Thread: How to install headers: The easy method

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  1. #1 How to install headers: The easy method 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Tools:
    Jack
    Piece of wood that spans the hump in the rear of the subframe. Say a 4x4 about 2 foot long
    jack stands (2)
    1" extension
    3" extension
    18-24" extension (for downpipe bolts)
    15mm wrench (pivothead ratcheting preferred)
    15mm socket (Deep SnapOn ball pivot preferred)
    13mm socket (Deep SnapOn ball pivot preferred)
    10mm deep socket
    5.5mm socket
    18mm socket
    Ratchets 1/4", 3/8" at minimum (pivot head locking with long handle preferred)
    Plug socket
    O2 socket
    Rubber mallet

    Procedure:
    Remove plug wires from plugs and leave them on the coils, laying on the motor.
    Remove plugs (pulling dogbones and using passengerside to move/hold motor is easiest)
    Remove driverside crossbrace and intake (3 x 13mm)
    Remove crossover to front manifold bolts. Loosening equally is your best chance to get them off w/o snapping. (2 x 13mm)
    Remove crossover to rear manifold. Loosening equally is your best chance to get them off w/o snapping. (4 x 13mm, 2 nuts, 2 bolts)
    Remove nut holding oil dipstick to front head (1 x 13mm) Wiggle/pull to Remove dipstick. (Pulling actual stick out keeps top piece from breaking)
    Remove nuts holding heat shield over front exhaust manifold (2 x 13mm)
    Remove engine lift bracket (2 x 13mm)
    Remove nuts/bolts holding front manifold to head (6 x 13mm)
    Remove the two end studs from the front head (2 x 5.5mm) Gasket should come off at this point.
    Jack and support car at the drip edges. (These are the thicker area of metal in front of the door that the owners manual tells you to use as jacking points.)
    Go under car and remove the bolts from downpipe to catback (2 x 15mm)
    Remove rubber donuts holding rear of downpipe (large screwdriver)
    Unhook O2 connector to rear sensor.
    Remove two studs/nuts holding the downpipe to rear manifold (2 x 13mm, possibly 15mm on some 97's) Downpipe should now be out of the way.
    Unbolt EGR to rear manifold (1 x 10mm, newer years it's a 13mm)
    Remove O2 sensor from rear manifold (7/8" O2 socket)
    Remove nuts holding engine cover bracket to rear exhaust studs (2 x 13mm)
    Remove rear engine lift bracket (2 x 13mm)
    Remove rear exhaust manifold bolts/nuts (6 x 13mm) Note: one is next to the bolt from the EGR. Tough to see.
    Remove studs from head (2 x 5.5mm)
    Position jack with 4x4 under the rear of the subframe, in a manner that it paralells the radiator and will support both sides of the subframe. Remove the two rear subframe bolts (2 x 18mm)
    Lower the rear of the subframe 3 inches.
    Wiggle rear exhaust out through the bottom.
    Wipe down rear exhaust gasket and have prepared.
    Wiggle new rear header into place, put exhaust gasket in place and use studs to start the ends and hold the manifold with nuts started on the bolts. Do not tighten
    Raise subframe and reinstall bolts (2 x 18mm)
    From above tighten the studs back into head (2 x 5.5mm)
    Begin tightening nuts and start all other bolts. As you start these bolts watch the EGR tube and line it up in the hole on the rear header.
    Bolt the EGR tube to rear header (1 x 10mm or 13mm)
    Tighten the rear header to the rear head
    Put rear crossover clamp on and position in a way to make it easy to tighten the clamp.
    Put crossover in place
    Put front crossover clamp on and position in a way to make it easy to tighten the clamp.
    Start front header into the crossover, position gasket and get one or both of the studs into head started and put nuts on them to hold them.
    Tighten the studs into head (2 x 5.5mm)
    Start to tighten the nuts on those studs and lightly tap the crossover with a rubber mallet to facilitate/vibrate it over the front header.
    Get the remainder of the front bolts started.
    Tighten the front bolts slowly while continually tapping the crossover with rubber mallet. (6 x 13mm)
    Once they are all tightned down the crossover/front header should be all set.
    Tighten the front and rear crossover clamps.
    Reinstall spark plugs and wires being careful not to have a plug wire touching the headers.
    Reinstall intake
    Reinstall crossbrace over intake
    Connect O2 extension harness and route so it will not touch headers or plug wires.
    Go underneath and clean catback exhaust flange surface for the new gasket.
    Put racepipe or catted pipe in place on the downpips and clamp.
    Slide new catback gasket in place and bolt together (2 x 15mm)
    Put O2's in place and connect them.
    Lower car to ground and fire it up.
    Last edited by BillBoost37; 03-22-2011 at 10:12 AM.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  2. #2 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Donating Users Ibwrong's Avatar
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    Great write up! Wish I had this many years ago when I did my first install lol.
    2000 GTP - Project
    2000 Mustang GT
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  3. #3 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Trust me.. I put in a set of SLP's through the top on a W body once. That was enough for me to look into better methods.

