When installing headers, what else should you do?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
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From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
When installing headers, what else should you do?
I have a 2004 coupe, automatic with 24,000 miles. Current mods include: blackwing intake w/smooth coupler, ghl bullet catback. The car is a 3-season daily driver for a 10 mile roundtrip commute. Not many long distance runs beyond 40-60 mins max.
In the Spring I'm planning to purchase a set of XS Power headers with catted x-pipe. Thinking ahead to anything else I should budget for when installing the headers.
My thoughts were:
1. New spark plugs and wires
2. Heat wrap for starter
3. Tune
4. Ceramic coat for the headers.
5. Cool sox for plug wires...think that is what they are called.
So questions are...anything on my list I don't need to do, and what else am I missing that is either good to do for preventative maintainance, or best to do for installation convenience?
In the Spring I'm planning to purchase a set of XS Power headers with catted x-pipe. Thinking ahead to anything else I should budget for when installing the headers.
My thoughts were:
1. New spark plugs and wires
2. Heat wrap for starter
3. Tune
4. Ceramic coat for the headers.
5. Cool sox for plug wires...think that is what they are called.
So questions are...anything on my list I don't need to do, and what else am I missing that is either good to do for preventative maintainance, or best to do for installation convenience?
Last edited by imgn tht; Jan 18, 2016 at 10:18 PM.
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That would make a difference in the car and be easy to do with the exhaust already out.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
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From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
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From: Austin, Texas
Plugs and wires are a good idea. Cool socks and starter wrap are not necessary, especially if you have the headers coated, but can't hurt anything to do if you don't mind spending a little extra cash.
You'll be very happy with this mod and a tune...
These exact mods added right at 45 RWHP to my '02 MN6.
You'll be very happy with this mod and a tune...
These exact mods added right at 45 RWHP to my '02 MN6.
Last edited by roscoe118; Jan 19, 2016 at 10:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Plugs and wires are a good idea. Cool socks and starter wrap are not necessary, especially if you have the headers coated, but can't hurt anything to do if you don't mind spending a little extra cash.
You'll be very happy with this mod and a tune...
These exact mods added right at 45 RWHP to my '02 MN6.
You'll be very happy with this mod and a tune...
These exact mods added right at 45 RWHP to my '02 MN6.
Racer
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From: '97 Coupe & '07 Coupe in Allentown, PA
Melting Slicks
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From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
Consider aluminized sleeving for AC lines that run close to the headers. You can also use them to protect O2 wires. Check Design Engineering Velcro Aluminized Sleeving 36" Heat Shroud (DEI 010495) on Amazon.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
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From: Detroit MI
I bought these for the wires and they're fantastic. Far cheaper than I could find anywhere else, and they stood up fine to repeated track use.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-LS1-LS2-LS4-LS6-LS7-Spark-Plug-Wire-Boots-Black-8Cyl-Made-In-USA-/231391022160?hash=item35dffacc50
And it's very wise to have replacement wires on hand. No way you'll get the old ones off without destroying them, especially if they're original.
Finally, x2 on the motor mount suggestion. My XS Power headers rub, but its likely due to a collapsed motor mount that I just NOW realize is the problem. The best time to change the mounts is when you have the exhaust manifolds/headers off. Check closely for leaks and plan on swapping the mounts if need be.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-LS1-LS2-LS4-LS6-LS7-Spark-Plug-Wire-Boots-Black-8Cyl-Made-In-USA-/231391022160?hash=item35dffacc50
And it's very wise to have replacement wires on hand. No way you'll get the old ones off without destroying them, especially if they're original.
Finally, x2 on the motor mount suggestion. My XS Power headers rub, but its likely due to a collapsed motor mount that I just NOW realize is the problem. The best time to change the mounts is when you have the exhaust manifolds/headers off. Check closely for leaks and plan on swapping the mounts if need be.
