Just Ordered! 2.0L Headers

[Sleezer1533]

Just bought a set of 2.0L racing headers for my pro. Should ship out tomorrow, but prolly wont be installed till the first week of April. Ill post pics after the install.

 

[P-Funk!]

Sweet. Protega, huh?

Does it have gaskets (head and donut)?

Do you have a CEL fix identified?

Consider an underdrive pulley to help restore the low end loss from the header.

Do you have anti-seize for the bolt installation?

Do you have impact (air or electric) for removing the bolts?

Do you have PB Blaster to spray down and soak the bolts?

Do you have a O2 sensor socket to remove the O2 sensor?

Remember to check bolt torque after a hundred miles.

To install:
-Remove the first O2 sensor
-Remove the radiator (time for new coolant?) Disco the bat for safety.
-Remove the old manifold and clean the head. Scrap some carbon out.
-loosely connect (just a couple of threads) the EGR tube
-loosely connect the head bolts
-loosely connect the exhaust pipe (outlet)

Torque to spec the head bolts
Torque the exhaust pipe (do not over-torque!)
Torque the EGR tubing
Install O2 with anti sieze as well.

Clean the header REAL good. Real good. Any oily finger prints will 'burn' into the header in pretty colors. Forever. Clean real good. (There! I TOLD you THREE imes )

Fire it up and look/listen for leaks. Oil and crud burning off is normal.

Drive it and enjoy the new found POWAH!

Check bolt torques (all) once cool.

 

[The ManLaw]

i do believe i have that header or one just like it badged differently. thank you ebay. i am real happy with it. i havent had a single issue with mine at all. google a how to for a spark plug defouler trick for the O2 sensor thats going to be off. its pretty much universal. enjoy!

 

[Sleezer1533]

Thanks P-funk for the how to. Ive got all that except for an impact wrench, Usually just rely on a ratchet with a breaker bar on it . Also PB Blaster, is that like thread penetrator?
And YES I would like to install a lightweight underdrive pulley, but I dont think I can do that with my garage full of "weekend warrior" tools, and hate taking my car in to have someone else work on it (kinda paranoid). lol

One thing I am worries about is that it is a bargain header and Im worried about it not sitting flat against the head, I think you can just grind it down until it sits flat, any ideas?

 

[justanothermp5]

it'll sit flat, i bought a cheapo header and the only problem was the EGR was WAAAY off
but i eventually got it to fit, if your egr is a bit off, just cut the EGR pipe and have it welded shut so no exhaust comes out
thats how i have my turbo mani set up now

and you dont need an impact wrench, just buy some PB Blaster (yes its penetrating oil) and spray it on there the night before, the bolts will come off super easy

 

[Sleezer1533]

Thanks! Will my car still pass emissions tests if I close up the EGR?

 

[justanothermp5]

um...hard to tell, the EGR doesnt really have too much effect on emissions, the header itself might make you not pass though since your removing a cat.

 

[Sleezer1533]

I heard it will still pass as long as I use the nonfouler trick to stop the CEL

 

[justanothermp5]

if they hook it up to the computer then yea it'll pass still but if they actually do a sniffer test then it'll be a 50/50 chance you'll pass

i pass inspection around here easy, i just kno what shops to go to though lol

 

[Sleezer1533]

Haha yea I hear that

 

[slavrenz]

Thanks! Will my car still pass emissions tests if I close up the EGR?

The EGR valve reduces NOx, so if they do a sniffer test, there's a good chance you'll fail.

But here's a trick - when it rains, NOx in the air is reduced up to 30%, so go get your car tested on a rainy day.

 

[Sleezer1533]

Wow good tip lol. Hopefully the EGR will align and hopefully the one remaining cat will get me to pass. Cuz it seems like there are less and less places nowadays that dont do the sniffer test.

 

[The ManLaw]

oh with the UDP, its good to have an air gun to get the crank bolt off, if not, then do the "twitch the engine" trick. i can explain further if you'd like but there's a party with my name on it lol

 

[Sleezer1533]

Yea if you dont mind explaining that, im curious

 

[The ManLaw]

alrighty, well while the car is up in the air, put a wrench on the crank bolt and have it angled so the other end is on the ground. have someone CAREFULLY get in the car and turn the key just so the starter "pop's" the engine over ONCE. kill it automatically. with the wrench being propped on the ground, it will give enough force to losen the bolt up so you can turn it right off. make sure you figure out which way the engine turns so you place the wrench correctly that it'll tighten.

 

[Sleezer1533]

Ingenious lol

 

[The ManLaw]

yeah my buddy taught me it. did it with my car when we were doing my UDP. works wonders and you dont have to get someone else to install it. aka no mulah paid out lol

 

[Sleezer1533]

Yea I hear that, so much money can be saved when you can do things yourself rather than having to bring it to a shop......and BTW does it work the other way aka tightening after UDP is installed?

 

[The ManLaw]

you can tighten it up no problem by hand. the way the engine turns you wont have a problem about spinning the bolt out. might want to use locktite. up to you

 

[Sleezer1533]

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated!