Well, the sun came out today, so I backed Muirne out of the garage for the first time in nearly three weeks, called my daughter's boyfriend (a mechanic!), and we installed the ClearImage shorty headers and hi-flow cat.
Because the temperature was still in the low 40's, we worked as fast as was practical and so did not take pictures during the installation. I will take "after" pics tomorrow or Friday and stick them up here.
The installation went fairly easily, particularly since I realized about half-way through that this was the first time I had ever done engine work on a car that was running when I started.
My helper stood at the ready, and allowed me to work at my own (slow and measured ) pace. The disassembly went quickly until I tried to loosen the catalytic converter backet bolt, which would NOT yield to my kind ministrations. Brian shimmied under the car and got it loose, and I was then able to get the header and converter out from the top as a unit.
Installing the headers is so easy even a Chemist can do it! It slid onto the studs perfectly and bolted up easily. The converter went just as well, the aluminum gasket being particularly nice! All in all, we took about 2 1/2 hours, but as I said, I went slowly. As both 82-T/A and 1KulSol posted, the time consuming part of the cat install is removing the donut gasket from the OEM converter. I ran a putty knife all the way around the base to get it started, then used it and a small screwdriver to nudge the gasket off, again simply working my way around the gasket until it (finally) slid off. It did show a surface crack or two, but sealed up quite nicely in the end.
After the installation, we jumped in and took turns driving for about 10 miles. The exhaust note (I already had the Flowmaster 40 muffler in place) is a bit louder and a bit higher in pitch compared to the stock, but quite nice, IMO. As before, at a good highway cruising RPM (2500-3000), it is sweet and low!
I'll post more extensive performance impressions after the weekend, when I can get it out of town and let it loose! The short drive this afternoon did leave me with one sure conclusion: this mod really lets the engine get to 4000-5000 rpm MUCH more easily. I accelerated from a traffic light and was at 4700 rpm before I knew it.
I apologize for the rather rambling discourse. My bottom line: these headers and cat are easily installed by an amatuer, seem to allow the engine to rev much more easily, and I recommend them to you highly!
Thanks, Dan, Todd, and Brandon (?) at Clear Image for a pair of beautifully executed products for our Solstices.
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
My helper stood at the ready, and allowed me to work at my own (slow and measured ) pace. The disassembly went quickly until I tried to loosen the catalytic converter backet bolt, which would NOT yield to my kind ministrations. Brian shimmied under the car and got it loose, and I was then able to get the header and converter out from the top as a unit.
That was one of my biggest challenges too! Glad it went well - proof positive that if Chemist and I can both do this with relative ease anyone can
__________________
************************** MAKO Sly Sand Steel, Power and Convenience Package A/C, LSD, ABS, 5 spd, polished Monsoon single CD
Mods: Little Chromies, Kappa Matts, Kappashield, GM CAI, KS Alum Pedals, B-series stubby antenna.
Shorty header and hi-flow converter (clearimage) Magnaflow Cat-back
The installation went fairly easily, particularly since I realized about half-way through that this was the first time I had ever done engine work on a car that was running when I started.
Another budding gearhead!
BTW, I had to re-tighten the nuts on the studs at the header-cat connection after a week. If you start to hear a sound like little hammers, you'll have to do the same. That sound could also be the studs at the head needing a little attention.
__________________
Deep, steel/sand, loaded except standard radio and no smoker's; #08974
Mods: Kappasphere CAI, Clear Image Shorty Header, second horn, visor decals, mudflaps, tonneau cover, brake light flasher, trailer hitch, 'lil Chromies, trunk monkey
BTW, I had to re-tighten the nuts on the studs at the header-cat connection after a week. If you start to hear a sound like little hammers, you'll have to do the same. That sound could also be the studs at the head needing a little attention.
"budding gearhead"? I appreciate your confidence! As I posted, this is the first time I have tried anything of this extent on a working car. I took my old Datsun B210 down to the block in grad school; but it had blown a head gasket, dumped coolant all through the block and locked one cylinder and broken two valves! My attitude at the time was, "It's broken now. When I get done tinkering, the worst case is it will still be broken." (And it was. )
Thanks for the reminder about checking the nuts/studs after a few heating /cooling cycles, WintR. I've collected my 13 and 15 mm wrenches/sockets in a ziplock bag to keep handy over the next few days for this very eventuality. BTW, do you have the aluminum gasket at the header/cat joint?
Driving to the office today, I was struck again by the change in tone of the exhaust. It is definitely smoother though a bit higher in volume (nothing I can't learn to love! )
Thanks to all who posted their installation experiences; they were of great help.
--Chemist
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
Have you noticed any performance gain over just the Flowmaster 40?
__________________
'07 - Cool - Ebony Leather - All Options
(except On-Star and Auto)
Permagrin began August 4, 2006!
Rear End Leak started - 10/17/06 - 4,200 miles;
New Diff Installed 10/27/06 - 5,000 miles
Rear Seal Recall 2/15/08 - 24,000 miles
SOLD 3/27/08 - 26,500
Have you noticed any performance gain over just the Flowmaster 40?
