Ebay headers...updates?

[harryrcb]

OK really don't know if this applies, but....I have 04 S I bought the $80 ebay headers over a year ago. put them on - no warning lights- no flash - no loss of power. I also put them previously on my 97 2.5 same results , well actually better because the car ran noticebly better. Still have the same headers on my 04 working perfectly. I did use the ports and put the o2 sensors in. Since then I installed softronic flash and eliminated the cats altogether. no problems. runs great. lots of power.

[j.fro]

You're headed down a slippery, somewhat expensive slope, but there are power gains to be had. I've got an 00 S and I've had the Chinese headers on there for 4 years and 60,000 miles. I got CEL's and it took a Softronic reflash last year to eliminate that. The reflash also corrected a lean condition that I got, but only knew about because of taking the car for a dyno test. When I dyno'ed the car, I had the headers, gutted cats, and an EVO intake: 225 HP at the wheels, which put me around 265 flywheel. 15 HP gain isn't too bad, especially for under $400 in parts. Too bad it takes another $750 for the reflash to get things running properly.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by j.fro

You're headed down a slippery, somewhat expensive slope, but there are power gains to be had. I've got an 00 S and I've had the Chinese headers on there for 4 years and 60,000 miles. I got CEL's and it took a Softronic reflash last year to eliminate that. The reflash also corrected a lean condition that I got, but only knew about because of taking the car for a dyno test. When I dyno'ed the car, I had the headers, gutted cats, and an EVO intake: 225 HP at the wheels, which put me around 265 flywheel. 15 HP gain isn't too bad, especially for under $400 in parts. Too bad it takes another $750 for the reflash to get things running properly.

What did your power/torque curve look like from low to mid range ?

[Stroked & Blown]

FWIW, I have a set of the chinese headers sitting on the shelf. All the posts about broken header bolts & minimal power gains dissuaded me from installing them.

[harryrcb]

Originally Posted by Stroked & Blown

FWIW, I have a set of the chinese headers sitting on the shelf. All the posts about broken header bolts & minimal power gains dissuaded me from installing them.

THat is a real shame, when I installed it on my 97, I had neither of those problems, if you decide to do it, make sure the engine is cold, sitting overnight, the bolts should come right out. unless someone over torqued them before. the worst thing you might have to do is adjust the holes with a dremel but that's a maybe, I have installed several now and 1 was spot on, 2 needed a slight adjustment and 1 needed more than slight adjustment. You will feel a slight difference in power and it will sound better as well, but only if you take it off your shelf and give it a shot.
Happy Holidays

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by harryrcb

THat is a real shame, when I installed it on my 97, I had neither of those problems, if you decide to do it, make sure the engine is cold, sitting overnight, the bolts should come right out. unless someone over torqued them before. the worst thing you might have to do is adjust the holes with a dremel but that's a maybe, I have installed several now and 1 was spot on, 2 needed a slight adjustment and 1 needed more than slight adjustment. You will feel a slight difference in power and it will sound better as well, but only if you take it off your shelf and give it a shot.
Happy Holidays

Did install these on your '97 or '04 ?

[RandallNeighbour]

I have them on my 97 and my mechanic had no problem installing them. They did give me a nice bump in HP and torque (15 or so) and the Chinese twin chamber exhaust is more throaty than normal.

It was a good mod for me.

[harryrcb]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

Did install these on your '97 or '04 ?

Both cars plus on an 01 S (friends)