Headers,etc.

JLA · 12-18-2004, 04:55 AM

I think I'll take the plunge and do the rest of my exhaust. A few questions...
I just installed a SS Gibson catback. I'm assuming this can stay. Is there anyone that sells a header package that includes everything I need, including the cat converter, 02's, etc., from the manifold to the the cat-back? Anyone like or dislike a particular manufacture? I'm not going to do it myself. Does anyone have any idea about the labor hours involved?

Meerkat · 12-18-2004, 08:41 AM

JLA,
I'm a bit confused. Did you install a cat & back or a back from cat? If you already have the catalytic converter, muffler, and tail pipe, then you'll only need the headers, 'Y' pipe, and O2 sensors. Otherwise, you'll need those items plus the catalytic converter. When I installed my system, I wasn't able to locate anybody willing to remove my old manifolds and install the headers, so I ended up cutting out the old exhaust, removing the exhaust manifolds and installing the headers and 'Y' pipe. I then drove three miles like that to a muffler shop where they welded in the cat, muffler, tailpipe, and hangers. While it was up on the lift, I installed the new O2 sensors.
I bought everything from Nick of kolak@aol.com and have been quite happy with it.
HTH

JLA · 12-18-2004, 09:05 AM

I just installed back from the OEM cat. You drove it with just headers?? What did THAT sound like?

Meerkat · 12-18-2004, 09:14 AM

Headers and the 'Y' pipe, and it was funny. Going uphill it sounded like a tank, but coasting downhill was absolute silence. I must say, except for the time my oil pressure was at zero, that was the longest three miles I'd ever driven.

I got one of the last available sets of Mike Leach headers. I don't know if there are any left, so you might want to contact Nick most skoshe...

kentman · 12-18-2004, 11:11 AM

I went with the Banks Torque Tube for the header from lmt4x4outfitters.com for about $400 shipped. I installed that one myself. They still have more if you are interested. I believe that they are comparable to Leach.

Regarding the cat back, I went with the Dynomax Super Turbo system from quadratec.com for about $100. I went to the local muffler shop, and they charged me $47 cash for welding it on.

My cat is rattling, but it is causing no problems (no power restriction and no check engine lights). I could probably use a new one sometime soon, but I will probably wait until it throws a code.

Kent

**K-Pax** · 12-18-2004, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvd

I got one of the last available sets of Mike Leach headers. I don't know if there are any left, so you might want to contact Nick most skoshe...

sorry warren, gotta do this to ya

....so you might want to contact Nick most zuibun (extremely/ to a considerable degree) ...or..
...contact Nick sugu (soon, or right away)

according to locals in okinawa that were teaching me japanese...skoshi means little...but now i see you used skoshe ...so never mind

kentman · 12-18-2004, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kentman

My cat is rattling, but it is causing no problems (no power restriction and no check engine lights). I could probably use a new one sometime soon, but I will probably wait until it throws a code.

Check that. I just found a Catco on fleaBay for $35 plus $15 shipping. I think that I will take one of these and have a local muffler shop weld it on for me.

If anyone else wants one, then they can be found here.

Kent

Meerkat · 12-18-2004, 03:27 PM

Kevin,
You may now commit seppuku...

Of course, lately I have been falling on my own sword around here enough to qualify..

**K-Pax** · 12-18-2004, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvd

Kevin,
You may now commit seppuku...

Of course, lately I have been falling on my own sword around here enough to qualify..

yea, i'm getting a little rusty by not using japanese language here in the states, i study a little bit to keep up from time to time.

JLA, you are going to have to post the sound when you get 'er done

JLA · 12-19-2004, 04:54 AM

To simplify my question, when I purchase the headers, does everything come with them to reach the cat converter or do I have to buy additional pipe? I found places to buy them, but the descriptions of what's included are a bit vague.

CoyoteCruiser · 12-19-2004, 05:45 AM

The shorty header you probably been looking at hooks up to the stock exhaust I got mine from Summit Racing its a Doug Thorley Tri-Y header for $329.00

JLA · 12-19-2004, 07:18 AM

Thanks. Summit was one of the places I looked. Since I already did the catback, I want to replace everything else. I know I have to buy the cat converter. I'm just not sure if what comes with the headers will get me all the way to it. Most places have been pretty bad about responding to my questions about it. I guess I'll go ahead and order them and just see what I get. After reading Warren's post about installing his, I hope I don't have a hard time finding a shop to do the install. By the way, why such a broad price range between manufactures? Borla's are almost $900. Hedman's were $560. Couldn't find Banks, Doug Thorley or Mike Leach for the 5.2. Headers for the 4.0 are everywhere.

Meerkat · 12-19-2004, 01:19 PM

JLA,
My header kit included the left and right headers which had three bolt flanges at the collectors. The 'Y' pipe connected to each collector then terminated at a three bolt flange also. My 'kit' from Kolak included a 3 bolt flange and 6 inch pipe to connect to the 'Y' pipe flange. The 6 inch flanged pipe had to be welded to a (approximately) 2.5 foot pipe which welded to the catalytic converter. A six inch pipe was welded between the cat and muffler, then the rest of the pipe was supplied by Kolak. The tail pipe they sent was long enough to clear the rear bumper, but I had about 18 inches cut off and a bologna cut polished stainless tailpipe welded in it's place (from the rear pipe hanger to the bumper).
So, in all, the shop that did the welding for me had to supply about three feet of three inch stainless pipe to connect everything up, the rest came with my order. They also reused my front hanger from the old exhaust.

HTH

**Texas ZJ1** · 12-19-2004, 01:45 PM

Did another satisfied customer mention Kolak?

Hunter

kentman · 12-30-2004, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kentman

Check that. I just found a Catco on fleaBay for $35 plus $15 shipping. I think that I will take one of these and have a local muffler shop weld it on for me.

If anyone else wants one, then they can be found here.

Just got the cat put on today, and it runs like a champ. I had the muffler shop add an O2 bung, add some connecting pipe, reuse my O2 sensor, and weld it all together for $135. That is $185 for the successful cat project. No more rattles and probably more friendly to the environment after 175K miles on the old one.

Kent