Bazookajoe254

I read the old threads about them and the install sounded like it went pretty smoothly, but I've got a few questions...(This is nothing I consider doing for at least a month, first of all because of $money$ and I've got some idle issues to work out. Other than that, my car runs amazingly.)

1. Is it a requirement that the car be raised up for the install? The most I can do is get it up on some ?1ft? tall plastic ramps.

2. From what I understand, its a pretty simple job for 2 guys if everything goes ok. Correct?

3. In the event that a bolt breaks, I'd probably be screwed. This car is my everyday driver so the install would pretty much HAVE TO be done in -some hours- time. My engine is pretty much untouched in that area (heads and all that) Those bolts probably have never been touched since they were put in at the factory. I've read plenty of things about the bolts breaking on the way out. Is this a big thing to worry about, or have I just read alot of horror stories?

Does it sound like I should probably get this done at an exhaust shop, or maybe go after it on my own? If everything goes according to plan, I have no doubt that my dad and I could get it done, but if something goes wrong, I have huge doubts we could correctly get it fixed in a timely manner.

Last, if any of you have had this job done by an exhaust shop, how much was it? Or even if you haven't, what would your estimate be?

Dale

iTrader: (12)

1. ramps would be fine.

2. correct

3. This is a chance you take any time you do any work. Odds of this happening on your exhaust is greater.

Bazookajoe254

Any opinions on what a price might be for a shop to do it?

Dale

iTrader: (12)

I did my own, then took it up and had the gap between the y-pipe and catback taken care of.

Xophertony

bazookajoe, where are you located? if you are in the Pacific Northwest there are folks in my carclub that could lend a hand. if you are near portland i could lend a hand. i have never done headers on a six, but i have pulled my manifolds off to replace the gaskets.

also, if you break one bolt it is not a big deal, you can always put the rest back in and drive the car with a small manifold leak to a shoppe to have it taken care of. might as well tackle it yourself first.

1990Wolfman

If you do break a bolt and have a small leak, try ot get it to a shop soon thou, a small leak can become a big problem eventually.

2.8RS

iTrader: (5)

I did mine with my dad in a weekend. We pulled my bolts out fine. We did find one that was broken but not by either of our hands. Still isn't fixed. using ramps is fine and is what I did. It did takt some finess to get mine in. I forgot if we went from the top or bottom. Overall it is a pretty easy install, it can just take some time.

Bazookajoe254

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm actually located the opposite of the northwest pacific, I'm in Jacksonville, FL. But I appreciate the offer.

Putting them in myself and having a shop fix any problems, thats something I didn't even think of. Sounds good.

grimmcs

iTrader: (1)

I did get a quick quote from an exhaust shop one time. For me they said it would have been about $400. Thats with them taking out the 2-3 broken bolts I have. I still havent gotten around to putting them on.

Bazookajoe254

Yeah. From these ideas for prices I've got, sounds waaayyy out of what I'm willing to pay. I'd rather brake half the bolts in there trying to save $400 and then have them just take those out.

2.8RS

iTrader: (5)

I got one broken one and still haven't been fixed. One shop quoted me for $250. I may get it fixed later this year.

ttypecamaro

iTrader: (2)

spray them all with something.. if one breaks, it usually will leave a little bit sticking out to grab with plyers to get it out the rest of the way.

pairtoe

iTrader: (4)

yeah i broke about 2 or 3 bolts when i did this. actually i only broke 1 two where already busted before i started. but my heads eventually came off to get ported and polished so it was no big deal. soak them wh PB blaster and use heat. thats the best way.

daves12secV6

iTrader: (3)

lol yeah i had to remove them lmao.

Xophertony

when i did my headers on my GTA i did NOT torch the bolts, i just used PB blaster penetrating oil and soaked each one and let it seep in for like an hour before i started trying to remove them, worked real well. this was on an SBC though, not a 60v6 block.

if you are real worried torching might not be a bad idea.

Bazookajoe254

The best I could do in terms of heating them is an electric heat gun...like for shrink wrapping stuff. It does get really hot but probably not hot enough, and since it just uses hot air and no flame or anything, I don't think the heat would sink into the metal very well.

pairtoe

iTrader: (4)

dude a propance torch is only like $10. and a bottle will last plenty long enough. but PB blaster is a must.

haha yeah dave had the honors of removing my bolts. i tried to make it as painless as possible for him.

Dizturbed One

before you touch it, soak every bolt in PB blaster (white and red can with a yellow top, about $3) the night before, and again a half hour before you do it.

Buy an easy out bit before you start, and you should be fine. They're like $5. Then you have no worries. The PB blaster will greatly reduce chances of breakage, and if you do break one, just EZ-out that thing and pop a new one in. Screw all this "shop" stuff. Let an exhaust shop take care of any piping issues you have afterwards (like trying to make ends meet), cause they're pretty reasonable with that kind of stuff usually.

I work at a transmission shop, and sadly, if you have any mechanical skill it is just a plain ripoff to take anything in to get done these days.
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also... USE ANTI-SIEZE ON THE BOLTS GOING BACK IN!

You'll love yourself if you ever have to do this again to get your headers back off. You won't have to worry about stuck bolts and breakage.

Bazookajoe254

Thanks guys.

I've pretty much reached my own conclusion that when I do buy them, I will definitly attempt putting them in myself. I think it's crazy to buy something and pay MORE to have it put to use, I never anticipated hearing prices like that.

I've always been pretty open to trying things on my own with my car. After all, I'm just 17 and neither I or my parents have any money waiting around to fix and bad screw ups, so I never take things too far, but since this isn't anything that would make my engine not run, I'm ok with it. I'm pretty proud of what I've been able to do with it though, and what I've learned from it.

My car isn't in any perfect condition anyway. I like to think that if I do ruin it, that wouldn't be a huge dent in the potential of making money from selling it, I would probably just spend a few nights crying It's that "first car" love.
I hope I'll have it a long time anyway, even if it's in storage. I'd love to be 45 and have my first car to fix up and work on...but thats a ways away.


I appreciate all the opinions.