JBA Headers on Expy
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 15
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From: Beaumont, TX USA
JBA Headers on Expy
Well I finally got up the courage to put the headers on my Expy!
This is a 1997 4x4, 5.4 model. These are some of the things that I found out on the way.
Take the wheel wells out, it says in the instructions that this will make it easier. I found that it's damn near impossible with them in.
Start early, if you have some help you might do it a little faster, but it took me a little over 12 hours. The instructions say 6 hours, heheheh..... Right!
I big pipe wrench (24") works well on the EGR connection on the top of the motor. Not enough leverage with a wrench.
Spray everything with WD40 before you start, will make things much easier.
The starter does have to come off, regardless of what the instructions say. There is no possible way to get the header into the hole without removing it.
Start on the Passenger side, this is the hard one.
Passenger side is very hard to hook the exhaust back up, seems that the fitting is a little further back then the stock exhaust. I now have a vibration at idle. I think it's because of this, planning on climbing back under it this weekend and try loosening up all the exhaust bolts and shifting the whole thing back a little.
The dipstick will have to be removed, it's really hard to put it back on. The stock exhaust actually gives you more clearance to the bolts than the headers do. Took about 45 minutes with the smallest 5/16 open end wrench I could find.
Well now that there on I noticed that there is no change in the noise level. Sounds dead stock, which is a good thing.
Noticed difference in acceleration, freeway passing is a little better. I have not checked the miliage yet. Have only just filled up and will post figures when I get them. I also have K&N filter and bosch platinum +4 plugs but will not put them in until I have a miliage figure. Before the headers I average 12.758mpg this is based on 30 fill ups.
More posted when I have it.
This is a 1997 4x4, 5.4 model. These are some of the things that I found out on the way.
Take the wheel wells out, it says in the instructions that this will make it easier. I found that it's damn near impossible with them in.
Start early, if you have some help you might do it a little faster, but it took me a little over 12 hours. The instructions say 6 hours, heheheh..... Right!
I big pipe wrench (24") works well on the EGR connection on the top of the motor. Not enough leverage with a wrench.
Spray everything with WD40 before you start, will make things much easier.
The starter does have to come off, regardless of what the instructions say. There is no possible way to get the header into the hole without removing it.
Start on the Passenger side, this is the hard one.
Passenger side is very hard to hook the exhaust back up, seems that the fitting is a little further back then the stock exhaust. I now have a vibration at idle. I think it's because of this, planning on climbing back under it this weekend and try loosening up all the exhaust bolts and shifting the whole thing back a little.
The dipstick will have to be removed, it's really hard to put it back on. The stock exhaust actually gives you more clearance to the bolts than the headers do. Took about 45 minutes with the smallest 5/16 open end wrench I could find.
Well now that there on I noticed that there is no change in the noise level. Sounds dead stock, which is a good thing.
Noticed difference in acceleration, freeway passing is a little better. I have not checked the miliage yet. Have only just filled up and will post figures when I get them. I also have K&N filter and bosch platinum +4 plugs but will not put them in until I have a miliage figure. Before the headers I average 12.758mpg this is based on 30 fill ups.
More posted when I have it.
