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2,070 Posts
Well, after about 6 months of talking about it and 2 weeks of procrastination, I have finally got my SSA V2 Headers on. I did a LOT of research on this so I determined that I could not do it myself. I didn't have the tools, the lift, the patience, but most of all, the mechanical know-how. THe DIYs looked very thorough so major KUDOS to those people that can do this install on your own!!!
I was going to put a magnaflow hiflo cat in it's place but I'm going to just use the factory rear cat, have another flange welded on, and use that to pass inspection and quiet it down when I need it a little more quiet.
I paid $230 for the headers from Firebug here on NT.com (THANKS AGAIN!) and I was charged $300 to install....it took 6 hours (plus a lunch break) and it turned out wonderful. They were very professional and they WILL do the rest of my work from now on my Tibby....provided that I have no weird issues in the next few weeks/months.
The only issues that we had were a broken and stripped stud on the front header....simply replaced. One of the O2 sensors almost had to be replaced but we were able to get it out of the manifold without stripping it out. And the lower O2 sensor would not fit in the bunghole provided (it was right against the starter) so they had to seal that one and weld another one a little lower.
I am noticing a noise that I do not recognize. Is it rasp or exhaust leak? I think it might be an exhaust leak. I'll have to take it back and get them to listen. Anyone here have any ideas?
Now for the good part. WOW, what a difference in overall performance. I was really hesitant about this but this is NOW OFFICIALLY my FAVORITE MOD! The sound is so much meaner, the pickup is noticable, and the throttle response is increased. The downsides? Exhaust smell without a cat takes some getting used to and the drone on the inside of the car at 2500-3500 is really loud. If you want to carry on a conversation, you must learn to listen harder and speak up louder. Other than that.....it was so worth the wait. Below are sound clips or before and after. Everyone wants to hear sound clips so I hope these do not disappoint.
Before the Headers. ARK N2 Dual outside and inside
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...ders/?action=view¤t=ARKN2outsidecar.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2insidecarfromreardrivingaround.flv
After SSA Header install: ARK N2 w/ SSA w/no cat
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...iew¤t=ARKN2andSSAHeadersfromoutside.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2andSSAHeadersfrominsidenormald.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2andSSAHeadersheavythrottlefrom.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2andSSAHeadersfrominsideWideOpe.flv
Please send opinions!!!
I was going to put a magnaflow hiflo cat in it's place but I'm going to just use the factory rear cat, have another flange welded on, and use that to pass inspection and quiet it down when I need it a little more quiet.
I paid $230 for the headers from Firebug here on NT.com (THANKS AGAIN!) and I was charged $300 to install....it took 6 hours (plus a lunch break) and it turned out wonderful. They were very professional and they WILL do the rest of my work from now on my Tibby....provided that I have no weird issues in the next few weeks/months.
The only issues that we had were a broken and stripped stud on the front header....simply replaced. One of the O2 sensors almost had to be replaced but we were able to get it out of the manifold without stripping it out. And the lower O2 sensor would not fit in the bunghole provided (it was right against the starter) so they had to seal that one and weld another one a little lower.
I am noticing a noise that I do not recognize. Is it rasp or exhaust leak? I think it might be an exhaust leak. I'll have to take it back and get them to listen. Anyone here have any ideas?
Now for the good part. WOW, what a difference in overall performance. I was really hesitant about this but this is NOW OFFICIALLY my FAVORITE MOD! The sound is so much meaner, the pickup is noticable, and the throttle response is increased. The downsides? Exhaust smell without a cat takes some getting used to and the drone on the inside of the car at 2500-3500 is really loud. If you want to carry on a conversation, you must learn to listen harder and speak up louder. Other than that.....it was so worth the wait. Below are sound clips or before and after. Everyone wants to hear sound clips so I hope these do not disappoint.
Before the Headers. ARK N2 Dual outside and inside
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...ders/?action=view¤t=ARKN2outsidecar.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2insidecarfromreardrivingaround.flv
After SSA Header install: ARK N2 w/ SSA w/no cat
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...iew¤t=ARKN2andSSAHeadersfromoutside.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2andSSAHeadersfrominsidenormald.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2andSSAHeadersheavythrottlefrom.flv
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k...rrent=ARKN2andSSAHeadersfrominsideWideOpe.flv
Please send opinions!!!