Hello. Been looking for a new header since my flex joint is leaking.

Looking for a 4-2-1 design like the OBX but it seems like the price has gone up. Or I’ve read theres fitment issues.

anyone tried this Becker Performance? I’ve searched and search and nothing 🤷🏻‍♂️ https://www.ebay.com/p/21017022000?i...UaAuGqEALw_wcB

or this? X FORCE? https://www.vividracing.com/-p-15241...UaAoHrEALw_wcB

 

I'm doing the X-Force 4-2-1, but changing pretty much all of it... It's an okay piece, certainly for $165 shipped, but it's not ready to go out the box, imo. I gotta check the flange for trueness (major complaint with cheap headers), I intend to add a 4" Vibrant flex joint instead of the squeaky doughnut they ship with, and regarding clamps, v-bands are cheap enough these days, figured I'd swap to that as well.

That drives the cost up a fair bit, and it's a lot of DIY work. Considering the RMW comes with a $400 GESi catalytic converter and is already coated in a thermal ceramic powder coat ($150-200 depending on where done), I somewhat regret my spending path. Though it has allowed me to spread out the expense... I'm guaranteed to spend about the same or more and be down on power. Not the best trade out there.

 

you can do this for ceramic coating https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-hi...ffbd7499b6e3f7

so with that said, i m gonna take x force out the equation, im running catless, and currently have one of those cheap amazon headers from amazon i got for christmas 2 years ago, and yes flex pipe is the problem. I tried wrapping it with Fiber flex, it lasted a day, muffler shop tried to cut it off and broke 3 blades and gave up.

Heard anything with the the Becker Performance?

 

Anyone else tried the Becker? Looks like the OBX one. Any one? Bueller?

 

I'm not here to debate it..
but I wrapped my headers and it defnitaly helped under hood temps and I checked them and rewrapped them last week after 6months of all weather use and my headers looked juuuuuust fine underneath. No corrosion or discoloration or anything .

 

good to know. But are they the Becker headers?

asking about these headers.

 

I wonder if the 421 design would eliminate the nasty turbulent air noise the 4to1 headers have ....I looked into the beck for awhile but just decided to keep what I have as mine performed just fine and is already a unknown aftermarket , probably Ebay too.

 

yours 4-1 with flex pipe?

 

I can be of no help, but can relate to the frustration due to lack of info as investing in the unknown is always a bit sketchy, especially when under a tight budget.

Found a thread on a BMW forum that at least shows good actual product pictures and the headers look to be quality kit...

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1623211

...but I couldn't find anyone fitting them to an R53, so Becker remains a bit mysterious in MINIworld due to lack of user review.

I favor the 4-2-1 design for our cars and have been pinching pennies to save up for headers. Most likely I will go with Scorpion even though it looks a little crappy, but I'll wrap it so whatever it'll be unseen, but still slightly worried about weld fracture because of how they assemble them and a wrap may contribute to that risk --- to be honest, the Becker looks much better but then I'd have to buy an expensive high quality sports cat to go along with it.

 

Thanks for th e info. I have emailed Becker and no response. So for that customer service alone i might just take them off the list. Is the scorpion one 4-2-1?

you’ll never see the headers in my car any way. I mod the heat shield to still work with mine. You have a link? Any US sellers?

 

Scorp is 4-2-1 yes.

There's a few threads on NAM talking about them, BavAuto sold them on clearance once so a few people got good deals on them.

ECS carries them:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-scorpion...t/smnx014~sci/

Note that they are a bit pricey at $800, hence me pinching pennies!

:

NAM'r SuN1330 took a good pic in this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tors-cams.html

:

 

Those are made very well, also in the UK.

 

Ouch $800. Mmmmmm 🤔

 

this is serafin from IG by the way. You used my car for the leap diffuser photo.

you guys carry any other 4-2-1 header for r53?

 

Hello Mike here.

Yep, very cool R53! Glad to share it.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-...rmance/Header/

Just these and the supersprint / scorpion. ^^ Catted headers

If you want to decat check out the turner motorsport site https://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW...46-bmw-headers looks like they have one on sale decatted from scorpion.

 

Thank You yes I’m running decat right now.

 

This? No photo avail

Price is doable. High flow cat is really that much?

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...rpion-exhaust/

 

Just placed the order. Thanks Mike for the link!

 

Welcome.

They updated the pic, yep, decat is that. All those are made in UK as other exhaust manufactures make it in Aisa hense the very low price. Supersprint is italy and milltek is UK.

 

Wow i guess i got the last one. Price went up now.
Good call. Thank You NAM !

 

Yep, you got that last one. Glad to help.

 

Last one. Going to instal a bung when i get the headers. For A/F gauge

about where should i put it? The other side of the first bung?

 

Wow cool!

Perfect timing --- saw the sale price earlier when I clicked the link,
you got yourself a bargain.

Now it's back to normal pricing.

If you can, post up some notes/pictures when you get it.

 

will do, waiting for some replies on where to weld the bung for the A/F ratio.

 

Catless does not really matter just not too far away from the collector.
Catted its before the cat.