XS power Header install...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
XS power Header install...
Finally got around to installing yesterday. Was able to install at my friends shop using their 4 post lift and tools. Much more time was spent removing the old exhaust than putting in the new. Not sure it would be something I would want to do in my driveway, but I'm pretty spoiled. Old pipes came out...breaking most of the studs on the stock manifolds. Also found out that the previous owner must have had headers at one time. One of the header bolts was previously broke and we spent a lot of time trying to get it out with an easyout.
Had to remove the alternator and coil packs on the driverside to get the old manifold out. Passenger side came out no problem. New headers went in from the bottom on the driverside, just a little twisting here and there. Passenger side we went in from the top, and needed to jack the motor slightly to clear some of the AC lines. Nothing bad at all for a header install. O2 sensors cleared just fine. I would suggest putting the in after the header is in place but not bolted up so you can turn it easily. A few zipties here and there to keep wires out of the way. Also put the xpipe in place before tightening the headers as well or you will have to use a pry bar to put it in place...not a fault of the header...just with the ball and socket design and the pipe being at an angle.
Can't say any issue that wouldn't be expected with a header install. I did replace the gaskets that came with the system with copper ones, and bought a set of lap joint band style clamps rather than the supplied ones. Also got a set of stage 8 header bolts. Only part that wasn't supplied and was needed was the bolts to got from the x to the catback, due to this system not having threaded pipes. Also if you aren't running a wideband yet, they didn't have a plug for the extra O2 sensor. Everything lined up great looks almost perfectly level under the car...tucks up nicely. Like all new exhaust I have put on....VERY smelly when first started, but I'm sure that will go away. Also had a bit of a exhaust leak tick sound, but it cleared up in about 60 seconds. Might have to do with the new copper gaskets sealing.
Driving the car it does seem to have a noticeable increase in power, even untuned. I put in my wideband sensor, but I haven't run the wire to it yet...a little indecisive on where I want to mount my FJO stuff, and where I want to come through into the cabin. Sounds really good as well. Not too much louder at idle, but increases as the pedal goes down. Didn't pay attention to the "getting rid of the motorboat sound" that the x-pipe is suppose to help remove. I think it helped, but I forgot to try and pay attention to that. It does seem to still have a bit of a pop at decel, but I think a tune might help with that as well. In all honesty I kind of like that sound anyways.
Huge thumbs up on this system, and Jon (Superman09) for helping to put this all together for us.
Had to remove the alternator and coil packs on the driverside to get the old manifold out. Passenger side came out no problem. New headers went in from the bottom on the driverside, just a little twisting here and there. Passenger side we went in from the top, and needed to jack the motor slightly to clear some of the AC lines. Nothing bad at all for a header install. O2 sensors cleared just fine. I would suggest putting the in after the header is in place but not bolted up so you can turn it easily. A few zipties here and there to keep wires out of the way. Also put the xpipe in place before tightening the headers as well or you will have to use a pry bar to put it in place...not a fault of the header...just with the ball and socket design and the pipe being at an angle.
Can't say any issue that wouldn't be expected with a header install. I did replace the gaskets that came with the system with copper ones, and bought a set of lap joint band style clamps rather than the supplied ones. Also got a set of stage 8 header bolts. Only part that wasn't supplied and was needed was the bolts to got from the x to the catback, due to this system not having threaded pipes. Also if you aren't running a wideband yet, they didn't have a plug for the extra O2 sensor. Everything lined up great looks almost perfectly level under the car...tucks up nicely. Like all new exhaust I have put on....VERY smelly when first started, but I'm sure that will go away. Also had a bit of a exhaust leak tick sound, but it cleared up in about 60 seconds. Might have to do with the new copper gaskets sealing.
Driving the car it does seem to have a noticeable increase in power, even untuned. I put in my wideband sensor, but I haven't run the wire to it yet...a little indecisive on where I want to mount my FJO stuff, and where I want to come through into the cabin. Sounds really good as well. Not too much louder at idle, but increases as the pedal goes down. Didn't pay attention to the "getting rid of the motorboat sound" that the x-pipe is suppose to help remove. I think it helped, but I forgot to try and pay attention to that. It does seem to still have a bit of a pop at decel, but I think a tune might help with that as well. In all honesty I kind of like that sound anyways.
Huge thumbs up on this system, and Jon (Superman09) for helping to put this all together for us.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 165
Likes: 7
From: Newmarket
Finally got around to installing yesterday. Was able to install at my friends shop using their 4 post lift and tools. Much more time was spent removing the old exhaust than putting in the new. Not sure it would be something I would want to do in my driveway, but I'm pretty spoiled. Old pipes came out...breaking most of the studs on the stock manifolds. Also found out that the previous owner must have had headers at one time. One of the header bolts was previously broke and we spent a lot of time trying to get it out with an easyout.
