Header and Exhaust install pix
So you tell her: "It was rather cold this morning so i farted into the intake to get it going"
To me the sound is second to none! (Please don't flame me, that is my humble opinion after spending 12k) Here is a sound-clip from a previous thread in case you missed it.
http://media.putfile.com/supersprint-2
As far as pictures of the stock manifold, unfortunately I do not have one. But if I remember correctly, Evo Sport has a picture of one next to the header they sell for the E55.
I too had the WTF 12k-thing going through my mind, but what put me at ease was remembering that I've purchased computer software for over 5K, and it comes to me on a $1.00 C/D. So needless to say I am a believer in you get what you pay for, and I am definitely a pay as you go type of person.
The price is pretty competitive compared to the headers and full exhaust that Kleemann sells. I did consider Kleemann and for reasons previously stated, I chose not to go with them. I was also told that there are many pieces involved, met cats, etc. and for me not to just consider it as welding pipes together. Apparently there was a lot involved, R&D design, tooling production, etc.
For those that are interested here is the link to Supersprint:
http://www.supersprintna.com/categor...ategory_id/139
What is your peak hp/tq number with your set-up?
In 1990, my Dad sold his 1989 Testarossa. A few months later, he got the itch and bought a 348 (big POS), as did my uncle. Within two weeks, my dad dumped the 348 and got a 91 Testarossa. He never told my mom (it was stored down the street at my aunt's house, so she rarely saw it.)
About a month after he got the Testarossa, the car was parked alongside my uncle's 348. When she noticed the obvious difference between the cars, he convinced her that my uncle's car was "last year's model".
My other car has no cats and a full 4in exhaust and it is way too loud in the cabin. Its so loud it rattles most everything. That would be my main concern on the effect of the everyday driving also. Even though I would want the extra power I still wouldnt want the extra noise in the cabin.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
The headers require alot more time to fab up. But really shouldnt be a issue either.
As far as 12K being cheap for 45hp... I'm new to this game, remember I came from Cobras and Saleens... where 45hp was something like $500 to $1000, diffently not $12k... heck 120hp was only $5k with a Vortech supercharger... not completely complaining, but it's going to be a long cold winter in the spare room if I drop $12k on the beast right now...
I just spent $1200 on ECU tune up of my son's MY06 Impreza STI and got 38hp(+15%) POWER and 52 lbft (+19%) TORQUE.
As long as we keep paying these crazy prices, these "tuners" will continue charging us what the market will bear, and not what things actually are worth or cost to make.
We get what we deserve
I just spent $1200 on ECU tune up of my son's MY06 Impreza STI and got 38hp(+15%) POWER and 52 lbft (+19%) TORQUE.
As long as we keep paying these crazy prices, these "tuners" will continue charging us what the market will bear, and not what things actually are worth or cost to make.
We get what we deserve

I just spent $1200 on ECU tune up of my son's MY06 Impreza STI and got 38hp(+15%) POWER and 52 lbft (+19%) TORQUE.
As long as we keep paying these crazy prices, these "tuners" will continue charging us what the market will bear, and not what things actually are worth or cost to make.
We get what we deserve

I would not pay $12k for an exhaust, but my E55 is stock and I mod cars that are lighter and already faster

But I look at it this way - if a tuner builds a set of headers for a Corvette (or WRX or Mustang), he has THOUSANDS, maybe TENS OF THOUSANDS of potential sales from people modding their cars. If a tuner builds a set of headers for an E55, his potential sales are MUCH lower, possibly in the hundreds. Fewer cars have been built and out of those cars, very few people actually mod them to the point where they would install (or have installed) headers.
Anyway, just my .02

But I look at it this way - if a tuner builds a set of headers for a Corvette (or WRX or Mustang), he has THOUSANDS, maybe TENS OF THOUSANDS of potential sales from people modding their cars. If a tuner builds a set of headers for an E55, his potential sales are MUCH lower, possibly in the hundreds. Fewer cars have been built and out of those cars, very few people actually mod them to the point where they would install (or have installed) headers.
Anyway, just my .02

Anyways, how is it all turning out? Are you being plauged by any quality issues?
Thanks for the support gentlemen.
Ricky - No issues whatsoever.
Do you have other mods that the exhaust "unleashed"?
Thanks

If anyone cares to give feedback or opinions on either cooling set-up, please do.
If anyone cares to give feedback or opinions on either cooling set-up, please do.The big jump in power (45rwhp) was because you had the ECU, pullies installed with stock headers. Stock headers are very inefficient and that is where 90% of your power increase is coming from. Had you put this system on your car when it was stock, you would probably have seen 25rwhp-30rwhp which is inline with the kleemann & EVO products.
Your dyno does prove that Supersprint made a good system that makes really good power. I am just not sure if it is making any more power than the competitive systems out there. The only way to know for sure is to test them back to back.. If the system wasn't so expensive, I would be tempted to install them on my car and do a back-to-back test. Whatever the case, you have a really strong car on your hands!! Congrats & enjoy!
P.S-> I wish someone could convert your .MOV clips into .WMV format so I can hear that beast!
The least expensive way to increase HP in the E55 cars is to change the pulley and ECU and many of us here have done it with roughly 50hp increase, but to get to the next level I have found the cost to play will go up significantly. In reality, the cost for the pulley's and ECU is about 5k and this will get you the first 50hp but the next 50 hp may be $12,000. I know there are some guys waiting for the new Throttle Body stuff to arrive and there was a recent thread on Gruppe M intakes for almost 4k for 15-20hp. Many of us balked at the Gruppe M intake for that price (me included). But for me, this header and exhaust is something I can build on. The TB or the air intake or both may come later, but for me this was the next step.
I decided my next step after the pulleys and ECU was to get a complete header and full exhaust system and I opted to get the best exhaust IMHO right after looking into what was available. If there are any suggestions out there for an extra 50hp (without NOS) please let me know. For now, I would be surprised if anyone can get anywhere near that HP. Now with this header and exhaust I should have the ability to get as much HP as possible from other modifications to follow.
This system may not be for everyone. SS does sell the headers separately or if you want to retain your 400 cell cats, one can also opt for the cat back system. Spending $12,000 may not be for everyone. I did take a little time to research the headers that are available out there and SS made me most comfortable. I believe they were/are the OEM manufacturer for some well-known automakers. At the very least, I knew I was buying an exhaust from a company that knows how to build exhaust systems.
Again, it was not my intention to justify the amount of money I spent or to say this system is better than others. There are headers out there for more and some are for less. If anything, after the pulleys and ECU... GET HEADERS.




