All,

I just got a set of used TPI headers, the Header Y pipe and a Random Tech. High flow cat. After looking at the daunting installation, I dont know if I can install these things myself and a local shop wants 400.00 to install the headers. Im just condidering installing a new Front Y (no cats) and gutting the cat. Would this release enough back pressure to come close to the headers..


Any help would be wonderful, and anyone that lives in MD/PA/DE that can help install them for only a few $$, please let me know.

Thanks

George..

 

Hey if you get a good price on the head pipes without the cats would you let me know? Please , Jeffie. ;)

 

If it's a L98 I know what you saw. I'm still trying to get my right side stock manifold off. What a PITA without jack stands.

Have you considered Denny at Mufflex in Trenton, NJ? If not he's reasonable, does great work and is quick.

 

that right side is a royal pain... if you can get the right side up high enough,( Ihad stands) pull the front Y, and drop the manifold from the bottom...

 

I was lucky to get to do my work on a new motor :D but none the less... it doesnt seem like it would be too difficult... Definately get the car in the air (NO WAY WILL IT BE DONE FROM THE TOP!!!!) But I installed mine with the motor in the car, pulling them up from the bottom, no real problems except the starter liked to get in the way. It did take some prying and pulling to get them up. Drivers side is super easy once the manifolds are off that is, which could present real PITAs I dunno, I say if it looks like to much for you pay whatever its worth to ya and say yourself the major headaches....
Paul

 

Thanks but I'm gonna have to jack it up and rest the front tire on the spare wheel to get enough space and safety to go under as is.

The AIR down tube clamp and the oil dip stick are the issues right now; think I can get the three Y clamp bolts like on the other side and all the flange bolts are out except the oil dip stick one.

And all this just to clean up the stock manifolds.:rolleyes: But there was quite a bit of weldment inside and those dimples in the end tubes too.

I think, after this exercise, if I had jack stands I wouldn't hesitate to do a set of headers.

 

I have had my car jacked up many times. You must have jack stands. But also if I am under it a lot, I don't like jack stands too much, don't trust them completely. Buy 2 sets of the drive up ramps. Jack the car up with a floor jack and put the ramps under the tires and let the car set on the two sets of ramps both sides front and rear, and they allow for pretty good work room under the car. A lift would be better, but I have to rebuild my garage to have enough room to install a lift, so this works for me for now


[Modified by HWoods, 9:33 PM 10/4/2001]

 

Yes mine were almost that much to install. Mechanic had a lift, and definitely went in from bottom on right side. make sure bolts go through the holes before install. May have to drill out as well as bang dimples near where bolts go in. And I believe the answer is "no way", that just puching out cat is like headers for flow. You can always come down to Bowie and look at mine. I just passed the rolling emissions test at Annapolis (the capital emission station), with Flying Colors. He used mirror and saw only the Main Cat. Didn't ask where the two smaller precats went. Didnt say how loud car was on the rolling thread mill either. Suprised me Greatly.!!! I got the old precat system in the garage if you would like to buy it and gut it out. And save your original one, Just incase. Now that I have passed. I was keepin mine, cause I was afraid, I was gonna have to pay to have it put back on.

 

I've got mine torn apart right now doing the header instal. While I had the wheel wells out and other assorted parts remove to do the job I figured "why not replace the wires and plugs at the same time"? OK and while I'm at it I'll replace the cats with straight pipes made from an old set of cats. I've got it up on jack stands and am using a big floor jack as a safety. The rear is on some custom oversize ramps so I'm not worried about that. Things went well as far as removing parts: inner wheel wells, alternator, A/C compressor, front wheels, manifolds, cat pipes, etc. Passenger side wires and plugs went in like a champ. Only problem is the high dollar wire looms (really cool parts manufactured by Made For You) would not work with the stock length wires (Taylor). Had to re-use the stock looms. Looks OK. Plugs went in both sides without a hitch(thanks to removing the inner wheel wells). Now we get to the left side wires. First of all I think they built my motor around the left side wires. All four pass thru a hole between the power steering pump and the alt. brkt. casting. Had to use pliers to pull the old wires out it was so tight. Used my Dremmel and Die grinder and enlarged the hole so the new wires will fit thru. So far so good, until I try to install the top wire on the opti. Been trying off and on for a week now with no luck. When I get pi**ed enough I walk away or work on something else. A friend with small hands is coming to help Saturday.(got my fingers crossed) Started to assemble the pipes today. Right side cat pipe was to short. Took it back to the shop and had it lengthened. Now too long. OK I'l hook up the left side and just dump the right side out the side for the trip to the muffler shop. Left side too short. So it looks like I'll be running both pipes out the side for the trip. tried to find a plug for the O2 sensor in the left side exhaust pipe. (metric!) had to get a fitting from a Hydraulic shop. $10, but what the heck, I don't want to waste a $50 sensor for a plug. Guess what... the rocket scientist that installed the Flowmaster cat-back couldn't find the right size nut to weld in for the O2 bung so he got close and welded the da*n thing in. I walked away and have been shaking hands with a succession of long necked Buds since then.(otherwise I wouldn't be wasting my time griping about it) Simple bolt on job, shouldn't take more than a couple of days. Yeah, right. Right now $400 sounds like a pretty good deal. Oh well, got to get another Bud. Maybe things will get better tomorrow day. :cheers:

 

Forgot one thing. Does anyone know the order of the wires for the left side? I wrote them down and now cannot find the piece of paper I used. I need the order top to bottom on the opti-spark for an LT4. Please. This has gone on too long. I'm starting to enjoy driving my pickem-up truck. :crazy:


[Modified by vetsvette, 12:39 AM 10/5/2001]

 

Theres nothing wrong with jackstands if you put them in the right place. I have had all of the cars I have owned on 1 to four of them at a time. The hydraulic floor jack is the one to worry about. It can leak and fail without warning. Just be sure to get out from under the car if an earthquake starts if you have them.