For everyone running headers.....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
For everyone running headers.....
Mark your calendars, daytimers, PDA's, email systems to remind you to tighten the header bolts every few weeks! I let mine go for like 3 months and forgot all about tightening them.....
I was showing some punk in a new M3 that he cant pass me, when POOF! What annoying sound when those things let go!
I spent half of saturday replacing the passenger gasket, and tightening the drivers side headers. DONT FORGET LIKE I DID!!!! :smash: :smash:
Do they make copper header gaskets like the ones for the collectors?
I was showing some punk in a new M3 that he cant pass me, when POOF! What annoying sound when those things let go!
I spent half of saturday replacing the passenger gasket, and tightening the drivers side headers. DONT FORGET LIKE I DID!!!! :smash: :smash:
Do they make copper header gaskets like the ones for the collectors?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: For everyone running headers..... (GusBustamanteJr)
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: For everyone running headers..... (GusBustamanteJr)
They make copper collector gaskets but I've found that the dead soft aluminum ones actually work better down there. They crush a little bit and conform to any imperfections in the shape.
As for the header bolts themselves I found that if you put a little bit of ARP assembly lube on them it will let you get them a lot tighter without any effort. I just looked up my old post and figured out that it's been a full year since I put the heads on my car. I tightened the header bolts then and have not had a single one loosen the least little bit.
As for the header bolts themselves I found that if you put a little bit of ARP assembly lube on them it will let you get them a lot tighter without any effort. I just looked up my old post and figured out that it's been a full year since I put the heads on my car. I tightened the header bolts then and have not had a single one loosen the least little bit.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL, USA
Re: For everyone running headers..... (TIMSPEED)
It also helps to have Stage-8 Locking Header bolts :)
I have never heard about them, got any pics?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: For everyone running headers..... (TheStef)
If I get some long tube headers.. can I use the stock bolts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: For everyone running headers..... (Goody)
Using the copper header gaskets can be tricky. I tried them when I blew out one of mine and I could never get them to seal properly. Apparently the "correct" method to install these is to remove the exhaust from the headers, tighten the header bolts, and then bend the exhaust pipes as necessary such that no stress is being placed on the headers themselves, otherwise with the extra thickness of the copper gaskets, they will never seal totally. This probably would not have been a problem had I used the copper gaskets to begin with and had the exhaust built around these gaskets instead of the much thinner original gaskets.
After failing with the copper gaskets, I went with the FelPro header gaskets with LT1 ports (pn 1406) with some high temp copper RTV and I have been very happy.
After failing with the copper gaskets, I went with the FelPro header gaskets with LT1 ports (pn 1406) with some high temp copper RTV and I have been very happy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Re: For everyone running headers..... (ninetyfivevette)
I use stainless steel ARP fasteners with square wire lock washers. I tightend them down once, then rechecked after a couple heat cycles. They have been on there for over a year now and have not loosened up after this last check a few weeks ago.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: For everyone running headers..... (tjwong)
I use stainless steel ARP fasteners with square wire lock washers. I tightend them down once, then rechecked after a couple heat cycles. They have been on there for over a year now and have not loosened up after this last check a few weeks ago.
With Hooker Headers I never had any problems (with the lower cost ones I always had issues with them sealing correctly)
Voth
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Re: For everyone running headers..... (Vothweirdon)
For those of you with the L98 engines, did you keep the EGR system intact?
or did you remove it?
I pretty much know the proes and con's of keeping it or removing it... but I'm wonder if it would be a hard job to keep the system intact with the headers.
I'm wondering if there is a lot of welding involved.
or did you remove it?
I pretty much know the proes and con's of keeping it or removing it... but I'm wonder if it would be a hard job to keep the system intact with the headers.
I'm wondering if there is a lot of welding involved.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Re: For everyone running headers..... (GusBustamanteJr)
:iagree: With Timspeed - get the Stage-8 bolts - they won't come loose unless you take the retainer clip and wide washer that locks against the header off on purpose. The only way to go. :flag:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: For everyone running headers..... (TheStef)
For those of you with the L98 engines, did you keep the EGR system intact?
or did you remove it?
I pretty much know the proes and con's of keeping it or removing it... but I'm wonder if it would be a hard job to keep the system intact with the headers.
I'm wondering if there is a lot of welding involved.
I dumped mine long ago, no welding either. I make a plate to block off the location where EGR bolts to the manifold and removed all the associated hoses and wires. I had the EGR turned off in the PROM too so there are no SES lights to bother me.
Hope this helps.
Jake
or did you remove it?
I pretty much know the proes and con's of keeping it or removing it... but I'm wonder if it would be a hard job to keep the system intact with the headers.
I'm wondering if there is a lot of welding involved.
I dumped mine long ago, no welding either. I make a plate to block off the location where EGR bolts to the manifold and removed all the associated hoses and wires. I had the EGR turned off in the PROM too so there are no SES lights to bother me.
Hope this helps.
Jake
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: For everyone running headers..... (tjwong)
I'm running ARP stainless steel 1" 12point bolts. They look nice and seem good to me. Only problem is tightening them down. Hard to get them tight. I had to use an 8mm wrench with not much room, so very difficult. No way to get a torque wrench in there. Any recommendations on getting them really tight? What torque should headers be at anyway? :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: For everyone running headers..... (GlockLT4)
What torque should headers be at anyway? :confused:
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Good Old USA
Re: For everyone running headers..... (TIMSPEED)
It also helps to have Stage-8 Locking Header bolts :)
