M54 euro headers?

[Old-Vectors]

I’m assuming there is a European spec for the M54 engine regarding headers with similar benefits to what some of us have been doing with the euros spec S54 headers.

Is there anyone with knowledge on this?

I’ve had some good experience with European headers was wondering if there is an equivalent for the M54

[GuidoK]

There's no such thing as european headers for the M54.
That would also be impossible as the M54 system doesn't have an extra catalytic converter under the car like the euro spec s54 systems have.
And as all of the EU has mandatory periodic MOT with emissions test, you probably wouldn't pass that emission test without the catalytic converter.
Afaik, all m54 exhaust manifolds are the same, so with build in cats, and a very restrictive collectorpiece (way more restrictive than the US s54 exhaust manifold).
If I were to guess, the diameter of the collector (to the cats) is maybe 1"? (per 3 cyl)

However there are loads of fairly cheap m54 ebay headers available that are supersprint copies if you want to build something yourself (you have to solve the cat system then). And Schmiedmann has their own header design in a fairly affordable SS exhaust system with secondairy cats (where normally the mid muffler is). E46 only, but if you can weld a bit, adaptable for E85.

These are the schmiedmann m54 headers (but they don't mount up to the rest of the stock system, so you have to get at least also the mid section and adapt that a bit for e85 use):

[Steeler]

This what I used when replacing OEM non-M exhaust manifolds with a tubular header.
https://www.hottexhaust.com/magnaflo...-eo-d-193-137/
It may require some fabrication as the flanges are clocked different, to the tubular header I have at least.

It should splice into the rest of your system after the cats.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

There's no such thing as european headers for the M54.
That would also be impossible as the M54 system doesn't have an extra catalytic converter under the car like the euro spec s54 systems have.
And as all of the EU has mandatory periodic MOT with emissions test, you probably wouldn't pass that emission test without the catalytic converter.
Afaik, all m54 exhaust manifolds are the same, so with build in cats, and a very restrictive collectorpiece (way more restrictive than the US s54 exhaust manifold).
If I were to guess, the diameter of the collector (to the cats) is maybe 1"? (per 3 cyl)

However there are loads of fairly cheap m54 ebay headers available that are supersprint copies if you want to build something yourself (you have to solve the cat system then). And Schmiedmann has their own header design in a fairly affordable SS exhaust system with secondairy cats (where normally the mid muffler is). E46 only, but if you can weld a bit, adaptable for E85.

These are the schmiedmann m54 headers (but they don't mount up to the rest of the stock system, so you have to get at least also the mid section and adapt that a bit for e85 use):

I will definitely look into this

[Old-Vectors]

Excellent info

[Piper1]

FWIW I have racing dynamics headers and full supersprint post headers. The O2 sensors juuuuuust fit routing them down the firewall under the heat shield to the supersprint O2 bung for the post O2 on their cat section. I was very skeptical that there’d be enough to reach the O2s but it juuuust makes it. I do live in a non emissions state so I’ve never had it checked if it’d clear in states that do. I can confirm no codes.

Also can confirm racing dynamic headers bolt to stock exhaust, had the headers on before my supersprint arrived….oh the joy of smells from exhaust with no cats.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Piper1

FWIW I have racing dynamics headers and full supersprint post headers. The O2 sensors juuuuuust fit routing them down the firewall under the heat shield to the supersprint O2 bung for the post O2 on their cat section. I was very skeptical that there’d be enough to reach the O2s but it juuuust makes it. I do live in a non emissions state so I’ve never had it checked if it’d clear in states that do. I can confirm no codes.

Also can confirm racing dynamic headers bolt to stock exhaust, had the headers on before my supersprint arrived….oh the joy of smells from exhaust with no cats.

Hell yeah

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by Old-Vectors

Hell yeah

If you do go that route wait for the sales. I picked up the Y pipe/muffler combo first on sale, then the headers went on sale then the cat section. Took a year of on and off sales but saved a grand over all doing it that way.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Piper1

If you do go that route wait for the sales. I picked up the Y pipe/muffler combo first on sale, then the headers went on sale then the cat section. Took a year of on and off sales but saved a grand over all doing it that way.

