How about some headers for the M156
05-18-2015, 02:40 AM
#1
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How about some headers for the M156
This is a little project I've been working on with a custom fabricator. The first set is ready and I will be installing it for some R&D this week. If we make power, I will be getting more. They are mild steel and TIG welded. OEM spec, no cutting or welding needed, 100% bolt on. I will keep you posted on dyno results. I know for certain I'll get insane sound, if I can pick up a handful of ponies and open her up a bit it will be a success. Cost will be under $1K, and you won't find quality mufflers for that price. 
05-18-2015, 10:57 AM
#5
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How do these connect to the rest of the exhaust? Are there mid pipes as well? Definitely interested. Also, are those merge or dump collectors?
05-18-2015, 02:54 PM
#7
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Wont see the same gains as LTH's, probably 10-15hp if I had to guess. Primary cats being in place are going to hold these back.
But, +63 because oooooo shiny exhaust pieces
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05-18-2015, 06:37 PM
#9
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Not sure guys! These were made using OEM parameters. After picking them up today, it looks like some cutting will need to be done. With the set up you will receive new flange gaskets and a 3in to 2.75in adapter..
Merge or dump I do not know the difference.
The collector flange is a 3 inch deal. In the "kit" you will receive a sister flange, and a 3in to 2.75in adapter.
I picked them up this morning and they look glorious. I will post additional pics tonight. As it turns out, there's no way to make individual tubes all meet at the collector with-in stock speck. Meaning, they will bolt on to the engine block no prob. To bolt to the stock pipes, you will have to use the adapter. Even if we made the pipes all meet at the collector, and we kept it in the OEM parameters, you'd STILL need the adapter as the collector here is 3 in and stock pipe is 2.75.
On my own set up, I plan to keep my primaries in place. We all agree that I'm leaving some HP on the table but I have a new born on the way and we are trying to minimize noise. Although if I get there and my installer absolutely refuses to install them with the primaries in place I guess they're out of there.
As far as you guys, whatever set up you like would work. I had a couple very knowledgeable guys suggest hi flow cats. Others said remove cats all together and some said it's absolutely fine if you leave them. Totally up to you, there's no wrong set up.
As far as comparing these to LT's, obviously you can't. My intention was to develop an affordable option for headers for this platform. I am not a dealer, I am not a fabricator, I am not a tuner, I'm just a dude who has an M156 and cannot afford to pay $5K for headers that should cost $1K. So, if you have $5K, please go and buy the brand new Renntech, or Kleemann, or whatever brand you can get your hands on as I will be the first to say THOSE ARE THE BEST IN THE GAME. For me, I am not trying to set land speed records. If I can get 10hp-15hp, and pick up some sound along the way, I will pat myself on the back. If I can help out my brother man who just bought his first M156 but doesn't want to spend 15%-20% of what he actually paid for the car on some exhaust pipes, I will and I think it will be appreciated.
Merge or dump I do not know the difference.
The collector flange is a 3 inch deal. In the "kit" you will receive a sister flange, and a 3in to 2.75in adapter.
I picked them up this morning and they look glorious. I will post additional pics tonight. As it turns out, there's no way to make individual tubes all meet at the collector with-in stock speck. Meaning, they will bolt on to the engine block no prob. To bolt to the stock pipes, you will have to use the adapter. Even if we made the pipes all meet at the collector, and we kept it in the OEM parameters, you'd STILL need the adapter as the collector here is 3 in and stock pipe is 2.75.
On my own set up, I plan to keep my primaries in place. We all agree that I'm leaving some HP on the table but I have a new born on the way and we are trying to minimize noise. Although if I get there and my installer absolutely refuses to install them with the primaries in place I guess they're out of there.
As far as you guys, whatever set up you like would work. I had a couple very knowledgeable guys suggest hi flow cats. Others said remove cats all together and some said it's absolutely fine if you leave them. Totally up to you, there's no wrong set up.
As far as comparing these to LT's, obviously you can't. My intention was to develop an affordable option for headers for this platform. I am not a dealer, I am not a fabricator, I am not a tuner, I'm just a dude who has an M156 and cannot afford to pay $5K for headers that should cost $1K. So, if you have $5K, please go and buy the brand new Renntech, or Kleemann, or whatever brand you can get your hands on as I will be the first to say THOSE ARE THE BEST IN THE GAME. For me, I am not trying to set land speed records. If I can get 10hp-15hp, and pick up some sound along the way, I will pat myself on the back. If I can help out my brother man who just bought his first M156 but doesn't want to spend 15%-20% of what he actually paid for the car on some exhaust pipes, I will and I think it will be appreciated.
