3:30 in the morning...headers are in...help!

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Old 10-25-2003, 03:57 AM
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3:30 in the morning...headers are in...help!

I just got CT headers installed. I did the work myself with one of my friends and wow...it was pretty annoying to do. All the torque wrenching and the weird angles to get ur hands into....which incidently leads to bruised and bloody hands...

but yea...I first started it and then I saw smoke coming out of the engine bay...nearly sh!t a brick....so I turned it off.

There was a burnings plastic smell coming out. I tighten all the bolts and nuts again and start it up. More smoke, but not as bad...but the burning plastic smell is pretty bad, but it gets a little less.

So I go test drive...I cant tell difference in power....and I check the hood after a test drive and I smell the burning smell...

Anyone know whats wrong? after 11 hours of wrenching the car, im kind of dissapointed. Not what I expected at all...
Old 10-25-2003, 03:57 AM
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btw, is the smoke just exhaust leaking somewhere?

I used new gaskets all around too....whats going on? ARGGGG
Old 10-25-2003, 08:55 AM
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the first thing i would do is see if any thing is touching the header, any plastic slips, hoses ect.... the 2nd is start it up and listen for exhaust leaks. other than that it might be oils on the header that are burning off?
Old 10-25-2003, 10:35 AM
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you will feel the power in the next couple of days. You have to really get on it and allow the car to adjust.

As for the leak, you would be able to hear it I think so if you don't here anything noticeably loud while idle then probably no leak. Any plastic near the headers? was anything wrapped in plastic while doing the install?
Old 10-25-2003, 11:06 AM
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Did you completely clean out the inside of the headers?


The ECU takes about 3 days to adapt to the new condition. You'll feel gradual power gain over the next 3 days or so. If you don't want to wait, reset the ECU.
Old 10-25-2003, 12:57 PM
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The gains don't come in until after 5000 rpms either. The extra power is only in a small band. My car also had to adjust a little since I put them in last week. It is responding better now than the first day.
Old 10-25-2003, 03:49 PM
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Thanks guys, ill take a look around and see if anything plastic is touching it...I dont remember seeing anything though...but it was dark and I was using a utility light
Old 10-25-2003, 03:52 PM
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btw, what does an exhaust leak sound/look like?
Old 10-25-2003, 09:14 PM
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Did you use any WD40 or anything similar to to get the bolts loose. It could be that burning off and it could be he oil from your hands burning off..

I had smoke the firs time I installed for about 10 mins and the smell for about 2 days and that was it......

Exhaust leak will sound like a loud hiss.........
Old 10-25-2003, 09:46 PM
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I used PB blaster (similar to WD-40) to get the bolts off and when I put the bolts back on, I used anti-seize on the threads of the nuts...do you think it could be that?
Old 10-26-2003, 01:51 AM
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11 hours? That must have been frustrating. All of that antiseize and lubricants will vaporize off of your headers = alot of smoke, no worries just let it run and burn off.
Old 10-26-2003, 07:52 AM
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They will all smoke a bit the first time they get hot. Be sure you go back and retourque all the bolts after a few heat cycles,.....I know it's a pain, but do it one more time, and you're all set.
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