Another thread. I still havn't acted on this.
At 90k now,I better hurry. Test pipes/ They make em for our cars to replace the pre-cats or just the main cat?

 

you need headers or gut the precats

front wheel drive set up is dumb for emissions retardation

 

I was hoping test pipes existed. Couldnt find any online,wanted to confirm here.
Headers it is.

 

Gutting the precats would effectively be the same as having test pipes.
You could probably bring the precats to a custom exhaust shop and have them turn them into test pipes. They could put them in a jig, cut out the cat and weld a new pipe to the flanges.

I installed headers in 04 or 05 with around the same mileage as you. At 240,000 I still have no oil burning issue.

 

That's very good to hear. These cars damn near perfect except for those damn pre-cats.
I'm gonna do the headers. Short story,
I had actually ordered the headers from a website when I first got the car,
never charged or sent them out. I never bothered after that. Got busy with working and what not.
Ended up buying everything for the install .
Cant remember but IDK if they were on ebay .Werent on amazon thats for sure. They are now.
Perhaps they updated the fitment issues. Yours OBX or Cattmans?

 

Mine are Hotshot headers but they're not made any more. It's a shame because they were good quality for less than the Cattmans. Zero fit issues, they don't block the oil drain and they're ceramicoated. Still look like I just installed them.

 

dang that does sound nice, what did you do for O2 sensors? sim or extender?

 

do you have any typcial burning issues w the age of the car? I am at 236K and guttted around 186k. didnt burn much before, and not much after, but I am still burning oil now at this point, about a quart once I am half way into an oil change interval (oil is ditry and breaking down eaiser etc.)

 

I did a simulator which failed after a few years. Did another one and it failed too. I'm just living with the SES light now. I may do the extenders one day but I'm not too worried about it for now. No vehicle inspections here in Florida so an SES is no big deal. I pull the codes once in a while just to make sure there's nothing new.

I would say it has below average oil consumption for its miles. Especially considering how I drive it. I like winding it out when I can. It's mostly a car for short trips and playing around now since I have a different vehicle for work. I don't add much oil and I do 10,000 mile oil changes. I'm not losing any leaks either.

 

Well I ordered the headers. Lets see how much fun I'll be having.
I still have to do a carbon clean on my VW as well as install a mini-split A/C. Should just pay a shop to install the headers. Just where I am at, people are sloppy.

 

thanks for the info Derrick ! good to know and interesting , what oil are u using? synthetic 5w30?

 

Mobil1 15,000 mile synthetic in the gold jug with a Napa gold filter. Been using that since I got both cars in 2004. The 300,000 mile 00 gets 15,000 mile oil changes. It's fully stock and was driven easy by my ex wife. Both cars look perfectly clean under the valve covers. That's the only oil I use in any of my cars.

 

Headers came in. I had emailed OBX regarding fitment issues. They emailed me back after the order came in.
Stated that they don't make the headers for the 6 speed,just the auto.
So yea IDK how much of a pain this will be. Thinking of just sending them back.

 

that sounds odd, i forget the difference between the too. hope it works out, maybe someone can chime in here, or search OBX 6SPD fitmnet

 

I don't see how the tranny will affect the header fitment. The headers shouldn't go that close to the tranny or under it. I don't think there's much size difference between the two any way.

I don't have the OBX but when I pull my 6-speed out, the headers aren't an issue at all. Not even close.

My guess is that OBX didn't have access to a 6-MT car to test fit so they're just saying that.

I don't think It'll be a problem at all.

 

That makes sense actually. Honestly I havnt gotten under the car to check it out.
Hopefully I can install them ASAP.
Thanks for the input!