OE Euro headers vs copies - worth it?

[Maxhouse97]

What’s the difference in LCI Euro headers, was that the wall thickness?

[jet_dogg]

I don't know about lci headers but one time I got csl headers I couldn't believe how light and delicate they were. I probably should have kept them.

You couldn't pay me to put some china headers on my car

[Obioban]

What’s the difference in LCI Euro headers, was that the wall thickness?

Yes.

Once the CSL came out, the lighter version of the headers they developed for it became the standard.

[bigjae46]

Might be OT...anyone know the weights of the euro and supersprint headers?

[Cubieman]

https://www.apmotorsport.co.uk/product-page/bmw-e46-m3-csl-exhaust-manifold-1

Wonder if the CSL's are in stock...likely not, might have to check that out.

[Nate047]

Alright so let me ask, when people are saying SuperSprint is more difficult to instal, is that because the design makes them harder to fit in there while the engine is in the car? Or are they made not as well and don't always line up? Just trying to understand the exact gripe.

[Obioban]

Alright so let me ask, when people are saying SuperSprint is more difficult to instal, is that because the design makes them harder to fit in there while the engine is in the car? Or are they made not as well and don't always line up? Just trying to understand the exact gripe.

They're physically larger.

[Tbonem3]

And the flanges aren't perfectly straight like OE. They're not heavier than stock u.s. headers, but they are heavier than euro/csl which becomes an issue when you're laying on your back trying to feed both banks through.

Sometimes SS headers are about as easy as stock fitment-wise, sometimes quite difficult. SS seems to vary a little from batch to batch.

[Obioban]

Mine fit up, alignment wise-- but getting them into that location was certainly trickier than the OE euros I used on the M3 wagon.

[Chas3n]

I don't know about lci headers but one time I got csl headers I couldn't believe how light and delicate they were. I probably should have kept them.

You couldn't pay me to put some china headers on my car

Trying again..

While I can agree, most products from that part of the world can be incredibly inferior, those headers are possibly one of the few products someone could trust to have on their car.

To blanket all parts form China as a no go is doing yourself a disservice.


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[Obioban]

Trying again..

While I can agree, most products from that part of the world can be incredibly inferior, those headers are possibly one of the few products someone could trust to have on their car.

To blanket all parts form China as a no go is doing yourself a disservice.


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One of the main problems with buying stuff from china is the quality will change, without warning. So, headers may be fine one day, and trash the next.

It leaked a while back that Apple sends 50 people to China per day, on a single airline (presumably more, once other airlines are factored in), just for QC. That's the kind of baby sitting you need if you want consistent quality.

This is an issue we've encountered again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again at the company where I work, which gets. alot of welded metal components from China.

[Chas3n]

One of the main problems with buying stuff from china is the quality will change, without warning. So, headers may be fine one day, and trash the next.

It leaked a while back that Apple sends 50 people to China per day, on a single airline (presumably more, once other airlines are factored in), just for QC. That's the kind of baby sitting you need if you want consistent quality.

This is an issue we've encountered again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again at the company where I work, which gets. alot of welded metal components from China.

At the moment, current documented sets being installed for thousands of miles would confirm my post.

Again, I agree with 95% of parts being from there being mostly miss. Both Megan headers and the Avin headunit seem to be 90%+ approval rating from fellow forum members and enthusiasts.


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[9kracing]

China can copy tubing sizes, bends, and merges, and therefore can usually produce a header that does in fact make decent power... because they're just copying someone else's R&D.

The part where they fall short is material quality, and welds. If your header's welds pop after a year, did you really save any money?

China can't copy this.

[Jimbo's M]

There are plenty of other reasons to NOT buy Chinese junk besides being Chinese junk. Just sayin'.

[Obioban]

There are plenty of other reasons to NOT buy Chinese junk besides being Chinese junk. Just sayin'.

There is the slave labor, genocide, forced organ harvesting, using rape as a form of torture, utter devastation of the environment, and doing everything they can to destroy our country.

but, hey, cheaper headers!