ok, tomorrow night i will be starting on my headers. this will be the biggest thing i've ever done to any car (only 19) and i would like to know what tools (sockets, extensions, wrenches..ect) that u couldn't have done without OR made it ALOT easier. for the most part i've done my research and have how i'll be doing this but haven't asked what to use.

thank you.

 

Dude...we have the same car(but mine is a stick) and we are both 19 and we are both about to do the same mod.

Talk about coincidence

Any way, all you should need is a socket set, unless you need to alter your brackets for the AC or Alt. Or if you need to jack up the engine. But a socket set should be it.

 

Things you need

Good socket set
Wrenches (shorties work well)
PB blaster or WD 40 (PB blaster prefered)
Jack
band aids
patience


Remove the dipstick or you will murder it.

 

What u use the wrenches for shifty?

There might be something I am thinking about...

Plus would it be good to put bolt grease on them or is it not needed?

 

I really recomend spraying the bolts down a few times a few days in advaced to help break them loose. I just used standard wrenches and sockets. The Shorties I described are wrenches that are just really short. They are good for tight places.

 

ya, tonight i'm just moving everything out of the way and spraying them with PB blaster and then coming back to it on tue and spraying it some more and take the manifolds off.

 

this really isn't that hard of a job...just take you time and realize that you may not drive the car the next day if this is your first time doing this. make sure that you keep up with your nuts and bolts, and go ahead and remove your sparkplugs...lay your plug wires on top of the intake, labeling them as you pull them off...i really don't know what kind of problems you will run into taking the old manifolds off as i have never had anything but headers on my v8's.

and btw...i am 19 too, and i have done several motor swaps in four different thirdgen camaro's. v6-v6 in two, v8-v8 in one and v6-v8 in two. all my v8's have ran either headman shorties or longtubes.

 

anyone else???

 

Isn't that five swaps! ;-D

 

One car got two engine changes.

(I wouldn't call V6->V6 a "swap" - that's a "change".)

Just headers, or entire exhaust?

 

Maybe the shorty wrenches will cover all of the manifold bolts, but if not, crowsfoot wrenches work really well.

You may not need this, but I did, so here goes. To change the #2 spark plug, I needed to modify a spark pllug socket. I cut the side with the square hole for the ratchet off so I had ~1" tube of socket. I welded a handle to it to make an end wrench with a lot of offset. Works like a charm.

 

If you were 21 i'd say get some beer, it numbs the wounds. Ive done headers twice so far. Once in my 86, that got shorties, and then i helped my brother in his 82 that got long tubes. Both cars had the smog crap removed, and i took the ac out of the 86 while i was at it. Now this summer the 91 is gettin a set of SLP's or hedmans, and all the smog and AC is staying. That will be a lil more time( and beer) consuming. Just remember, after you have the headers in, you will need plug wires with 90* boots on them all, and possibley a longer o2 sensor wire. Also, be careful on the pass. side. If you notice the car overheats after the swap, then you prolly snapped the connector off for the cooling fan switch.

 

i'm getting hedman's. i only have 2 plug wires that don't have angles. (# 2 & 4) i think. i also don't have angle plugs. they go straight in.

 

you will need new wires, the old ones will rest right on the header, burn up, and then bad stuff happens.

every single bolt on those manifolds in 9/16 inch. Find every socket set and wrench you have that is 9/16 inch. A breaker bar is invaluable. If you have to remove the o2 sensor (not sure if you have one) there is a clip next to the block, un clip it so you can pull the manifold out, then stick it in a vice and get the sensor out that way, worked great for me. Also an impact wrench is great for pulling the y-pipe off of the manifold. And if you're doing full exhaust (which i would highly reccomend) get some kind of pnumatic cutting tool to shread that I-pipe. one of those little 'magnets on a stick' works good b/c you'll drop all kinds of stuff.

-chuck

 

ok well where can i buy just 2 wires, i just did a wire, plug, cap.\
if i have to buy a new set, what set do i get.

 

if your doin an upgrade such as this, the some high quality 8mm or 8.8mm wires from msd or accell will work, just make sure you get the set with all 90* plug boots, and if you really wanna be safe, get some of that high temp sleeve stuff for the boots, as a "just in case" Cause if the tubes burn through the wires and it arcs, you could burn a hole right throuh the tube, ruining the header. Good gaskets, and the stage 8 locking header bolts arent a bad idea either.

 

Only reason i reccomend the locking header bolts is because using lock washers doesnt work, i spent 6 months re-tightening header bolts, my brother used the soft aluminum gaskets, and stage 8 bolts and hasnt touched em yet.

 

Do you really have to pull your plugs when installing headers?

 

No. But if you break off one of the plugs, you'll wish you did!

FYI - I switched from Edelbrocks to SLPs without removing my plugs.

 

what wires can i get, like what Part # should i get, from where?

 

lol PB Blaster saved me from usin every word in the book.

you might consider a pair of good VISE GRIPS as well IIRC i ended up using a socket and vise grips to get the bolt "by the A/C box" loose couldnt get at from under the car just not enough room.

 

You can get new plugs for under $20, and it took me less than 2 minutes to get the old ones out w/ the manifolds off. Why not?

Vice grips, forgot that one. They are nice.

-chuck

 

so should i go buy another set of the wires i have and use the # 1 & 3 wires? the wires i got were like 20 or somethin, i just wana know if that'll work

 

get some good wire looms to help keep the plug wires from sitting on the primaries, plus itll look good.

 

how many 19 yr olds we got on this board Im not doing the headers at the moment but I am building my 350, and have my 305 laying on the floor, I should of built a 350 the first time i pulled the 305 out. o well live and learn