Does anyone have any experience with taking the cheaper (~$100) headers that do not have AIR and adding AIR tubes? I saw somewhere, and I can't remember where, there was an AIR tube kit for making your own headers. I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas.

-Chris
'91 Formula 350

 

Actually, to add to your question, I was wondering if it would be possible to run the AIR pump to just the cat? You know, rip all the manifold connections out, cap them off or whatever it took, and slip in a pair of Dynomax shorties (I love Dymomax), and just have the AIR running to the cat. Would it still help warm up the cat faster, and cut down the NOX stuff (I think that's what it's called)? I care about keeping the air that my kids breath clean. I can loose a few horsies for that, IMO. I don't have the money to spend on the TES headers, and why would I want to if I could do this. That's if it would work.

Or, to maybe answer your question, I don't see any reason that you (or I) couldn't drill and tap holes into the headers, and use the existing lines. You know, if my other idea wouldn't work. It's really the same concept, just different routing to the exhaust gases. I dunno.

Does anyone think either of these ideas stink, or are either of them doable?

Thanks
AJ

Edit: I just wanted to ad that I don't have to pass emission inspections where I live. I just care about my 2 boys, that's all.
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[This message has been edited by AJ_92RS (edited June 10, 2001).]

 

It's been a long time since I've seen anything like that, before the time that headers were available with EO exempt #'s. I hope you're good with a welder on thin sheet, otherwise I wouldn't recommend attempting this. You could end up with $100-worth of nonedible swiss cheese. Don't forget the O2 bung.

If you're handy enough to do this, then I'd think you could mod the stock tubes to fit on the headers. But, perhaps not.

As for going to the cat only, AIR was out there before cats. I haven't seen any data proving so, but I'd think you'd cut down the effectiveness substantially by only running air to the cat (my '84 van has tubes to the exhaust manifolds but not the cat). But, if everything else is up to snuff, the cat isn't too old, it would probably get past the sniffer. However, if you have visual (and the inspector has a clue), you'd flunk anyway.

You might want to double check, but I don't believe any $100 headers come with a y-pipe. I know Hooker sells the shorties separate, but they don't sell the y-pipe except with their 2055's (I know, I asked them directly). I'm trying to remember who sells it separately, I think Hedman, but the savings from buying the headers w/o AIR/O2 and having to buy or have a y-pipe fabricated would probably be nil vs. just getting a set ready to bolt on. Certainly the hassle would be less. The Hooker 2055's have the EO tag welded right to them in plain sight.

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