installing headers
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: united states
installing headers
I am 16 just ordered some headers and never put them on before. What do i need to do? I called a few places to see if they would do it but they are saying it will cost like $350 bucks to install. How do i do it is there anything i need to know?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: On the farm near Loveland
installing headers
>I am 16 just ordered some headers and never put them on
>before. What do i need to do?
Most of installing headers is common sense and experience with wrenching on vehicles. It's not rocket science, but it can be time consuming.
Do you have a decent tool kit? At the very least, you're going to need a good set of open-end wrenches and sockets. Liquid Wrench and a torch. Getting the old exhaust manifolds off can be tough. The bolts will usually be torqued on extremely tightly, if they're not seized. If you do break off a bolt, which occasionally happens, you will need to drill it out at re-tap the hole in the head. The correct size of 6-point socket and a breaker bar will be needed to get the old manifolds off.
Depending on the brand of headers you buy, you may need to install (weld) an EGR and O2 sensor fittings in the correct places. You will also need to fabricate the Y-pipe that connects the left and right headers together and feeds the catalytic (unless you can get one with your headers).
If you buy good ones, the headers will likely be an easy drop-in fit on each side of the engine after you temporarily discommect any hoses and wiring that might be in the way. Draw everything out an a sketchpad and label the disconnected things with pieces of masking tape.
Clean off the surfaces of the heads of any junk, old gasket material, etc with a scraper, maybe a Scotchbrite pad and solvent. Install the headers and any gaskets and tighten the bolts down to 20-30 foot pounds. Since you'll never be able to get a real torque wrench down in there, you'll have to to white-knuckle judge the tightness. *Very* firm, but not wrench-busting tight. Tighten in two or three steps, starting with the middle bolts and working outwards towards each end.
Very important: Re-tighten the bolts right after you drive the vehicle for 20-30 miles and then completely let it cool down. I guarantee you they will have loosened. Then re-check their tightness every so often afterwards lest you blow the gasket.
It pays to get good headers. Do not get cheaply made ones with thin flanges and thin pipe! If you can't afford the better ones, then wait until you can. For sure, some good brands are the Thorleys and L&Ls. There are other good ones. I don't have experience with any others. I also think shorty headers are a waste of time and money. If you're going to go through the hassle, get the long-tube 4-into-1 or tri-Y ones.
In any case, if they're cheap, there's a good reason for it.
Finally, a few hundred bucks for installation is not a bad deal at all, if you can afford it. Otherwise, try to have someone experienced in mechanical stuff working with you. Help is a Good Thing. It's likely going to take you a full day, maybe a day and a half to get them installed if all goes well.
Good luck, hopefully, I helped. There's many excellent and knowledgeable people contributing to this site, maybe you can get some other ideas.
>before. What do i need to do?
Most of installing headers is common sense and experience with wrenching on vehicles. It's not rocket science, but it can be time consuming.
Do you have a decent tool kit? At the very least, you're going to need a good set of open-end wrenches and sockets. Liquid Wrench and a torch. Getting the old exhaust manifolds off can be tough. The bolts will usually be torqued on extremely tightly, if they're not seized. If you do break off a bolt, which occasionally happens, you will need to drill it out at re-tap the hole in the head. The correct size of 6-point socket and a breaker bar will be needed to get the old manifolds off.
Depending on the brand of headers you buy, you may need to install (weld) an EGR and O2 sensor fittings in the correct places. You will also need to fabricate the Y-pipe that connects the left and right headers together and feeds the catalytic (unless you can get one with your headers).
If you buy good ones, the headers will likely be an easy drop-in fit on each side of the engine after you temporarily discommect any hoses and wiring that might be in the way. Draw everything out an a sketchpad and label the disconnected things with pieces of masking tape.
Clean off the surfaces of the heads of any junk, old gasket material, etc with a scraper, maybe a Scotchbrite pad and solvent. Install the headers and any gaskets and tighten the bolts down to 20-30 foot pounds. Since you'll never be able to get a real torque wrench down in there, you'll have to to white-knuckle judge the tightness. *Very* firm, but not wrench-busting tight. Tighten in two or three steps, starting with the middle bolts and working outwards towards each end.
Very important: Re-tighten the bolts right after you drive the vehicle for 20-30 miles and then completely let it cool down. I guarantee you they will have loosened. Then re-check their tightness every so often afterwards lest you blow the gasket.
It pays to get good headers. Do not get cheaply made ones with thin flanges and thin pipe! If you can't afford the better ones, then wait until you can. For sure, some good brands are the Thorleys and L&Ls. There are other good ones. I don't have experience with any others. I also think shorty headers are a waste of time and money. If you're going to go through the hassle, get the long-tube 4-into-1 or tri-Y ones.
In any case, if they're cheap, there's a good reason for it.
Finally, a few hundred bucks for installation is not a bad deal at all, if you can afford it. Otherwise, try to have someone experienced in mechanical stuff working with you. Help is a Good Thing. It's likely going to take you a full day, maybe a day and a half to get them installed if all goes well.
Good luck, hopefully, I helped. There's many excellent and knowledgeable people contributing to this site, maybe you can get some other ideas.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Walton Bch 32547
installing headers
Paarrothead did a good job of explaining how to do it. I just want to say, that after you have them installed, you need to tighten the bolts up a few times after you've run it. They tend to loosen up a little. If you don't check 'em after it's been warm and cooled several times, you'll blow out your header gaskets.
