Since mounting the steering, the flipped upside down BMW M3 exhaust manfifolds pointed right at the steering arm. The aftermarket header options for this engine are practically non-existant. The headers that are available are stupid expensive. I decided to start exploring other production engines that share similar dimensions, bore spacing, exhaust port locations & flange design.
I'd stumbled across the late model Mustang 5.0 & 4.6 that were close enough to work, needing mounting flange modifications to work on the BMW V8 cylinder heads. So I ordered 3 sets of Ebay el-cheapo long tube headers for the 2011-2014 Mustang 5.0 1 3/4" primaries , 2005-2010 Mustang 4.6 1 5/8" primaries & 1996-2004 Mustang 4.6 1 5/8" primaries.
Starting with the 2011+ 5.0L headers, the passenger side sits beautifully. I should note here, my passenger side is the original vehicles drivers side because I've got them flipped upside down. The "passenger" side hear sits nice and level with the engine. It clears everything. And the beefy 1 3/4" primary pipes look amazing on the engine.
The drivers side 5.0 header doesn't fit as gracefully. If it clears the corner of the body it's going to be tight. It barely clears the master cylinders and of course it interferes with the steering arm.
Header option #2: 2005+ 4.6L
This header fits and clears everything much better. The 1 5/8" primary pipe diameter looks a bit puny compared the 2011+ headers. This set kicks way out to the side and will hang out away from the body. It might make stepping over them to get in and out of the car a challenge. But these are a viable option.
Header option #3: 1996+ 4.6L
Goofy bends in all the wrong places and won't clear the body, master cylinders or steering. Nope.
For right now, until the body returns from paint I've got the 5.0L headers on the engine. Because big, beefy, beautiful & matched set of pipes.