    Instructions used to be..
    Get 3 cases of beer, 50 gallons of vasoline, couple of ratchet straps and a crapload of time on your hands.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  4. #4 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    GTP Level Member tms8582's Avatar
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    Thanks for the detailed instructions!!! My son and I are planning on cold air intake and down tube this summer but not sure about headers. Do they add much performance on a stock motor? My neighbor has a 97 GTP with intercooler, cam, chip, small pully on SC big pully on motor, built tranny etc. and claims that headers really dont do that much performance wise until you get into some major mods like he did. He claims a stock motor will benefit greatly with intake and an aftermarket down pipe and headers are not worth it until you get into some major sh*t. I don't think we will get into faster pullys or an intercooler becuase then the trans will have to be beefed up. Just want the motor the breath better, gain a few horses and maybe get some better mileage. Thoughts on headers or not?

    Thanks
    Stage 1 Comp Cam / 105 Springs / Yella Terra 1.7's / SLP Headers / Ported heads / 255 Walbro fuel pump / Siemans 60# Injectors / 2.8 Pulley / 180 stat, 104 AL's / Intense e85 tune / 3" ZZP exhaust / GXP seats / KYB Coilovers /
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  5. #5 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    SD headers will do about the same as a plog and downpipe.

    SD headers are $200ish

    Plog (no longer on ZZP site?) were ~$200
    Downpipe was at least another $90

    Maybe they don't add much, headers don't take anything away either. Sure you may lose a little low end, you'll still be able to beat the trans and smoke tires from a stop. I say..what are you losing, spinning is spinning and that's not winning.

    A downpipe only helps a bit with the u bend restriction. Ask your neighbor about the front manifold restriction. IMO it's the biggest restriction on the motor, exhaust wise.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  6. #6 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    They call me TriPod RamairGTP2's Avatar
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    Nice write up. When I replace the exhaust on my car I'll probably do the PLOG etc.
    Quote Originally Posted by bluegtp91 View Post
    Snorlax strikes again.
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  7. #7 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    GrandPrix Junkie SDGTP99's Avatar
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    My PaceSh!tters went in through top twice. Easy peasy ^_^
    OverKilled, HAI, Ported Throttle body, Ported intake, ZZP DP, Magnaflow, BMR ta's, GMPP STB's, CCS springs, tinted tailights, roof rails, TEP cool'r, G8 hood. Glass Gearbox.
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  8. #8 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
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    Forgot to reconnect crossbrace and intake.
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  9. #9 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlowNA06 View Post
    Forgot to reconnect crossbrace and intake.
    spare parts

    Thanks.. updating.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  10. #10 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Mullet Member Wotgtp's Avatar
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    Way to go bill. Not a bad considering you've done headers only once.
    - Ed - 2000 Grand Poverty Daytona edition. Rough idle. Funny whistle. Steering issues at WOT. 3.8 SC pulley.
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  11. #11 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Ed kinda kept being impressed at how I knew what size sockets and how to position things/myself to best get it done. So of course I mimicked my mechanic buddy and said "it's my first time"
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  12. #12 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    GPFs Sexy Ginger. SilvaMan61's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    "it's my first time"
    that's what she said




    she lied
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  13. #13 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    The mod from over yonder TheOtherNick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SilvaMan61 View Post
    that's what she said




    she lied
    and now you have the clap.
    01 gtp-big cam e85 dd 78dodge- guzzling fuel 05 cummins- rollin coal
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  14. #14 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    GPFs Sexy Ginger. SilvaMan61's Avatar
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    SMGPFC Member #9
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  15. #15 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Poppin 'em thangs mechguy's Avatar
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    Thanks for the writeup, billboost.

    My main trouble was stripping a crappy catback nut, and slipping the crossover together at the front. I ended up having the crossover expanded slightly at local muffler shop. No way was it going to fit otherwise.
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  16. #16 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    KSteelwheelzJ klj5022's Avatar
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    wat about RTV or spraying the connections?
    I just wish the police loved my car as much as i do 3.5,160 Stat,HAI,ZZP F/R STB, SSAC Headers, Reptile PCM
    :
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  17. #17 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    I don't have leaks the way it's written up. I've only ever rtv'd one header install and that was because it was TOGs and the donuts were being reused. A mistake I'll never do on an install again.

    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
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  18. #18 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    KSteelwheelzJ klj5022's Avatar
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    Is it worth getting the band clamps or should i just use the U's that came with it?
    I just wish the police loved my car as much as i do 3.5,160 Stat,HAI,ZZP F/R STB, SSAC Headers, Reptile PCM
    :
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  19. #19 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    GTX Level Member
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    This thread could only be better with pics.
    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT : Stock and slow and SOLD.
    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Special Edition
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  20. #20 Re: How to install headers: The easy method 
    KSteelwheelzJ klj5022's Avatar
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    should be sticky'd
    I just wish the police loved my car as much as i do 3.5,160 Stat,HAI,ZZP F/R STB, SSAC Headers, Reptile PCM
    :
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