E30 vs E36 headers

[colin86325]

Can you use the E36 headers in an E30?

The ETK says they should be the same, but from looking at them there are obvious but slight differences.
Just wondering whether everything will line up ok.

Thanks,
Colin

[Cobra Jet]

I would think the main difference would be at the collector or the angle of the collector as in relation to the subframe and/or firewall, which would have to meet up with the mid pipe. It's possible the diameters of the header tubing are slightly different as well.

[gearheadE30]

I would think the main difference would be at the collector or the angle of the collector as in relation to the subframe and/or firewall, which would have to meet up with the mid pipe. It's possible the diameters of the header tubing are slightly different as well.

Right you are. The e36 headers have a slightly different angle so they don't fit. It is aggravatingly close, but the angle is wrong.

[D. Clay]

The M42 is the same except for late 1995 and up. The M44 uses the later style with the different angle. I put a 10/95 318ti M42 in my car that had the later type manifold.

[colin86325]

Thanks for the replies.
I noticed that the E30 headers have a CO bung on each primary, and the 1992 E36 header that I have has no bungs. Also the E30 seemed to have rounder primaries towards the head and the E36 has flatter tubes. The primary tube size seems to be the same between the two headers.