Can anyone who has installed a header give me an overview of the diff?
I want an OBX header but would like to know what is involved.
Thanks

 

Ask BahamaBart... He has the OBX.

From what I have seen, the OBX needs to be welded to the stock cat.

A muffler shop can do the install in maybe 2 hours...

 

It's a pain in the ***, in my opinion. It's hard getting it in and its hard getting it to fit right, at least with mine. It is worth it though, just don't bother doing it by yourself, pay someone to deal with it for you.

 

Here is a link to my experience.
http://www.psmini.org/forum/forum_po...810&PN=2&TPN=2
You'll need to register to view it. (there are no dues required)
You will need a second person to help with the install (someone with automotive skills) but I believe that you can do it! I'd never messed with exhaust headers before and I was sucessful! Also, I suggest that you not cut the OEM cat from the header just incase you need to put throw it back on. (you'll see in my pics)

Good Luck & Motor On!

 

the obx is a great header for the money.

first, to ease installation down the line, get the flange planed by a machine shop(have them slice a thin slice off the flange to ensure a flat/perfect fit against the head)

second, chamfer the flange bolt holes a little in case the bolts don't align 100%

thirdly, get a decent muffler shop to install it for you.
With the obx a lift is needed, you will have to unbolt the whole K member or whatever it's called, the whole suspension cradle basically, four big bolts...
so that you can get a little bit more room in which to squeeze the header through. You will also need to remove the water tank and coil box from above the engine bay to give you the room needed.

It sounds like a lot but it only took about 1.5 hrs to do, on a lift.

Once installed finger tight, the fitting takes place, where to cut the stock cat and where to weld the flanges for a nice and even fit.
Again, a good muffler shop that you know has done headers and performance applications, could save you a bit of headache. They would know exactly what to do, whereas the Meineke muffler idiot will ruin your day and car.

Make sure they don't twist the sheet out of your O2 sensors when they unscrew them/screw them in, they are fragile and if rough handled they can lead to an engine light coming on.

Before all else, go search for a few OBX threads and read through them, it'll answer most of your questions, some even have pictures.
Good Luck

here's one you can start reading: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=obx

 

Thanks for the feedback and advice.

 

Personally, I have the megan, install was a breeze, no need to remove any of those components to get it in.

 

I agree w/ thumper on

1) paying someone to do. A lift makes life much easier.
2) its worth it - nice mod/value no doubt.

About it being difficult to put in - that is true of ANY headers for the Mini. Its not like all other brands slide right in . It took me and my mechanic 10-15 minutes to find that magical angle that the OBX header wants to slide in.

 

Anyone have any tips for getting the bolts w/springs on? I can't seem to get the bolts threaded behind the spring becuase I can't get the spring compressed enough.

 

nevermind. Did it a different way.

 

I installed my OBX in my driveway by myself using a jack and two jack stands having never done anything like it before. I used this DIY:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ead.php?t=5403

I asked three muffler shops to do it first and all said it had to be done by a mechanic. A mechanic wanted over $300 to do it, so I went home, read the DIY and got it done. The real fun was driving back to the muffler shop. The car sounded like a stock car

 

If we are talking about the OBX.

Where I can get the gasket between the header and the head? I am going to change the head and I need a new gasket.

I will take two of them. Does anybody has any experience with that?

 

http://imageevent.com/tl4x40/moremods11707

Pretty easy actually. You just have to get a few things out of the way 1st! Gotta go put it back together now.

Tim

 

My install was a PAIN. I had a MINI technician install mine, and it took him a good 3-4 hours to install it....and he's installed hundreds of headers.

-Cody

 

It's an art...I find the most nerve racking part is jacking the Mini up to it's maximum jack height and constantly worring about it turning me into a pancake... To date, I've done header swaps 6 times...

 

I'm just gonna pay to have mine welded & installed...I did my own install on my Pontiac GrandPrix GTP...what a pain in the ****. $200-300 sounds good to me.

 

Hopefully you've seen the other OBX header threads but to recap -

1) install header, measure distance between header and exhaust, cut cat and weld on flange so that it equals that gap. Should be SS weld.
2) double nut or cooper nut the spring bolts and don't over tighten about 50% spring compression is good.
3) typically one header manifold bolt causes a problem. Solutions people have used - stud, new bolts w/ smaller head, drill out header hole a bit and lastly shave a little off the stock header bolt.
4) if mechanic has never done one before, I printed pics from the other threads - nothing like a visual.

OR drive to Sid's house (MISFITOY) and make it install number 7.

 

Already have my picture printed out for the mechanic to go by... :P

 

have great install

report back on how it went and how you like

 

i installed a megan header alone without a lift and it took about 2 hours...it's fairly easy to do considering i've never worked on a car before besides the other mods that i've done to my mini (intake & exhaust)