hey i have a question about installing headers, I just ordered the Full header kit off of nextgen and I was wondering if they can be installed without the help of a mechanic, thanks

great minds think alike, i was just about to post this last night, i was thinking about getting the same setup just from ssautochrome

yes it can be installed but it is a pain in the anus. i got the front ones on, and ended up taking it to a shop so they could put the back ones on. there just wasnt any room to work with. but hey, if youre mechanically inclined go for it.

you need some experance when doing this. it is not an easy task if you have never done anything like this before. did you install your cat back by your self?

yes it can be installed but it is a pain in the anus. i got the front ones on, and ended up taking it to a shop so they could put the back ones on. there just wasnt any room to work with. but hey, if youre mechanically inclined go for it.

so i guess i will leave it to the pros then i fukced up my last car enough to learn to spend the extra bucks

I don't think it's all too difficult to get the headers off and replaced... it's just bolts holding them on. There might be some tight areas, and places you might want to pay attention to. Tiburon_Balla did his headers himself, but ended up breaking a part on the AC compressor, so it may need to be removed for the procedure.

I think there was a DIY somewhere for installing the headers... I'm going to be getting headers in the next month or so, and I'll be doing them myself. (I'll get Tiburon_balla to help... bribe him with beer or something.. hehehe) I plan on removing the AC compressor for the procedure, and I will be borrowing my dad's jackstands to have good clearance.

[QUOTE=Fray Adjacent] Tiburon_Balla did his headers himself, but ended up breaking a part on the AC compressor, so it may need to be removed for the procedure.

(I'll get Tiburon_balla to help... bribe him with beer or something.. hehehe) QUOTE]

duuuuuuude!!! dont tell everyone, haha. beer sounds gooooood. yea, after i think about it and looking at everything in my engine, if i was just patient i coulda finished em myself. but....ya live and learn.

[QUOTE=Fray Adjacent]

(I'll get Tiburon_balla to help... bribe him with beer or something.. hehehe) QUOTE]

duuuuuuude!!! dont tell everyone, haha. beer sounds gooooood. yea, after i think about it and looking at everything in my engine, if i was just patient i coulda finished em myself. but....ya live and learn.

it is always nice to learn on someone elses before you learn on yours

i thought it was easy.

took me three hours without a lift.

it's just nuts and bolts.

I could probably do it myself down at my parent's house. I've always had a good mechanical inclination, and I've always been good at solving problems. (plus my father has some experience on automotive stuff!) But it will be immensely helpful having someone who's been there before helping out.

I didn't think it was that hard.. Just time consuming. There is a DIY in 2 parts on the old forum.

go here.

http://www.newtiburon.com/yabbse/index.php?board=28;action=display;threadid=27844

you need some experance when doing this. it is not an easy task if you have never done anything like this before. did you install your cat back by your self?

yeah the cat back was so simple to do, im having my dad help me with the headers too so it shouldn't be terrible with 2 people, thanks for the input and links guys!

it took me a friend about 12 hours to install. Besides installing headers, the only other work I've done to my car before that, ever, was installing my cai and catback. Most off the bolts were rusted and wouldn't move. I actually broke a bolt in half trying to loosen it. It was a straight forward install just time consuming and involved and there is definatly a lack of room putting the rear headers on.

It doesn't take any mechanical knowledge, just patience. Really, it's just 7 bolts on each one. The problem is you need to swing the A/C out of the way to get a single nut off the front header and the Alt off the back to get room. It took me between 7-8 hours but the only problem is on the back one you have to reach your arm up between the firewall and twist your wrist to get a wrench on the bolts. For me by the time I got the wrench on the nut, my arm would cramp and I'd drop the wrench! :P If it wasn't for the tight space and moving things it's probably a less than 60 minute job.

Dylan you must have some long skinny arms to do it that quick. A lift would have made it easier though.

I also did my own. Its a PITA but fulfilling to yourself. Just make sure you at least have a friend with you to help. I made the mistake of not having anyone there.

When doing the headers a 3/8 drive universal socket is your friend.

so this raises a new question...

If I have access to an autoshop with a lift, is this job significantly easier? On the base here I can use an auto bay w/ lift for about $3 per hour...

use the lift, believe me use the lift, and lets see, i started on them ona sunday night, finished on a Tuesday night, but that is witha lot fo brakes in the middlebut I also did them by my self with no help. I would rate it a 8 on the 1-10 bolt on scale, with Cams being a 10 and the Door chime removal a 1

good to know, i'll have my dad there and a huge tool chest so hopefull i can find the 3/8 socket, i'll post when i get the headers in and start to do the job...what about this bolt that you have to twist your wrist for? whats that about?

good to know, i'll have my dad there and a huge tool chest so hopefull i can find the 3/8 socket, i'll post when i get the headers in and start to do the job...what about this bolt that you have to twist your wrist for? whats that about?

