vioilio

how do you open up an MLS gasket?

Sir-Boost-a-Lot

iTrader: (1)

With a fine carbide cutter. Super easy.

War Tank

This header looks amazing, me interested!

305-E55

[QUOTE=vioilio;5350675]I got the ARH LTH and x-pipe installed on my 2003 E55 about 2 months ago. I was one of the very first few to order them from Bruce at TTM. Waited over 2 months for them to be made.

Positive:
1. No check engine light.
2. Awesome built quality.
3. Sound is amazing!!! Not loud at all. You can not tell that they are there if the car is idling. Once you open her up is completely different story, but again NOT very loud.

Negative:
1. Since the primaries are 1 7/8 there are NO Gaskets for the heads. I used some high temp silicone. ARH told me that when the get the MLS gaskets made i will receive them immediately.
2. The steering shaft joint connection bolt rubs on the header. For the life of me I couldn't make it not to rub. The only way would be to create a small dimple on the header so I can prevent contact with the shaft.
3. I used TTM 90 degree O2 elbows and extenders so the O2 harness was not extended BUT you will HAVE TO extend your oil sensor harness at the bottom of the oil pan. Look at the pictures. There is no other way.

Thanks for the feedback,this is what I've been waiting for..The positives along with the negatives..Did you happen to do some before and after dyno pulls??

vioilio

At the time of the installation of the LTH's I also did: 80mm T/B, Kleemann Cams, Shardul's smaller S/C pulley, looped fuel rail with bigger injectors, colder spark plugs, Magnacore wires and I already had Brabus K8 with evosport split cooling system and Brabus second one (additional H/E) connected in series with the evosport one. The brabus K8 package is using 168mm pulley. Shardul said that my effective size with the upper pulley is 175-178mm. With those mods and Jerry@Eurocharged software my car dynoed 515WHP 570WTQ @ 100F outside temeperature. This was achieved on the 5th or 6th pull so the car was already hot. According to my calculation if the outside temperature is around 65F-75F I should gain some 30-35 HP and TQ more. Hope this helps.

Peter_02AMG

Vioilio, Did ARH ever took care of the number 8 tube rubbing the steering bolt for you? Now I'm finding out at least 3 of my left side tubes are rubbing under load.

DVC

Damn, thanks for sharing the fitment issues guys. Was hoping for that kind of cheddar they'd be squared away.

vioilio

No they didn't. I just don't have time to drive up to them. Will have to call them and see when they can take me in and go there in the next month or so. It is about 3 hours drive. It still rubs like ****. Especially on a left turn and under load.

cij911

A $2700 header that does not fit ??? For that kind of money it should bolt up and fit perfectly.

vioilio

Those primaries are huuuugeeeee.... ,but yes they do have some room to modify that 8th tube a little so it does not rub.

DVC

I wonder if the primaries are routed the same for the 55 headers as they are the E63, and if all they do is change the oval port flange to a round port flange. Maybe accounts for the fitment issues???

305-E55

Damn,you got ALL the goodies!! Thanks for the info,very helpful..

305-E55

Peter_02AMG

You would think so. ARH need to do a little R&D before they start sell these header. I guses who ever buy them are guinea pig

BMCINSD

Hi Peter,
I've been trying to figure out what my vibrations issues have been since the installation of the ARH LT. When I toe into WOT I feel this vibration like the headers are hitting something on the frame. I've checked and double checked... I thought it might be something regarding the rubbing of the tubes..

vioilio

and now you now exactly what it is....

BMCINSD

Is there a practical way to fix it besides taking the headers out?... No exactly inexpensive to get them installed.

vioilio

I would guess that the only way is to find the exact spot of the header where the shaft bolt and bracket are rubing in, get the torch heat it up and with some tool to create a small dimple/dent in to the header. I do not see any other way. I will call Bruce and ARH by the end of the week and will update this post with their resolution of the problem. I'm very tired of this rubbing. It is annoying.

cij911

Annoying is one thing, dangerous is another....If your headers are rubbing against your steering shaft, I don't think you should be driving your car, unless you have tested the car's full suspension travel and engine movement on a lift, and would get it to TTM or ARH right away [via flatbed].

Sir-Boost-a-Lot

iTrader: (1)

That's not uncommon with cramped engine bays and long tube headers unfortunately. It's not really a short term safety concern, the shaft isn't going to break or fail to turn. It is annoying as hell however and I agree with the above post that said for nearly three stacks they should fit perfect every time.

Peter_02AMG

Yeah it rubbing big time on the steering bolt..I noticed if you adjust the steering wheel out toward you the rubbing stop..I hate driving with the steering wheel all the way out.

Also the #1 tube is rubbing against a heat shield...I can see the marking on the tube. There are 3 spot on the left header that are rubbing under full load. BTW my engine mounts are brand new so it not the problem. It just a bad design.

Peter_02AMG

Me too, this rubbing make me want to just put back my stock headers and be done with it. If you look down by the steering shaft and number 8 tube you can see scuff marks on the tube. I talked to Bruce and he say you can modify the steering bolt..use a different nut or bolt..what ever..I'm not going to try to attemp it. We shouldn't modify anything to make it fit with the kind of money we spent on these header

vioilio

Peter,
Do not waste your time modifying the bolt. I wasted 2 full days trying all kind of different things with no luck. It still rubs big time under load and on left turn. My mounts are brand new as well. I do have the 55K engine and yours is the 6.3 but i highly doubt it you will be successful by just trying to adjust/change/modify/replace/etccccc the shaft bolt and bracket.

DVC

Vioilio- do you think if the primaries were 1.75" they'd clear?

vioilio

I think it is just the way they are angled around the shaft. There is still space to the frame of the car to make the angle a little better on that 8th collector.