FAQ - Headers - 03/15/06 11:35 PM
Header FAQ
What headers are available for the Contour/Mystique?
There are 2 kinds of headers, both are equal length shorty headers and they are BOTH the same design. There is MSDS headers which can be found at msdsinc.com, they come uncoated or jet hot coated, you can also buy a MSDS y-pipe from them, along with MIL eliminators and an install package that contains all the necessary bolts and gaskets.
The other choice is Weapon R, recently they have been told to seize the production of their headers do to being a complete copy of the MSDS headers. Weapon R headers come only in Stainless steel, they also come with a Stainless Steel Y-pipe. Overall the Weapon R�s are cheaper than the MSDS if you can still find them, weapon R headers do not come with Mil�s or an install package. Also note that the Weapon R y-pipe uses 3-bolt flange, this requires the use of a flex pipe (to take the stress off the headers and manifold studs) along with the flex pipe you will need one of the following:
a) Buy a 3-bolt flange Hi-flow cat from Trubendz and bolt everything up
b) Buy a 3-bolt flange Test pipe from Trubendz and bolt that up
c) Modify your stock Main cat using a 3-bolt flange(this involves cutting off both stock flanges, cutting down the pipe on the main cat, and welding the stock 2-bolt flange, and the new 3-bolt flange on the main cat)
Where do I buy a new 3-bolt flange?
You can buy a new 3-bolt flange from Trubendz for 20 dollars, it is not on their product site but they can sell you them if you call or leave an e-mail.
Is a Flex pipe necessary?
Yes a Flex pipe is Necessary when doing headers, it takes stress off the manifolds and prevents you from snapping the manifold studs, something you really don�t want to do
Where do I buy a flex pipe?
Flex pipes can be bought from; Bill Jenkins, E-bay, and many exhaust shops.
Do I need MIL�s?
Yes you need MIL eliminators to simulate pre-cats for your O2 sensors, they can be made using a simple circuit, bought through Trubendz, or MSDS along with many other shops.
Can I use my stock Y-pipe with my MSDS or Weapon R headers?
Yes, you can use your stock Y-pipe with the headers, a good way of getting around the money problem is to buy MSDS headers, Optimize your stock Y-pipe and use everything else that is stock with the car.
there has been notices that some people are having troubles putting there stock y-pipe on the Weapon R headers, it seems to change for each person whether they will fit or not
If I Optimize my Y-pipe, why don�t I need a Flex pipe?
You wont need a flex pipe because the stock spring loaded flange setup works like a Flex pipe, hence you do not need a flex pipe.
How long will headers take me?
For your first time, anywhere from 8-17 hours, it took me 17 hours to do alone on jackstands, the process isn�t mechanically hard, its more or less mentally and physically hard. After you do them for the first time you will realize how easy they are, and could probably be done in 5 hours.
Do i need to get my headers Jethot Coated?
If you are buying MSDS headers it is recommended that you get them Jethot coated to avoid the stress that comes with the heat placed on the headers. Also it protects them against road salt/rain etc.
Do I need new Gaskets?
Lets break this down first, there are 3 types of gaskets, a 3-bolt flange gasket, a 2-bolt flange gasket, and a manifold gasket. You do not NEED a manifold gasket but if your doing the headers might as well throw on new gaskets while you are under there, it�s a safety thing.
If your using the stock Y-pipe or an Optimized Y-pipe you wont need any new 3 or 2 bolt flange gaskets. If you are using the Weapon R y-pipe however you will need 2 new 3-bolt flange gaskets
Both gaskets can be found at www.teamfordparts.com e-mail Bill Jenkins for Part numbers.
I've heard that the Weapon R/MSDS y-pipe doesn�t flow as well as an optimized Y-pipe
Any difference in flow between the 3 y-pipes is negligible, they all flow fine for there purpose, no sense in getting all hyped over nothing.
Do I need a main cat?
The car will be VERY raspy and probably drone more without a main cat.
How much louder will my car be with headers/y-pipe?
30-40% louder
What power gains will I notice from the headers?
You will notice MUCH more mid-low range torque and the car will probably pull more up top.
