about to install headers
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TECH Apprentice
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 333
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
about to install headers i should finally have my jethot headers and ory sometime this week and im gonna install this weekend. im just wondering if their is any tips that i should do that may save me some trouble. like should i use the bolts and gaskets they send or a different brand, what should i soak the bolts in the night before, etc. thanks ahead for the advice.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: San Jose,Ca
i also want to no some tips guys. my friend and i r doing the same set up with his 25th bird. also does he need o2 extensions or could we stretch them out.aslo is it really hard install ive heard its harder than the ls1
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Houston
If you are taking off the stock exhaust manifolds, tap the bolts a few times with a light hammer to break some of the rust and what-not off of them. Also, Stage8 locking bolts have an Allen wrench insertion point on the end of the header bolts that will save MAJOR time if you get them. Sometimes the normal wrenches dont want to fit on the bolts because they are so close to the primaries or because the bend in the pipes dont allow you to get anything but an allen wrench on it. I dont even use the washers, I just buy the bolts beacuse they make the install that much easier. They cut my ASM header install by 2 hours. Make sure you have plenty of zipties for the plug wires. Also, my bolts(header and exhaust) required constant tightening at first then I started putting RTV silicon sealant on the bolts and now they never need re-tightening. Last thing, bring bandaids for the nuckles 
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: MI
You will need extensions for your o2 sensors. Alot of places sell them, or you can make them yourself if you have a source for the connector and wire. As for the hardware and gaskets, I'd recommend stainless bolts and a non copper gasket. I've been through about every gasket made for our cars and by far the worst was Mr. Gasket's Ultra Copper (leaked like hell). Gangly is right about the bolts backing out, so I just went to the hardware store and picked up some lock washers, and they work great. I ended up going with the stage eights as well, not really because they are locking (PITA to set up), but the heads are small on them, I think 11mm. I never had much luck using the allen head portion, especially on the back ones. Instead I visited the Mac man and picked up a special wrench. I cant remember what they are called (maybe distributor) but it's an open end wrench on both ends where one of the ends opens at a 90 degree angle. Works like a charm for install on these headers and well worth the price. Other pointers include, get the car up as high as you can on jack stands, pull you spark plugs (so you don't break them), make sure the o2 wires are routed away from the exhaust, and i think the passenger side goes in easier from the top and drivers from the bottom (cant remember but don't force them they will go in). That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helps.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Houston
Agreed...ALL Copper gaskets SUCK. The best gasket I've found is the regular style Mr. Gasket Ultra Seal though. Havent had a single blow out by them yet while fel-pro's blew like crazy on my setup for some reason.
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get ARP 12point header bolts
they have smaller heads, so you can actually use sockets
also wrap the headers in either plastic shopping bags or trash bags, when squeezing them into place to keep the finish from getting all nicked up
they have smaller heads, so you can actually use sockets
also wrap the headers in either plastic shopping bags or trash bags, when squeezing them into place to keep the finish from getting all nicked up
yeah someone mentioned it here I think, but the passenger side if you pull the engine mount bolt and lift that side about an inch it will slide in ..almost vertical but it slides in. Driver side is not near as bad. It's a good 5-7 hour job in a driveway with your car lifted a good 3 feet in the sky. Be safe use plenty of jackstands, spare tires, old log or two (if your a country boy) or something to keep it safe. If you have access to a lift it makes life much easier.