Self Header Install

[Craig99SE2]

Has anyone on this board installed their own headers? There is no way in hell I am paying someone $500+ to do a day's worth of wrenching!!!

If anyone has installed their own, please provide any insight you can. Everything looks straightforward except the rear header install. Does the front crossmember have to come out to install it?

[iceman]

Viper, AaronGTR partook iirc... me soon if the headers show up before i sell the car

[Rba007]

And they had a hell of a time with it too! My 2.4 Header install took 45 minutes. bwahahahhahaa:D

[mfuller]

Way to rub it in, Dave. You suck. :)

[bszopi]

I know I was gonna take a weekend and just pull the engine to make the install a little easier. You can get the engine out in about 3-4 hrs and back in in 2-3hrs. With the engine out, bolting up the headers would take maybe 15-30 minutes. And you wouldn't have to worry about trying to reach in cramped spaces trying to reach bolts, etc... You wouldn't even have to fully pull the engine, but lift it out just enough to access the rear manifold bolts.

Some may say that its more work than its worth to pull the engine, but I'd say it'll actually make it easier in the end. And you'd be able to make sure that all the bolts are tight.

[Knappy1]

I installed mine. Everything really is straightforward. All you have to remove is the TB, CAI, coilpacks, alt, and the stud that holds the alt. Other than that, it's plug and play...sort of. It shouldn't take more than 4-6 hours...depending on how much of a hurry you are in. You don't need to mess with any engine mounts or cross members. Just unbolt the mani's and put the headers in. One word of caution...make sure you use some zip ties to move the starter wires out of the way before you melt them. If you have any questions on install, shoot me a PM.
Rob

[Knappy1]

Brad, there is a lot more room in the new N-bodies to get to the rear mani than there is in the beretta or previous gen N-bodies. I was amazed at how easy it was to get to the rear of the engine. Even trying to change the plugs on my 96 is a pain in the arse, but header install was a breeze in the 02.
Rob

[PontiacGT2K]

Good to know....I'm jumpin on this in like a week.

[Craig99SE2]

Originally posted by Knappy1
You don't need to mess with any engine mounts or cross members.

Man am I glad to hear this! Sweet ... should be straightforward then!

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by Craig99SE2
Man am I glad to hear this! Sweet ... should be straightforward then! Good call! I was freakin out....a friend of mine and I were gonna tackle it, but after some guys' horror stories of 12 hour installs by mechanics I was like "uh....****".

The guy that's helping me install these isn't the most mechanically savvy, but he's dern good. He tore his motor down to block, did a manual swap, headers, full exhaust, suspension, and a bunch of other things to his '96 z28. Now I know I know, f-bodies are easier than n-bodies....but I think it'll be a smooth install.

[Knappy1]

Craig, did you get TOG or S&S. I installed the S&S, so I don't know how the install is on TOG...just don't want someone to get into this and have it be a real biatch after I told them that it was easy.
Rob

[5-lO]

Originally posted by iceman
Viper, AaronGTR partook iirc... me soon if the headers show up before i sell the car


Why is everyone selling there GAs :(

[Craig99SE2]

Originally posted by Knappy1
Craig, did you get TOG or S&S. I installed the S&S, so I don't know how the install is on TOG...just don't want someone to get into this and have it be a real biatch after I told them that it was easy.
Rob

S&S