Okay guys this seems to be a common topic every so often so I am going to do a write up picture thread to show and explain most of the differences so there is little left a question I shall not go into the logistics of how they function or the differences between brands and such just the basic fitment and installation in relation to how they fit on a car compared to the stock components and I think the biggest benefits will be seen clearly once you get into the aftermarket the differences are minimal anyway between the brands.
First of the car came with a cast iron manifold which is very restrictive and should look something like these
In the car
On a complete drop out motor trans and subframe
And on therr own laying in there approximant configuration
Here is a stock downpipe with catalytic converter and ubend
This is 1 of the most restrictive spots on a stock grand prix
You can eliminate this by going to an aftermarket downpipe or by making your own, courtesy of Zzp here is a photo of the different types of they offer
If you buy 1 used it will probably look something like the 1 I bought originally
Or you have made your own like I did here , eliminating the cat and ubend. I did however make mine as a bolt in still. I did however eliminate the o 2 sensor.
Now this down pipe connects from the back or bottom of your rear manifold and bolts to the front of your cat back
Manifold
And bolts into the left hand side of this picture at the flange as of this is what your cat back looks like
Now if you guys are going farther than you are probably looking at headers the parts that you guys received should look something like 1 of these
Pacesetters
Xs power/ speed daddy, slp knockoffs
Speed daddys
And by comparing a pacesetter header against a stock manifold you can see the vast tube size difference increasing flow
Front
Cross over
Rear
Now with these comparisons it is easier to see the length difference as far as why the down pipe for headers is so much shorter
Here is a comparison of header versus manifold on the front and crossover
And from this comparison you can see how much longer they really are than stock (and how much lower they go)
And each of the respective down pipes connect on to each system and then go to where they would hook into the cat back weather that be the flang or in a custom set up like I have where it is clamped
Here Is a slightly modified speed daddy downpipe bolted into the catback As seen under the car
Here is a chunk of what u had when I was explaining my header removal, there are minor differences for example of the band clamp by the dipstick and the front manifold to crossover are both good in on the stock setup in the clamps on the headers
Started by getting the wire harness un hooked ( and found I need to resplice an injector plug or two)
Then out with the headers
Front header
Clamp on the front of the crossover. And the one on the rear of the crossover.
This rear clamp can be a pain by the trans dipstick.
I find it best to pull the front header off at this point with the dogbones off the motor should rock a little and give some room I let the header down and pull it up out the front
Xs power ( same as speed daddys and others, all sop knockoffs)
Next I find it easier to twist the crossover to get it out
Guess I had a little leak
Here is how the header looked after being run for a 2 or 3 summers
What they looked like new
The rear header for most is easiest to put a jack under the rear of the cradle and almost to take out the rear cradle bolts And the lower the cradle to the end of the bolts being sure the bolts have several threats to catch you do not want the cradle to fall on you . That should create enough room that when you pull the motor forward that the rear header well either come in or out through the top side As if you do not lower the cradle it will often times hit and catch on the power steering rack And by lowering the cradle these couple of inches create enough room that it will usually drop right into place. Also do not forget that before you get this far with the stock manifolds That's the downpipe must be taken out Which is 2 bolt at the back of the motor where is bolt to the rear manifold and 2 more bolts as well as the hanger where is bolts to the cat back
I will take better pictures of these areas when I get to working on my other car As well as better pictures of headers installed from the bottom side when I do the rest of the work on my 01
I will edit an update as necessary
i would like to thank mater and cates for some of the pics also.
let me know what you guys think..
sent from my driod x, via my fingers through tapatalk
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2001 white gt coupe with enough crap to make it run mid 13's with 3 bad pistons
2002 40th GTP sedan mostly stock
