How easy is it to remove the stock headers? I just bought a 99 cali spec with the precat built into the header and I was thinking about replacing it with a fed spec header when I get a new y-pipe. Just wondering what the process is and how difficult it is.

 

From looking underneath my car when I put on my Y-pipe, the front header is probably not a problem, but the back one looks like a major PITA...

My car is fed-spec also, so I have more room to work with than you will.

 

Just want to make sure tho...the header with the precat is the front header. The back header is the same on all 4th gens. Correct?

 

once you remove the front header you can brace the engine to the front to have easier access to rear header. hope you have a lift bro!

 

I'm actually in the middle of the install. I started a few hours ago and decided to finish it up tomorrow. It wasn't as bad removing everything like I thought it would be. The front headers I was able to get out without removing the radiator or fans. The rear I didn't have much trouble with either once the y-pipe and crossmember off. One thing that bothered me a bit was getting the egr tube back on. It was a pain to line the nut up. At this point, I got the front headers bolted on as well as the y-pipe. I have 3 more nuts/studs to go in the back that are giving me a hard time but other than that, it's not that bad. Just be patient and take your time.

 

is it even a smart thing to do to switch cali spec headers to fed spec?

 

i'm pretty sure all you need to change is the front header

 

gotcha. Good to know install isn't that bad. If anyone is ever selling cattman headers for cheaper I might jump on them.

 

Ok, I can get a Warpspeed Alum. Y-pipe for $125+shipping and I assume I can get a front header from a 95-99 fed spec for $50ish...How hard is this to do...as i could see about a 20 hp increase for about $200 in parts?

 

You'll see about 20hp yeah. The y-pipe will give 95% percent of it but getting rid of the cali spec header will give a little extra too.

 

just get a cali spec y and be done with it, it isn't worth it to get extra 02 bungs drilled.

 

A cali-spec y-pipe doesn't eliminate the front precat. You'll leave some power on the table unless a fed spec front manifold is installed.

 

I just figured that while I had the exhaust apart...I may as well get a fed spec header. I don't plan on getting both new headers but a used fed spec front would eliminate the precat and get that extra hp.

However it sounds like its a PITA and I can just put on the y-pipe and get a new cat and call it done. (the b-pipe and muffler are relatively new)