Headers Installed

[Knightmare65]

Man, it took some time, but have them installed. Took a couple of breaks, had to buy the extreme offset wrenches. They came in handy. Didn't do any real testing because we finished late and I just drove home from my friend's house. Did run into a problem; it seems when I start to excelerate, I get a grinding noise under the driver side floor board, it also happens when I turn to the right, but not to the left. After going at 3000 rpms or over 20 mph it seems to stop. My friend had some old TRV silicone that he used, I wonder if that is the problem. We had to use a 3 ton hydrollic jack to lift the car to jack stands. Since we finished late at night, maybe we missed something we couldn't see. We did check for leaks and it sounded and looked fine in park and idle. We did take the bolts holding the exhaust off in the back just to give us room, but it seemed everything lined up fine when reinstalling everything. I didn't reinstall the heat shields for the headers, but did for the starter. Any ideas right off hand?

[Knightmare65]

OK, had a good long drive today. The car has better take off and can climb hills better (faster). I also notice an improvement at higher speeds. Accelerating from 50 mph to 80 mph is a breeze now. The headers definitely improve on the accelerating which was the main reason for buying them. As for louder, I can't really notice a dramatic difference, the sound may have gotten a tad lower. My hearing sucks

[Challenger370]

What kind of gaskets came with the kit? Mine came with a thin mettle piece with a felt type of material on both sides. Is that normal?

[Knightmare65]

I ordered the gaskets, but didn't have to use them. Plus, I got the problem fixed. Just loosened the 4 flange bolts that connects the exhaust pipes to the headers. then starting from the right, tightened each one and that moved the exhaust to where it doesn't come in contact with the underneath of the car.

[Hemi31]

why didn't you have to use gaskets?

[Knightmare65]

why didn't you have to use gaskets?

The stock gaskets were still good. No wear on them at all.

[Hemi31]

Hope they don't leak.

[Magnum375 Jr]

Erik, I didnt get gaskets with mine.....and my stock's dont leak.

[DannyC]

I just read your mods list. You installed headers with the stock single exhaust and noticed an improvemnt in performance? wtf

I don't see how you're getting any better performace through the one eshaust pipe and stock muffler and resinator. You are not moving any more air.

[BaconFlavoredChunkies]

Seems strange -- but maybe the stock headers are a bigger source of air restriction than the stock exhaust?

Or maybe the difference in responsiveness is temporary -- simply due to a fuse pull/adaptive reset?

[DannyC]

Seems strange -- but maybe the stock headers are a bigger source of air restriction than the stock exhaust?

Not if you look at it. It's designed pretty well for a factory manifold.

And there is no way a set of headers will make the exhaust flow batter through the stock single exhaust than stock manifolds with duel exhaust.

Oh well as long as he's happy with it

[DaILLestWun]

Well he has a magnaflow single exhaust. So it's not truly stock but pretty close to it. But I'm sure he'd be better off with a true dual set-up. With the headers, he would definitely feel the difference.

[Knightmare65]

I have a performance exhaust system abiet single exhaust from Magnaflow. Many people swear by them, me included. There is NO performance boost or hp gain if I were to do dual exhaust, (2 cats, 1 muffler, 2 resonators, and 2 pipes out the back). Maybe there would be a so slight increase in hp if I were to go true duals, (a 2 muffler system). The stock system has been gone for almost a year, nothing left from it, especially the suitcase muffler. I do notice a difference in performance and sound since the install of the headers, best performance mod to this date. It may be that the CAI, headers, and performance exhaust are now working together well. They all have been upgraded. On the other hand, if there were ported heads and cams to be had, then I will change to true duals, my wife definitely won't like that idea.

[Knightmare65]

Here is a picture of the passenger side header.

[MooNDoGGie]

It all depends on where you want to go with the performance mods. I have lots of friends that went with the blastin' bob setup. Its cheaper and gives them a twin exit look and more agressive sound. Thats fine if thats all you are after.

I have the JBA headers dual Zoomers. I hope that when I get the Diablo tuner and tune this thing that I will be better off than those guys. The jury is still out. Maybe I've wasted my $$. ...Maybe they did. Who knows...we will see.

Bottom line is that some people are not overly concerned with optimum performance. Thats cool with me but I am. I honestly think I have the fasted 3.5L out of all my buds but I don't know for sure because I have never spent money on a dyno. Its all good. Its not a contest.