Header Project
The following is a discription of the headers as they were sent to me. At first glance they were found to be of very high quality and made almost exact to the ATR header. Except there was no Bung on them to hold the O2 sensor.
After a fast trip to the hardware store to pick up a Castellated nut size 9/16X18 and stopping by a local exhaust shop that can weld Stainless and $15.00 later that trouble was over come. Now to the install.........After removing the Old set and cross over and No the turbo does NOT have to be removed.. I started on the passenger side and installed the header and gasket. The mounting hardware was purchased at the same hardware store 10 1 Inch grade 8 bolts and lock washers.this hardware will replace the factory. After installing the passenger side I proceeded to try to test fit the 3.5 inch terry Houston "NO GO" With this being a very expensive upgrade I grabbed the 3 inch Terry Houston I have and it installed no modifications at all. So I figured with a Very small adjustment to the 3.5 inch pipe it would have enough clearance to install. So I proceeded to install the drivers side header, it went on without a hitch. the factory hardware was used in the dipstick holder hole and the front bracket hole for the upper forward header hole for the alternator bracket. NO MODS WERE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE DRIVERS SIDE!!
After installing the header I slipped under to install the cross over. This to was a simple deal with the slip together joints and the flexible band clamps these attachment sections installed in minutes. now to the 3.5 inch downpipe, After making a small maybe 2 inch by 3 inch indentation for clearance only, in the side of the terry Houston it installed perfect. Slip fit. It would be nice not to have to dent in the Terry Houston but I honestly know it is only because it is the 3.5 the 3 inch Terry Houston will bolt directly in.
The finish was attaching up the Dump and snugging up the rest of the exhaust to the Dump. Install the Plugs and Wires and Star it up. I was very pleased to say that the Thermal couple for the Exhaust Temp gage will install without modifications around this header in the proper location just below the Turbo flange opposite of the O2 Sensor.
All in All This was as str8 forward of an install on headers that UI have ever done and if your are one of the lucky people who have cracked reworked or welded up nasty looking headers This is an exceptional set of Headers that almost anyone can afford and install in a few hours in their garage with a floor jack, jack stands and simple hand tools. the only specialty item that was needed was to take the header to the exhaust shop and have the O2 bung welded on in the hole I prepared with a drill and a grinding tool but if you have a drimmle it would also work, just drill a hold and grind it out to except the castellated nut and go have it welded by someone who can weld Stainless.
As for all the modifications that were being talked about I am not sure if these have had a revision to them since those were tested but my opinion is for a replacement set of headers these get a S&H Turbo Works Approval. (yes that is the side business I have to work on these cars.
Ebay winning bid $232.50
Shipping $ 35.00
O2 Bung $ 1.35
Welding $ 15.00
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Total Installed $283.85 Total install time from start to finish 4.5 hours.
If you have any questions after reading this or looking at the pics please feel free to contact me.
Scott Hetzel
405-740-3421
v6turboboy@yahoo.com