3/8 with a universal joint... the universal joint is the important piece here...

I got a question... The point where the headers meet the motor, is there a gasket there? If so, should it be replaced? My headers came with all gaskets accept that one.
Also, are the stock bolts used to mount the headers to the motor?

When doing the headers a 3/8 drive universal socket is your friend.

Then one of those 12 mm wrenches with the closed end ratcheted would be your best buddy. They are a little pricey, but DEFINITELY worth it. I got a set after I installed my headers and they make a world of difference in very tight places where you can only get a little wrench on a nut/bolt!

As Pr1ck pointed out, I have a headers DIY on the old site, and a mirror DIY page on my cardomain site in my sig.

yes it can be installed but it is a pain in the anus. i got the front ones on, and ended up taking it to a shop so they could put the back ones on. there just wasnt any room to work with. but hey, if youre mechanically inclined go for it.
I did the same exact thing...my gf was like "I told you so"

heres what you do. about 30-45 minutes before you start working on your car get it up on the jack stands or on the lift and spray ALL the EXHAUST bolts that you are going to be loosening with WD-40. this is for the y -pipe too. If you spray all those bolts and let them sit for 30 or more minutes and then spray them again one more time when you start the work it will be no problem. I had limited tools and no lift. But wheni used the wd40, after i broke the bolts loose they were only finger tight.

and yes i have pretty long and skinny arms.

I got a question... The point where the headers meet the motor, is there a gasket there? If so, should it be replaced? My headers came with all gaskets accept that one.
Also, are the stock bolts used to mount the headers to the motor?

Anyone........?

Anyone........?

yes theres a gasket no you dontneed to replace it.

3/8" swivel socket with a long extention and you'll be able to reach the back alot easier. The lift is the way to go. Lots 0f WD40.Good luck.

and yes i have pretty long and skinny arms.

The true Key to isntalling headers

You can reuse any steel gaskets (like the ones between the headers & the head) as they do not compress like other gaskets. Just don't bend them.

The install is not rocket science, just irritating. A lift would be a help as you spend as much time underneath as you do above. It also makes it easier to get to the back if you remove the Upper Intake as well (but that takes a little more work).

Headers are being installed as we speak. My mechanic swears up and down there will be a check engine light. I told him to install the top two O2 Sensors and leave the rest outside tied up somewhere. Everyone says I will get a CEL. I am nervous.

Headers are installed. Here is the problem. The rear header DEFINATELY IS hitting the drive shaft. I can see the wear marks on the shaft. Any ideas on how to resolve this? The only thing I can think of is denting the header. Over time, eventually the shaft is going to wear a hole in the header. Alternative would be to wear down the drive shaft but that being solid steel I am not sure how easy that would be.... HELP Anyone??? Install took 3.5 hours.

Grass how are your motor mounts looking?

None damaged, or rear mount bolts falling out right?

You need to get that thing back up on the lift and make sure the rear header is fastened correctly...if it is, then you have no choice other than modify its original shape...could bend it, but I wouldn't want to see you dent it either as it may hinder exhaust flow...

Perhaps it is simply a defective piece?

Good luck man.

-Scott

These ****ing headers suck! I drove my car from the mechanic right to the exhaust specialty store and they have already begun wearing a hole out in the headers. Now it is going to cost me another few hundred bucks to fix.... they are going to dent the headers if they are not able to head them and bend them. Also they can't do it until monday so I got no car for the weekend! I am pissed!!!!!

maybe the mechanic that installed them sucks?

maybe the mechanic that installed them sucks?

They are direct fit... there is no way to screw it up. They fit or they they don't. All bolts are tight, all flanges line up... the headers suck.... not the mechnic.

what kind are they? I have had no problems at all with my ssautochrome/nextgen headers... If they are the same, I would email whoever you bought them from..

Well I believe that you would be the only with these problems with these headers. Im not trying to be mean I just mean that its not fair to say that they suck becuase of this one set. It does suck and I would be pissed as hell and cursing the product as well. I have no clue why yours are the only ones messed up. Somethings isnt right here. They are a close fit but I dont believe any others are rubbing. Good luck to you and I hope it all works out for you.

what kind are they? I have had no problems at all with my ssautochrome/nextgen headers... If they are the same, I would email whoever you bought them from..
They are ssautochrome. They are installed right. They have been inspected by two different places including a exhaust specialty shop. They are deffinately rubbing a hole in the headers as a result of them touching the drive shaft. There is also a flange that is touching the oil pan.

