Ok, I got a fine deal on a used set of RB headers from a forum member, but I was surprised to find out that NO ONE in this area wants to touch installing them. Saying things like "Headers? No one messes with them anymore!", or "You can't keep them from leaking", or "The cause the mounting bolts to break off in the engine". They REFUSE to do the work.
Is there some header issues any of you have run into? I'd do it myself (4 bolts BIG DAMN DEAL!) but unfortunately there will have to be some welding done to my current piping.
Any idea why these folks are refusing to do it?

 

I believe the are scared because, It's illegal for muffler shops to remove emission devices, in your case the cat converters. Just buy a pre-silencer, and bolt it to the header. No need to weld then.

 

That's just it...I have a cat and want to keep it (it's hollowed out, but they don't know that).
I have a pre-sliencer that's welded just before the cat, so the header would have to be welded just before the presilencer.
No, it's not an emissions thing, damned if I know what it is though...

 

just buy a presilencer, that way everything just bolts up. If you want a cat, mazdatrix sells a high flow cat that you can use in place of a presilencer.

 

So bolt the header on, hang the rest of your exhaust next to it, and then drive it to the shop open headers. Then threaten to rev your engine to 7500rpm outside their shop if they don't weld it up!

Ok, seriously, drive down there open header and just get them to weld the remaining pieces of your exhaust on. Most exhaust shops don't like installing the actual header, 'cause there's always the possibility that the studs will strip out of the block or something, causing permanent damage to the engine that they'd have to pay for out of their pockets... That's the way my dad's friend who runs an exhaust shop is anyways... He'll do the install, but he tries everything to advise against it

 

c'mon dude do it yourself.
what's all this presilencer **** i keep hearing?

 

The reason is because a RB header and presilencer will bolt up to the stock connecting pipe.

 

The header itself is intact, but the connecting pipe had been cut, so it's gotta be welded to the pre-silencer, which is welded to the empty cat. Empty cat is welded to a pipe that is welded to the RB muffler I have.
That eliminates me doing it myself, although I'm pretty good with a soldering iron..

 

can't you weld a new flange onto the header and bolt it to the RB presilencer? It's worth it!

 

Unproductive criticism. Not everyone can pull a welder out of their ***. I believe the point that the mwpayne was trying to make was that he is trying to do things the most cost efficient way and retaining simplicity at the same time. It would seem pretty illogical for him to buy a welder so he can make a couple tacks and a few beads now wouldn't it? But of course since your better than everyone here because you can criticize, please don't read this post because sometimes i prefer to bolt things on instead of pulling out the wirefeed and having the chance of it being irreversible.
Any exhaust place won't touch anything that replaces the cats for fear of a huge fine. Other than that you can get them to do pretty much anything. So i would take Manntis' or Keapon's advice.

Zachstylez

 

I'm not sure I'm getting across....

The cat is STILL on the car, the header won't affect that, so that's not what's scaring these guys. I'm not asking them to take off the cat, I'm asking them to install the header.
I suppose I could order flanges from mazdatrix and have them welded on, but that would be a ton more trouble than what I want done. Keep in mind my current system: Stock manifold WELDED to a presilencer, WELDED to a cat (hollowed out), which is WELDED to a pipe that is WELDED to an RB muffler. This is how the car was when I bought it.
I probably should have mentioned that before so y'all could get that clear in your minds.
'Preciate the help, though. I'll probably have to get Kevin Landers to bail me out once again! (He has connections.. )

 

I think that you may be over lloking a great spot for help. TRY a local WELDING shop. They will not worry about emmissions and could care less. Bolt on the header and drive over to the closest one. These guys are used to making welded assemblies out of some strange pcs all the time. Can fabricate what u may not have also!

 

I think that you may be over lloking a great spot for help. TRY a local WELDING shop. They will not worry about emmissions and could care less. Bolt on the header and drive over to the closest one. These guys are used to making welded assemblies out of some strange pcs all the time. Can fabricate what u may not have also!

 

That is some good advice, welders don't tend to care as long as its safe. I used to work in a fab shop. People would bring in weird stuff to weld all the time

 

Go to an autocross and ask the owner of the loudest car there who does his welding.

 

i realize not everyone has these resources, but seriously, exhaust flanges and piping are so cheap, mark your cuts match flanges, take to a welder or even a muff shop (off the car!)if they do ask questions just tell them its for an off-road race car.

it's that easy.

joe

 

why not just get a new connecting pipe?

 

What good is an exhaust shop if they won't install exhaust components for you? If a shop said that over here they'd probably get laughed out of business.

 

Unbelievable. I called the last one today, and this is a shop that will cut off cats, no problem, anytime. I mentioned 'headers', the guy hemmed and hawed, finally said, "Uh, well, I guess I could take a stab at it...I'd have to have at least $200 and leave the car for 4 days".....
It's getting actually funny now.
I'm gonna leave it with Kevin Landers, he'll put on the headers and have a shop he knows do the rest. Damn, that guy has got to be sick of bailing me out....

 

$200 for the install!? For that much I can buy a welder, and build the exhaust myself.

 

I pulled a welder out of my *** (for less than $200). The next step is learning how to use it. After that, it's exhaust building time. Well worth it. Trust me.

 

Damn did it hurt, and was it hot? j/k.
Yea learning how to weld is really worth it. You can do so much.

 

You hold an excellent point no doubt about it. If you even have the slightest clue how to weld and if you have a welder, it is just plain stupid not to do it yourself. Cost wise and fairly simple. VERY simple as far as welding goes.
I took a class on welding and i am pretty slick at it. The art/skill of welding and the possession of a welder if you are into cars is almost unparalleled as far as usefulness goes. Also, it is quite fun once you get the hang of it. Not too hard to start either.
Get a portable wirefeed.
Extra wire.
Welding helmet.
Heavy duty gloves.
A bunch of extra thick sheetmetal to practice on.
And you are pretty much set.
Revhead, i completely see your point and it is ludacris of these shops. I mean... i think the name of the game is exhaust and i would think that since headers are a big part of that, one would assume that they would do it. But they don't... Even my homie Turbo Terry here in Bellingham won't even do that stuff anymore... What has the world come to...

Zachstylez