..... arrived today. Yeee-Haw!

For those that have also bought headers and midpipes from Jim, were gaskets and O2 sensor extensions included? Also, do I need to buy different bolts for the install; or, are the stock bolts sufficient?

 

You should have received a mounting kit. O2 extenders, header gaskets, collector gaskets, header mounting bolts, collector bolts. I used the stock studs and nuts. Time will tell. My reasoning was the nuts are locking, the bolts are not. When you do the O2 extensions you will have to grind the little ears off the green factory O2 plug. You will see what I mean when you get it apart. If you reuse the studs you will have to remove all of them on the passenger side, position the header and re-install the studs. Tight fit. The drivers side I only removed the rear six and everything slipped right in. Plan for a full days work. If you are reusing an existing catback remove it. Start with the headers and work your way back. Don't try and meet in the middle. It won't work. You will save time in the end by starting fresh.

 

Thanks.

 

sal said that reusing stock bolts is fine, although im weary about headers bolts working themselves loose and burning up the gaskets. i think lfp makes some cool locking header bolts

 

I used the bolts instead of re-using the stock studs.

Take your time and go slow. Don't overtighten anything.

I did not like any of the gaskets and I'd suggest using copper gaskets on the collectors, and if you can the stock gaskets for the headers themselves. I didn't and now I want to go back, but it's gonna be alot of work to redo for just gaskets

The kit should have come with extensions also, if not call JDM.

All of silvers other tips were good.

DO NOT TIGHTEN any of the pipe clamps until you have the tips aligned far enough forward so they don't hit the back of the side skirt when they expand.

Re-check the bolts a few times as the mileage racks up to ensure they stay tight. I did once a week for 1 month, after that once every few months.

 

Wait until you start it up. -Mat-

 

Use your stock gaskets, you will thank me later....

 

Any other tips? I got the stock exhaust off tonight and tomorrow I am going to start installing the headers.

 

Take you time and do it right the first time! Just double check all the things you do and make sure everything is snug. -Mat-

 

For sure either reuse the stock manifold gaskets or buy new Ford stock gaskets. Don't waste your time with fiber. Use copper collector gaskets as well. If you have any possible plans of testing with a wide band O2 add the extra bungs before you install the headers. If you don't have welding access run down to the nearest exhaust shop and have them done. I did both sides. Check the position to make sure you will be able to access them.

 

Drink often and heavily

 

you should be very happy with the sound,

you may be surprised to not feel any s.o.t.p. power difference though,

because of the airflow change, i would recommend putting the truck on a dyno with a wide band 02 immediately before making any w.o.t. passes

one last thing is you may think about welding a bund into the headers for an extra 02 sensor, you can keep a plug or a spark plug in it, this will give you your best a/f reading

 

That's the reason why it is going sloooow I wanted to save the stock exhaust for a later date so I could pop it back on if I decided to sell the headers. I have the Ford Wrench out (big hammer), but that didn't do it. Then the darned things got wedged between the traction bars and the body. Instead of taking 5 minutes to take down the traction bar, I got pissed off and hacked the sh*t out of the exhaust with the sawzall.

I had exhaust leaks before and I was surprised to see that the stock exhaust was not in good shape with only 32K miles. It was leaking from 4 different spots including the muffler seam.

I wanted to do that but since the headers are jet hot coated, I didn't want to have to wait for a special order and didn't want to screw up the coating. It is going right on a dyno as soon as I can. Prolly not until late Feb or March though.

 

Hey yysenhimer

Do you know DanSS2471?

I posted in his thread, but I thought you guys are friends, if so, call him and tell him I got an extran trans pan I'll give him so he can poke a hole in his to drain it. Thats the easiest way....I found out the hard way

 

problem is you are never going to get a true a/f reading from the tailpipe,

if you plan on making good power, your playing with fire