Question on installing new headers

[1996_EK_Civic]

Ok so, I bought eBay 'N*Power' headers for my D16Y8. I'm thinking of installing them myself as I have other things to pay for. Anyway, I was reading a thread on here saying that it's a good idea to reset the ECU after installing them, I also read on a Nissan forum that it would not do much? :confused:

And another thing is, with the O2 sensor, is it easy to swap? Yes the headers DO have a spot for it.

Thank you for your info and support.
Cheers, Shannon.

And if there is any threads on this already don't flame me, i searched on here and google'd the matter no clear answers popped up.

[tiksie]

Hey man, I put these on my D15B4, few others have also put it on D15B7's and D16Y1's etc.. So it would be a straight fit for you.

It's preety simple, the only hard thing is clearance to get your hand in tight spots to remove headers.

I removed the headers off in one go including the bottom pipe to the cat, to do this though I took off the splash guard so it came off as one piece.

Just make sure you use alot of WD40 to remove the bolts!

Resetting the ECU wouldn't harm anything, so might aswell since your putting a new mod such as headers.

It won't really do much, that's right, but you still feel noticeable gains in mid-range power as Honda's usually lack power until your in high RPM's lol.

o2 sensor isn't that hard to remove, it's hard to get a socket over it though as the wires stick out like dogs balls.. There are special sockets for it though with a line through it where you feed the wire through so you can get a tight lock on it before removing it as it's been heating up and cooling down quite alot, so it's quite hard to remove the first time.

Once again, just WD40 the shit out of it before attempting to remove it.

[1996_EK_Civic]

Thank you so much!

How did you get under the car? Just used a jack, with supports? Or lift the whole car off the ground?

Ahk so I might as well reset it, like you said no harm done.

Yea, torque isn't there at low revs, i get a decent amount of power around 2.5-3k rpm.

[dougie_504]

+1 rep for above, exactly right although I've found it easier to remove the header in tow pieces (top part from the bay, bottom part from under the car) but each to their own.

[tiksie]

Yeah dougie, I would've done that aswell if it wasn't for those damn tight spots! I couldn't get my fat hands to get some good leverage :(

I personally did mine on stands, obviously you want lots of support, I was supported by 4 stands and 2 jacks all on the front! lol, you can never be too safe.

Don't work under jacks, make sure you get stands..

[cihanvtec]

hey mate, its simple.i did mine in about 2 hours.definately not worth taking it an exhaust shop. like tiksie said, lots of wd40. just make sure all the bolts are torqued right to avoid any leaks. (criss cross bolting)

good luck

[dougie_504]

Yeah I'd only take it to an exhaust shop if I was having other work done...flex pipe, flanges etc. Otherwise just for the header it's not worth it. Just don't forget the doughnut gasket that sits between the header and the cat. You'll probably need to use your OEM one, just wedge it off and slip it over the end of your header outlet.

Otherwise if you forget it you'll hear that farty exhaust leak sound right under your feet and you'll have to get under the car again like I did the first time :(

[1996_EK_Civic]

Yessir, safety is a must!


hey mate, its simple.i did mine in about 2 hours.definately not worth taking it an exhaust shop. like tiksie said, lots of wd40. just make sure all the bolts are torqued right to avoid any leaks. (criss cross bolting)

good luck

yea, it's a couple of bolts and it's just time consuming, considering Car shops can charge ridiculous amounts for an hour or twos work, and thanks man.

[baoanh]

WEI so hows the header LOL i bought it already -_-

[1996_EK_Civic]

still havn't put them on lol, been busy with work and shit. gonna put them on, on Saturday

[Limbo]

just be careful to use a proper ring spanner to take off the o2 sensor and not snap it. Otherwise the rest is all about aking your time.
I'd use some exhaust glue on the header gasket to make sure it seals proeprly also

[1996_EK_Civic]

ahk thank you, i s'pose you can get this exhaust glue from supercheap/repco/autobarn?

[Limbo]

yep that's right

[1996_EK_Civic]

i went to repco yesterday and got 'Loctite Hi-Temp red RTV Silicone gasket maker' it's rated to 316 degrees. the guy there said i might not work coming straight off the engine block, but every else should be fine....

[1996_EK_Civic]

Okay guys, today is the day. I am seeking even further advice, more rep will be given :)
My parents are worrying lol, and my dad has concerns for how tight i should tighten the bolts on the engine and on the cat. i have a cheap torque wrench it works that is the main thing.

So here it goes. how tight should i tighten the bolts?
while waiting for replies i will search around, although you guys are very knowledgeable, Cheers

[mocchi]

Okay guys, today is the day. I am seeking even further advice, more rep will be given :)
My parents are worrying lol, and my dad has concerns for how tight i should tighten the bolts on the engine and on the cat. i have a cheap torque wrench it works that is the main thing.

So here it goes. how tight should i tighten the bolts?
while waiting for replies i will search around, although you guys are very knowledgeable, Cheers

did you know that your rep point doesn't do anything to anyone?
re: nuts, i broke one of the stud because i didnt use torque wrench. oh the regret. >: (

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u323/breadbaconncheese/header.png

[dougie_504]

I was going to say firm, but not too tight, just until you start to get some considerable resistance in the nut - but the post above says it all!

mocchi, why does his rep point do nothing for anybody?

[1996_EK_Civic]

Okay thanks to both of you... i've done some searching, as in the picture above most the sites i have found say around the 16-23 lb-ft. been on Honda-Tech, D-series.org and a few wiki-answers type pages

[mocchi]

I was going to say firm, but not too tight, just until you start to get some considerable resistance in the nut - but the post above says it all!

mocchi, why does his rep point do nothing for anybody?

only those who has 2 or more green blocks can add +2 rep point to anyone.
if you only have 1 green block, when you rep someone it adds +0 point.
0-99 points = 1 green block. 100-199 = 2 green blocks i think.

thats how it works.

[dougie_504]

Ah alright, interesting. I have 87 :o