Today started what is now “header weekend”. Getting the old headers out and the old exhaust out was cake. Getting the new headers in was something quite less than the proverbial piece of cake. After jacking the engine practically out of the car and putting the car as far up on jack stands as it could go we still needed a few inches - sawing up some 2×6’s was the ticket.

Tomorrow’s tasks include finishing bolting up the headers, putting on the intake tubing, capping off the air pump (don’t need it no mo) and then running the new exhaust.

This has by FAR been the hardest automotive task I’ve ever undertaken. Rebuilding an engine and the putting it in by myself was much easier than this! Thankfully the hard parts seem to be over.

I’m a bit concerned about the clearances on the passenger side of the engine bay - the headers sit EXTREMELY close to the starter - I’m talking millimeters. Also the starter will not go in and out with the headers bolted up so when that sucker dies it is gonna be some kinda pain and torture to change out!

Tomorrow I have a feeling it will all be worth it. While taking off my old exhaust system I discovered that one of my cats didn’t even have provisions for the airpump to send oxygen to it. Clogged cat(s)? Looking for a nice little performance boost off of this. Oh yeah and it is going to be LOUD.