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Thread: Need advice on headers for E36 - 328I Track/Racecar

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
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    Rocklin, CA
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    1997 BMW 328is

    Need advice on headers for E36 - 328I Track/Racecar

    We are building a track/club race car and am looking for headers for a 1995 e36 328I. This car will not be on the street so smog is not a concern. A quick search brings up several options and I am looking for some experienced advice.

    1. Equal length headers - should this be my first choice? Is this a big performance differentiator over stock?
    2. EBay headers - there are several all coming from China, anyone have a good or bad experience? Recommendations?
    3. Other choices?

    Thank you!

    David

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    BKLYN, NY
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    8,514
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    98 M3/4/6, 16 M3/6
    Consensus seem to favor the SS/replica longtube headers in terms of performance gains. They bolt on to SS/replica midpipes but not to stock midpipes. Need to do exhaust cut/welding to mate to stock.

    I have the shorty headers which are bolt ons and felt very slight gains similar to adding a CAI.

    Its probably more beneficial to go with a single midpipe/catback to save weight.
    Last edited by hc1001; 02-11-2019 at 01:32 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
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    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    I agree with the long tube recommendation. But beware most long tubes are just uncoiled shorties, and the tubes aren’t really any longer. At least there are fewer bends. Raceland makes replica Euro Supersprint headers that fit our US cars, but you must use Euro or Euro SS or replica Euro SS mid and rear sections. Or go custom 3.0 inch single pipe after the headers. For a 2.8L, you probably don’t need to go to Euro spec or aftermarket Euro spec. Run S52 cams if you have M52 cam trays in your 1995 car (no 328i in 95 so I am assuming you have some pieced together car/motor).

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Ottawa, ON, Canada
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    e90 M3,X5,e46 racer
    Quote Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
    I agree with the long tube recommendation. But beware most long tubes are just uncoiled shorties, and the tubes aren’t really any longer. At least there are fewer bends. Raceland makes replica Euro Supersprint headers that fit our US cars, but you must use Euro or Euro SS or replica Euro SS mid and rear sections. Or go custom 3.0 inch single pipe after the headers. For a 2.8L, you probably don’t need to go to Euro spec or aftermarket Euro spec. Run S52 cams if you have M52 cam trays in your 1995 car (no 328i in 95 so I am assuming you have some pieced together car/motor).
    The Racelands are really quite good, and basically identical to the euro SS ... have both, and exhausts easily swap between them. We prefer to cut the flanges and just create a slip joint on a custom 3" exhaust.

    If you want equal length, you're into Kormer Kraft, and those are very spendy, if you can find a set.
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Rocklin, CA
    Posts
    15
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 328is
    Quote Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
    I agree with the long tube recommendation. But beware most long tubes are just uncoiled shorties, and the tubes aren’t really any longer. At least there are fewer bends. Raceland makes replica Euro Supersprint headers that fit our US cars, but you must use Euro or Euro SS or replica Euro SS mid and rear sections. Or go custom 3.0 inch single pipe after the headers. For a 2.8L, you probably don’t need to go to Euro spec or aftermarket Euro spec. Run S52 cams if you have M52 cam trays in your 1995 car (no 328i in 95 so I am assuming you have some pieced together car/motor).
    Thank you guys for the responses, this is all very helpful. My son corrected me, we have a 1992 318is that we are swapping a 1997 328I into. We will eventually run the S52 cams, right now just getting the motor in with both a transmission and diff swap have my hands full. We are also doing the M50 manifold swap too, also making me nervous! Once we get it running and sorted, we will go back and do the cams and tuning. Should make a great NASA TT5/ST5 when completed.
    Last edited by MXDave813S; 02-13-2019 at 12:12 AM.

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