Last edited by TheVazha; 05-18-2015 at 06:39 PM.
05-19-2015, 12:27 AM
#18
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I've had a set of Kleemann's on my CLS55 and it will be the same set up. You can cut in two places, before the primaries if you plan on keeping them, or after the primaries. On my CLS, I cut out the primaries and went 3 inch pipe down to the x pipe. Basically you will get a 4in adapter that changes from 3in to 2.75 to marry to the stock pipes. Where you cut is up to you and it all depends if you want to keep your primaries or not.
I've had this set up on both my CLS and my E.
SHORTY headers, no primaries, and X pipe delete = Eisenmann Sport.
LT's, to X = Eisenmann Race.
With that said, something about that Eisenmann is still $ x 1M. But, as close as I have got to achieve that sound was Kleemann shorties, no primaries, and x pipe. This set up should be ridiculous, I think that the 6.3 mufflers breathe a bit more than the 55K. It's not loud, just sounds like someone put a loudspeaker to the stock set up. In other words, exactly the way you would expect a German muscle car to sound!
SHORTY headers, no primaries, and X pipe delete = Eisenmann Sport.
LT's, to X = Eisenmann Race.
With that said, something about that Eisenmann is still $ x 1M. But, as close as I have got to achieve that sound was Kleemann shorties, no primaries, and x pipe. This set up should be ridiculous, I think that the 6.3 mufflers breathe a bit more than the 55K. It's not loud, just sounds like someone put a loudspeaker to the stock set up. In other words, exactly the way you would expect a German muscle car to sound!
05-20-2015, 10:31 AM
#19
Senior Member
Have you got them on the car for your testing this weekend yet? Post some pictures if you can.
05-20-2015, 05:27 PM
#20
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Thread Starter
I'm running into a problem finding an installer. I spoke to ACG and Sean was very nice and is trying to work with me to arrange everything. I have an issue in that I live in LA, and this is my DD so it's proving difficult to arrange. My local muffler guy who did my CLS wont touch it. Just need to find an installer and we're cruising!
05-21-2015, 12:16 AM
#22
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^ TY sir!
Gents, for you RHD guys, I really don't know if these will fit. The way they were fabricated was based on the OEM set up. Meaning, I bought a set of stock manifolds for the M156. I actually bought them from a member here. If you're reading this, thanks again.
Anyway, I took the stock manifolds to a fabricator here in LA and told him to build me a set of headers based on the OEM parameters. I don't know how much space difference there is between RHD/LHD so I couldn't tell you if these will fit. To be quite honest, I don't even know yet if they'll fit the car they were designed for! I do know for sure that the R&D thus far was costly.
I started this project and I'll finish it. For you RHD guys, you can get together and buy a set. One of you install it and see if it fits. If it doesn't, I don't see why I couldn't get you a refund.
Gents, for you RHD guys, I really don't know if these will fit. The way they were fabricated was based on the OEM set up. Meaning, I bought a set of stock manifolds for the M156. I actually bought them from a member here. If you're reading this, thanks again.
Anyway, I took the stock manifolds to a fabricator here in LA and told him to build me a set of headers based on the OEM parameters. I don't know how much space difference there is between RHD/LHD so I couldn't tell you if these will fit. To be quite honest, I don't even know yet if they'll fit the car they were designed for! I do know for sure that the R&D thus far was costly.
I started this project and I'll finish it. For you RHD guys, you can get together and buy a set. One of you install it and see if it fits. If it doesn't, I don't see why I couldn't get you a refund.
05-21-2015, 10:19 AM
#23
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I don't see why they wouldn't fit RHD because you are keeping the stock down pipes and only replacing the manifolds.
How much work is required to the down pipe to convert it to bolt up the header. Do you cut the existing flange off the down pipe and weld your adapters in its place if you want to keep the OEM primaries?
How much work is required to the down pipe to convert it to bolt up the header. Do you cut the existing flange off the down pipe and weld your adapters in its place if you want to keep the OEM primaries?
