I ordered a set of OBX long tubes, and I'm wondering if anyone has a couple of tips for installing. Here is all that I have to do the install.

OBX LT Headers
Clamps
Multi layered Aluminum header gaskets
Stage 8 locking header bolts
2x Magnaflow high flow cats
all new O2 sensors
Magnaflow SS cat back exhaust SI/DO
hangers
I have to find a set of donuts for the collector

Does anyone have any experience or advice for removing the OEM header studs? Should I put nickel Never-Seize on the new header bolts before install. I have a tap to throughly clean up the head threads after I pull out the studs.

The OEM cross over pipe has a hanger attaching it right under the tranny, but there is no mount on the OBX pipe to hang it in the same place. Any suggestions, should I make up another mount or is it not necesary. I am wondering if this is the mount that caused my header stud to break in the first place being that it is a solid mount to the cross brace and not allowing any flex in the y-pipe when the motor moves under torque.

Neal pointed me towards a set of O2 wire extentions that I could actually purchase being in canada. I am waiting for those at the moment.

For the inital install I will use clamps for all connections, but after when I find someone to weld in the cats I will get all joints welded execpt for two...the connection where the cat-back meets up with the y-pipe and where the two halfs of the headers meet under the tranny. My reason for this is to make it easier in the future if I have to drop the tranny again. Knowing my driving habits with the blower, and the fact that I have the 4R75W, I'm sure I will be dropping it again.

So any issues or tips from those who have installed this system before....please share.

Thanks in advance

 

No one..... Opps should this be in the "aftermarket" section??? But I'm replacing the OEM exhaust.....so that should count for something right?

 

well all my factory studs came right out no problems... take the fender liners out and put the front of the truck on jackstands.

 

Do you suggest putting Copper-Kote or Never seize on the manifold bolts before installing them, or is dry fine? I know that somewhere down the road I'll be taking them out again to either swap out a motor or at least do the heads, just want to make it easier if possible.

I hope to be doing this when I get back from my stint in Houston. I just wanted to ask now, so I'm well prepared for what could come up during the swap.

 

I put anti-seize on mine.

 

u didnt run stage8's?

 

Nah, i've never had any of them come loose

 

oh i see, i didnt want the chance being there.

 

...at least you have a 5.4L.

I cut the center mount off...trust me, it isn't needed. I used the supplied clamps except for after the "Y", where I had it welded. No leaks or anything. I too went with Stage 8's. I used nickel anti-seize. All but 4 of my studs came out with the nut @ 76K miles. 3 unscrewed with the appropriately sized socket, (5.5 - 6 mm?) but one snapped. I couldn't get it for anything, but when I took the head out to replace the headgaskets, it came right out with vise grips. Some of the Stage 8's will be a pain to get started. FYI, I think you can buy the new O2's with long wires, eliminating the need for extenders if you want to try to exchange. You might need to cut a few new forward O2 holes through the heatshields. Which cats did you get?

I'm sure you'll like the LT's...I ended up running a Dynomax Bullet and even I think it's still loud as hell. Ran straight pipes before. Almost everyone I know has said something about the new exhaust, and they all know me for my loud exhausts.

 

Thanks for the input. I have a set of magnaflow high flow SS cats coming. They should be here this week. I am stuck in Eugene, OR for the next couple of days. When I get back I hoping everything will have arrived. I sure can't wait to see to look on my wife's face when she sees how many more boxes are showing up for "just my exhaust"

Since I live in a Vancouver Apartment and I already got s**t for installing my supercharger in the parking lot, I will be heading out to my buddy's in Kelowna to tke care of this.

My biggest concern was trying to get the old studs outta the heads, I figure I have most of the tools to get them out if need be, 90 degree drill, stuby bits, and a extractor kit. I hope I don't have to use it.

I've follwed jackals "bullet proof" thread pretty closely, and it's probably the reason I'm doing this. Thanks for the great DIY write-up!

 

Did you go with the spun-cats? One of the other guys had fitment issues with the regular cats, which is why I wondered...the spun-cats are a direct replacement for the OBX resonators. Just long enough to eliminate the 2nd. set of O2 bungs, leaving the 1st. and 3rd. sets. Good luck, post pics.

 

yeah I heard the same thing, I did order the regular ones, but I figured since I was welding them in, I would try and cut as much of the flages off before trying to fit them in. And they were alot cheaper then the "spun" cats.

 

That's cool man, just wondered. FYI, I did find the Spun-Cats for $80.87 shipped in case you didn't catch that. I didn't want to pay $120 a piece either.

http://www.planetmagnaflow.com/shop/...59956-688.html

Edit: DOAH!!! Looks like they're sold out until the 5th.

 

Thanks for the info, My wife just called and told me another box showed up, that I am sure will be the Cats. I figured I didn't do to bad, $175 landed in Canada for the two "regular" style SS cats. I just have to wait for the Magnaflow cat-back to show up, and the pieces are all here.

 

I went to Napa today and got the collector donuts. I find it odd that these aren't supplied with the headers. I just have to wait for my maggie SS cat-back to show up. oh and my header bolts, don't know why they aren't here yet. that should be all, I went to the local muffler shop and I'm going to get him to fab up my cats so they hook directly to my header collectors.

I'm really looking forward to getting this done!