hey guys. i wanted to attempt to install my headers on my own. how difficult is this? i installed my exhausts and intake by myself. but thats the only engine mods i have ever done.

 

it shouldnt be that hard to install a set of headers. i had my mechanic do it for me and it took him about 45mins to do everything. having a hoist would help ALOT especially for the headers right at the back but im sure that with a little twisting and turning you should be able to get them. it will definately take you more than 45mins though.

remember to also change the gasket. it might not be absolutly necessary but it cant hurt plus they are only a few bucks....

 

It's really not too hard to do. All it is is unbolting and bolting. If you were able to install the exhaust (if it were cat-back), headers shouldn't be a problem. A hoist would help, especially if your car has a lot of wear on it because those bolts will be a bitch to get off. What type of headers did you get, and don't forget to plug in the O2 sensor.

 

they aent that hard. its just a matter of unbolting and bolting

 

it could end up being a biatch getting the pipes unbolted from the cat.

 

it depends if you have access to a lift, and how patient you are if you do not have air tools. For someone with general experience with manifolds and exhaust systems...not more than an hour or an hour and a half. There are those who think they are hot shit and can get it done faster, but be realistic...it wont hurt if you do spend over an hour doing the project, just make sure its done right.

 

^^ not really...as long as you got some jack stands and lift the car enough to fit under, you're ok. And take your time and dont get hurt. I spent 7hours doing mine. Off course, with some friends, some beers and the occassional (very occasional) Halo (1)/snack breaks!!

You'll need lots of strength/lever arms (pipes, etc). All the bolts are as follows:

cat to exhaust: 3 --> very helpfull to remove cat
cat to downpipe (DP): 3
dp to headers: 6 (from under the car, look up and there should be 3 on the front header and 3 on the rear header, you'll need a wraket extension)

Header to Exhaust manifold: 10 (5 fron and 5 rear)

Its like playing legos, and trust me, this is Not hard/confusing, it just takes a lot of time. I mean, its as technical as installing your intake.

Just do it _/

 

what is the correct torque for those bolts? I am thinking about checking mine this weekend, just cause its buging me.

 

when i did dmy exhaust, the bolts were SO hard to get off. are there known correct tools that i can use?

 

air wrench preferably or a good breakover bar.

 

The hardest part might be taking off the O2 sensor. I used regular adjustable wrench but it was on pretty tight. Also it is very helpful to have a long ratchet or air tools to get the bolts off the exhausts.

Also it is easier to put everything back if you take off the Cat cover. It is secured by 4 little bolts.

Recommended steps.

1. remove the cat cover.
2. remove the bolts between downpipe/cat
3. remove the bolts between the old manifold/downpipe
4. remove the exhaust cross member
5. remove the down pipe. The cat can be pushed backward to release the studs
6. remove the front manifold from the engine.
7. remove the rear manifold. easiest access from the bottom
8. install is reverse, except for the cross member should be last and don't tighten everything down until all the pieces lined up.

Good luck

 

spray all bolts with penatrating oil...let sit for a few minutes. all muffler shops use this stuff, it works great and usually helps the bolts break away. yes, an air wrench will help also.

also, if you are really worried about the 02 sensors, get the special socket they make for it...helpes out a lot.

 

WTF!!!

duds, the bolts arent THAT TIGHT, fuk. Try it, and if you're not strong enough the use a pipe or watever as a lever arm extension. I'm 5'11 and weigh 155lbs and i got em off no prob.

BTW, follow TWEEDLE's and my DIY...its all you need to know

 

You can't compare your car to others. My bolts were not going to come off with any wrench or socket. I had to get a torque wrench and lube them suckas up and they came off no problem. If you want a challenge try and remove your crank pulley. That bolt is a mother fucker and is impossible to get off. How come it took you 7 hours??? I did mine with occasional help and it took me 3.

 

its not that they are tight. its nore that they have been rusting and been through alot of conditions that make em tight as hell.

 

^^ tru.

torque wrench is a last resort, i used a metal pipe (friend's lug wrench) as an extension and with some force it gets loose. Spray some WD-40 to help out.

Anyhows, the difficulty of this task is very easy if you can overcome this.

Tunaboy: it took 7hours cause i had friends helping and we'd fuk around more than work...we also took a lunch break, a pizza break later and a lot of Xbox breaks in between these...not to mention we put the hears on backwards (frontals in rear and rear in front so downpipe didnt go in correctly) and we took another long break...also we spent the last 2hours of actual work at nightime with 3small ass langters

 

if you have the right tools, you can do in 1.5-2 hrs