3sge header on 5sfe, have some questions. Options

[FSX_Celica94GT]

ok, so recently i bought a 3sge header...just the header, no d/p, no gaskets, no nothin. So i bring it to an exhaust shop and ask them to make me a d/p, and they said they cant do it until i put a flange on the header, so i took it to a welding shop, he made a really good flange for me for about 86 bux. Then i take it down to the exhaust shop again and see if they can make the d/p for me after all this time waiting, THEN they said they cant do it unless the headers on the car and said i'd have to get a gasket for it. He also said i'd have to get it put on, then drive it straight down to his shop OPEN HEADER, NOT CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST, after that and then he can make the d/p for it. My questions are, will driving on an open header hurt my engine in anyway? will it be really loud? cuz i dont wanna get pulled over driving on an open header. Also, would a 3sge gasket work on my block? or will i have to get a gasket made?
3sge flange
is a flange the same thing as a gasket? if not, then i'll have to get one made i guess, but if that is what i need, will the bolt holes line up the same on my block?



This post has been edited by FSX_Celica94GT: Aug 27, 2005 - 11:39 AM

[Galcobar]

Catalytic converters are only necessary if you want to pass emissions and like the idea of breathing clean air.

I don't have a diagram of the various exhaust configurations of 6g Celicas, so I can't be absolutely definitive on your car. Try looking...you might not know what to look for if the cat is attached to the 5SFE manifold, but an underbody cat is fairly unmistakable.



If it's already there, then you won't need a new cat. If it's not, then you're losing your cat with the 5SFE manifold.

Also, be aware of where the header is joining your exhaust piping -- you might require a new flex pipe as well if it's part of the down-pipe instead of the mid-pipe.

If you do have to get a new cat, you might as well replace the flex pipe at the same time. The usual place for the underbody cat is where the stock resonator sits. I would suggest getting a cat with a resonated core, such as the MagnaFlow 9440x line, to combine sound suppression with the cat. Flex pipes can be had on Ebay for relatively cheap. You can get universal cats from your local autoparts store, though I'd be tempted to use on of the online wholesalers such as fle-online.com or hottexhaust.com to get the best price. Most ship free over $50, and most free-flowing cats are more than that.

One final point -- if you're planning on upgrading the rest of your exhaust later, say to 2.25" piping, make sure your downpipe, flex pipe, cat and connecting piping are of the upgraded size, and have the exhaust shop put a reducer (transitions for 2.25" to 2") to mate the new pieces with your stock exhaust.