I'm going to be installing DC 4-1 headers tonight, any warnings before i do so. The only mod i've done is an AEM CAI and that wasn't a prob for me.

Thanks,

 

You should have a new exhaust manifold gasket on hand.

Good luck with the bolts.

 

None.. just take your time and don't strip any bolts or twist the heads off them...

 

wd40 , spray on the day before u do it....on all the bolts......then on the day u do it....spray alil more.....then wait, then start.....keep the engine cold too.....i did it when it was warm.....the whole exhausting gets soooooo hot.....

 

Just be careful not to torque down the two outer nuts too tight.(The rest are bolts) My friend broke the left one clean off the head last time we swapped headers.

 

take off the radiator fan on the drivers side, be careful to get off the wires/connectors before you yank that out too....
have a box wrench to tighten one of the bolts to the head, you will be able to get to it from under the header flange only I bet... cant get a socket between the primaries possibly.
patience is a virtue....and be prepared to find out how incredibly HEAVY the oem header really is.. WOW thats a chunk o' steel!
HTH

 

I would let your car rest in the garage overnight so that the bolts will be easier to get off, I did this and the bolts on my 94' came off with minimal effort using a little craftsmen 12 mm wrench and not a drop of wd-40. I also broke the left bolt clean off using that little wrench, so definitely be careful there and preferably use a torque wrench, there is definitely such a thing as too tight.

 

Add me to the list of people that broke the left-most stud right off the head. Be careful with that one.

You shouldn't need any new exhaust manifold gaskets since your car is relatively new.


[Modified by Dozed, 8:18 PM 7/30/2001]

 

I would suggest replacing the following with new parts:

- gasket between block & header
- gasket between header & B-pipe
- all bolts & nuts for block/header connection

The extra parts shouldn't run you more than $20 or so ... it's worth it for the peace of mind. Use a torque wrench and you should never break a bolt ... if you don't have one, for god's sake go get one! It's worth the $$$.

Good luck!

 

hmm i was going to say take off the passenger side fan, but i guess either way. It helps to have another person because the 4-1 is a tight fit to get in. You might also find it a bit easier if you take off the clutch slave cylinder and just tie it with some string off to one side just to get that much more space

 

As everyone said just be careful cuz the nut is so sensitive i even broke one off my 01 GSR also Oh well, anyway i fix it with a washer hehe. So try to tighten it but not tooooooo much and make sure u got your gasket in all of em don't leave it out. Good luck. Btw it helps a lot if you remove a few thing here and there cuz I had somewhat trouble gettin the damn thing thru so make sure u have a friends to help and remember whatever you unscrew make sure it goest to its place and take out dipstick and heat shield etc. Have fun. Tell me how your DC 4-1 performs. I have it but don't really fell much gain no dyno yet hehe.


[Modified by Vietracer, 2:52 AM 7/31/2001]

 

Hey u guys think paying to get exhaust and headers installations is dumb? Also any recommendations on how wer should do it we don't have a mechanical lift. I installed AEM cold air and shocks and springs. I have a friend helping me. I guess after reading a lot of the recommendations it seems I should get new bolts and nuts.