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  1. #1
    Reborn !@#$%'s Avatar
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    DIY: Shorty header install

    [Disclaimer: I own the intellectual property to this in case you think I stole it from k-series.com. I am Alex as noted on K-series.]

    Tools needed:
    1 floor jack
    2 jack stands
    1 Ratchet
    12mm socket, 14mm socket
    14mm open end wrench

    Procedure:
    1. Look behind the engine near the firewall to find the stock header.


    2. To remove the stock heatshield, there are 4 bolts (two top and one on each bottom side as shown above) all are 12mm. Take it off.

    3. The stock header will now be exposed. There are 3 bolts and 2 nuts that connect the header to the engine itself. Remove all 5 now. (two of them are hidden on the ends-one on each side) All are 14mm.


    4. Jack the car up and secure it with both jackstands.


    5. Underneath the car there is a green plate with the VIN# on it. Directly to the left of it are 2 screws which secure the header bracket. Loosen these 2 with the open end 14mm wrench but DO NOT remove. LOOSEN ONLY.


    6. Underneath the car at the bottom of the header there are 4 screws. The two upper screws are spring loaded and the ones below are not. The Spring loaded screws are 12mm and the larger two screws directly below are 17mm. Remove these four screws now.


    7. You will now be able to remove the header. To remove it, pull it out from above the engine. (TIP: It is a tight squeeze but can be done easily if wiggled to the driver's side right next to the engine valve cover.)Compare:



    8. Remove the donut gasket from the bottom collector of the stock header and place onto the end of the new header, and make sure the metal gasket is still on the back of the engine.


    9. Insert the new header down behind the engine the same way you removed the stock one.

    10. Once the header is in place, go ahead and put on the 2 nuts (14mm) that held the stock one on. The other 3 bolts can be added later.

    11. Back underneath the car go ahead and put in the two spring loaded screws (12mm) and the two larger screws below them (17mm).

    12. Now insert the other 3 bolts used to secure the new header to the engine. (14mm) Tighten all 5 from the middle outwards. Double check and make sure the spring screws and bottom bolts are tight.

    13. Tighten the bracket screws that you loosened earlier. (See step 5 for pic)

    14. Lower the car and let it warm up. Take it for a spin. Congrats you just installed the header.

  2. #2
    Jeri Lee is hot!! supercivician's Avatar
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    nice write up...i remember when i did my headers it was 30 deg outside and dark and me and my friend some how did it.

  3. #3
    WRX Cobb Stage 1 Unknownally's Avatar
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    Sweet write up!
    I can't wait until I get some headers... =)

  4. #4
    BrokeCrew #1873490 Ep3T0n3y's Avatar
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    make sure you dont over tighten the springy bolts when you reinstall the cat to the header....

    The bolt from honda it $16

  5. #5
    Jeri Lee is hot!! supercivician's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ep3T0n3y View Post
    make sure you dont over tighten the springy bolts when you reinstall the cat to the header....

    The bolt from honda it $16

    mine snapped after i uninstall and install the bolt about 30 times because damn cheap megan downpipe

  6. #6
    Registered User black05ep's Avatar
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    header bracket

    i just installed my header last nite.but the bolts that attach the bracket were rusted and wouldnt come out.so we unbolted the bracket that holds the bracket to the header.right now the header bracket and bracket that holds that one are not on the car.it doesnt seem nessasary to have them but i want another opinion on if it will or not.

  7. #7
    ephatch member lostep3's Avatar
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    Nice write up, very helpful. I love your avatar

  8. #8
    LOST wil524's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by black05ep View Post
    i just installed my header last nite.but the bolts that attach the bracket were rusted and wouldnt come out.so we unbolted the bracket that holds the bracket to the header.right now the header bracket and bracket that holds that one are not on the car.it doesnt seem nessasary to have them but i want another opinion on if it will or not.
    It's not really necessary to have the bracket. I have a Borla header and it doesn't have any bracket to hold it.

  9. #9
    Registered User black05ep's Avatar
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    wells its not just the bracket to the header..its the bracket that holds that bracket if that makes since.thats what im kinda worried about

  10. #10
    Registered User civictype_r04's Avatar
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    Nice write up. I remember when I did mine the bolts in the going in the head were so tight but was easy after that.

  11. #11
    Registered User
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    Did you re-use the same exhaust gasket? From what I read you have.

  12. #12
    Reborn !@#$%'s Avatar
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    I'm pretty sure I did. This was 5 years ago, and I'm still using it.

  13. #13
    Indapino the JigGa mAn's Avatar
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    nice write up "alex"
    lol

  14. #14
    WRX Cobb Stage 1 Unknownally's Avatar
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    6. Underneath the car at the bottom of the header there are 4 screws. The two upper screws are spring loaded and the ones below are not. The Spring loaded screws are 12mm and the larger two screws directly below are 17mm. Remove these four screws now.
    Mine weren't 17mm, they were 14mm. The spring loaded springs were easy, but the 14mm screws were real tuff to get off. Even tried WD-40. It helped but it took about 2-3 hours to man-power them off.

  15. #15
    Registered User rd02SiR's Avatar
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    make sure you get new spring bolts, cuz they will break

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