JBA Header Install

[xploder98]

Well believe it or not i got it done in about 5 hours. 98 sport 4.0 ohv m5od, for those wondering. I have egr and wanted to keep it so i got the headers w egr. Fitment was good, didnt have to unbolt motor mounts like ive heard alot of people do. Biggest problem was egr tube. The headers have a huge upward rounded bend on the drivers side which is too tall for egr to pass, with a few custom bends its not too bad. I didnt take pics but will as soon as i can. Another problem i havent heard many talk about is the oil dipstick, i also had to do a slight custom bend on it as well. All my studs came out without breaking and still no exhaust leaks yet. Overall performance is improved, not a huge difference but more than the minimal amounts people claim. Although i do have a slightly aftermarket ground cam and alot of porting and intake/ exhaust modification. Worth the money and time? I think so if your motor isnt stock or have future plans for it. Will post pics after work.

 

[xploder98]

Got some pics, not the best and there after install. But gives you an idea.

You can kinda see the bends i had to put in the egr pipe. One thing that kinda disappointed me was jba gave me all the header to head bolts and four collector/ y pipe bolts but one of the collector bolts was way shorter than the others, definately not right. Also, its a good idea to take the old egr adapter out of the stock exhaust and thread it into the new headers. The thread and size of the adapter and the egr tube nut are the same size so it acts like a spacer, helps with the extra bends you have to make. Also you may notice in the pics the headers look loose, you can see a gap between the heads and exhaust flange but jba makes the exhaust runners go throught the flange so there is 3/8 inch or so of exhaust runner sticking out, hard to explain but jba says its for better gasket sealing. They were all surfaced true and flat and have sealed great! Ive heard alot of people talk about aluminum and copper gaskets, the ones that came from jba looked fine in my opinion and havent leaked even after some high rpms. Design could be a bit better but as far as sealing, flow, and NON STOCK MOTOR power gains i'd definitely recommend them.

 

[xploder98]

And you guys dont even wana know wut these cost, luckily they were a gift from the wife, but i guess that means im still paying for them