This is a slight rant, thanks for listening. So today I decided to install my Wagner short header as the first of my performance mods. Everything was going well right up to the point where I went to remove the nuts from the pre-cat. I used my impact wrench and got three of the five to break, however the other two ended up stripping (might have been due to my use of a normal 12 point socket). So now I have to remove the whole shooting match back after the pre-cat, cut the nuts off carefully with my Dremel, and then change everything over.

I had to get the header welded some at the collector section where the pipes come together, but otherwise it looks nice (I scored one that was Jet-Hot coated). I'll let you all know how much HP the ol' seat of the pants dyno gives me!

 

good deal. Those pre-cat nuts are tough. I'd never use a impact on something like that that could snap off. I just soaked the crap out of them with wd-40 and then used a good 6pt 3/8 socket and a breaker bar. I find it's easier to just put good pressure against the bar and then bump it slightly to get it to pop loose.

 

Yahooo! A quick trip to Sears this morning, purchase of a set of deep 6-point impact sockets, a little deft work and voila! Got my Wagner installed! Only thing that sucked was I couldn't torque the fasteners due to the small space in and around the header.

Matty, I know what you are saying about impact wrenches but as long as you pay attention it isn't a big deal. Working on ships has given me the opportunity to try just about every method to break loose problem fasteners. Biggest problem is the people who use the highest torque setting on the wrench (like everyone at a tire place who changes your wheels!). As long as you take it easy an impact can be your friend. I give it short trigger pulls as opposed to just holdin' 'er down. I used to use WD-40 for everything, now I use PB Blaster for the really tough stuff. Having everything soaking overnight may have helped me today too. What works really well is bee's wax, believe it or not. You just have to be able to heat the fasteners so it will melt into the grooves. That stuff has saved me all kinds of time, especially on steam ships.

 

sounds cool, never used bees wax.

pics or die.

 

You sweet talker you! I'll try to accomodate tomorrow if it isn't cold and rainy.

Just got back from my first drive, maybe just my imagination but the engine seems more responsive. Can't wait to do my intake manifold and intake cam.

 

iirc, wagner got about 10whp from the header alone.

 

Yeah I was pretty upset I had to go get a 10mm 1/2 socket then couldnt find my 14mm 1/2 socket for cylinder bolts on a honda and the only thing they had was 12pts for the 14mm I looked at it & said man I remember working on a hyundai 13yrs ago, the sockets would strip on 12pts... woo no strips today just a pain in the rear intake bolt above a radiator pipe I must remove to get to it argh....

 

Your wish is my command Matty. Picture of installed header and some of the rest of my engine bay.

 

Is that an eBay CAI?

 

looks good. how does it feel?

 

Krayziefox, technically it is an eBay CAI because that is where I bought it, but since I know what you are asking, no, it is in fact a K&N Typhoon intake. I got a good deal, and since with my job I have a limited amount of time at home I liked the fact it came with all the necessary brackets etc for relocating everything. And it sounds like the bomb! I haven't checked it out yet, but I read that you can find them cheap on Amazon.com. I may buy one for my gf's '99, figure if I make hers closer to mine she won't want to drive mine as much while I am gone!

Matty, feels sweet!

FYI, the spots on the intake are water. I had to rinse out the engine bay due to corrosion around the battery. My gf had done most of it for me (is she great or what?!), but while I had it all out I took the opportunity to do it right. The electrolyte level was low, so the battery was overcharging and causing the corrosion. Just have to top that off to correct the problem. Does anyone know how hard it is sometimes to find distilled water? I should start bringing it home with me from the ship!

Next up will probably be the installation of my intake cam, followed by my ported intake manifold.

 

Man I've been looking for a cheap eBay cold air forever now. They don't have them anymore, it's all SRI nowadays.

 

I buy distilled water from Wal-mart buy the gallon for $0.96

 

Sweet, sounds like everythings going pretty good! I have a bunch of stuff I need to install also, but I'm waiting till spring. I keep considering doing it now becasue we've had these warm days, but I have a feeling once I get all set up and get started, it will either start raining or get freezing out!

And yeah, my local super market sells distilled water....

 

I normally have some distilled sitting around, but yesterday I didn't have any. My gf was out in town so I called her and asked her to pick some up. Not sure where she went, but she came home in a state and said she had gone to three places without finding any.

Scotty, that is exactly what happens. Like late this afternoon I started moving my gf's horns (I had mounted them on the bottom and she didn't like them sticking out), it was cool but sunny. I'm halfway through the job, the wind kicks up and the sun disappears. Man, I need a garage!