M30 Headers Done Right

[sbeckman7]

Hi all,

I got lost on the internet a few days ago in the dark hole of online parts browsing and after questioning my future exhaust setup, I found this:


A very long (and very expensive) header for the 535i, and it brings some questions to my mind. When compared with the Ireland Engineering, Schmiedmann, and Supersprint headers, the Aussie primaries are significantly longer. I am mainly asking because as a Motorsport Engineering student, I believe these are probably better than any other M30 headers available for a street car. My only question is: has anyone on here tried them?

Cost is about $750 shipped to the US.


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[danieljames]

Wow those are pretty.

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[E38740iMD]

I have e28 Bavauto. Long tube headers on mine. I like them

[BleedsBlue]

Definitely pretty. We have some active members in Oz, so maybe one will chime in.

The statement "definitely better" is a bit presumptuous just from a picture, though. The welds look nice, and longer tubes = higher power band, which may not be better for everyone--that's all I get from the picture. What else do you like about 'em?

$750 shipped across the world seems like a smokin' good deal to me, I must not have looked for a long time!

[sbeckman7]

The statement "definitely better" is a bit presumptuous just from a picture, though. The welds look nice, and longer tubes = higher power band, which may not be better for everyone--that's all I get from the picture. What else do you like about 'em?

In my defense, I did say I believe they are *probably* better

The main two things I like about them are as you said: the perceived high quality (to be verified with the actual product) and the long primary design. Nobody I know complains about their M30 being down on low and midrange power, but up top I think the sohc can use all the help it can get. I think long tube headers might help out at the top of the power band and reduce the "drop" felt after about 5500. In other words, think it could help fill out the upper portion of the powerband.

[zubbie]

No matter what design you are pretty limited on how much extra power you will get out of the M30 truck engine. Reported gains with headers alone are small (~5hp).

Combined with intake work, and cams you'll get a little more but you have to spend a lot of cash to get marginal gains. Not a lot of N/A high hp M30's around although there is an ausie shop that has a history of M30 race engines @ $$$$$. (RHD engineering)

[BleedsBlue]

In my defense, I did say I believe they are *probably* better

The main two things I like about them are as you said: the perceived high quality (to be verified with the actual product) and the long primary design. Nobody I know complains about their M30 being down on low and midrange power, but up top I think the sohc can use all the help it can get. I think long tube headers might help out at the top of the power band and reduce the "drop" felt after about 5500. In other words, think it could help fill out the upper portion of the powerband.

Haha, you got me there, and sounds like we agree. I wonder if these are from RHD, the shop zubbie noted?

In the S52 world, the big dilemma is shorties vs long-tubes, but I've not seen many shorty torque-preserving headers for the M30--likely due to the reasons you've mentioned. I still think $750 delivered isn't too bad for good welds and flow!

[sbeckman7]

No matter what design you are pretty limited on how much extra power you will get out of the M30 truck engine. Reported gains with headers alone are small (~5hp).

Trust me, I know But I was gonna redo my exhaust anyways, and when in Rome, right? Cool RHD link too, thanks for sharing. Never heard of them before. I like their flywheel...

Haha, you got me there, and sounds like we agree. I wonder if these are from RHD, the shop zubbie noted?

In the S52 world, the big dilemma is shorties vs long-tubes, but I've not seen many shorty torque-preserving headers for the M30--likely due to the reasons you've mentioned. I still think $750 delivered isn't too bad for good welds and flow!

The company that makes the headers I found is called Motorsport Down Under, and yes I guess I can't complain about price when the Supersprint headers are still another $200!

[BleedsBlue]

The company that makes the headers I found is called Motorsport Down Under, and yes I guess I can't complain about price when the Supersprint headers are still another $200!

My B, I wasn't sure if the headers were just being sold by Motorsport Down Under, or made by them too. Good luck!

