I started Friday tearing my car apart and installing the TPIS Headers. Easiest fitting headers I have ever installed on a car. Once you get the stock manifolds and exhaust out of the way. they slide right in from underneath. You use your factory bolts and all your brackets will mount up! You do have to grind on 1 bolt to get it to turn and clear the header. Then 2 of the black arm brackets on the drivers side need ground on for clearance against the tube. Not hard, a dremel and cutting wheel make quick work of it!

Oh, when removeing the stock manifold on the drivers side there is this huge bracket that bolts where the cat bolts on. It has a bolt way up in a tight place. I took a sawsall and just cut the bracket off since I'm not putting the stock cats on.

Air tubes go right in the headers. Tip, take the passanger side air tube off from the back of the intake! It will save you much time and frustration trying to get it back on!

The optispark was a whole differnt deal. Many of you have done them, I just can't believe that big bar in the frame is right in front of the balancer. It does come off though with some care.

I went ahead and put the meizere water pump in. No problem punching out the old unit, freeze plug went in nicely with a socket to tap it in with. Here is my problem.... The old seal they tell you to reuse! DON'T! Got everything back on and it was leaking. So I had to take the electric pump back out and I am waiting for tomorrow to get a new seal. You might be able to reuse if you have a 20,000 mile car but mine has right over 70K and it was pretty hard and kinda chewed up. Get a new seal and save yourself this hassel!

Other than that, I should have her finished this in a day or two, depends on when I can get it in the exhaust shop.

I am definatley suggesting the TPIS Longtubes! Well Worth the $$$!!!

 

Hey James,

thanks for the update and the install tips. Many moons ago my opti-crap went out and I began the process of replacing it. What a PITA! :smash: I had it all apart when I met Geoff Jeal and decided to leave it apart and begin the 383 saga. :D I'm curious as to the room you have underneath with these headers? How tight to the floor are the collectors? I ask because I'm going to have to retain the cats. I plan using RT bullet cats and then fab pipes to my Flowmaster resonator. Glad to hear things are going fairly well, don't forget those pics. :D

Oh one other thing; How close does the right header come to the starter? Would you recommend wrapping the starter with a heat shield?

thanks


[Modified by Jeff M, 12:55 PM 4/14/2002]

 

Wow, busy weekend.

 

where are you getting the waterpump seal?
I asked at a local autosupplier and they said "comes with the new pump"

Yeah, like that helps... :mad

 

I am not sure yet. I think it may have to come from the dealer! I will find out tomorrow! If I can get a part# I'll post it.