Couple of questions about Raceland headers

[The Chauffeur]

Hi all. Just ordered Raceland "shorties" (https://raceland.com/bmw-e34-exhaust-headers.html) and had a couple of questions, maybe someone with previous experience on them can enlighten me (also, yes, I already searched )

Aside from having to cut part of the OEM downpipes, how painless is fitting? Do the Raceland downpipe sections line up with the OEM ones? It seems like one of them has a slip-on type rear portion, while the other one doesn't???

Also, from poking around the web, it looks like the upper gaskets included are not the greatest, so I already ordered new OEM ones. It also looks like the set doesn't come with lower gaskets. Do I need to put some between the flanges, like generic flat ones, or donut-type gaskets?

Any other tips, experiences, etc. will be greatly appreciated!

[ArtFoodBMW]

Fitting was painless. Hardest part was lining up the downpipes to the OE section. Gaskets are not needed for the downpipes based on the nature of the connection. Just make sure you put the correct header on the correct set of cylinders

[The Chauffeur]

Thanks, mate!


And now for my daily rant... (Don't worry, it's related )

So I go to one of the local shops to see if they can weld the new downpipes, and I ask the guy: "hi, do you do custom exhaust work?". He looked at me like I was asking him to fix the rotors of a 1926 Delage's supercharger... Then he tells me the only shop he knows that does that is like 30 miles from here. After I explain it's just a couple of welds, he tells me the only local shop that can do that is the local Meineke...

Now, the local Meineke just plain sucks (IMHO), but I went anyway... well, the parking lot was as full as a stadium during a boyband concert, and like three other people wanting to get in...

Bottom line: clamps all the way...


(End of rant )

[Richard e30]

so wait these are bolt on or welding is necessary?

[The Chauffeur]

so wait these are bolt on or welding is necessary?

Well, they will bolt with zero hassle to the head... . The downpipes will need to be welded, ideally. I had to clamp mine because, as I said previously, no one locally would weld them...

I see you have a swapped e30. On an e34, the lower flanges fit quite close to the transmission (I have a ZF), but nothing dangerous IMHO. They clear the suspension components just fine. While looking around for info, I found this article that might be of interest to you:

https://www.rjnunnally.com/raceland-...-bmw-24v-swap/

[srad168]

Do e36 s52 specific headers fit in e34 chassis?

[The Chauffeur]

Do e36 s52 specific headers fit in e34 chassis?

I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't think they do. The two chassis are too different in that particular area (subframe, control arms...). Even m52 headers won't fit without modifying the downpipe.

[Hofmeister]

Do e36 s52 specific headers fit in e34 chassis?

i recently installed ebay long tubes, honestly no issues clerance wise plenty of space and lined up pretty damn good especially fro 50 bucks shipped. That said the clamps to join the rest of the exhaust suck and im going to have to change that up soon.