Had to remove the alternator and coil packs on the driverside to get the old manifold out. Passenger side came out no problem. New headers went in from the bottom on the driverside, just a little twisting here and there. Passenger side we went in from the top, and needed to jack the motor slightly to clear some of the AC lines. Nothing bad at all for a header install. O2 sensors cleared just fine. I would suggest putting the in after the header is in place but not bolted up so you can turn it easily. A few zipties here and there to keep wires out of the way. Also put the xpipe in place before tightening the headers as well or you will have to use a pry bar to put it in place...not a fault of the header...just with the ball and socket design and the pipe being at an angle.
Can't say any issue that wouldn't be expected with a header install. I did replace the gaskets that came with the system with copper ones, and bought a set of lap joint band style clamps rather than the supplied ones. Also got a set of stage 8 header bolts. Only part that wasn't supplied and was needed was the bolts to got from the x to the catback, due to this system not having threaded pipes. Also if you aren't running a wideband yet, they didn't have a plug for the extra O2 sensor. Everything lined up great looks almost perfectly level under the car...tucks up nicely. Like all new exhaust I have put on....VERY smelly when first started, but I'm sure that will go away. Also had a bit of a exhaust leak tick sound, but it cleared up in about 60 seconds. Might have to do with the new copper gaskets sealing.
Driving the car it does seem to have a noticeable increase in power, even untuned. I put in my wideband sensor, but I haven't run the wire to it yet...a little indecisive on where I want to mount my FJO stuff, and where I want to come through into the cabin. Sounds really good as well. Not too much louder at idle, but increases as the pedal goes down. Didn't pay attention to the "getting rid of the motorboat sound" that the x-pipe is suppose to help remove. I think it helped, but I forgot to try and pay attention to that. It does seem to still have a bit of a pop at decel, but I think a tune might help with that as well. In all honesty I kind of like that sound anyways.
Huge thumbs up on this system, and Jon (Superman09) for helping to put this all together for us.
Had to remove the alternator and coil packs on the driverside to get the old manifold out. Passenger side came out no problem. New headers went in from the bottom on the driverside, just a little twisting here and there. Passenger side we went in from the top, and needed to jack the motor slightly to clear some of the AC lines. Nothing bad at all for a header install. O2 sensors cleared just fine. I would suggest putting the in after the header is in place but not bolted up so you can turn it easily. A few zipties here and there to keep wires out of the way. Also put the xpipe in place before tightening the headers as well or you will have to use a pry bar to put it in place...not a fault of the header...just with the ball and socket design and the pipe being at an angle.
Can't say any issue that wouldn't be expected with a header install. I did replace the gaskets that came with the system with copper ones, and bought a set of lap joint band style clamps rather than the supplied ones. Also got a set of stage 8 header bolts. Only part that wasn't supplied and was needed was the bolts to got from the x to the catback, due to this system not having threaded pipes. Also if you aren't running a wideband yet, they didn't have a plug for the extra O2 sensor. Everything lined up great looks almost perfectly level under the car...tucks up nicely. Like all new exhaust I have put on....VERY smelly when first started, but I'm sure that will go away. Also had a bit of a exhaust leak tick sound, but it cleared up in about 60 seconds. Might have to do with the new copper gaskets sealing.
Driving the car it does seem to have a noticeable increase in power, even untuned. I put in my wideband sensor, but I haven't run the wire to it yet...a little indecisive on where I want to mount my FJO stuff, and where I want to come through into the cabin. Sounds really good as well. Not too much louder at idle, but increases as the pedal goes down. Didn't pay attention to the "getting rid of the motorboat sound" that the x-pipe is suppose to help remove. I think it helped, but I forgot to try and pay attention to that. It does seem to still have a bit of a pop at decel, but I think a tune might help with that as well. In all honesty I kind of like that sound anyways.
Huge thumbs up on this system, and Jon (Superman09) for helping to put this all together for us.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Yea,,,installing the mid pipe to the headers is a LOT easier if you mount them up with the headers loosely before you bolt the headers to the block.
They fit wonderfully and seal 100% but,,if ,,you try to attach the mid pipe once the headers are bolted in place, its a pain.
Al lot of prying and cursing will take place.
They fit wonderfully and seal 100% but,,if ,,you try to attach the mid pipe once the headers are bolted in place, its a pain.
Al lot of prying and cursing will take place.
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Jul 13, 2010 at 09:40 AM.
