Ebay headers installed....pics inside. Long post.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Adamsville TN
Ebay headers installed....pics inside. "Updated pics"
I just installed my ebay (SS Auto Chrome) headers and x-pipe a few days ago and been driving around for bout 500 miles now. Just wanted to get some miles on them before I posted my opinions and pics.
First off, the install was not to bad, but now I was using a lift on the ground would have been tough. The fit and finish was fine by me. The only thing I would consider poor about them is the passenger header is a little off. It seems to turn up a little to much where you connect the your cats (or cat delete pipe in my case). As mentioned I did the cat delete pipes between my headers and x-pipe, if you were doing cats not sure how tough it would be to line passenger side header up with cat. Just using a straight pipe it was pretty easy to line everything up, then use regular exhaust clamp and tightnen the hell out of it. As far as getting a pipe to serve as a cat delete pipe I just went down to the muffler shop and got them to flare a couple of 30" long 2.5" pipes to fit just inside the headers then when its time to install just cut the pipes to proper length and bam $10 cat delete
.
Another thing that made my install a little easier I also did away with my air pump system. The headers do come with air pipe fittings that looked like a headache waiting to happen (course I'm no welder so I guess I am easily intimidated by that part).
One more thing is you will have to bend the AC line to clear the passenger header down tube. And its in a hella bad place to get a proper grip on it but after a little swearing and CAREFUL prybar work the header clears and my air still works
.
Oh and you will have to remove the passenger valve cover and lossen the starter to get the passenger header in from the top. The drivers just slid right in from the bottom.
So total invested in my LTs and X-pipe, $425 for headers and x, $10 for cat delete pipes, $50 for 4 band clamps and 2 regular exhaust clamps, $20 for feel-pro gasket set, and $5 tube of anti-sieze, for a grand total of $510 
. And I couldn't be happier with the sound and SOTP feel, and throttle response is just crazy. Like I said driven about 500 miles since install and everything is great so far. Oh by the way I also added a 85mm BBK intake and Throttle Body, 160d thermostat, NGK iridium plugs, 1200d Motoblue wires, and I go for my dyno next Tuesday . I am sure all these things at once really help the SOTP and throttle response more than just headers would have but I would have done this $500 install just for the kick *** sound comin out the arss of my baby now and any power would have just been a bonus 
.
As stated above there are some things that need attention in the SS Auto Chrome header install but I will bet all header installs take some tweeking for a correct fit but even if they dont I still saved at least 500 bucks and as the pics below show the final install is as good as any Ive seen. Anywho I hope I have helped others on the fence about purchasing Ebay headers and if I can help just let me know.
BTW I just got a new hdd camcorder and slr digital camera so below are some installed pics and I will get a video clip uploaded soon. Just been playin with the cameras so you'll probably see alot more pics comin from me in the near future
.
Below:Just a little goofin off picture.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Below: BBk intake and TB
Below: Driver Header
Below: Drivers header/steering shaft clearence
Below: Passenger Header
Below: Passenger header/AC line clearence
Below: Drivers Header Underside Clearence (I know my ground strap is hangin, I gotta lengthin it to reach the frame. It somehow got cut.
Below: Passenger Header Underside Clearence
Went and put her on the lift today to take some underside pics and show some close clearence areas on the passenger side.
First off, the install was not to bad, but now I was using a lift on the ground would have been tough. The fit and finish was fine by me. The only thing I would consider poor about them is the passenger header is a little off. It seems to turn up a little to much where you connect the your cats (or cat delete pipe in my case). As mentioned I did the cat delete pipes between my headers and x-pipe, if you were doing cats not sure how tough it would be to line passenger side header up with cat. Just using a straight pipe it was pretty easy to line everything up, then use regular exhaust clamp and tightnen the hell out of it. As far as getting a pipe to serve as a cat delete pipe I just went down to the muffler shop and got them to flare a couple of 30" long 2.5" pipes to fit just inside the headers then when its time to install just cut the pipes to proper length and bam $10 cat delete
.Another thing that made my install a little easier I also did away with my air pump system. The headers do come with air pipe fittings that looked like a headache waiting to happen (course I'm no welder so I guess I am easily intimidated by that part).
One more thing is you will have to bend the AC line to clear the passenger header down tube. And its in a hella bad place to get a proper grip on it but after a little swearing and CAREFUL prybar work the header clears and my air still works
.Oh and you will have to remove the passenger valve cover and lossen the starter to get the passenger header in from the top. The drivers just slid right in from the bottom.
So total invested in my LTs and X-pipe, $425 for headers and x, $10 for cat delete pipes, $50 for 4 band clamps and 2 regular exhaust clamps, $20 for feel-pro gasket set, and $5 tube of anti-sieze, for a grand total of $510
. And I couldn't be happier with the sound and SOTP feel, and throttle response is just crazy. Like I said driven about 500 miles since install and everything is great so far. Oh by the way I also added a 85mm BBK intake and Throttle Body, 160d thermostat, NGK iridium plugs, 1200d Motoblue wires, and I go for my dyno next Tuesday . I am sure all these things at once really help the SOTP and throttle response more than just headers would have but I would have done this $500 install just for the kick *** sound comin out the arss of my baby now and any power would have just been a bonus .As stated above there are some things that need attention in the SS Auto Chrome header install but I will bet all header installs take some tweeking for a correct fit but even if they dont I still saved at least 500 bucks and as the pics below show the final install is as good as any Ive seen. Anywho I hope I have helped others on the fence about purchasing Ebay headers and if I can help just let me know.
BTW I just got a new hdd camcorder and slr digital camera so below are some installed pics and I will get a video clip uploaded soon. Just been playin with the cameras so you'll probably see alot more pics comin from me in the near future
.Below:Just a little goofin off picture.
[IMG]
[/IMG]Below: BBk intake and TB
Below: Driver Header
Below: Drivers header/steering shaft clearence
Below: Passenger Header
Below: Passenger header/AC line clearence
Below: Drivers Header Underside Clearence (I know my ground strap is hangin, I gotta lengthin it to reach the frame. It somehow got cut.
Below: Passenger Header Underside Clearence
Went and put her on the lift today to take some underside pics and show some close clearence areas on the passenger side.
Last edited by bmw2nv2000; Feb 23, 2008 at 09:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Adamsville TN
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You could just spin em around about ninty degrees... That wouldn't compromise the Threads so you can remove em later on if need be.
Your engine bay looks awesome!
Your engine bay looks awesome!
