KA24E Headers Question

[phergordon]

I found a set of headers for the SOHC S13 but i was wondering how difficult would it be to install them? What tools will i need? IS it really worth the $160? TQ and HP possible gains?

[480sx]

Not a hard install, at max if your not a wrencher its gona take 4-5 hours. Your gona need a 14 mm wrench and a 14mm socket + extension. Your also going to need a (IIRC) 10 mm socket to get the heat shield off. The bolts will most likely just break off, doesnt mater. Your also going to need whatever tool it takes to remove the header from the exhaust, its prly a 14 mm but i cant remember. You will def see gains.

Is it worth it? Thats up to you dude. Sounds cool, you will notice the power increase. If you never plan on going turbo then i would say its worth it. You will also see better MPG's.

[phergordon]

Awesome thanks man if you had to choose would you get a new air intake or a set of headers. I dont think i can get both at the moment but i know i am slaping a catback on soon. The intake is An ingin short ram but its pretty pricey so i think i might go with the headers first.

[gumby74]

One thing to consider when going to an aftermarket manifold, is the emmissions tubes are probably not going to line up. It may not be that big of a deal if installing yourself, but a shop may not want to deal with it or end up charging you an arm and a leg.I recently replaced my header with a cheap EBay ($92.00 shipped) header. I have no emmissions other than the O2 sensor connected. Even that required a small dent in the firewall for proper clearance. Again, not that big a deal, just know what you will be getting into.

[480sx]

Go with the easy stuff first, intake, then exhaust IMO. Do the exhaust part all at once, maybe a 2.5 BRM catback, or whatever. Just dont go 3 inch if your never going to go turbo. You will hate your car after a while, heh 3 inch N/A sounds really stupid. Dont cheap out on your exhaust, i would get a high flow cat + a resonator for the best sound. Although some guys have had good luck with Ebay exhausts with a resonator/CAT.

Intake will free up some HP, just make sure you get a high quality filter that does what its designed to do, NOT just add HP like a K&N. Apexi(1) or AEM(2) makes the best filter elements that add hp and still keep your intake air clean. After all, i would rather lose 5 hp through a stock intake than get garbage into my engine with a cheap filter.