How much of a pain in the *** is a header install? Shorty's or long tube? I want to keep the converters.

 

You're going to need a new Y-pipe with headers, which usually means new cats. My headers took 2 days to install due to an EGR question. Car still isn't running right, and needs retuned badly.

 

Go with longtubes or mac equal lengths. Either way you will need a new Y-pipe and the converters will cost you extra. Long tubes will cause a rich condition.

 

MAC midlengths cause the car to run rich also. My car is spitting out gas and oil. Wiether this is because of the headers, and the EGR not being hooked up I don't know. Thats the issue to be solved this winter.

 

Definately go LT headers. Shorties are a waste of time and $$. Mid length macs are a good choice but if you ever get a better cam/heads package then they will not give you max performance gains that the LT headers will.

To answer your question on how difficult is it to install all I can say is:

1). Have a full box of bandaids ready.

2). If you drink alcohol then have a 12 pack chilled and ready to go.

3). Set aside an entire Saturday afternoon for this job if you have help from someone who has done it before. Otherwise better clear up some time on Sunday too.

4). You will not be able to reuse the old cats so you will have to get a Y-pipe and HF cats. You can install the Y-pipe yourself but the cats you will need to take to an exhaust shop to have them welded in.

I helped my brother-n-law install headers once and it's not hard but it is time consuming and very difficult to get your hands and tools in some of the tight spots. I myself will just bite the bullet and pay speed inc. to install mine for me. Then they can get the bloody knuckles and help me tune the car afterwards if it's running too rich.

Good Luck

 

I have personaly had both headers on my 98 and I am here to tell you that the shorty headers are a MAJOR waste of time ( about 12 hours worth). The install of the long tubes only took about 3.5 hours and most of that time was removing the shorties. Oh yeah if you have a girlfriend now is the time she can help in the garage, as you will be needing her small hands to get into those very tight areas. Be real nice to her as she will be doing alot of the header bolts and some plug and plug wire installs. Just my experience take my misstakes and make them work for you.

 

So true....my girlfriend did almost all the header bolts on my 95!