RDS928S

Has anyone performed this upgrade-just headers no main cats but kept the rest of the exhaust stock.

It seems to me that most of the gains are from headers since the oem units get pinched down badly at the collector.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

harryrcb

I did that on my 97 base model and could really hear and feel the difference, however when I did the same thing on my 04 S I could not feel anything. go figure. I would however suggest at least putting a KN air filter in along with the headers. both would help.
the muffler is mainly for sound improvement, and weight loss, and some power , that is if you are unhappy with the original P sound

RDS928S

Thanks, already have the cold air induction unit. Did your header install remove the large cats attached to the stock header? How many labor Hrs. did it take?
I will keep everything else stock.

Thanks Rich

harryrcb

Yes no cats on the headers, I was very fortunate because the header bolts all came out easy, however make sure you start all the bolts by hand before you wrench them back on. I took a couple of hours the first time because I did check that all ports and mount holes aligned properly and they did the second time was half hour, there are only 5 bolts on each header and the three for the intermediate pipes, one of which was a pain to get to. the other problem was you will probably need a universal to install the headers as they cover the mount bolts more and you will have to manipulate them into place. they did come will all new gaskets so that was great.
good luck, and if you have any other concerns please contact me
HRC

budmanv24

Make sure you spray liquid wrench or pb blaster on your head bolts before removing them or else there's a good chance you'll be breaking them off. I replaced all of mine with grade 10.9's from mcmaster-carr. And make sure to coat them up with antiseeze when you reinstall them. And you can get pretty much the same Chinese headers on ebay for around $100. $250 is a little pricey.

RDS928S

How about on A tip?

I have heard some headers wont clear the tip tranny?

Thanks Rich

arenared

+1 on what budman says on the bolts.

Also, if you change just the headers and yours is an '00 or newer, you will throws CELs because you've eliminated the set of cats that are measured by the O2 sensors. You will need to relocate the O2 sensors.

harryrcb

Actually on the $80 ebay specials they have 2 ports for o2 sensors works out great with original wiring , these I just ceramic coated

budmanv24

Hey harryrcb, what diameter are the primaries and collectors on those headers?

RDS928S

Harrycrb, those look great.
Where did yo get them?
Will they clear a Tip tranny?

Rich

RDS928S

Are these headers to good to be true?

$49.00 ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Rich

harryrcb

dont have the dimensions on the prime but they are bigger, the collector comes out at 2" the stock is 1 3/4 " I am in the process of making up 2
" intermediate pipes and I guess I will be getting rid of my Borla mufflers and make a set with 2" inlets, as of now I am still running the 1 3/4 " pipes from the collector on back- on another note I found Borla had inserted a venturi in their inlet that reduced the 1 3/4 " to about 1 " so I removed them and it goes quicker now and louder.

harryrcb

Hi Rich , mine are the ebay headers for around 74.00 these are the ones I originally bought
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-1...Q5fAccessories
I just saw the 49.00 earlier this evening I dont know what you have but Im guessing they are all the same. I got them ceramic coated to attempt to reduce some engine bay temp so far so good.

Alxx Nova

harrycb - Around how much did it cost to get them coated?

Alex
--------------------------
2001 Boxster S
2008 Passat 2.0 T
1992 FXSTC
1989 944 N/A (sold)

gtc

The headers will radiate less heat if you use a silver coating. Flat black is the worst color you can paint them... though you might see some benefit as a thermal barrier if they were coated on the inside as well.