I've got a Mindtrain header/presilencer to install on my 88 GTU (thanks Redleg9) and have a question. The Haynes manual says you have to remove the ACV and port actuators to remove the exhaust manifold. Is that true, or can you get it done without removing everything? Thanks guys.

 

I did a RB header and presilencer for my friend. I removed the ACV and the big hose that goes from the airbox to the intake manifold. If you have alot of extensions, etc. you should be able to remove the exhaust manifold without removing the actuators.

 

You'll need to remove the air pump and acv (84-88 6 port engines require the removal of the air pump as far as I know). If you enjoy bloody knuckles, leave the 6 port actuators on; otherwise remove them and save yourself a lot of trouble. The nuts for the header bolts were 14mm on mine while a 3/8 fit on the bottom heat shield bolts (um). The only thing you really have to crawl under the car for is hooking up the o2 sensor wiring, removing the bottom heat shield, and sliding the header in. I just installed my rb header today. Mmm, 13b NA with header and no cats or mufflers...maybe I should go to the muffler shop tomorrow .

 

when i did my headers i didnt have to remove the air pump. i just move the intake tube outa the way so i could get in there. i removed the port actuators tho.

most of the time yoll spend getting off the exhaust head shielding if you still have it. its a real pain in the *** if the bolts are rusted, etc.. that alone took me about 4 hrs.

good luck

scott

 

WOW! I removed my heat sheilds easily. I used lots of extensions and a big *** breaker bar. They came off no problem.

 

Omg it was pure headache for my friend and I when we removed the shielding. Rust was simply caked on there. Plus one of the nuts on the header REFUSED to budge. I swear, whoever worked on the car last to put the bolt in didn't know ANYTHING about rethreading or something. Anyways, took us ~4 hours, but that was with the pain in the *** nuts and the shielding rusted to the bone. Good luck!

Peace,
AJ ^_^

 

remove the ACV and block it off, also remove the airpump.

If you have a cone intake no problem, still have stock intake ? need to cap off one end.

 

it only takes a few minutes to remove the ACV and the actuators, and it will make taking off the manifold much easier, might as well do it.

 

Finally someone who refers to it as "a header" as opposed to "headers"... there is only ONE you know! I guess it's a trend picked up from V-6/V-8 piston boys. LOL

-Brian

 

Look above. I called it a header.

 

That's nice... when did I say you didn't?

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I did the deed today. Only took about 3 hours. NONE of the bolts were rusted on. I sprayed some Liquid Wrench on everything last night and went out and did it today. It really does take only a few minutes to take off the ACV and actuators and it makes it very easy to work on the manifold.

For information sake, this is a Mindtrain Racing header with the Street Adapter. It has a pretty deep sound and really didn't make the car much louder at all. I've got a single exhaust with a turbo muffler. I'd guess it's about 5 db or so louder.

The additional low-end torque is noticeable immediately and the engine revs more freely. Felt very strong on my favorite windy road and is about .2 seconds quicker 20-60 in second.

 

I'm thinking of a complete MindTrain system, header, Hi-Flow cat right back to the dual exhaust.

Wonder about the build quality and the sound level and tone?

You mentioned it was a deeper sound, how about at full throttle?

Any addtional comments, such as whether you'd by this brand again would be appreciated...

I want a long lasting, deep throaty sounding system...

 

if you want deep, i've got a cherry bomb in place of the main cat and mine is nice and deep at low rpms, and then at 4500 it gets higher with the rotary racecar sound

 

The build quality is very good. I've put headers on small block Chevy's in the past and they seem like featherweights compared to the Mindtrain unit. The tubing is quite thick and the flanges are about 1/2" thick. I thought I'd be saving some weight with the system but I'm sure it weighs as much as the stock stuff.

At lower RPM it's quite throaty and deep. The pitch goes up some with RPM, but definitely not the wail I've heard from other rotaries. My catback is a 2-1/2" single to a turbo muffler.

I'm sure it's going to improve my autocross times. That's what I got it for.