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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 07:59 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by nitrojunky
Neither my LG's nor my ARH's had -any- fitment problems. No bending a/c lines, no prying primaries, no O2 sensors pointed directly at my bell housing. The LGs were a pita to install, but once in place, they fit. ARH's were especially slick; they went in easier than the stock manifolds came out. I've owned 6 sets of headers and have installed all of them myself, sometimes multiple times when they outlasted the stroker motor they were bolted to . The first 4 were 'cheap', the last two 'expensive'. I've found there is a difference. Whether or not it's worth the $$ depends on the guy making the purchase.
I was talking about issues in general, not just fitment issues. You may have to remove coils, valve covers, alternator, starter, ground straps, steering shaft, drill holes for 02 wires, etc. There are also air tube and dipstick issues. All I had to do to get mine in was take the steering shaft loose.

I agree with you that the LGs and ARs are better headers, just that these are an inexpensive alternative for someone that wants something that flows much better than the stock system for the street. I guess you could equate it to running drag radials on the street. They cost a lot more, work much better and will give you an advantage if you happen to get into a spirited red light to red light altercation, but for some people a good set of Kuhmos suits them well enough.
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:00 AM
  #22  
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anyone happen to know if this system will fit straight up to the stock catback... in another words is there any additional exhaust pipes that are needed to be purchased to make sure everything matches up flush. i will not be using cats. and if additional piping is needed for this system is it only for THIS system or do all exhaust systems need additional piping if cats aren't being used?
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 04:37 AM
  #23  
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I just had them install on Tuesday and they seem to be just fine. I had to have them done by a local place and I was damn glad I did. There was no way that I could have done the install with all the problems that an experienced mechanic had. I have a few suggestions for you. Buy the high flow cats before you do this. I didn't buy them and had to use the original cats. They say its a 4-5 hour job, i say bull****. Even for an experienced mechanic it will take them more like 5-6 hours and for someone with my lack of experience it would take 5 to 6 days. Let somebody else do the install. Take it to a shop where they have all the right tools to do this job properly and correct. You will be glad you paid the extra money, unless your are a glutton for punishment.

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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 10:47 AM
  #24  
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I had one of the first sets installed and my shop said the fitment sucked and they had to move brackets. He told me he would never install them again. Here is some more good information.

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF THESE. I had moved the AC line as much as I could and while at the tuner getting a dyno tune the AC line got to hot near the header and lit up. Glad they had a fire extinguisher near. They did sound good and are a deal, but they are cheap for a reason. I have heard that they made changes since I bought them, but I am not going to take my chances again and will save for a good set. I also ordered a set of Ford 5.4L headers from this same place and when I went to install them the flange hit the head casting. They ignored my emails and never did resolve that issue. Just my .02
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:30 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by RrCoX22
anyone happen to know if this system will fit straight up to the stock catback... in another words is there any additional exhaust pipes that are needed to be purchased to make sure everything matches up flush. i will not be using cats. and if additional piping is needed for this system is it only for THIS system or do all exhaust systems need additional piping if cats aren't being used?
If your not gonna use cats, you will need to have 2 pipes about 18"s long or so welded to connect the headers and x-pipe, cost me 90$ at a muffler shop and about 30 minutes to have it done
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:31 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by teddyca
I had one of the first sets installed and my shop said the fitment sucked and they had to move brackets. He told me he would never install them again. Here is some more good information.

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF THESE. I had moved the AC line as much as I could and while at the tuner getting a dyno tune the AC line got to hot near the header and lit up. Glad they had a fire extinguisher near. They did sound good and are a deal, but they are cheap for a reason. I have heard that they made changes since I bought them, but I am not going to take my chances again and will save for a good set. I also ordered a set of Ford 5.4L headers from this same place and when I went to install them the flange hit the head casting. They ignored my emails and never did resolve that issue. Just my .02
Wow, im surprised to hear that, i moved my A/C line and it sits about 1/2 inch from my header, had em for about 6 months/5k miles with no issues, sorry to hear you had this bad luck!
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by eurospec1
Wow, im surprised to hear that, i moved my A/C line and it sits about 1/2 inch from my header, had em for about 6 months/5k miles with no issues, sorry to hear you had this bad luck!
Yeah I actually drove the car for a few months like that with no issues as well. Fire happened on the dyno. They have a hige fan blowing on the front of the car but I assume it did not mimmick real life updraft. I wrapped the header and line after that. Just be careful with that and the A4 tranny line. Mine was real close and it actually made the trans run alittle warmer. I hae heard they made some slight changes, I was one of the first here to install these, but none the less this is my real world experience. I do think they are a good bang for the buck, but you do get what you pay for. If you don't want to deal with these small issues spend the $1200+ on the good stuff.
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:57 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by craig9132
I just had them install on Tuesday and they seem to be just fine. I had to have them done by a local place and I was damn glad I did. There was no way that I could have done the install with all the problems that an experienced mechanic had. I have a few suggestions for you. Buy the high flow cats before you do this. I didn't buy them and had to use the original cats. They say its a 4-5 hour job, i say bull****. Even for an experienced mechanic it will take them more like 5-6 hours and for someone with my lack of experience it would take 5 to 6 days. Let somebody else do the install. Take it to a shop where they have all the right tools to do this job properly and correct. You will be glad you paid the extra money, unless your are a glutton for punishment.

So how much did the install end up costing you?
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 09:57 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by craig9132
I just had them install on Tuesday and they seem to be just fine. I had to have them done by a local place and I was damn glad I did. There was no way that I could have done the install with all the problems that an experienced mechanic had. I have a few suggestions for you. Buy the high flow cats before you do this. I didn't buy them and had to use the original cats. They say its a 4-5 hour job, i say bull****. Even for an experienced mechanic it will take them more like 5-6 hours and for someone with my lack of experience it would take 5 to 6 days. Let somebody else do the install. Take it to a shop where they have all the right tools to do this job properly and correct. You will be glad you paid the extra money, unless your are a glutton for punishment.

Wow, that's crazy. There must just be a few bad sets out there. Me and a buddy of mine installed mine in my garage, without a lift, in ~2 1/2 - 3 hours. They've been on for over a year now, with three dyno runs.

There must just be one guy at the manufacturer, in the welding area, that has a bad jig.
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 10:02 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by eurospec1
If your not gonna use cats, you will need to have 2 pipes about 18"s long or so welded to connect the headers and x-pipe, cost me 90$ at a muffler shop and about 30 minutes to have it done
so two 20" extentions about (just for safety sake) of 3" piping... just asking cuz I would be doing the job myself

also is there an aftermarket x-pipe that doesn't require pipe extentions for these headers or do all longtube systems require extra piping between the LT's and x-pipe?
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 10:20 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
So how much did the install end up costing you?
The install and muffler shop work cost me $450 and today I found out that they did not install the x-pipe. I am one mad MF.
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 10:50 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by craig9132
The install and muffler shop work cost me $450 and today I found out that they did not install the x-pipe. I am one mad MF.
WOW! ...woulda done the whole system headers to catback for $100

...guess its a good thing to have some mechanic skills
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 11:35 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by eurospec1
If your not gonna use cats, you will need to have 2 pipes about 18"s long or so welded to connect the headers and x-pipe, cost me 90$ at a muffler shop and about 30 minutes to have it done
I got the impression from your previous response that you were the one doing the installs, not a muffler shop.
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 12:27 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
I got the impression from your previous response that you were the one doing the installs, not a muffler shop.
I did do the install's and the tuning, with the exception of having the two pipes made to connect the header to the x-pipe, i do not have the tools for custom exhaust fabrication just yet
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