DIY: Skunk 2 Mega Power Header Install

[obert]

So this is my take on installing the Skunk2 Header and Extending the Primary o2 Sensor. I am replacing my Strup Header with the Skunk2 Header. I wanted to put the header install and extending the o2 sensor all in the same place. The Header does not come with everything that you need to install it so I will list what does and does not come with it. I found some of the info was hard to find so I hope this will make it a little easier to find everything.



Ok lets get started.............here are the tools that I used to get this done.

1. Sockets==8mm,10mm,12mm,14mm........1/4 and 3/8 sizes
2. Socket extension
3. Wrenches==8mm,10mm,12mm,14mm,17mm
4. Wire crimper and striper,wire cutter
5. Crescent Wrench
6. Small Flat Head Screw Driver
7. Razor Blade
8. Pin Led Light
9. Magnet Stick
10. Door Panel Remover Tool (For The Plastic Clips)
11. Zip Ties
12. Protective Heat Tape


Not shown is Jack and 4-Jack Stands with a Low Profile Creeper,16 gage wire, black electrical tape and wire connectors.


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Next I will show you what comes it the Header Box and what does not.

This is what comes with the Header right out of the box,Header with two bung holes,exhaust hanger,o2 sensor defouler,donut gasket,and the Header to Mid Pipe Adapter.


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This stuff does not come with the Header,no Spring Bolts and Nuts or Washers,no Bolts or Nuts for the Adapter to Midpipe,and no 3-Hole Gasket for the Adapter to Midpipe. I have a pic of the spring bolts and Washers and Nuts but not the gasket, you will have to reuse your stock spring bolts that hook up the down pipe to the Stock Header and you will need to get some nuts and washers for them due the nuts are welded on the stock header. Also you can reuse the 3-bolts and nuts the hook up the Midpipe to the stock cat , I would make sure you get a New 3-hole gasket before you start.


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Just a quick pic of the car on the Jack Stands


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With the car up on the Jack Stands First thing I did was Disconnect the Neg Battery Cable due to later on you will have to disconnect the o2 sensors.

Quick side note I turned the wipers on and turned the car off with them in the upright position to make it easier to get the plastic cowl off.


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This is what it looks like before I took the plastic cowl and heat shield off.


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First I took off these round plastic plugs (they just pop out)to make it easier to pop up the plastic cowl, there is one on each side of the car and with the wipers in the upright position its a lot easier to get them and the Cowl off and back on.


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Next I took the plastic clips out of the Cowl, after you get the clips off you just pull up on each side and in the middle to get the clips to pop up and take off the Cowl.

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You will have to disconnect the wiper washer fluid line to get the cowl all the way off.


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Pic with the plastic Cowl off.


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Next I took the Heat Shield off, there are 4-bolts on each side and one in the middle that need to come off and if its the first time taking it off you will need to pull a little to get it off.


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Pic with the Cowl and Heat Shield off and them set off to the side.


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Next I loosened up all the o2 sensors to make it easier to get them out with the header loose. Also I disconnected the Primary o2 sensor from the clip that it right on the fire wall just a couple of inch away from the sensor and the disconnect for the Secondary o2 sensor is under the center consol inside the car. Also remove any of the rubber exhaust hangers, mine came off easy but you can use some spray to make it easier to slide them off if they are hard to get off. Oh and when I extended the Primary o2 sensor I made it way to long. (Better long then short)


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The Primary o2 will have to have the wires extended to make it long enough to fit in the Skunk2 header. All I did was use 16 gage black wire for all of the wires but you can get different color wires if you would like. I cut all the wires and then used wire connectors and black tape to cover everything up.


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Then I took the 3-bolts out from where the header hooks up to the midpipe.

Yeah I lost a bolt somewhere and had a leak


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Next I took the top two nuts off of the header and the bottom three bolts off.

I took the top two off from the top and the bottom three off from the bottom

(Sorry Crappy Bottom Pic). It was a lot easier for me to do it this way.


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Quick pic of the header out.


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Here is a side by side shot of the Strup and the Skunk2.


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I did not want to scratch up the Skunk2 while I was putting it back in so I wrapped it up in a towel and some duct tape, looks so good


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It went in so easy compared to the Strup and I did lift up on the header from under the hood be for I started to tighten down the bolts. I was told in doing this it helps the header stay away from the steering rack. Probably not much if at all but I did not want to take the chance.

