2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
That's good enough for me, I'm going to order one -- thanks!! :-)
Nice progress!
Last edited by modular93fox; 03-27-2016 at 11:17 PM.
2006 X5 L83 5.3 6l80 swapped in progress
1999 528i 5.7L 4l60e swapped w/ 31 spline 8.8 cobra diff
2007 ZX-10r - sold
1987 R-10 SWB L83 5.3L 6L80e swapped
Last edited by Schitzo; 03-28-2016 at 08:02 PM.
2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
It's Sunday night. Do you know where your updates are?
Right here
I didn't get to work on the car last weekend as we had family staying with us for Easter but this weekend was open so I was able to make good progress.
Once I had fabricated the collectors, as noted on my last update, I needed join them together and position them under the car. This would make it much easier to finish working on the primary tubes. In order to mount the collectors on the car, I used the same stand I used to hold the muffler tips; I just tweaked it a little bit to work with the collectors.
I was then able to place this set up underneath the car and position the collectors exactly where I wanted them.
From there, I started extending the primary tubes. This time I started with the tube for cylinder #4 followed by cylinder #2. I did it in this order since these two tubes run closest to the starter and transmission bellhousing. I needed to make sure I was leaving ample room between the header tubes and starter + bellhousing..
Here I have completed #4 and #2. I only had them in and out of the car about a million times. The other times I was searching for my sharpie which I manage to misplace every single time I use it . Anyway, I digress. Note the ground clearance; the header sits above the lowest section of frame rail which is exactly what I was shooting for.
Having done, #2 and #4, I can now start working on tube #6 and #8. Since I know their positions relative to tube #2 and #4 and relative to the the collector, I can fab these tubes off of the car which should make it much easier.
Setup off the car. I just need to add a support for the header flange then I can start extending #6 and #8.
2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
are you running a 6 cylinder front subframe in this car?
2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
It always freaks me out too when I see it (I6 subframe). Lol
BEAUTIFUL work as always, BTW. And knowing how much all of those slip fits, stainless tubing, and everything else costs, this is going to be an expensive set of headers. Still, pretty economical compared to SuperSprint or something I expect. Glad you're cranking out work!
How so?
Believe it or not, it is not as expensive as you would think espceially considering I don't incur labor costs. When done, as you said, it will still be cheaper than your average BMW SS V8 header. I couldn't imagine paying someone to build this same header for me. It just wouldn't make sense; to me, that is.
2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
I'm just used to seeing the V8 subframe of the 540 under there.
Those headers are going to be amazing!
Sunday night update
Work continues on the passenger side header. I managed to fabricate tube 8 and 6. I have to say this was the most difficult and time consuming part of this header build mostly because any changes to one tube would affect the other three tubes so I needed to make many changes as I went. In any case, all the tubes are now exactly how I want them (well......except for that goofy joint on tube #2; I may redo it). The only thing left to do is to fully weld all the tubes.
Jig plus all the primary header tubes
ready for final welding.
Last edited by Schitzo; 04-11-2016 at 12:07 PM.
2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
Bravo Maestro, another piece of fine art!!
Looking at that makes me feel like the hack that I am. Lol
You do excellent work. A master craftsman at work.
The alignment marks where the primaries meet the flange show how much pain you went through. Hope you're all stocked up on gas!
Agreed. I am sure the driver side header will be much more fun!!
A while back you had asked about exhaust fab so I figured I would share this video of a build I have been following. They fabricate the exhaust starting at the 12:58 minute mark. Awesome fab work plus some good English humor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMT9...tu.be&t=12m58s
2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
I like the part where they cut a 90° part in 3 pieces, flip the center section and weld it back together to gain clearance.
That subframe was pretty rusty.
Looking great!
How much do ya charge for TIG classes?
Right. Great technique for an offset bend. I also liked the jig they made for cutting the tubing.
Any update on your exhaust or has it taken a back seat to moving?
Thanks Clay
Beer is my currency but this guy offers TIG tips for free.
https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks
They can be just as strong as welds made with filler but are more prone to failure if done incorrectly. Most tubing used for exhaust is made from flat sheet that is rolled into a tube then fusion welded at the seam.
I made some progress this weekend but didn't get to post it last night. I will have an update this evening.
2003 M5 LSx l 6 Spd Manual l 4.10 LSD
Build Thread
The chassis must always be regarded as a means to an end and never as an end itself
[QUOTE=Schitzo;29199736]Right. Great technique for an offset bend. I also liked the jig they made for cutting the tubing.
Any update on your exhaust or has it taken a back seat to moving?
QUOTE]
Haven't touched it in 3 weeks, too busy getting the house ready for sale.
The real estate photographers are coming today. It lists later this week.
That channel is a great channel on YT for learning Mig/Tig welding and other cool tricks.
Bookmarks