Please don't call me stupid! :-)

Is there anything special to installing headers or is it just simply unbolt the old manifolds and bolt the new ones on?

I was thinking of buying headers, high-flow cat, and cat-back exhaust all at once and taking it to Muffler Bros. or some other shop to have it all installed, does anyone know how much labor that'd be?

 

DO NOT TAKE IT TO A SHOP!!! They will rip you a new one. With 2 people it took up about 6 hours. It really is not that hard. It is definitely not worth paying $500 which is what I was quoted to install mine. My advice is to do it yourself.

 

It is something that can be done yourself. Doing it all at once is the best way.

Something to cut the old system apart (saws-all or cut-off wheel) is very helpful. The instructions that came with mine were pretty good (didn't really say anything I couldn't figure out, though).

I had to cut one leg off of the AC/PS bracket to fit on the front of the passenger side header (one thing that was explained in the instructions that I may have wondered). Another place a fast cutting tool comes in handy.

 

I agree, do it yourself if you can. A shop is just going to give it to ya up the tail pipe.

Seriously, if you can have the car down for a weekend, do it then. It shouldn't take that long but if you want to take your time at least you'll have 2 days. I did mine in about 4 hours and a 12 pack of Bud Light. Once you get the headers on then have somebody put the cat-back on for you. That is if you want it welded. If not, then you can use clamps. Labor for doing a cat back should be around $100.

Have fun!

 

It's a pretty straight forward job, just take your time and everything will go smoothly.

 

The hardest part about the install is getting the stock manifolds off. GM decided to put tabs over the first and last bolts on the manifolds. These tabs have to be bent out of the way to get a socket on them. Took me and my dad awhile to figure out how to get the last bolt on the pass side manifold off. Its also a very very tight squeeze to get hooker headers on our cars if you have AC. Id recommend not getting the hookers. I ended up taking the AC box off so i could get the header down in. The start and flywheel cover (which is now melted) off to get it to fit. I plan on changing headers soon so I'll have some info on installing different brands. Oh yeah and my install was pretty easy since I have non of the emmissions, A.I.R, or AC stuff on that side of the motor.

 

Thanks guys, you're all GREAT!

Honestly I don't know if the car has A/C or not. I don't have it yet. And I don't remember. I tend to think it does, though.

Just to clarify, you're saying the labor to have everything from the headers to the cat and back welded is $100, correct?

Headers I was thinking about were these: http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...18&prmenbr=361 . I know that equal-length headers are better and there are better ones out there, but $289.... Not bad if you ask me. Plus they are coated.

Keep the suggestions coming, guys, I like to have all the info I can before attacking it.

 

I thought that I was the only one with the problem with those damn tabs! it tooks us 2 hours to get the last bolt on the drivers side manifold off because it had shrouded the screw because we bent the hell out of the heat shield. *** that thing pissed me off.

 

I took mine to a local exhaust shop and the guy installed mine for $200...it took him 4 hours and he was done. He did a very nice job too, but if I could do it over again, I would do them myself, its just that I dont have the sh*t to do it right now.

 

Those tabs suck. With those headers you will also need to spend 100$ for their y pipe. Those look like good headers. Coated and everything. I may look into getting those instead of edelbrocks. Also if you need your emmissions stuff for testing get headers with the A.I.R hookup.

 

Well heh I guess you can call me lucky but I won't have to put up with that stuff since my headers will be installed on the engine before it's put into my car. Oh, and the Y pipe? Ha. Not goin back on my car! I'll put headers on and nothing else before I put THAT fake dual exhaust crap on.

 

Fake dual exhaust? Who ever claimed it was dual exhaust? Ok if your building a race car or something you can run open headers if you want. I wouldnt do it on a street car. Also a single 3'' exhaust is plenty unless you plan on 350+hp.

 

I am all for the DIY approach, just be absolutely certain that it all bolts up. Or be sure there are no hospital zones between you and the muffler shop LOL Open headers can get you in trouble real fast in some areas.

 

i have hooker shorty headers i need help with can i just unbolt the manifolds and install the headers or do i have to lift the engine like the local shop says? its an 86 TPI trans am, plus can i use the stock manifold bolts on the headers and the manifold gaskets? the gaskets dont even have 100 miles on them, as does the engine and whole drive train

 

You dont have raise the engine, it might be a tight fit and you might have to disconnect some things. Jack the car up and install them from below, makes it easier, tighten the bolts from the engine bay. My headers came with some bolts to use, i dont remember if the stock ones are the same, and as for gaskets, get some copper ones, tons better than normal ones.

 

i went ahead and bought cheap 16 dollar mr gasket gaskets for it, do i have to cut anything off to get the manifolds off? my uncles coming tomorrow with a ratchet set were gonna go at it, do you recomend anymore tools for this job? thanks.

 

make sure to double check the bolts after the car has ran with the headers they may back off. the factory bolts are too long to use with your headers due to differences in the flanges(if i remember correctly,its been a few). installing headers isnt that bad, i did have to raise my engine about 4" to get the passenger side in and the back bolts are a pain in the ***. but i say go for it yourself. i never had any luck with the cheapo gaskets, but i didnt pay nearly enough attention and tighten them as often as i should have. but most importantly , this is a hobby, have fun with it.