Megan Racing Headers Install

[M3mike]

Do I need to get longer studs? Do I need to get new copper header nuts? Should I go with OEM Header gaskets or just use the ones that came with the Megan Headers?

Thanks for the help!

[ATB88]

Definitely get new copper nuts, and OEM gaskets. People have posted stories about non-OEM gaskets leaking and having to do the job all over again. You definitely don't want that, it's a pain in the ass to even do once. It's worth the extra $60 to be sure.

Can't say for sure whether or not you need longer studs, but I think not.

[Johnvu]

Definitely get new copper nuts, and OEM gaskets. People have posted stories about non-OEM gaskets leaking and having to do the job all over again. You definitely don't want that, it's a pain in the ass to even do once. It's worth the extra $60 to be sure.

Can't say for sure whether or not you need longer studs, but I think not.

I am one of those stories LOL. I tried to go the cheap route and use the Megan gaskets with gasket maker and those things leaked so bad. I ended up having to remove everything and redoing the install with OEM gaskets. My advice:

1. Get OEM gaskets (THIS IS A MUST!)
2. Get new copper nuts because they are slightly oblong so ensure they don't back out later. The used ones round out after being installed and heat cycled.
3. Replace the studs with longer ones. This is not necessary for this header but it definitely makes threading on the nut easier, especially in the hard-to-reach areas.

If you do all of that, you should have a header that doesn't leak and performed the same as the top dollar options at a fraction of the price =). If you want to save money, then at minimum get the gaskets.

[M3mike]

Looks like I'm going for the trifecta. Don't wanna have to do the job over again because of the gaskets. Whats the general consensus on studs? N54 studs??

[Johnvu]

Looks like I'm going for the trifecta. Don't wanna have to do the job over again because of the gaskets. Whats the general consensus on studs? N54 studs??

These are the ones I used: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ud-11127593376

[siamkazi]

Hey guys, thanks for this thread, just bought a set of these headers for myself as well

Thanks for the link for the studs, are these the copper nuts you used?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ut-11721437202

Love this forum

[Johnvu]

Hey guys, thanks for this thread, just bought a set of these headers for myself as well

Thanks for the link for the studs, are these the copper nuts you used?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ut-11721437202

Love this forum

Yep, those are the ones I used as well.

[Circa Surviven]

Are the rear o2s able to be installed on the megan headers, or do you have to block them off and code them out if you don't have a section 1 with cats?

[erickhoyos]

Are the rear o2s able to be installed on the megan headers, or do you have to block them off and code them out if you don't have a section 1 with cats?

You might have to code them out. When I got mine installed the shop said that the rear O2 sensors couldn’t reach the bungs but I’m not sure if this issue was ever resolved as others had that same issue with Megan headers.

[Ob917]

My O2s reached no problem

[Tbonem3]

Post cat O2s can reach quite far, just a matter of the tech knowing how to route them.

[Circa Surviven]

My O2s reached no problem

They didn't hit the heat shield, or body of the car either? Thank you for the info!

[Ob917]

They didn't hit the heat shield, or body of the car either? Thank you for the info!

nope if I remember it was very straight forward. I may have had to bend a heat shield slightly but I don’t remember exactly.

[Arith2]

The post cat O2s will not route the same way and the EGT will be stretched. They're place fillers at this point. I cut the EGT wire at the sensor and disconnected it up top. The thing is useless without cats. Put the sensors on before you mount them. I replaced all of my studs and nuts with short ones and it was fine. There are a few spots on the bottom extended studs won't work. Pop off the coolant the metal coolant pipe. It helps ALOT. Good luck 👍

[Ob917]

I didn’t change any stock studs and had no issues.