So how hard is it to install long tubes on my 97. Pacesetter coated emmisions and y pipe. Better yet is it do able and any advice from you guys? If any one is in the youngstown ohio area and knows how to do this you are more than welcome to stop in for a beer or header install. Any advice would be great though. Thanks guys. Nick

 

its really not that hard. only real problem is getting the front of the car high enough off the ground. i have heard that both sides CAN go in through the top if you pull the valve covers. driver side is not bad, you may have to pull the oil filter and you will have to remove the steering linkage. little less room on the pass. side. just get the car as high as you can SAFELY, and you should be fine.

 

Some pointers:
-Soak all of the old manifold bolts very well with PB Blaster and let it soak for a day or two before dissassembly.
-Remove the coolant temp sensor in the drivers side head, some people don't do this but it is pretty easy to snag it when installing the header and damage it.
-It wouldn't hurt to wrap the headers before installing them, that way the brand new coating won't get scratched as badly when forcing them in the engine bay.
-Purchase a new pair of front 02 sensors, more then likely, the coating on the new headers will destroy your current ones. Install the headers and original 02 sensors, and drive the car for a few days. Then install the new sensors.
-This would also be a good time to upgrade the motor mounts, change the spark plugs and wires.
-You will have to remove the steering linkage on the drivers side and the alternator, starter, oil dipstick, and possibly the valve cover on the passenger side.
- You will need a pair of 02 simulators for the rear 02 sensors or PCM programming to avoid an SES light.
- Be safe!

 

Also you may want to be ready to lengthen some wireing. I had to lengthen the wires that run down the side of the passenger fender and the re route them. I also had to lengthen the wires for the starter. I believe you will need 14,16,18,20 gauge wire.

Also do not be suprised if you have to jack up the motor to fit the passenger header in. This would mean you have to undue the passenger motor mount and then put a jack under the motor or trans some where where it will not do damge to either. Then lift it enough to sneak that thing in. PB blaster will be your best friend when getting all the old bolts off. I still had to use a torch to get some of the stuff off.

Don't bend the dipstick when you take it off otherwise it will be a pain to sneak back in. Guess how I know. I would do a full tune up at this pooint in time since you're tearing into it. Do new plugs and some OVC wires.

I think thats about it. hope it helps

~Jim~

 

Thanks guys, Is this a good deal for the headers?http://customssi.com/cart/index.php?...roducts_id=156

 

Thats a good price and a very good company in my book.

 

I did mine a couple months back got both through the top. The only thing I would suggest doing is buying the EGR block off stuff because that thing is a pain in the *** I could never get mine on right always leaked then I had to fiddle around with it while the header was still in then endend up blocking it off. would be alot eaiser to do everything while headers are out the car.

 

What plugs and wired should i run? I am going to eventually run nitrous.

 

you can check out the OTVC set on thunderracing.com. i hear people with N2O run NGK tr6

 

As mentioned above, an over-the-valve cover wire setup is the good route to go. Otherwise, your stock wire routing will work, but you will need to make sure all of the wires are secured away from the header primaries. Generally, with the addition of nitrous, one-step colder, copper conductor plugs are favored such as the NGK TR-6, Autolite 104s, or equivalent.

 

FWIW, my Pacesetters went right in from the bottom on both sides. I did have to put a 4" x 6" block on my floor jack to get it up high enough (and then used jack stands to keep it up there) but they went right in without removing the starter, oil filter, or steering. Just did it a couple weeks ago ... Now getting the bolts started, while holding the headers, without anyone's help was another story.

 

Would it be ok to run NKG TR6 In my Car now. I dont have nitrous yet, its a plan but we all know how that goes. I wasnt sure if i should stick to stock temp or go one step colder? Would it hurt. Thanks.

 

You'll be fine with the one-step colder plugs. Just keep in mind that they will be required to be changed sooner then the factory platinum plugs. You could always pull a few plugs after awhile and make sure they read normal.

 

Do you guys think i should go with 02 sims or get my car tuned so i dont need them?

 

Its up to you, sims will run about 90 bucks for the pair. You can get a mail-order tune for around 150 bucks that will remove those codes and also tune other aspects of the PCM as well adding some extra power and adjusting some other parameters.