DIY: Stillen header installation

wstar · 05-10-2009, 05:30 PM

I would be surprised if he used a torque wrench or an air ratchet on the header bolts. That would be a pretty magical feat. There's a few on the top that are pretty easy to reach, but the bottom rear two on both sides are a huge pita to even get a regular combination wrench onto.

The worst one on the whole thing is the center bottom bolt on the driver's side. You really want a good 14mm gearwrench sort of thing for that. You'll just barely be able to get it in there, and barely be able to reach it with your fingertips, and then you get to tighten it 1 click at a time. Oh yeah, and then you have to try to torque that bolt down hard somehow, with only a few fingers able to reach the barely-moving wrench. We (I had a couple friends helping) probably spent over an hour just on tightening that one damn bolt (we didn't have a gearwrench, so we used a plain 12-pt box-end wrench. Turn it one 'point', and then readjust again....

)

semtex · 05-10-2009, 05:45 PM

No, I know he used an air ratchet. I was standing there watching him. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether or not he used a torque wrench afterwards to verify the torque. But I'm 100% positive he used an air ratchet, because he kept looping the hose over his neck and shoulders. I asked him why he was doing that and he said it was to avoid the hose touching my car and potentially scratching the finish. Pretty conscientious guy, huh? He has a ton of funky looking adapters for tight spots too. I'm guessing those helped. He did bitch about that center bottom bolt, but he didn't have as bad a time with it as you did. All he said about it was to make sure I tell people that they need to be able to work by feel, because there's no way to see it.

CBRich · 05-10-2009, 05:56 PM

So I guess without splurging on an air setup for a ratchet with crazy fittings a geared box wrench will be the next best thing.

kannibul · 09-16-2009, 12:44 PM

I'm guess he reused the exhaust gaskets?

semtex · 09-16-2009, 01:02 PM

Yes.

kannibul · 09-16-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Yes.

Thanks, any issues with your exhaust alignment since then - you had this done a while back...

Some people have had to cut and re-weld their cats

Also, anything getting to hot since there's no heat shield?

Thanks man!

semtex · 09-16-2009, 04:33 PM

Nope, everything's been fine. No issues. No heat issues either. The headers are ceramic coated, and then wrapped in addition to that, so I think things are good on that front.

JvKintheUSA · 11-05-2009, 11:59 AM

Hey Semtex, who did your header installation? I want to get the Stillen headers and are looking for a repurable installed that has experience installing the headers on a 370z. Thanks for the step-by-step pictures and explanation of the installation process and challenges!

Thanks!

semtex · 11-05-2009, 12:07 PM

You sure you want the headers? They're a complete waste of money, IMO. PM me your contact info if you really want them and I'll fwd to my guy.

JvKintheUSA · 11-05-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

You sure you want the headers? They're a complete waste of money, IMO. PM me your contact info if you really want them and I'll fwd to my guy.

Why you say that? No noticeable powergains?

semtex · 11-05-2009, 01:17 PM

Go to this thread and judge for yourself -> Stillen Headers installed - Review/Pics/Vid/Dyno

JvKintheUSA · 11-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Go to this thread and judge for yourself -> Stillen Headers installed - Review/Pics/Vid/Dyno

Yeah, that's not worth the $1,500 for parts and labor... Thanks!

jtown82 · 04-11-2010, 11:43 AM

headers are def not cost effective for these cars.

vactor · 04-19-2010, 05:11 PM

i'm just wondering why it's so hard to make a set of headers that have perfect fitment? i mean, really, how hard can it be to make them so that they line up with the factory exhaust???

wh1te370z · 07-26-2010, 10:52 AM

^^ i also have the saem question nothing aftermarket seems to ever fit right. there is stuff out there that works but more times then not it doesnt work

this doesnt look that bad to do. i did headers on my 95 firebird. you want to talk about a pita? it took me about 3-4 hours to get ONE side in. and that was the easy side. and i also went to school and worked at two dealers and still had problems. if you decide to tackle something like this def have someone that knows what they are doing right next to you and make sure you have all the right tools to do so.