OK so possibly what makes sense is to supercharge before they release the headers because then it makes sense

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by Old-Vectors

OK so possibly what makes sense is to supercharge before they release the headers because then it makes sense

That’s what I did. Ran it few thousand miles in about couple months time frame with s/c on stock exhaust before piecing that together. Also put a 4.10 lsd at same time as s/c pretty close to same break in time for the both so made sense timing wise.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Piper1

That’s what I did. Ran it few thousand miles in about couple months time frame with s/c on stock exhaust before piecing that together. Also put a 4.10 lsd at same time as s/c pretty close to same break in time for the both so made sense timing wise.

Is there an actual LSD route that is best?

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by Old-Vectors

Is there an actual LSD route that is best?

I went through diffsonline, bloody expensive now for sure. I’d like to have the same on the coupe but might not be in the cards for a bit.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Piper1

I went through diffsonline, bloody expensive now for sure. I’d like to have the same on the coupe but might not be in the cards for a bit.

Sounds familiar, I’ll take a look.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Old-Vectors

Sounds familiar, I’ll take a look.

Prices are normal considering that they offer.

However I’m curious if I need to get a tune performed for the LSD

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by Old-Vectors

Prices are normal considering that they offer.

However I’m curious if I need to get a tune performed for the LSD

Pricing think is close to 1k more now than when I did mine so when I started looking at one for the coupe that was a gut punch.

No tune needed as far as I’m aware for us, it’s not an e diff it’s mechanical I’ve not noticed anything wonky when traction control is on and does kick in like it’d be planning open diff traction control vs lsd. Make sure to check out this https://web.archive.org/web/20200729...calculator.htm

If you plan on changing ratio. It gives a ball park calculation what your rev range is when you change.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Piper1

Pricing think is close to 1k more now than when I did mine so when I started looking at one for the coupe that was a gut punch.

No tune needed as far as I’m aware for us, it’s not an e diff it’s mechanical I’ve not noticed anything wonky when traction control is on and does kick in like it’d be planning open diff traction control vs lsd. Make sure to check out this https://web.archive.org/web/20200729...calculator.htm

If you plan on changing ratio. It gives a ball park calculation what your rev range is when you change.

Good point to note since I’m aiming for 3.91

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by Old-Vectors

Good point to note since I’m aiming for 3.91

Stock diff also should hold up to answer your other post too, think last I knew dre99 is on stock open diff still with his 2jz swap putting way more down than what you’ll see from ess alone on the M54.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Piper1

Stock diff also should hold up to answer your other post too, think last I knew dre99 is on stock open diff still with his 2jz swap putting way more down than what you’ll see from ess alone on the M54.

The stock diff is just too lack luster for me personally. I would do a rear end M swap but I can’t find any

[GuidoK]

I think 1st gear is gonna be useless with that final drive ratio if you're gonna supercharge.
I drive with the stock 3.07 and when accelerating from a standstill in dry conditions I already have to hoover the throttle somewhere around 50-75% otherwise the tyres just light up (regardless of the speed you're doing).
ESS TS2+ with cams
Too bad that there are no separate gearsets for sale to adjust ratio's for independant gears.

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think 1st gear is gonna be useless with that final drive ratio if you're gonna supercharge.
I drive with the stock 3.07 and when accelerating from a standstill in dry conditions I already have to hoover the throttle somewhere around 50-75% otherwise the tyres just light up (regardless of the speed you're doing).
ESS TS2+ with cams
Too bad that there are no separate gearsets for sale to adjust ratio's for independant gears.

Whole heartedly agree on the ESS TS. I decided to go with the ESS VT +4.10 lsd for the same price as the TS was going for at the time so slightly different set up but that way it’s one less back slap I’d get from the Mrs if I blew something up never living down the I told you so bit more conservative if daily driving too, even so I’d agree saying 1st is pretty useless at that ratio not even blinking and you’re through it.

[Old-Vectors]

Originally Posted by Piper1

Whole heartedly agree on the ESS TS. I decided to go with the ESS VT +4.10 lsd for the same price as the TS was going for at the time so slightly different set up but that way it’s one less back slap I’d get from the Mrs if I blew something up never living down the I told you so bit more conservative if daily driving too, even so I’d agree saying 1st is pretty useless at that ratio not even blinking and you’re through it.

Seems like an E46 M3 differential swap could work considering everything is pretty much identical - the only components I’m tracking on swapping are the half shafts