Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 06:57 am, by: Murray Lund(Murray)
I would like to hear from anyone who has installed headers themselves on a UZZ31. What are the steps, tricky bits, traps for young players. Is it feasible for a DIY etc.
Would love to get some headers, but don't have huge dollars to spend on car. (I have a BFI, Redback mufflers on a 2 1/2 front, 2 1/4" rear system.)
Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 08:35 pm, by: Peter Chriss(Pete_and_the_walrus)
Well it certainly can be a DIY. You will need a welder, also spanners and socket wrenches ranging from 10MM to 19MM. The best advice i could give if you are going to take on this job, is to undo the engine mounts from under the car and jack up the engine to get easier access to the exhaust manifolds(makes the job 10 times easier). Most nuts can be removed from the engine bay but a few are easier from under the car. Then you will have to cut and re-weld existing exhaust to headers.
I haven't fitted headers to my car but i have removed the exhaust manifolds a number of times. I would definitely say its not an easy job and probably left if your not confident in your skills.
P.S You must have patience and a good free weekend. Also a good helper wouldn't go astray.
Anyone how has fitted these got any more advice to give Murray.
Friday, August 18, 2006 - 04:43 pm, by: Murray Lund(Murray)
Thanks Peter, I have done a fair bit of work on cars over the years, including changing engines, removing heads, rebuilding a gearbox, but nothing that involved with the Soarer. Good tip about lifting the engine. If I had a crack at it I'd fit the headers then drive it round to the exhaust shop to connect up the rest of the system. Now that would be a short but loud trip. Murray PS: wondered why you had removed existing manifolds a couple of times.
Friday, August 18, 2006 - 07:58 pm, by: Peter Chriss(Pete_and_the_walrus)
Well you wouldn't be wrong about the loud trip and very slow, so not to much attention is drawn.
With the history of work you have done be for i don't see why this job would worry you. I don't think any cross members are in the way. I don't know if the headers are put in place from under the car or not, if that is the case then it may be a bit harder.
Iv been doing some experimenting wich involves removing them.
Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 04:40 pm, by: Nik Peacock(Niko)
Hi Murray Have just installed headers myself, you will need to have access to a hoist and oxy, if i can give any advice, pay someone else to do it, a real pain in the arse job for the inexperienced even for the average tinkerer.It took me a full day of hard yakka just to remove and install the headers.But the result is great more responsive doesn't die in the arse at high revs 1/2 to 1 km/l better fuel economy, overall MORE POWER.
Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 05:25 pm, by: Murray Lund(Murray)
Thanks Nik, So you think a hoist is a must? I presume the headers slide in from underneath the car - do you need to remove any cross members in this fitting stage?
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 08:09 am, by: Nik Peacock(Niko)
can't see how you could do it without hoist Murray,yes headers do go in from underneath,I would think that if someone charged $500 just to fit headers it would be worth it