Well I don't have any problems with mine, but it would be fair to say nobody's Tib or Headers are constructed identical. Anything is possible when it involves humans..

Just be sure to document & photograph the poor fitment to present to whomever you bought them from.

SSAutochrome says I put them on backwards. I have calmed down now. The initial shock is over. Is this possible? Did the mechanic put them on backwards?

mechanics can be noobs sometimes, thats why I hate them, you have no control of what there doing to your car, I always do mods to my car myself

I suggest investing $30 in a set of ramps. Makes oil changes easier, too. I did my headers myself and I'm no mechanic. Granted it took me all afternoon, but I was in no rush, either.

edit: And $20 for a creeper. You'll thank yourself later.

SSAutochrome says I put them on backwards. I have calmed down now. The initial shock is over. Is this possible? Did the mechanic put them on backwards?

from what I understand, this is VERY VERY possible. The two header's are almost identical, with a small difference in the length at the bottom where they conect to the Y-Pipe...don't give your mechanic crap for doing it, but make him fix it free of charge...

called the mechanic today. He will check it out monday. But I have to pay for the tow to his shop. If they are on backwards he will not charge me. If they are not, i pay. Also, if they are on backwards i am going to have a wear mark on the header from the axle.

I had ramps. SOmeone stole them. What is a creeper?

a creeper is the thing you lay on that has wheels on it so you can slide uder the car....I bet they are on backwards..god im lucky i spent the bucks upfront and got keys headers!!!

ok, let's see if my long and skinny arms will help me get this mod done.... !! I'm getting Key Performance Headers on Monday...and I have the whole week to get it done! Might as well just do it all of Monday!

Car is being towed to mechnics today to see if the headers are on backwards. if they are, then the car is going to a place called lou's custom exhaust to get new mufflers. the Kore exhaust is too damn loud with the current mufflers. If I have the same problem after switching the headers then the headers are coming off and the stock ones are going back on.

I didn't think it was possible to put them on backwards. I am gonna have to check mine for this issue. There is another guy that had this same problem.

Took me about 5 hours start to finish to install mine.

I agree, i don't think you can put them on backwards and the y pipe bolt up correctly to the rest of the exhaust. Check the motor mounts to make sure there ok. Good luck.

I just have to ask one question. If you saw that the header was rubbing the axle, why in the hell did you drive it to the shop?

You should have had the mechanic check it right there.

Good question.

The mechanic said it would be ok to drive. Wasn't touching much. He was wrong. Second.. it was SSAutochrome that told me they are on backwards. Tow truck coming now. We'll see tomorrow. Anyone else with experience?

I will go check mine out tommorrow.

I'm pretty sure if you put them on backward they wouldn't come close to lining up with the downpipe. So I kinda doubt that is it.

I'm pretty sure if you put them on backward they wouldn't come close to lining up with the downpipe. So I kinda doubt that is it.Hello,

It has been brought to my attention a couple of times, that the rear header just touches the axle. At of over 100 sets sold, I have heard of a couple instances. Im not sure if it is design tolerences in the car or the tolerances of the header when it is jigged up. There is a quick fix for this problem. I had a car in the shop that I had to do this to. Mount the header to the head in the rear, take a marker and mark above the axle and below the axle. Remove the header. Take a deep well socket and put it on a long extension so you can hold it. Place the socket in the middle of the marks you made on the header. Take a big hammer and hit the socket. This will put A nice little dimple in the header tube. You might have to hit the socket a couple of times to get a dimple in the tube to provide enough clearance. Fit the header back up on the head. This procedure will give you about 1/4" of clearance for the axle and your good to go. I am suprised that the mechanic that installed these particular headers didnt suggest something like this other than putting them on and letting you go. Custom fabrication and aftermarket parts are not always perfect, that is why I would suggest taking any performance installs to a qualified performance shop, but not always will you get qualified help there either.

Thanks T.C.
Next Generation Motorsports
www.nxtgenmotorsports.com

I had the same clearance issue, I think it is a poor design on SSautochromes part, I emailed them with pictures of mine with 1/8" or less clearance and they never responded, but prior to that I had a question about installing htem, they were happy to write me back the next day. I think mine are to close, but I dont believe they are touching....I will have to keep an eye on it....we all will. If they sold us defective products then we need to get a product that fits properly.

Hey Guys,

The_Tibulator and me are putting Key Performance Headers on my Car this week... We've managed to install the front header so far... Tomorrow we'll start on the rear..... see how far we get done.... The Keyperformance header comes with a straight pipe....which is part of the front header.... this pipe attaches to the rear header, which has an opening on the other end that attaches to the CAT. My question is this.... is it ok that the Key Performance headers have the straight pipe....instead of the flexible pipe like Next Gen Headers?

