I just picked up my HO header from ghaze24 on Friday and I already started modding it for my 3rd gen. Here are some pictures of what I have done so far. By the time I am done it should fit like a glove. Thanks to the the notch, bend, weld method the collector is now straight instead of curving up.
I also completely removed the EGR connection. I don't have before pictures but it actually was sticking around 1/4" into the inside of the collector. It comes off vary cleanly if you cut it between the weld and the header. I welded a plate over the hole and now it should flow better. I also cut off one of the brackets that won't get used. I will cut the other one off as well and make my own once I see how it fits in the car.
The small connection was rusted really bad and it broke off when I tried to remove it. So, I cut it off and filled the hole with weld.
After looking at coldblooded's first pic I can see that this thing really curves away from the engine which makes it rub on a rubber ac line. I honestly think it could hit the fan shroud as well. This is what I plan on doing. Then it will sit closer to the motor like the factory setup. Of course then it will really curve up and I will have to lessen the bend. I also plan on shortening it so it will tuck up nicely and won't ever hit on the ground.
I also have an idea for making it hookup to the 3rd gen EGR. If my ideas work out then I will make the most epic HO header how-to this forum has ever seen.
Now here is some information I gathered from my header using a dial caliper. All the tubing before the collector is 1 3/4" and the collector is only 2" or slightly smaller. In my book this would make putting a 2 1/4" exhaust on your car pointless if you used this header. That's why when I do my exhaust it will be 2" throughout.
Now for some interesting facts about my stock exhaust that I discovered with the dial caliper. The catalytic converter pipe is 2". After the converter it briefly goes to 1 3/4", gets adapted to 2" for the flex pipe, then back down to 1 3/4", and by the time it gets to the muffler its 1 7/8". Am I the only one confused by this? It makes as much sence as the stock muffler's 1 7/8" in and 1 3/4" out. They should have just used 2" piping throughout! It must have cost them more to use two sizes of pipe and those adapter sleeves Vs. one size and no adapters. The assembly would have been faster to manufacture as well.
I also completely removed the EGR connection. I don't have before pictures but it actually was sticking around 1/4" into the inside of the collector. It comes off vary cleanly if you cut it between the weld and the header. I welded a plate over the hole and now it should flow better. I also cut off one of the brackets that won't get used. I will cut the other one off as well and make my own once I see how it fits in the car.
The small connection was rusted really bad and it broke off when I tried to remove it. So, I cut it off and filled the hole with weld.
After looking at coldblooded's first pic I can see that this thing really curves away from the engine which makes it rub on a rubber ac line. I honestly think it could hit the fan shroud as well. This is what I plan on doing. Then it will sit closer to the motor like the factory setup. Of course then it will really curve up and I will have to lessen the bend. I also plan on shortening it so it will tuck up nicely and won't ever hit on the ground.
I also have an idea for making it hookup to the 3rd gen EGR. If my ideas work out then I will make the most epic HO header how-to this forum has ever seen.
Now here is some information I gathered from my header using a dial caliper. All the tubing before the collector is 1 3/4" and the collector is only 2" or slightly smaller. In my book this would make putting a 2 1/4" exhaust on your car pointless if you used this header. That's why when I do my exhaust it will be 2" throughout.
Now for some interesting facts about my stock exhaust that I discovered with the dial caliper. The catalytic converter pipe is 2". After the converter it briefly goes to 1 3/4", gets adapted to 2" for the flex pipe, then back down to 1 3/4", and by the time it gets to the muffler its 1 7/8". Am I the only one confused by this? It makes as much sence as the stock muffler's 1 7/8" in and 1 3/4" out. They should have just used 2" piping throughout! It must have cost them more to use two sizes of pipe and those adapter sleeves Vs. one size and no adapters. The assembly would have been faster to manufacture as well.