Wagner Header Installed (Pics)

[melbourne_mp5]

I installed the wagner header over the weekend. I've only put about 50 miles on it and I think it's helping with midrange power. If nothing else, with the mazdaspeed axleback, the exhaust note sounds alot better. Off throttle droning is reduced. On throttle sound has more growl. I can't wait to receive the new downpipe and get that thing on.

Here is the stock exhaust manifold:

http://www.msprotege.com/members/melbourne_mp5/OEMmanifold.jpg

Here is the header installed on the car prior to any runs:

http://www.msprotege.com/members/melbourne_mp5/newheader_prerun.jpg

Here is the header after one run to get things up to temperature and check for leaks.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/melbourne_mp5/newheader_onerun.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/melbourne_mp5/newheader_onerun2.jpg

[bazooka joe]

very nice!(bowdown)

[black_rob00]

Real nice..

[Paul Ruebens]

i like it a lot.

[Dimitrios]

Looks great.

How long did it take?

Did you use your old gaskets?

Torque values on the header to head?

Waiting for mine to come in....

[melbourne_mp5]

Looks great.

How long did it take?

Did you use your old gaskets?

Torque values on the header to head?

Waiting for mine to come in....
It took about 1 hour and 30 minutes, only because I really took my time, was overly cautious, and had several distractions. I had to loosen the downpipe where it is bolted to the frame, and also loosen where the down-pipe connects to the mid-pipe, in order to get the "wiggle room" to get the header free from the studs and pull it out.

I ordered new gaskets but they didn't arrive and I wanted to get this thing installed over memorial day weekend. This is why I was cautious, because I did not want to damage any of the gaskets.

I wish I could give you torque values, but I did not have a torque wrench. This is another reason I took my time and was overly cautious. I wrenched everything until it was snug, alternating bolts frequently. Then everything got a quarter-turn on top of that. After letting it heat up and cool down, most got an additional eighth of a turn. I did it all by feel. It worked... no leaks, no stripped threads, and no snapped bolts.

It's a very easy and straightforward install. You'll love the header on looks alone. Don't forget to reset the ECU. Also, I used NevrDull on mine when I first got it, and right after the install but before the first run. I highly recommend you use it or something like it to get the sheen on the stainless.

[PaulMP3]

Damn.. thats pretty

[yelomp5]

I think it's helping with midrange power
So you don't feel any additional power/pull
@ the lower ends?

BTW, the headers looks fabulous!

[Coolhand]

Got mine on this weekend too. Along with Unorthodox Crank Pulley. Really happy with it so far! http://www.msprotege.com/members/Coolhand/DSC00372.JPG

[Dimitrios]

Boy, oh, boy...them's there headers is pretty......

[goldstar]

According to the FSM, the torque setting for the exhaust manifold nuts is 14-16 ft/lbs (19-22 N/m).

[CitizenPro]

I like the header guys.......so how do you like the power of the crank pulley Coolhand?

[Coolhand]

I like the header guys.......so how do you like the power of the crank pulley Coolhand?
Well, the instructions say that it takes 5-7 days of running the car for the computer to recalibrate and get used to it before it creates max power, and I have to say that 3 days after install, the car is definitely pulling harder. I kind of wish I had waited to install seperately to see which made the biggest dif, but oh well, it's one hell of a combo and I'm happy nonetheless!!!
(yippy)

[sidpro5]

Damn! Looks great guys. Any day now, mine will be here. Hopefully before Saturday. That way I can do the install at work and get time + a half for it!

[roni]

pretty :D

[Maxx Mazda]

Shorty headers don't really give you any power do they? My Ractive added quite a bit of punch, but it's a true 4-1.

[Subghetto]

Shorty headers don't really give you any power do they? My Ractive added quite a bit of punch, but it's a true 4-1.This header was dynoed and there are dyno graphs it had a 7hp increase so it does give you power.

[Kooldino]

Hmmm...does he plan on making a test pipe to remove that first cat?

[tonkabui]

This header was dynoed and there are dyno graphs it had a 7hp increase so it does give you power.


i don't know why people keep posting this. the graphs were from two seperate cars. there's an increase for sure, but how much of it was BECAUSE of the header ALONE is not known. what is known is the shift in the power band and possibly 3-4whp.