Nice and far away from it.


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One thing I did notice was that the stock metal clip for the Primary o2 sensor was really close to the header so I just removed it and moved the wires away from the header.


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I also removed the two stock metal wire clips for the secondary o2 sensor so I could mount up the exhaust hanger that came with the header.


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I tried to tighten it down before I put the rubber hanger on but it was just to close together to get it on so I took the metal hanger off put the rubber one on and then put the metal hanger back on and I was able to get it to fit really nice. I have a flash pro so I did not use my stock secondary o2 sensor, instead I installed the o2 sensor for the Air/Fuel Gauge I am using and did not use the defouler that came with the Header.


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I did install some heat tape on a couple of the lines that are really close to the header.


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So here is a pic with out the adapter installed that come with the kit.


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Here is what the adapter looks like all tight and installed. You can see the stock spring bolts that you will need to use or if you were like me and sold them with the stock stuff you will need to buy some


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Here is a pic of my new gauge, now I need to upgrade the boost and oil.


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Well that's about it hope this helps by having everything in one place and I would like to thank my right and left hand for all their hard work


So far I really like the sound of the header and everything seems to be working just fine, any question just ask and I or someone else will answer the best we can

If you are looking for Gaskets try this link

Vibrant Exhaust Fabrication - High Temp Exhaust Gaskets - THMotorsports - Discount Performance Car & Truck Parts Sale | Lowest Price | Free Shipping

So it looks like people are saying you need the 2.5" donut gasket and the 2.5" 3-hole gasket

[FA5Chick]

Great DIY.. used it to install my strup header!

[cnballa7]

nice DIY!

[seanpao]

Awesome job. That is a lot of effort for the diy.

[obert]

Originally Posted by FA5Chick

Great DIY.. used it to install my strup header!

So did I

Originally Posted by cnballa7

nice DIY!

Thanks

Originally Posted by seanpao

Awesome job. That is a lot of effort for the diy.

LOL...........I tried I just hope this helps people, so they dont have to look all over the place for the info

[fhukingviet]

nice diy, gonna be useful when headers come in

[obert]

Originally Posted by fhukingviet

nice diy, gonna be useful when headers come in

[jWongx27]

sub when alpha comes in

[obert]

Originally Posted by jWongx27

sub when alpha comes in

Yeah should be close to this one

[jWongx27]

^^ was it easy to do the wire thing? cuz skunk2 told me i gotta do that for the new one coming out i have no wire experience at all =[ im worried

[obert]

Originally Posted by jWongx27

^^ was it easy to do the wire thing? cuz skunk2 told me i gotta do that for the new one coming out i have no wire experience at all =[ im worried

All you have to do is cut and put the connectors on all the wirs and then add the new wire and wrap them all up.

Very easy and if you can install the header you can do the extention

[jWongx27]

^^ kk ima ask around on 661 forum chat thread maybe somone is good with wires i dont trust my self but yeah i can do a header install already did my dc rh one =]

[Will06SI]

Nice diy i need to get a set of spring bolts and some heat tape as well. Ive had mine installed for almost a year now with no issues but i wouldn't mind cleaning up the install with those items mentioned.

You have inspired me lol..

What is the exact model number on the DEI heat tape ?

[TwIsTeD joel]

Nice diy! This will be Very helpful for other members.

[obert]

Originally Posted by Will06SI

Nice diy i need to get a set of spring bolts and some heat tape as well. Ive had mine installed for almost a year now with no issues but i wouldn't mind cleaning up the install with those items mentioned.

You have inspired me lol..

What is the exact model number on the DEI heat tape ?

No sure the model number.....i just went to the local auto parts and it was there by all of the exhaust stuff

Originally Posted by TwIsTeD joel

Nice diy! This will be Very helpful for other members.

Thanks

[Awattaballa3]

Hey man

great instructions!!! came useful when i had to show a friend what to do when installing the adapter!

T

[obert]

Originally Posted by Awattaballa3

Hey man

great instructions!!! came useful when i had to show a friend what to do when installing the adapter!

T

That's good to hear......glad it helped

[josh81834]

hey man really like the gauges. howd u get that pod going on

[obert]

Originally Posted by josh81834

hey man really like the gauges. howd u get that pod going on

I had someone make it on here a few years ago but he is no longer on here


But thanks

[07siMike]

Hey I was wondering where you picked up your new spring bolts from? or did you order online