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The header install has been the absolute worst nightmare as far as performance parts are concerned. After sizing up the project, I decided that I did not want to deal with it. Maybe I should have tried, but the obstacles I would have had to overcome would have been many. Needless to say, I am not one to walk away from a challenge, but my lack of resources was prohibitive.

If you want to tackle the Hotshot headers yourself, then follow this link to Ross Lapkoff's intallation. Possibly the most complete description of how to do it yourself. As a side note, thanks to Ross Lapkoff for the unauthorized rip of all of the pictures in this mod page!

BEFORE:
The stock headers are ugly hunks of cast metal, or so they appear. They look quite restrictive and don't look effective at passing exhaust gasses cleanly. .



Look at the difference between the exhaust manifolds. The orange ones are the stock pipes while the cool looking silver ones are the Hotshot headers.

AFTER:
The header install went fairly cleanly. But there was one slight complication. The EGR tube. To make a VERY long story short, let's just say that on Tuesday, June 23rd 1998, I spent almost 6 hours underneath the car sizing up the problem and working on the tube. In the end I just ended up plugging BOTH ends of the EGR tube with JBWeld epoxy. This is a very temporary fix as apparently the vehicle's emissions will be higher, but at least it saves me the temporary frustration of trying desperately to find someone that will do a proper job on the tube. I haven't found anyone to do it yet. It sucks.



Cost Analysis

I Spent:
$300. An ex-Probe owner had an uninstalled header sitting around. $250 plus the COD shipping.

When:
June 1998