For those of you thinking about installing your own headers but are worried about seized bolts, your concerns are probably unwarranted....... Just make sure you use plenty of PB Blaster to spray the bolts and let them soak for 15 minutes. The bolts came right off and the entire process was easier that changing the tires..... While I was swapping headers I went ahead and installed the Fabspeed copper gasket set, so hopefully that keeps everything nice and sealed.....

I'm glad I got under there and did it on my own. It made me realize how easy these cars are to work on, as long as you have the proper tools. Keep in mind that I have minimal mechanical experience. This was well worth the effort. Now it's on to my next task: SUSPENSION

 

Sounds great. Which header did you install? Any noticable gains and any loss of power under 3000 rpm?

Thanks.

 

I bought a pair of the ceramic coated Suncoast headers. Apparently they were really popular and the dyno gains were proven. I drove it around for a bit but didn't "feel" any gains. I still need to install the mufflers, so maybe that's why hehe.

Other than that, the sound of the car changed a lot. It has a meaner, more refined sound, and the headers actually took out a lot of the raspiness from running a straight pipe (no muffler/no cat) exhaust. Once I get my Afterhours mufflers on I'll report back.......

 

Nice, let's see some pictures!!

 

When you say meaner.. do you mean a low rumble or louder? I'm thinking of doing exhaust too! waiting to hear what you think of the Afterhours muffler

 

Ok, just got back from an extended test drive. The sound of that the headers produced was a low rumble. If you have ever run, or heard a full bypass exhaust setup on these cars you know that the sound is very raspy and LOUD. The headers smoothed out the sound, and now that I have the test pipes on there, the bypass system sounds awesome! I honestly don't think I'm going to put the Afterhours exhaust on. Full bypass it is....... It has a wonderful high pitched sound above 3k rpm, and as long as I feather the gas from 2-3k rpm, I don't get that gurgle that is commonly associated with a full bypass system. This is PERFECT. Plus I'm setting my car up to be a track car, so this setup delivers the most power; and combined with the weight loss, it's a no brainer.

If anyone wants my Afterhours exhaust pm me for first dibs before I put it up for sale tonight.

 

I'm interested... how much

 

So your set up right now is headers, cat bypass, muffler bypass?

 

Yup. Actually, just headers and test pipes. I bought a set of Ebay muffler bypass pipes and the fitment is horrible. I'll probably just go to a muffler shop and have a custom set made, and see if they can make them resonated to reduce some of the sound. Other than that, I love this new setup and don't think it's too loud at all...... Only if I gun it

 

mine is totally stock right now... what do you guys reccomend.... I have VFE supercharger coming in.... should be here shortly.... would like to do all the mods at same time...

 

Nice I have the same set up. It's definitely loud. But I like it loud.

 

I just finished my VF-E install.

I did headers, 200-cell cats, and mufflers at the same time. As for other things I did for the install were -- spark plugs and coil packs, oil change, as many cooling pipes I could get at to change, which resulted in a coolant flush.

I also removed the throttle body and did a thorough cleaning of it.

Cheers
Aaron

EDIT: I also did install an AFR gauge and a boost/vacuum gauge... details in my 6speed post link in my signature

 

I am glad you had good luck removing your old exhaust manifolds without breaking any bolts. When removing mine, I snapped four bolts. We did my friends and didn't break any. I guess it could be hit or miss..

 

Hi purplxd
how long have you had your FI?

 

Yeah now I see what you were saying about the setup. In my initial test phase I was literally running straight out of the headers (no cats or test pipes), so the exhaust flow was messed up. It was loud, gurgled a lot, and was just a horrible setup. with the longer headers and the test pipes installed everything is perfect. For some reason it's not that loud. If oyurs still rumbles like crazy then try resetting the battery. After I did that on mine I wear it go a little quieter.....