How To: 2.0 Header Installation

[amsgator]

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=281_21_31_47&products_id=459

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-...003QQitemZ130127613999QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

or if you have the 1.6L

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=281_21_31_47&products_id=757

 

[Tzar177]

just installed my thunder header. hooked up the egr last and i had no probs getting it on

 

[TreFlip999]

I cant find an OBX header online to purchase new. I might buy the Vibrant header. What have you heard about them, if anything? Also what is this MIL/CEL? I want to be sure its done right. Thanks

protegegarage has them in stock now

 

[tprouty]

yea so... this "metal flexible ring" isent to flexible... and i could not get it off... where can I get one?I put the header on anyways.. and it sounds like a POS.

 

[amsgator]

yea so... this "metal flexible ring" isent to flexible... and i could not get it off... where can I get one?I put the header on anyways.. and it sounds like a POS.

what ring? the gasket? have to go to mazda. they are like 20 bux

 

[tprouty]

yea that gasket. will call them today

 

[amsgator]

you might be able to get them at an auto store, but i tried that and they odered the wrong part, so i went to mazda. they had to overnight mine, none in stock

 

[tprouty]

yup thats what I had to do... and I am still working on getting my second sensor out... ******* rusty POS.

 

[Thekid760]

Go to onlinemazdaparts.com:

BP4840581A MSRP-17.25 Website-13.80

for the donut gasket. I ordered mine from him and it came fast.

 

[03 Pro ES]

just installed my OBX header today and everything came out fine although my exhaust is shaking Alot... and i am having a rubbing issue where my header meets the midpipe, its rubbing my oil pan.. any suggestions.

 

[NCZ13]

subbing.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

just installed my OBX header today and everything came out fine although my exhaust is shaking Alot... and i am having a rubbing issue where my header meets the midpipe, its rubbing my oil pan.. any suggestions.

Flex fitting on the midpipe. Not cheap but well worth it. About 80.00 at most exh shops.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

So, I need a little advice/encouragement. My stock header is leaking like the Titanic, and now my car sounds like a tractor, so I need to install a new header pronto. I am pretty sure I have a line on the header (OBX or Tsudo), and I'm going to replace both gaskets and the spring bolts, but my greatest fear is stripping/snapping a header-to-block blot or stud. Previous installs have proven that I am capable of doing this like it's my job, and in its previous life my car spent winters in Michigan and Indiana.

I'm going to PB Blast all the bolts and get an impact wrench for the job, but is there anything else I should be considering? I've never used an impact before and don't want to screw this up, but I want to (and kind of financially need to) do this myself. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...

 

[StealthWyvern]

just installed my OBX header today and everything came out fine although my exhaust is shaking Alot... and i am having a rubbing issue where my header meets the midpipe, its rubbing my oil pan.. any suggestions.

replacing my shot stock mounts fixed this issue for me.

 

[TreFlip999]

So, I need a little advice/encouragement. My stock header is leaking like the Titanic, and now my car sounds like a tractor, so I need to install a new header pronto. I am pretty sure I have a line on the header (OBX or Tsudo), and I'm going to replace both gaskets and the spring bolts, but my greatest fear is stripping/snapping a header-to-block blot or stud. Previous installs have proven that I am capable of doing this like it's my job, and in its previous life my car spent winters in Michigan and Indiana.

I'm going to PB Blast all the bolts and get an impact wrench for the job, but is there anything else I should be considering? I've never used an impact before and don't want to screw this up, but I want to (and kind of financially need to) do this myself. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...

The only thing i wish i had done is buy the gasket that goes between the header and mid-pipe...The sit was melted on the to stock one and i had roll around without a gasket in there

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Pics aren't working...Ken, can you fix them? I'm planning on doing this in the next few days...

***EDIT*** One quick question...is one of the two nuts on either side of the spring bolts welded to the flange on the midpipe? I know that one of the nuts comes off, releasing the spring, but does the nut on the other end come off too?

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Sorry for the double post but I have a pic and need the bump...my question is, I know nut 2 comes off the stud, but is nut 1 welded to the midpipe flange or does it come off as well...as you can see, my nuts are rusty (haha) and I am planning to replace all the hardware (I have the springs and was going to get the rest at a hardware store when I do my header swap...any help would be greatly appreciated as I am doing this in just a few days...

 

[amsgator]

IIRC 1 stays on.

 

[StealthWyvern]

stays on

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Thanks for all the feedback...I did this yesterday and other than rusty bolts everything went smoothly except reconnecting the EGR...what a PITA! Between a torch and a prybar I finally got it to line up, and now she's purring like a kitten instead of growling like a lion with pneumonia. Nice pull above 4k rpms as well, and soooo much smoother than my previous leaky header!