Well after about 6 hours, the stock headers came off and the new ones were put on. I ran into a few speed bumps along the way. I couldnt get the 02 sensor out the stockers because I didnt have enough clearance with my 02 socket. That led to not being able to get one of the heat shields off to get to some of the bolts. I ended up cutting a section out of the heat shield so I could pull it off. I then had to disconnect the 02 sensor all together and pull it out with the headers and remove it that way.
The next issue was the damn up pipe. What a bish that was. I tried pulling out from underneath the car and from above and both times it was getting stuck. I head read on here that it is a good idea to jack up the engine, but to do this I would have to undo one of the engine mounts. The problem there was my whiteline sway bar is straight and went right over top of the bolt. To get access I would have to drop the subframe and pull the sway bar out..
So I said eff that and kept playing with the up pipe. I finally was able to twist it the opposite direction and push it up towards the turbo and then pull it down out of the engine bay where the down pipe exits. That took a good hour.
After, this I got to work on the new up pipe. Turns out 2 of the included studs for the turbo were too long. Had to pull them back out and grind them down, or the down pipe wouldn't go back on.
Next was the headers. They came do close to fitting, but the subframe again was in the way. Pulled out the grinder and took some of the subframe off and they popped right on. I tightened everything down and let me tell you that the 3rd bold on a 3 bolt flange closest to the engine block is a mother effer to reach and tighten down. But anyway, got it all put back together including the down pipe, reconnected the o2 sensor and was off for a test drive.
Immediately the car seems a bit quieter and has lost some of its suby rumble. Not quite as much as you would with equal length but there is still some missing. I was a little disappointed by this, but I got over it as I was driving.
Normal driving the car is still a bit quieter and not much different. Then I was able to get on the throttle. It isn't a monster difference, but there is definitely more grunt. I would compare it from going from stock to Stage 1. The butt dyno estimates 10-15hp right away. I can only assume this will get better after a tune. The engine also appears louder under WOT now. There is more Grrrr to it than before and definitely sounds more aggressive. It pulls really well through 1-4. I didn't have a chance to try 5-6.
Only one issue, I am noticing I am getting a vibration in my shifter at about 3k rpm. I think i have found the issued already. Wolfplayer pointed out to my that my wrap is touching the subframe in one of my pictures. I was so tired last night after the install I didn't notice. It must have happened on my test drive. So I will be back under the car today and see what I can do about that and find out if that fixes the vibration I am feeling.
Overall, I like them. It sounds good under throttle. Who doesn't like more power? And things seem to fit together nicely. I haven't found any leaks so far, but I will keep an eye out. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long post. Here are a couple of pics.
Cobb Turbo Back Exhaust w/Maddad Headers and up pipe
YouTube - Cobb TBE w/ Maddad Headers and Up Pipe