[Maxx Mazda]

i don't know why people keep posting this. the graphs were from two seperate cars. there's an increase for sure, but how much of it was BECAUSE of the header ALONE is not known. what is known is the shift in the power band and possibly 3-4whp.
Amen Tonka...

[p5sundevil]

to continue on with what truc said, I believe a while ago someone dyno'd either this shorty header or the ES shorty header and although the same advertising was used stating a 7whp dyno gain when the person actually dyno'd their car there was like a 1whp gain. Now he said at that time it may have been the dyno or something because the difference felt like alot more than 1whp but I trust the dyno more.

What Im getting at is for a header to show any significant gains it needs to be a full 4-1 or 4-2-1 that gets rid of our damn primary cat aka the pinhole.

[PaulMP3]

Hmmm...does he plan on making a test pipe to remove that first cat?
he already has this to replace the DP.
http://www.wagnermotorsports.net/projects/18/Im000743.jpg

[p5sundevil]

yes but the only reason to do that is if you Have to pass vsiaul inspection, cause you will still pass emissions with just the rear cat from the sniff test just depends on how nazi like your emmisions center is. SO i guess for that reason that is a good setup but otherwise it seems kinda a waste to get a shorty header then a DP if you dont have to pass visual.

[pedros kanabis]

excuse my ignorance but is it true that if you remove the primary cat, CEL turns on?
i really would like to have more power but i am scared to chagned the header, also, is this street legal?

thanks for help guys!

[Matthew]

anything that removes cats willl not be street legal, but the wagner keeps the first cat so you will be good to go, though i cant imagine that much gain to be had from a header that keeps both cats.

but DAMN it sure looks nice. nicer than my racingmazda EVER did.

[p5sundevil]

yah the craftsmanship is something on that piece that cant be argued, it is a pimp ass piece, i just question going with a setup with a shorty header and DP w/cat unless you absolutely HAVE to pass visual inspection AND are to lazy to stick the stock mani back on for inspection day and then swap back(honestly what 2-3 hours of work)

Thats all I was saying, both pieces look absolutely perfect as far as quality and materials....comes down to personal preference in your application and how willing your to swapping the stock mani back in for your inspections every few yrs.

[Matthew]

yea or pay someone to pass you (evil)

but i dont see much of a gain from that setup...but if you actually GET wagner's products, they sure look nice.

[pedros kanabis]

how about the CEL? do i need to worry about it if it turns on?
will it turn on with a wagner brand?( just wondering if brand matters)

[Maxx Mazda]

how about the CEL? do i need to worry about it if it turns on?
will it turn on with a wagner brand?( just wondering if brand matters)
It shouldn't turn on with a shorty header, but if you go to a 4-1 like I have, it will turn on unless you get a bung welded in for it, and install a CEL eliminator.

[sidpro5]

comes down to personal preference in your application and how willing your to swapping the stock mani back in for your inspections every few yrs.
Every few years??? Try every year here in Montgomery County, PA. And they are pretty strict around here. Plus, I myself don't feel like having to pull a mod off every year to keep the smog nazis happy.

[Subghetto]

Every few years??? Try every year here in Montgomery County, PA. And they are pretty strict around here. Plus, I myself don't feel like having to pull a mod off every year to keep the smog nazis happy.(mswerd) That's why I'am getting the header and the DP with with the hi-flow cat and just getting the mid-pipe w/o the cat since I'am positive that I should pass the sniffer test with just 1 cat.

[p5sundevil]

even once a yr, it comes down to what your Willing to do, i mean even if I had to do it once a yr, I wouldnt mind the 2 hours of work it would take to do both parts of the swap(before and after the test)...I mean whats 2 hours out of a year to someone who supposedly likes working on theirs cars in the first place.

But also as I have said, its personal preference and what you want to do with your particular application.

[sidpro5]

Ya know what? I'm not even going to argue this point. I have my reasons. Enough said.

[Replica]

I installed a stock header on my civic to pass inspection. Not a big deal. An hour of work to avoid alot of hassle.