Second thingy is, we had to take the oil filter off to fit the front header unto the front head.... I guess those Keyperformance headers are just huge.... :D

Well..... I'll let you know of our progress tomorrow.... !

I agree 100 % with Tim, aftermarket parts are not always perfect so you have to expect some possible modification.

If all you have to do is dimple the header a tiny bit, that is peaches.

Ok, so far we got two headers on the car..... piece of cake... Tomorrow we'll be bolting everything back up... this includes the alternator, IM, a/c compressor and the serpentine belt (or however you spell it).....

On Friday, I'm gonna take it to the muffler shop and have them weld my hi flow cat on...

Ok, so far we got two headers on the car..... piece of cake... Tomorrow we'll be bolting everything back up... this includes the alternator, IM, a/c compressor and the serpentine belt (or however you spell it).....

On Friday, I'm gonna take it to the muffler shop and have them weld my hi flow cat on...
Damn you sick you owe me!!! I'm sore and tired..but happy. :biggrin: And for those naysayers that said it couldn't be done (you know who you are) >:(

Damn you sick you owe me!!! I'm sore and tired..but happy. :biggrin: And for those naysayers that said it couldn't be done (you know who you are) >:(

Dude....You're gonna get the biggest Steak Dinner or Ribs Dinner in your life... I'm taking you to TGIF or one of the other great Steak Places...and dinner is on me! Thank you sooo much bro...for helping me get this done!!

Gosh, I'm really ticked off by naysayers! With Hard Work and Dedication, you can get anything done. Also.... We did the headers so that we didn't free up the freon.... so A/C should work fine when we get her started... again..

I did mine too without losing the coolant. It was a little tougher but not a huge problem.

See there Sick i told you it wasnt that bad, now was it. Glad to see that you got them on.

Me and a buddy of mine put on a set of SSAutoChrome headers last week. It took about 7 hours and alot of patience but it wasnt really as hard as I originally thought. I used the DIY from this forum and had no problems .... just a bunch of scrapes, bruises & bloody knuckles....

I had no fitment problems and the end result was worth all the sweat!

well one headers done, lol only took 4hours, didn't have to vent the AC or anything...omg what a ***** it is..hope the back half is easier =/

btw on the cat replacement piece...does anyone know where that rectangle looking piece of excess metal gos or why its there?

Ok, We finished bolting on the key performance headers and putting the whole car back together... It's missing a CAT right now, but we'll fix it tomorrow @ Alan's Muffler Shop..... no sweat. However, it's extremely loud....sounds like a pissed off Mustang on Steroids.... All we got was some minor scrapes and muscle aches. Total Job took us 12.5 hours. We started Monday Night Around 5 PM, then did a little bit each day until we finished tonight around 8:30 PM.

A HUGE Thanks to The_Tibulator for going underneath the car and getting everything done...
ThaJayMann for helping remove the Alternator.... Sinner for handing out all the ratchets and sockets....SteveGel for the insallation video and Absolut Perfection for moral support. Also a big thanks to Ibbanez and Ron169 for technical advice as well as T.C. (NGMS)!! Thank you all!! I appreciate it very much guys!

hey hey Ron we got some props woo hoo
j/k glad to see you got them on and a cat will diffenately quiet her back down to a nice sound you'll see

Yup...she sounds nice and quiet right now..... but I kinda liked the pissed off mustang on steroids sound she made too.. although I would definitely get pulled over at night!

it sounds the same while its idle'n but damn when you get on the car she blasts the sweet sound of thunder coming out of your ass....took longer then 8hours for me but wow it was worth it...its kinda odd though not hearing the CAI suck in but instead hearing the headers blow out...oh well maybe this will change in a couple days, havent really gotten to drive her around that much yet

will the headers get a more deeper tone once their broken in?

Its their to umm........?????? Well Im not quite sure why they put it their but I grindined it down some so that it wouldnt vibrate and hit the bottom of the car and possibly make more noise.


btw on the cat replacement piece...does anyone know where that rectangle looking piece of excess metal gos or why its there?

I think the race pipe is an off the shelf piece they use and some other cars have more bolts there.

If you put it in right, it won't touch the car, it'll just stick out the side. If yours points into the car, unbolt it and flip it around or rotate it. Or just grind it off.

I pushed the cat replacement pipe up and down a few times and it comes no where close to hitting the car with the excess piece of metal on...also does anyone know why there are 5 gaskets included in the set?? you only need 4