B6 S4 JHM headers w/engine in car

[mrkubanftw]

Anyone done this with the engine still in the car?




I realize doing headers on this car is virtually a Steven King horror story... so i get that. But hear me out.



I have JHM mid headers and DP's i've never installed. I need a new starter, motor mounts, and a coolant temp sensor replaced very very soon. I happen to have all of these components already.


From my research, its easiest to do the starter with the motor mount removed. Well that's an easy kill two birds with one stone. The coolant temp sensor, on the other hand, looks like its easiest to replace under the car with the pass side DP removed (speculation). Ive also read the only way to do headers on this car with the engine in, is to drop the engine substantially aka disconnecting or removing the motor mounts altogether. Since ill be doing that anyway.... i figured to hell with it, why not replace all of it. I have a couple days free here. What yall think OTHER than it will be a pita. Anyone done this before?

[BCsniper]

Yes it's possible, I've done it, however was it worth it.........not so much. You would probably have a much easier time than I did since I installed the longtube headers, but still you'd probably be better off just pulling the motor.

You just have to remove so much damn stuff to do it. Also you have to lower the engine so far that you've really done about 95% of the work to get the motor out. There's really only a few things left attached to the engine when you get enough space to do the install. And getting to all the header bolts is a bitch so you're so much better off doing it when the motor is sitting outside the car.

[mrkubanftw]

Yes it's possible, I've done it, however was it worth it.........not so much. You would probably have a much easier time than I did since I installed the longtube headers, but still you'd probably be better off just pulling the motor.

You just have to remove so much damn stuff to do it. Also you have to lower the engine so far that you've really done about 95% of the work to get the motor out. There's really only a few things left attached to the engine when you get enough space to do the install. And getting to all the header bolts is a bitch so you're so much better off doing it when the motor is sitting outside the car.

Alrighty, thanks for the input. I have to pop the motor in spring anyways to do my timing. Just didn't want to wait that long and ill already have a lot of that work done to get at the starter and coolant sensor. But ill wait. Thanks!

[FastEddie]

Jimmybones has done more than once i think.

[alcatranz518]

I have done i with the engine out, and honestly for the small amount of time to remove the engine, compared to fighting with it in...I would say just pull the engine. Its EXTREMELY easy and can be done actually pretty quick as long as you know the proper routes to take, don't rush, and pay close attn to all your harnesses and clearances (coming out and going in). If you have the Bentley manual, you are golden but the DIYs out there by joey and couple others are extremely well written and can give you what you need confidently. I used both routes for the removal and can say they can either or help you do it without question.

BC - Wow man you have my respect in so many ways. I think it could be done granted, but can't believe it would take anything short of a miracle to do it. Well done sir.

[mrkubanftw]

I have done i with the engine out, and honestly for the small amount of time to remove the engine, compared to fighting with it in...I would say just pull the engine. Its EXTREMELY easy and can be done actually pretty quick as long as you know the proper routes to take, don't rush, and pay close attn to all your harnesses and clearances (coming out and going in). If you have the Bentley manual, you are golden but the DIYs out there by joey and couple others are extremely well written and can give you what you need confidently. I used both routes for the removal and can say they can either or help you do it without question.

BC - Wow man you have my respect in so many ways. I think it could be done granted, but can't believe it would take anything short of a miracle to do it. Well done sir.

Haha no joke. To someone who is no stranger to V8's in tight places... i find it troubling that you cant even SEE the headers when you open the hood :P I never even assumed they could be done w/engine in the car. I just happened to read about someone doing it, and this is 4 months since ive actually purchased the headers. Been working on designing a Cellular lojack system for tuners that can fuel cut by text message, and report GPS positions. Also have a daughter coming in 2 months... so its been hectic and i havent had the time :P

[BCsniper]

The thing is the statement of "installing headers with ening IN the car" just isn't entirely true. By the time you drop it low enough to get the headers on the motor isn't really IN the car anymore. You might not have taken it out, but I sure wouldn't say it's still "in" the car