[GazM3]

good luck getting hold of them "motorsport down under" even from down under its almost impossible. They have a nice set of m60 headers in RHD form. Ive nearly given up even trying to contact them about thier product.


hehe someone calling the m30 a truck engine. There is plenty u can do for these babies in NA form for sure. I guess the usa ones with thier low comp is pretty lacklustre. Give it some cam, compression and a decent tune and away you go. And yes the biggest restriction is the manifold, so go replace this with ITB and you have a very charming engine

[digger]

looks like nice long primaries, designed more for bottom end and midrange torque which goes along with the vibe of the m30

[Redfive]

Racing Dynamics also made M30 headers and they were also anything but cheap. Pretty sure I paid 4 figures back in 2001 for a set. They certainly were pretty, even if the horsepower gain was minimal. (sound was also improved)
I'd say the big difference between the long tube and the other setups is the location of the stock cats. 20+ years ago the headers were designed to have a minimal impact on the emissions control equipment. Those long tube headers would require a custom design the entire way back. Also, I'd double check the clearance between the headers and the frame rail. Due to the lean of the BMW I6 designs, there isn't much room on that side.
Headers by Redfive Racing, on Flickr

[digger]

if you are doing the exhaust then you need to pay attention to the whole system.

As an example the secondary/collector length is well known to be more important than the primary length particularity on a street engine with full length muffled exhaust and mild cam(s) and when you lengthen the primary you in effect shorten the secondary length if you dont change the merge (X/H/Y) location.

So if you run a set of long tubes and join it into the existing system are you seeing the performance change because of longer primary or shorter secondary?

[danieljames]

My uncle in Sydney confirmed the shop make them in house, not from China.

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[sbeckman7]

My uncle in Sydney confirmed the shop make them in house, not from China.

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Daniel, can your uncle ask the shop to get back to my email? Been almost two weeks and still nothing! No phone number on their site either sadly.

[danieljames]

Alright I checked in with my uncle. He'll get back soon. He attached this of his Mazda rx3 race car

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[GazM3]

Yes it would be nice to get some exhausts of this chap. I've seen his m30 stuff in the flesh. The e28 that my head/cam came off had a full system and it sounded magnificent and made 210rwhp on a conservative dyno at 5300 still on the factory intake manifold.

[sbeckman7]

Yes it would be nice to get some exhausts of this chap. I've seen his m30 stuff in the flesh. The e28 that my head/cam came off had a full system and it sounded magnificent and made 210rwhp on a conservative dyno at 5300 still on the factory intake manifold.

That's mighty impressive for a B34, but I suppose it was a high comp euro motor? Sad how everything is detuned by the time it gets to the US. Maybe we could start a group buy list, see if they give us a slight discount?

P.S. that rx3 is stripped to perfection

[PjisE34life]

Ahhh HAA!! YES BUY THEM!! lol I've owned a set of these from back in 08' never got around to installing them until about 2010 when A VW carrado died on the rear bumper of my Ex's 535i on the hutch in the Bronx on her way to meet me, bent the whole stock exhaust down about 8 inches.. had to use wire hangers and prayers to hold it up until we limped er' up to Westchester.. The VW was rear ended by an old woman in a Malibu (guy was driving home from having literally just purched it... no regi or insurance...ouch!!) That E34 ATE the nose of the carrado lol.. As for fitment they clear the frame rail and sit where they need to without trouble, I customized the end of the stock cats to accept the headers (widened the gap and extended the necks) and ran them with a fully stock cat back set up.. wanna say the power ban increase was incremental but the sound was blissful!! The sound would make children cry and could blow out an aneurysm in the elderly!! well worth the price and they have darn good quality and fitment! 10/10 satisfaction..

[sbeckman7]

Sounds like you are the only person in the world with these headers Good to know they do actually exist, I think I am still waiting to see if danieljames's uncle is able to contact the company on our behalf. I would definitely love to have a set.

[GazM3]

Must be someone else's uncle. Not mine.

[sbeckman7]

Must be someone else's uncle. Not mine.

Woops, danieljames is the one who said that sorry haha.

[danieljames]

So my uncle is back from a break on Bali, said he would look into it.

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[sbeckman7]

So my uncle is back from a break on Bali, said he would look into it.

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Awesome!

[Fixedwheelnut]

Are Motorsport Downunder still trading? I have been trying to email them but it keeps bouncing saying the address no longer there? Wondering if their M30 six branch headers will fit in an E30 with M30 3.5l