Installing Headers???

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

Is this a difficult job? A friend of mine says it can be done in 3 or 4 hours. The reason I ask is because I am going to replace the trans this spring or summer and that would probably be a good time to do it.

 

[Jason94sport]

It's not too hard, but it will take some time. Most likely your header bolts are trashed & will break the minute you turn them. That means you will be drilling them out like most everyone who's installed headers on a 1st gen. Also the bolts for the y pipe, & the cat.
Once the old stuff is off, the new ones go on easily. I don't have a set, but a friend of mine does, & the shop that installed them(good place) took 4 hours.

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

Do you have any suggestions as to where I can get a set for my '91? I do not want anything fancy, just your basic headers. I have seen a couple of places to get them, but they are chrome and very expensvie.

 

[slenser]

I have been looking into headers myself. Summitracing.com has a good selection. The idea of all the bolts breaking off has turned me off. Too bad, it sounds like I have the start of a leak.

 

[Creager]

Borla headers are less then $400 on their webpage.

 

[TheRookie]

OK I learned a trick when doing headers on an older vehicle. I tried this as a theory and was happy with the result.

I do NOT in any way guarantee this will work. I simply post it as something that has been usefull for me.

You want heat. Obviously a torch on a head isnt a great plan, (thugh I have seen and even done this when screwed)
A great thing to do is take the truck out for a drive of 30 mins or so WITHOUT the heater on (maybe even run the AC) and get the engine as warm as you can, obviously without overheating.
Keep it running while you crack all the manifold bolts loose. You should probably wear gloves and BE CAREFULL moving parts can easily ruin your day and the manifolds are going to be HOT. Now when trying to crack a rusty old bolt loose the worst thing you can do is just try to pull steadily on the wrench or ratchet. Instead you should bump it with your hand. Like as in hit the wrench.

You man verry well break a couple bolts and you should plan to just in case. But this has been usefull for me and worked well.

 

[Jason94sport]

BBK had a set. Not sure if they still make them. I see Pacesetter ones on Ebay.

 

[TheRookie]

Do yourself a favor and run away from pace setter. FAR FAR AWAY

 

[slenser]

What about the Headman headers for $222?

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

I did not see any that low. I saw some from Heddman for $500 or $600. Where did you see them for $222? That is a very reasonable price.

 

[spindlecone]

Actually IMO, a setof headers for your OHV v6, will not do sqaut, waste of money time and effort

 

[huskyfan23]

Actually IMO, a setof headers for your OHV v6, will not do sqaut, waste of money time and effort

Not in your opinion, it's a fact I have headers and wouldn't recommend them to anybody N/A. Install times will vary. You've gotta get the old ones off and EGR valve off Hopefully there is NO rust.

 

[spindlecone]

Why are people so fixated on headers, They look cool, are a PITA to install, cost a ****load, all that crap for maybe .00764536 H.P

 

[IHAVENOUSERNAME]

That is very interesting. What do you recommand for adding HP's, without a complete engine rebuild.

 

[spindlecone]

The search button above
Intake, exhaust, flashers, 4 days read, go for it

 

[huskyfan23]

No flasher for a '91. Bama chip for him Get a supercharger.

 

[410Fortune]

the OHV 4.0L headers will gain some power IF:
You have removed the factory intake restrictions
Removed the factory exhaust restrictions

now marginal agains (still not worth the $$$ and install)

Then:
Cam & valvetrain
HEADS PORTED
Upper intake plenum de-burred and gasket matched to the lower

Now install headers & get a chip

or if you bolt on a Supercharger.

Otherwise not worth it.

Usually by the time you do all this you have either:
A: Spent as much as you would have if you installed a V8
B: Blown up your transmission

or both.

 

[CHH777]

Good:
Went with Borlas. Love 'em. 1 million mile warranty. Sound great!

Bad:
Expensive. PITA installation (pipe cleaner arms a plus)

Other:
Got a high flow intake & muffler too. Together I like the combo. Big difference, eh...

Just get a KKM and aftermarket muffler and spend your hard earned $$$ elsewhere (synthetic blinker fluid, perhaps).

 

[DeRocha]

Basically as everyone else has eluded to headers are not going to give you any meaningfull HP gains due to the stock 4.0 motor. Start with simply inexpensive mods and work your way up... But many people who installed headers tell stories of it being a PITA to install with marginal performance results..

 

[Makahveli]

still have my headers 4 sale