Got my header and the work began - Page 3

turmic · 11-16-2009, 11:44 AM

Its something to consider. I like the way Boost Addicts sounds. It just sounds like performance.

ratfink · 11-16-2009, 04:54 PM

The STi exhaust would sound a little different, but his is a touch loud for my tastes. My car is a DD and I carry people in the back seat on a weekly basis. I don't want any drone or loud reverb on decel in the cabin. I like to pretend it's a business/economy car during the week. LOL

newtothegame · 11-16-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratfink

The STi exhaust would sound a little different, but his is a touch loud for my tastes. My car is a DD and I carry people in the back seat on a weekly basis. I don't want any drone or loud reverb on decel in the cabin. I like to pretend it's a business/economy car during the week. LOL

Brad that last statement made me laugh pretty good. I took 3 of my co-workers around the other day. The whined about being a little cramped (all of us arond the height of 5'11"- to 6'1"), until of course I hit the go pedal. And they were like

??, its only a 4-cyl?? lol

ratfink · 11-16-2009, 05:03 PM

LOL One of the reason I bought an 08 instead of a previous gen is the interior room. It has the same room as my 325 did, but about 6" more headroom. It's great for 4 people. 5 is tight in anything but a full size sedan or SUV IMO. We drive an elderly women around sometimes, and my wife drives while I sit in the back seat. I am only 5'8", but I have plenty of room.....especially if I sit behind my 5'1" wife. LOL

ratfink · 11-17-2009, 04:39 PM

Thought I'd throw up a couple installed pics I took before I put the belly back on. This is after about 100 miles or so. (horrible cell pics I know)

turmic · 11-17-2009, 05:14 PM

It looks like you put some 80s leg warmers on your car. LOL. Nicely done though. I also love the business/economy car statement

, its nice to think it is every now and then.

ratfink · 11-17-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turmic

It looks like you put some 80s leg warmers on your car. LOL. Nicely done though. I also love the business/economy car statement

, its nice to think it is every now and then.

Flash Dance anyone?

LOL

AWD COnvert · 12-12-2009, 06:01 PM

Hi,

Great writeup by ratfink. I have a Perrin EL header on order for my 2002 WRX and had one question after reading your story.

Did I understand correctly that you temporarily installed header on your car to see where slip joint was positioned, then removed it, completed the entire weld, then shipped it out for coating before permanently installing?

I gather that you re-installed the stock manifold while the header was out for coating?

I ask since I wonder if I should coat first, leaving slip joint area untouched (if possible) and then install only once.

Again, very nice post with pictures. I hope you don't mind a question from a "lesser" 2.0L owner. I did own an 04 STI once

.

Thanks,
Jean

ratfink · 12-12-2009, 07:10 PM

Not exactly. First off, mine were very used, so I figured they had shrunk as much as they would and were safe to weld. Second, I mounted the headers and welded them on the car so they would fit perfectly. I reused the old gaskets at that point, and used new gaskets on final install. Then I sanded/wire brushed them until clean and coated them myself with spray header paint. It's suppose to have ceramic, but I dunno. I just wanted to protect them from surface rust under the wrap. I coated with about 6-7 coats, cured fully, and then wrapped. Coated the wrap with silicone header spray another 6-7 coats. After 300 miles of running around in rainy conditions without the belly pan they still looked the same as when I installed them. Hope that helps.