Any tips on headers install? - Dodge Challenger Forum: Challenger & SRT8 Forums

Stumpy · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 01:39 PM

My Kooks headers with the high flow cats should be coming soon and I figured I would see if there was any tips to make my install easier.

I have the R/T with Corsa catbacks already installed.

Andy <--- excited!

Challenger370 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 04:42 PM

Pacience, plan for 6+ hours, have 2 people help, read the directions before starting and get all needed supplies, like silicone sealent, etc. Get the proper torque specs, and locking bolts.

alamochally · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 04:46 AM

If you don't already have one, get a 10mm combination wrench with a flex, ratcheting head. It will be your best friend for four hours!

Just put mine on, took eight weeks for them to arrive. There are lots of posts about them being a waste of money (mine is a SRT), but they look awesome, and the sound is even better!

**DCSDawg** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by alamochally

If you don't already have one, get a 10mm combination wrench with a flex, ratcheting head. It will be your best friend for four hours!

Just put mine on, took eight weeks for them to arrive. There are lots of posts about them being a waste of money (mine is a SRT), but they look awesome, and the sound is even better!

And don't you have to turn off your rear O2 sensors with a Predator?

Speedy! · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by DCSDawg

And don't you have to turn off your rear O2 sensors with a Predator?

Yes, rear O2s will have to be turned off or you'll get a CEL for cat inefficiency.

Stumpy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Speedy!

Yes, rear O2s will have to be turned off or you'll get a CEL for cat inefficiency.

I feel like your speaking another language, what does all that mean?

TheJoe · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 11:08 AM

Yeah, the thing holding me up with my Kooks headers is being unable to get anyone motivated to help. I don't really wanna be under the car wrestling with that **** all by myself - though where's a good place to locate the torque specs?

And any particular brand of silicone sealant better than the rest?

And Stumpy, go get Mopar SRT8 gaskets for your headers from your local Dodge dealer. Only like $8 apeice and all the needed bolts will run about another $8-9. Prettymuch everyone I've spoken to has said SRT8's are the proper fit. Also, don't bother using the Kooks gaskets. They make good metalwork but their gaskets are crap. Lol. =/

Speedy! · #8 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Stumpy

I feel like your speaking another language, what does all that mean?

You may wanna read up some. Lots of discussion on the issue I've described, but in a nutshell the high flow cats will cause a check engine light.

Challenger370 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by alamochally

If you don't already have one, get a 10mm combination wrench with a flex, ratcheting head. It will be your best friend for four hours!

Just put mine on, took eight weeks for them to arrive. There are lots of posts about them being a waste of money (mine is a SRT), but they look awesome, and the sound is even better!

Any notice in performance change? Do any 0-60 testing before and after, dyno testing, or just seat of the pantce feal?

Challenger370 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by DCSDawg

And don't you have to turn off your rear O2 sensors with a Predator?

If you are using long tube headers you may occassionally get a check engine light, because the O2 sensor throwing a flag to the comptuer. You can turn them off with the DiabloSport Tuner, but with short tubes it shouldnt be an issue.

Originally Posted by TheJoe

Yeah, the thing holding me up with my Kooks headers is being unable to get anyone motivated to help. I don't really wanna be under the car wrestling with that **** all by myself - though where's a good place to locate the torque specs?

And any particular brand of silicone sealant better than the rest?

And Stumpy, go get Mopar SRT8 gaskets for your headers from your local Dodge dealer. Only like $8 apeice and all the needed bolts will run about another $8-9. Prettymuch everyone I've spoken to has said SRT8's are the proper fit. Also, don't bother using the Kooks gaskets. They make good metalwork but their gaskets are crap. Lol. =/

For my 3.5L I just used the highes heat available from the auto parts store and am not aware of any issues. For the torque specs, you need a service manual. I dont have one yet for the Challenger, but from the 2007 Charger manual the following is from the install part to re-install the factory exaust manafold on the 5.7L

1. Install manifold gasket and manifold.
2. Install manifold bolts and tighten to 25 NÂ·m (18 ft. lbs.).
3. Install heat shield and tighten nuts to 8 NÂ·m (70 in. lbs.).

Originally Posted by Stumpy

I feel like your speaking another language, what does all that mean?

CEL = Check Engine Light.

cat inefficiency, means the catalitic converters must be able to eleminate the majority of the emmissions, and with them being high flow and farther from the engine it may not get hot enough to blast off all the emmissions, so because it isnt as good at getting all that stuff cleaned out as with short headers and restrictive stock cats, you get a check engine light sometimes when it goes pass a threshold. (This may be a bit off, but more in lamems terms, and close enough to answer what he wants)