So this weekend I got into a pretty big project. Against everyones suggestions to Z/G users I installed headers. it was not the big PITA that everyone was saying it was. It was by no means easy but not nearly as hard as everyone was making it out to be.

Doing everything I did took around 10 hours. probably would have only taken 6 for just the headers but I had to do the coolant pipes and Nismo thermostat and figured while I was in there I'd paint the reservoir. Also the hardest part was removing the rear coolant pipe, we could have saved over an hour by leaving that thing alone.

Suggestions if you plan to do the install: Drink lots of water, eat when you are hungry. Take your time, don't rush. Don't leave things installed thinking you can work around them, you'll probably waste more time in the process. Leave the O2 sensors on the cats/headers, just disconnect the wiring harness from them and once you get them off hit it with some wd40 and use a cresent wrench so you dont have to buy those stupid o2 sensor sockets.

The worst part of this install was probably getting the damn hoses off the pipes... that is so damn frustrating for me. The scariest part was burping the coolant, right when I thought I had all the bubles out I take it on the highway and the temp guage jumps into the hot section and I freak and pull over and let it cool down. burp it one more time and its good

I was able to fully torque 5/6 header bolts with my 20" long 3/8 drive torque wrench.

Got the headers on ebay used (~500 miles on them) for $230 shipped. They are Strup, they are also thermal coated.

Sound is better, got some deeper notes out of it... Feels like I got some more midrange power, don't feel any loss. Seems like it added some rasp under hard acceleration before they are all warmed up

-FYI-
1. Supporting mods: Z-tube, K&N filter, AAM High-Flow cats, Bassani Full cat back, Osiris e-tuned before the headers (probably get this updated now that I have them on)
2. Paint on the coolant pipes was done with rattle cans, I used the High temp paints you can get at automotive stores.
3. I don't have a dyno and haven't dynoed since I got it. I don't want to pay for the excitement or disappointment that can be had by putting it on just yet.
4. This was done on jack stands in case you cant tell.

 

 

Good work. 2006 OEM exhaust manifold sure looks better than the 2004 exhaust manifold.

And the reason for the cooling mods? The motor may have inherant problems but cooling is not one.

 

reason for the cooling mods is:
1. the oil "cooler" is dumb
2. the throttle body warmer doesn't apply to me (in texas)
3. trying to clean up my engine bay
4. less points of leaks and failure
5. gives me more of an excuse to have a nismo thermostat love having nismo in my car

 

Thanks.

 

Wish my z had space like that. Good job

 

Congrats on the mods.

 

nice install, I've seen people jack the engine up to installe headers, now I know you don't have to...

But I'm still not gonna do it myself

 

nice install, looks good.

 

Awesome!

 

Any chance you did a dyno before and will do another after?

 

thanks for reading, I answered this in post 1

I'll probably dyno it after I do my plenum mods and get it retuned.

 

What part of dallas you at?

 

up near addison close to GBush and the Tollway

 

Hey! you are 15minz away from my home!