Goofy-Dad,
In the "shakedown" drive we did yesterday after the install, both I and my daughter's boyfrined noted how rapidly the engine made rpms. I have only subjective input, but it appears to be making a noticeably greater amount of power. I do not have the opportunity to really get her out and drive her until this weekend, and I will post more impressions then!
The Flowmaster 40 was a great change for me, as it gave the car a "growl". This mod bumps that up a notch (not a bad thing ) and (to me) seems to add the "bite behind the bark."
More impressions after my Saturday drive.
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
Well, I'm a bit bummed. I was checking my work this afternoon after class and heard a telltale "pft-pft-pft" from the engine bay. I've got an exhaust leak at the header/converter junction on the side next to the block. I fear I have over-tightened and blown the aluminum gasket. I've got an email in to Dan to ask his advice. I'll post again when I hear back from him.
I still love these items, just wish I had not (apparently) blown the gasket.
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
Well, I'm a bit bummed. I was checking my work this afternoon after class and heard a telltale "pft-pft-pft" from the engine bay. I've got an exhaust leak at the header/converter junction on the side next to the block. I fear I have over-tightened and blown the aluminum gasket. I've got an email in to Dan to ask his advice. I'll post again when I hear back from him.
I still love these items, just wish I had not (apparently) blown the gasket.
The manual calls for 37 lb ft on those nuts; if you tightened them evenly, going around several times, the gasket should be ok. I have the original style gasket they provided; I checked the manual after in installed the header, and set my torque wrench for 30, then 35, then 37 lb ft for each time around, and the leak was gone.
Also, the nuts that hold the manifold to the head are supposed to have 10 lb ft, and there is a tightening patten that starts in the middle and alternates side-side and top-bottom.
__________________
Deep, steel/sand, loaded except standard radio and no smoker's; #08974
Mods: Kappasphere CAI, Clear Image Shorty Header, second horn, visor decals, mudflaps, tonneau cover, brake light flasher, trailer hitch, 'lil Chromies, trunk monkey
Location: Building the LARGEST OIL REFINERY in the USA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chemist
Well, I'm a bit bummed. I was checking my work this afternoon after class and heard a telltale "pft-pft-pft" from the engine bay. I've got an exhaust leak at the header/converter junction on the side next to the block. I fear I have over-tightened and blown the aluminum gasket. I've got an email in to Dan to ask his advice. I'll post again when I hear back from him.
I still love these items, just wish I had not (apparently) blown the gasket.
I would not think you've blown the gasket .... see if you can get a small mirror to look at the area you have leaking and see if you see a gap in the gasket ... or just use a toothpick to see if you have a hole there .... that aluminum is pretty tough .... you might just have to loosen it all up and start the bolt up again and do your best to keep it uniform all the way around.
__________________ DDMWorks Supercharger kit #11 - STAGE II- DDMWorks 3 guage pod with PLX gauges (boost/afr/oil temp)- Koni Sport shocks f/r-DDM ProBeam-DDM upgraded brake kit(drilled/slotted rotors-ss brake lines-ceramic pads)-DDMWorks 4-1 long tube headers and hiflow converter-JPM padded and customized center console-Pioneer DEH-P880PRS head unit-Pioneer GEX-P920 XM receiver-Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS-SOLO SQR-2 dual center exhaust-Norms Painted (SLY) rear valence-Dashhawk Gen II-BEL STi Driver radar detector
I would not think you've blown the gasket .... see if you can get a small mirror to look at the area you have leaking and see if you see a gap in the gasket ... or just use a toothpick to see if you have a hole there .... that aluminum is pretty tough .... you might just have to loosen it all up and start the bolt up again and do your best to keep it uniform all the way around.
I will try that in the morning. Thanks.
The leak is just on one side (closest to the block, between two of the nuts). I do not have a torques wrench, so have just been going by feel. I will back all three nuts off, then retighten and see where that gets me tomorrow!
Dan has already emailed me 3-4 times helping me through this! I really appreciate his service to me in this issue as well!!
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
I will take "after" pics tomorrow or Friday and stick them up here.
) pace. The disassembly went quickly until I tried to loosen the catalytic converter backet bolt, which would NOT yield to my kind ministrations. 
Brian shimmied under the car and got it loose, and I was then able to get the header and converter out from the top as a unit. 
The short drive this afternoon did leave me with one sure conclusion: this mod really lets the engine get to 4000-5000 rpm MUCH more easily. I accelerated from a traffic light and was at 4700 rpm before I knew it. 
As I posted, this is the first time I have tried anything of this extent on a working car. I took my old Datsun B210 down to the block in grad school; but it had blown a head gasket, dumped coolant all through the block and locked one cylinder and broken two valves! 
My attitude at the time was, "It's broken now. When I get done tinkering, the worst case is it will still be broken." (And it was. 
