I just recieved a wagner shorty header for my birthday and i really really wanna install it, (duh) but first two questions for those who already have the header.

1. Do i need to buy new gaskets. I have a 2003 with approx. 8000 miles on it.

2. what are the torque specs for the header bolts.

If yall could reply quickly that would rock so i could install tonight.

 

Congrats on the header. Make sure you use anti-sieze on the fasteners. And, yes, you can reuse your stock gaskets if you are careful when you remove them (I did, and no leaks)! As for the torques, I don't remember what they are off-hand, but you could approach it two ways:
1) Do a search on this forum (I remember another member noting the torques in a thread)
2) Do a torque check on the bolts before removing the manifold, and "match" that torque when you put on the header.
Good luck, happy birthday, and let me know how it works out. Oh, and I almost forgot - spray down the fasteners connecting the manifold to the minicat with a lot of WD-40, and let it soak for a while. Otherwise, these will be very difficult to remove. But, a little WD-40 does wonders to free stubborn bolts...

 

WD-40!!! soak the stuff, seriously.....you can't use too much wd-40....

I never follow torque specs on something as simple as a header. Just snug them up...give it another 1/4 turn and make sure to tighten from the inside out. After a day of driving on it check the tightness with the car cold to see if anything has loosened. And don't forget to anti-seize the studs.

 

True, these are not high torque fasteners, so I don't know that it matters too much. You can probably get by just fine using the "tight enough" estimation....

 

I have always heard that you need to make sure you do it with the engine cold! The warmer the head the easyer it is to strip the treades.

 

true

 

Yup. That's one reason why I installed mine over a morning cup of coffee.

Plus, would you really want to install one when it's warm? Exhaust manifolds and cats are HOT, and unless you like burned forearms (AND stripped threads), it's best to do it when the engine is cold!

 

just wondering where it is you would come about getting a wagner shorty header for a 2002 Mazda Protege 5. I just can't seem to find it online and i am very interested in it. Please help!!!

 

Wagner's out if business. So, unless you can find a used one...

You're welcome to sign up for a Thunder Header (see my sig for the shameless plug).