05-10-2009, 05:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	I would be surprised if he used a torque wrench or an air ratchet on the header bolts. That would be a pretty magical feat. There's a few on the top that are pretty easy to reach, but the bottom rear two on both sides are a huge pita to even get a regular combination wrench onto. The worst one on the whole thing is the center bottom bolt on the driver's side. You really want a good 14mm gearwrench sort of thing for that. You'll just barely be able to get it in there, and barely be able to reach it with your fingertips, and then you get to tighten it 1 click at a time. Oh yeah, and then you have to try to torque that bolt down hard somehow, with only a few fingers able to reach the barely-moving wrench. We (I had a couple friends helping) probably spent over an hour just on tightening that one damn bolt (we didn't have a gearwrench, so we used a plain 12-pt box-end wrench. Turn it one 'point', and then readjust again.... ) __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

05-10-2009, 05:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	No, I know he used an air ratchet. I was standing there watching him. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether or not he used a torque wrench afterwards to verify the torque. But I'm 100% positive he used an air ratchet, because he kept looping the hose over his neck and shoulders. I asked him why he was doing that and he said it was to avoid the hose touching my car and potentially scratching the finish. Pretty conscientious guy, huh? He has a ton of funky looking adapters for tight spots too. I'm guessing those helped. He did bitch about that center bottom bolt, but he didn't have as bad a time with it as you did. All he said about it was to make sure I tell people that they need to be able to work by feel, because there's no way to see it. Ghostvette likes this. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf. Last edited by semtex; 05-10-2009 at 05:47 PM.

09-16-2009, 01:02 PM	#20 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Yes. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

09-16-2009, 04:33 PM	#22 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Nope, everything's been fine. No issues. No heat issues either. The headers are ceramic coated, and then wrapped in addition to that, so I think things are good on that front. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

11-05-2009, 11:59 AM	#23 (permalink)
JvKintheUSA Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 465 Drives: 2013 Shelby GT500 Rep Power: 427	Hey Semtex, who did your header installation? I want to get the Stillen headers and are looking for a repurable installed that has experience installing the headers on a 370z. Thanks for the step-by-step pictures and explanation of the installation process and challenges! Thanks! __________________

05-10-2009, 05:56 PM	#18 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	So I guess without splurging on an air setup for a ratchet with crazy fittings a geared box wrench will be the next best thing.

09-16-2009, 12:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 266	I'm guess he reused the exhaust gaskets?

11-05-2009, 12:07 PM	#24 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	You sure you want the headers? They're a complete waste of money, IMO. PM me your contact info if you really want them and I'll fwd to my guy. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

11-05-2009, 01:17 PM	#26 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Go to this thread and judge for yourself -> Stillen Headers installed - Review/Pics/Vid/Dyno __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

04-11-2010, 11:43 AM	#28 (permalink)
jtown82 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: southern Arkansas Posts: 158 Drives: 09 chicane yellow Z Rep Power: 15	headers are def not cost effective for these cars.

04-19-2010, 05:11 PM	#29 (permalink)
vactor Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: chicago Posts: 5 Drives: G37xS Rep Power: 15	i'm just wondering why it's so hard to make a set of headers that have perfect fitment? i mean, really, how hard can it be to make them so that they line up with the factory exhaust???

07-26-2010, 10:52 AM	#30 (permalink)
wh1te370z Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York, Long Island Posts: 559 Drives: PW Base Sport 6 Spd Rep Power: 15	^^ i also have the saem question nothing aftermarket seems to ever fit right. there is stuff out there that works but more times then not it doesnt work this doesnt look that bad to do. i did headers on my 95 firebird. you want to talk about a pita? it took me about 3-4 hours to get ONE side in. and that was the easy side. and i also went to school and worked at two dealers and still had problems. if you decide to tackle something like this def have someone that knows what they are doing right next to you and make sure you have all the right tools to do so.

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