/supernaught13/Cars/Kombi/exhaust/20120910_172544.jpg