SS V1 Stepped header ...success or no?

[zubydafa]

Hey all,

I'm part of the SS V1 stepped header group buy (tentative) on M3forum.

Link:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...=460319&page=2

I was fine with the group buy and took the general description of it being z4m applicable at face value, provided it is mated with the SS stepped section 1 pipe. BUT I decided to do a bit of research, and it seems in googling and zpost advanced search, all I could come up with was z4mnyc's unsuccessful nightmare of a stepped V1 experience.

Does anybody else have experience with the stepped V1?

Link to z4mnyc's header FS listing:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...ght=v1+stepped

Some of his frustrations with the header voiced here as well:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503205

I would realllly appreciate whatever help you can offer. The V1 stepped is my first choice so if it's a viable option I don't want to discount it altogether just bc of one poor experience.

Cheers!

[sabbanick]

...installed in my car.

Have to run a spacer under aluminum pan that has the jack pad for front axle to clear the header.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by sabbanick

...installed in my car.

Have to run a spacer under aluminum pan that has the jack pad for front axle to clear the header.

I read your thread as well. iirc yours was just the V1 and not stepped. I'm going to check again.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by sabbanick

...installed in my car.

Have to run a spacer under aluminum pan that has the jack pad for front axle to clear the header.

Took a quick glance at it again, I'm fairly certain your install was for the V1 header. The stepped requires you to mate the header to their stepped section 1 as well.

[sabbanick]

I have v1 stepped for certain! There is a slip joint that unions the headers and secondary cats/test pipes.

[pokeybritches]

If you asked Jack @ CP earlier, I replied to him. I have them on my car (and actually bought the headers from that thread). Since the modification was done by the previous owner, I've had nothing but good things to say. No CEL. Very happy, with huge power gains.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by sabbanick

I have v1 stepped for certain! There is a slip joint that unions the headers and secondary cats/test pipes.

whoops, i made the wrong assumption then. do you have supersprint's stepped section 1 pipe?

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

If you asked Jack @ CP earlier, I replied to him. I have them on my car (and actually bought the headers from that thread). Since the modification was done by the previous owner, I've had nothing but good things to say. No CEL. Very happy, with huge power gains.

ohh so it was you who got the deal of the millenium on headers! haha

what concerns me is that z4mnyc sent in his first set of headers because of fitment issues and then decided to modify his second set. i don't know that i want to be doing that. did you buy supersprints stepped section 1 pipe or do some sort of custom alternative?

[pokeybritches]

Jack @ CP made me a custom section 1. It's identical to the Supersprint catted section 1. I ordered a Supersprint connecting pipe through him, and then he welded in HJS cats. Cost about 2/3 of a Supersprint catted section 1. Only reason I went with HJS is because my car is supercharged. Otherwise, Magnaflows would have been fine.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Jack @ CP made me a custom section 1. It's identical to the Supersprint catted section 1. I ordered a Supersprint connecting pipe through him, and then he welded in HJS cats. Cost about 2/3 of a Supersprint catted section 1. Only reason I went with HJS is because my car is supercharged. Otherwise, Magnaflows would have been fine.

Great to hear! an no check engine lights either, sweet. what tune are you running?

[sabbanick]

I have the SS hi flow cats. Full setup

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by sabbanick

I have the SS hi flow cats. Full setup

Thank you for chiming in bud. I'm still not sure of my commitment to the group buy, but if I go through with it I will keep you all posted and informed!

[DanFromTucson]

Originally Posted by zubydafa

Thank you for chiming in bud. I'm still not sure of my commitment to the group buy, but if I go through with it I will keep you all posted and informed!

Did you end up going through with the group buy? I have a set of SS V1 that I was planning to send out for coating before installing. I've been waiting to hear more results to make sure they fit first though.

[Gallardo Rosso]

I think you need to test fit the headers. Most require a "small adjustment" which translates to a cut and weld on one leg of one header. Pretty messy on coated header since you would have to grind the coating back to weld it.

The trans is different and I believe the lower passenger side lug of the bell housing is in the way compared to E46 M3.

I would hold off on coating. The bad part is putting the car out of commission for multiple weeks by the time you drop the headers, test fit, cut, weld, coat, install... Or remove headers, fit, reinstall stock till your unit returns from coating.

Hopefully your doing it your self. Because at $80 an hour that could get expensive at an indie shop.

[shitbrownMcoupe]

I had mine full race setup with v1s on.... no fitmint issue... but cel.... the installer has done something and the cel light isnt coming on so far... once thats passed emissions I may supercharge and tune.... pending cel issue for me

[pokeybritches]

Here are my headers

[DanFromTucson]

Originally Posted by Gallardo Rosso

I think you need to test fit the headers.

Thanks for the responses guys. I agree that I probably need to test fit. I may skip coating altogether since this is my daily driver.

My headers are definitely the correct part number that SS sells for the Z4m, and I have the SS cats as well. I purchased these in the Evolve group buy. These are VERY pricy components to require modification in order to fit. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that maybe it was just an earlier batch that didn't fit well.

If anyone else has experience installing these, please keep the details coming!

[Gallardo Rosso]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Here are my headers

I think the part numbers have always been the same... Just maybe jigging wasn't great. Who knows, they may have fixed the problem.

I fit up my V1's last night with no interference. The bank one (front most) header comes pretty close to the lower control arm bushing and just touches the heat shield.

I think it will be ok. Especially if coated. I might stuff a small piece of thermal insulation in the gap for extra piece of mind.

I also installed a set of vibratechnics engine mounts at the same time with no interference there either. But the front two engine mount bolts were completely backed out and the accumulator was dangling loose. The little bolt holding the power steering hose bracket was backing out too!

The rear oxygen sensor on bank two (rear most) header seems to be a pretty tight fit if not impossible. I don't plan on installing it so I'm not too worried.

[DanFromTucson]

Sounds good, Gallardo Rosso! For reference, I think the part number we're talking about is 04 40 01. My headers have this printed on an attached decal.

I haven't fully researched the O2 sensor placement yet. What isthe rear sensor used for? We do have emissions testing here, so I'm hoping to pass with the SS cats and some Evolve tuning magic.

[Gallardo Rosso]

Originally Posted by DanFromTucson

Sounds good, Gallardo Rosso! For reference, I think the part number we're talking about is 04 40 01. My headers have this printed on an attached decal.

I haven't fully researched the O2 sensor placement yet. What isthe rear sensor used for? We do have emissions testing here, so I'm hoping to pass with the SS cats and some Evolve tuning magic.

If your running the cat'd Section 1 then you will screw the rear o2's in behind the cats not in the header. Hopefully, that alone will make the ECU happy and not throw CEL's... But evolve tune will make sure if it. Did you block off the EGR and remove the air pump?