[BudVlad]

Installation was direct fit. No problems and no modification like with OBX. Free flow
cats have better flow than the original headers and no problem with CEL.

aFe headers:




Orig headers:




aFe:



BMW:

[Mike.]

give us a full review and video!

[BudVlad]

Sorry I don’t have any video. However, I’m very happy with the headers. Perfect fit, no CEL and I will pass the emissions. Probably not much performance improvement since the original headers are not bad. I’m not sure if they are any louder because at the same time I installed Inside Performance muffler which is louder than my original Remus.
The only problem I had with shipping. aFe doesn’t ship overseas and Mod Bargains doesn’t take PayPal. Fortunately Vivid Racing were very helpful and shipped the headers right away.

[Taskmaster]

I wish you compared the pipe diameter and length, but I’m happy to hear they fit well. I'd need to see gains to justify the purchase though - Our US spec stock exhaust manifolds are terrible.

[Phil325i]

OP are you selling your original headers?

[BudVlad]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

OP are you selling your original headers?

No. I’m planning to replace the cats with strait pipe on the original headers and use the aFe to pass emission test.

[Taskmaster]

You could have just bought regular headers with a better Primary piping size and an optimized collector. I say you sell the AFE and buy good catless headers instead of hacking up your stock ones.

[pinoye90]

I'm really excited about this afe headers.. Hopefully the 16whp gains listed are realistic for the n52 without tune. I will wait and see how others will like this combined with PE setup

[1QuikWS6]

I'm liking the xtra thick 1/2" header flanges So many times mfg. scrimp on this item and leaks ensue...

Also liking the fact that cats are present to eliminate CEL & pass emissions - however, it would be nice to see a flow comparison between these & say, the custom modified catless OEM headers being sold by Mapleridge.

His NA headers obviously have the stock config as far as design of individual pipes leaving ports to main pipe - he just removes cat section and replaces with straight thru pipe of proper design to mate with rest of exhaust.

Only reason I haven't picked up a set of his is due to the CEL/emissions problems with the whole 'O2 Readiness' issue. Many tunes can get rid of the CEL, but I think only the Evolve tune has the capability of fixing the readiness issue.

I have yet to see it proven on numerous cars that either the adapters, or the mini cats that he can supply solve the readiness problems...

As I already have the Vishnu OFT I'm not about to buy another tune just for this reason

And I've seen a set of the OBX being installed - they claim PnP - no way

[JTDahl]

How much were they?

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

You could have just bought regular headers with a better Primary piping size and an optimized collector. I say you sell the AFE and buy good catless headers instead of hacking up your stock ones.

I thought about his strategy. Its possible he just wants to replace old clogged OEM cat, OR have the best performance regardless his current cars status pre o post emission.

[Taskmaster]

A proper header would flow and perform better than hacked up OEM peices - and th OEM header would still be on standby to pass emissions. It just doesn't make sense to me.

[1QuikWS6]

Originally Posted by JTDahl

How much were they?

Cheapest I've found them is $1166 with Free Shipping from THMotorsports

[Mike.]

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

Cheapest I've found them is $1166 with Free Shipping from THMotorsports

a pretty penny for 16 hp

then again i spent 1k on exhaust so i cant talk

ugh NA engines

[Taskmaster]

Those are going to be my next buy after the 3 stage...if I ever find one.

[SDemetris]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Those are going to be my next buy after the 3 stage...if I ever find one.

I know theres a salvage yard near my house that can order in parts. that's how i got mine.. Maybe ask one near you if they can special order it in. I would think they wouldnt be too rare since it's on all california 328s

[SDemetris]

Have you tried to sell your old cats? How much do you think you could get for them? If its a decent amount to help offset buying them, I may do this... also still no CEL?

[BudVlad]

Originally Posted by SDemetris

Have you tried to sell your old cats? How much do you think you could get for them? If its a decent amount to help offset buying them, I may do this... also still no CEL?

I’m not considering to sell the cats or headers since I still didn’t decide what to do with them. There is no CEL and I don’t think I will get one.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by JTDahl

How much were they?

Contact Afe through official email and they may be willing to work on the introductory price. I got that response when I emailed about dyno & mods on the advertisement.

The afe car's dyno had AFE intake & afe cated-Header.

[pinoye90]

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

I'm liking the xtra thick 1/2" header flanges So many times mfg. scrimp on this item and leaks ensue...

Also liking the fact that cats are present to eliminate CEL & pass emissions - however, it would be nice to see a flow comparison between these & say, the custom modified catless OEM headers being sold by Mapleridge.

His NA headers obviously have the stock config as far as design of individual pipes leaving ports to main pipe - he just removes cat section and replaces with straight thru pipe of proper design to mate with rest of exhaust.

Only reason I haven't picked up a set of his is due to the CEL/emissions problems with the whole 'O2 Readiness' issue. Many tunes can get rid of the CEL, but I think only the Evolve tune has the capability of fixing the readiness issue.

I have yet to see it proven on numerous cars that either the adapters, or the mini cats that he can supply solve the readiness problems...

As I already have the Vishnu OFT I'm not about to buy another tune just for this reason

And I've seen a set of the OBX being installed - they claim PnP - no way

I use to own a civic SI with hondata tune and eventually they updated the system to eliminate the cell light through the tune settings. I found that it did not work well with o2 readings. Then I tried the cel bung for the cat less header that eliminated the cel light too but was the same in reference to realistic/accurate o2 readings for better tuning. any NA performance header will always run into that problem so I ended up going with ct-engineering header combined with straight pipe and that was much better. This AFE header is perfect for better flow and more of a balance power on our n52's!!!

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Contact Afe through official email and they may be willing to work on the introductory price. I got that response when I emailed about dyno & mods on the advertisement.

The afe car's dyno had AFE intake & afe cated-Header.

Did their car have their secondary cat delete pipe as well?


OP, Your original manifolds look like the euro manifolds with the equal-ish tubes, I didn't know they had that in can market cars.

Also, I wonder if the AFE manifolds are rebranded magnaflow.

At any rate, pleased to hear about the positive experience.

[benzo23]

I wouldnt mind a set, but idk how much longer ill have this car for.