header install

D15, D16, D17 and Mini-Me swaps
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header install

By tigerafro
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:21 am #105371 so tomorrow i think i'm going to install my header.

i'm sure its pretty straight forward but just real quick run through tell me if i leave anything out.

take out o2 sensor at heat shield and oil pin
take off heat shield
take bolts off at the motor and cat
take off header
replace header


is it necessary to buy a o2 wrench? when i do it i'll do a realy diy if this is basically it.

question: is this as easy as putting on CAI?
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By hatchie
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:28 am #105375 :lol: then you gotta put bolts back on lol forgot that part jk

and CAI<?
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By Elpimpo
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:46 pm #105381 u mean cold air intake right?

neway, its real straight forward, diy not needed unless ur talking about like extending/relocating o2 sensor or making a test pipe
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By Sentry
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:49 pm #105383 Yes, get an O2 socket. It will save your ass.

My O2 was seized all to hell and pulled its threads out with it, but I got it out and didn't round off the nut. Thing still works, too. I have a new one on the way though. When I swap it I'll take a pic of the threads. :)

By tigerafro
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:57 pm #105398
hatchie wrote::lol: then you gotta put bolts back on lol forgot that part jk

and CAI<?


lol.

yeah i meant cold air intake

Elpimpo wrote:u mean cold air intake right?

neway, its real straight forward, diy not needed unless ur talking about like extending/relocating o2 sensor or making a test pipe



i only have on o2 sensor right? also i heard i have to disconnect my ground wire. is that true?
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By teal_dx
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:59 pm #105399 I've never needed an o2 socket. If it's not coming out then let it soak with some PB Blaster or similar. I've always used a big open end crescent wrench (I think it was 7/8" but not sure).

If it's still stuck, then get a propane torch and heat the area around the o2 sensor to expand the metal, sometimes that can help a lot on stubborn threads.
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By marvinp8700
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:46 pm #105416
teal_dx wrote:I've never needed an o2 socket. If it's not coming out then let it soak with some PB Blaster or similar. I've always used a big open end crescent wrench (I think it was 7/8" but not sure).

If it's still stuck, then get a propane torch and heat the area around the o2 sensor to expand the metal, sometimes that can help a lot on stubborn threads.


werd
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By Sentry
- Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:11 pm #105422 Your car isn't a rust monster like mine. :wink:

By tigerafro
- Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:16 am #105522 so i def can't put my header on because the flange doesnt match up with the cat. i went to a shop and they said i shouldnt cut the header but i should cut the cat flange and reweld it after fitting the header correctly. i hate my life.
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By teal_dx
- Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:24 am #105523 is your exhaust stock? what kind of header did you buy? was it for your car?

That really sucks, especially since this was your first header install... kinda ruined the whole experience for ya

By tigerafro
- Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:45 am #105561
teal_dx wrote:is your exhaust stock? what kind of header did you buy? was it for your car?

That really sucks, especially since this was your first header install... kinda ruined the whole experience for ya



yeah everything but my CAI is stock. i just bought some no name header. its for my car, the flange is rotated too much. :x
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By suspendedHatch
- Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:00 pm #105653 So both the cat flange and the header flange are fixed in place? Man, sounds like you have some cheap parts on your car.

It wont cost you very much to have them re-do the cat flange. And it should be able to rotate afterwards. All they're doing is cutting off the flange and flared end of the cat, sliding a new flange on, and re-flaring the end of the cat.

By tigerafro
- Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:13 pm #105699
suspendedHatch wrote:So both the cat flange and the header flange are fixed in place? Man, sounds like you have some cheap parts on your car.

It wont cost you very much to have them re-do the cat flange. And it should be able to rotate afterwards. All they're doing is cutting off the flange and flared end of the cat, sliding a new flange on, and re-flaring the end of the cat.


idk if they're cheap. i mean its stock cat from dealership from prob 95.

how much is not a lot? i got quoted 100 bucks.

By CivicSiRacer
- Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:47 pm #126136 Little recommendation if your O2 sensor is old, just replace with a new one. Sometimes you can break the O2 sensor since it's probably seized on. I know mine is pretty welded on my header probably the original one too with 230k miles.

I got my Bosch one for about $50.

Taking off the header isn't much. Might have to PB Blaster on all the bolts depending on how seized they are. Don't muscle them or you can breake the studs and strip the nuts.

I also recommend getting a new header gasket.

The easiest way to remove and install is from the bottom. Take off the undertray.

Here's what I would do:
1. spray liberal amounts of PB Blaster on the header bolts near the block.
2. wait about 15-30 minutes to let it soak.
3. using a socket and wrench and the bolts should come off with hand power. if not use more PB Blaster and let soak longer.
4. if they are still stuck warm up the car for 5 mins or so just enough to get heat into the bolts
5. remove bolts but leave 1-2 on finger tight. So that you don't drop the header on your face when you are under the car.
6. jack up car and put on jack stands. Never work on car using a jack to hold the car up.
7. removed the undertray
8. remove the bolts holding the header onto the cat (might have to PB Blast those too)
9. from the top of the engine remove those 2 bolts holding the header on and try to drop from above. If that doesn't work might need a 2nd set of hands to help wiggle it out. I've done it myself.
10. clean off old gasket with a razor
11. put new gasket on (I"ve used exhaust sealant to help the gasket adhere better to the block only need a thin amount around the gasket).
12. Put O2 sensor on with some anti-seize compound making sure not to get any on the sensor itself. This will make removing the O2 sensor easier.
13. I've found it easier to install the header from the bottom of the car. Up to you.
14. Install 1-2 bolts at the block to hold the header in place
15. install the bolts holding header to cat. Requires about 20-30ft/lbs.
16. Install the bolts to the block. Memory serves me it's about 7-10ft/lbs. It's not very much and they are very small studs/bolts. Want to start tightening from the center outwards.

Once everything is installed run the car for a little and let it cool and recheck torque on the bolts.
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