Dyno results very depending on other mods/car/year/ etc.
Part #s[
3-bolt exhaust gasket - F5RZ-5E241-C
What headers are available for the Contour/Mystique?
There are 2 kinds of headers, both are equal length shorty headers and they are BOTH the same design. There is MSDS headers which can be found at msdsinc.com, they come uncoated or jet hot coated, you can also buy a MSDS y-pipe from them, along with MIL eliminators and an install package that contains all the necessary bolts and gaskets.
The other choice is Weapon R, recently they have been told to seize the production of their headers do to being a complete copy of the MSDS headers. Weapon R headers come only in Stainless steel, they also come with a Stainless Steel Y-pipe. Overall the Weapon R�s are cheaper than the MSDS if you can still find them, weapon R headers do not come with Mil�s or an install package. Also note that the Weapon R y-pipe uses 3-bolt flange, this requires the use of a flex pipe (to take the stress off the headers and manifold studs) along with the flex pipe you will need one of the following:
a) Buy a 3-bolt flange Hi-flow cat from Trubendz and bolt everything up
b) Buy a 3-bolt flange Test pipe from Trubendz and bolt that up
c) Modify your stock Main cat using a 3-bolt flange(this involves cutting off both stock flanges, cutting down the pipe on the main cat, and welding the stock 2-bolt flange, and the new 3-bolt flange on the main cat)
Where do I buy a new 3-bolt flange?
You can buy a new 3-bolt flange from Trubendz for 20 dollars, it is not on their product site but they can sell you them if you call or leave an e-mail.
Is a Flex pipe necessary?
Yes a Flex pipe is Necessary when doing headers, it takes stress off the manifolds and prevents you from snapping the manifold studs, something you really don�t want to do
Where do I buy a flex pipe?
Flex pipes can be bought from; Bill Jenkins, E-bay, and many exhaust shops.
Do I need MIL�s?
Yes you need MIL eliminators to simulate pre-cats for your O2 sensors, they can be made using a simple circuit, bought through Trubendz, or MSDS along with many other shops.
Can I use my stock Y-pipe with my MSDS or Weapon R headers?
Yes, you can use your stock Y-pipe with the headers, a good way of getting around the money problem is to buy MSDS headers, Optimize your stock Y-pipe and use everything else that is stock with the car.
there has been notices that some people are having troubles putting there stock y-pipe on the Weapon R headers, it seems to change for each person whether they will fit or not
If I Optimize my Y-pipe, why don�t I need a Flex pipe?
You wont need a flex pipe because the stock spring loaded flange setup works like a Flex pipe, hence you do not need a flex pipe.
How long will headers take me?
For your first time, anywhere from 8-17 hours, it took me 17 hours to do alone on jackstands, the process isn�t mechanically hard, its more or less mentally and physically hard. After you do them for the first time you will realize how easy they are, and could probably be done in 5 hours.
Do i need to get my headers Jethot Coated?
If you are buying MSDS headers it is recommended that you get them Jethot coated to avoid the stress that comes with the heat placed on the headers. Also it protects them against road salt/rain etc.
Do I need new Gaskets?
Lets break this down first, there are 3 types of gaskets, a 3-bolt flange gasket, a 2-bolt flange gasket, and a manifold gasket. You do not NEED a manifold gasket but if your doing the headers might as well throw on new gaskets while you are under there, it�s a safety thing.
If your using the stock Y-pipe or an Optimized Y-pipe you wont need any new 3 or 2 bolt flange gaskets. If you are using the Weapon R y-pipe however you will need 2 new 3-bolt flange gaskets
Both gaskets can be found at www.teamfordparts.com e-mail Bill Jenkins for Part numbers.
I've heard that the Weapon R/MSDS y-pipe doesn�t flow as well as an optimized Y-pipe
Any difference in flow between the 3 y-pipes is negligible, they all flow fine for there purpose, no sense in getting all hyped over nothing.
Do I need a main cat?
The car will be VERY raspy and probably drone more without a main cat.
How much louder will my car be with headers/y-pipe?
30-40% louder
What power gains will I notice from the headers?
You will notice MUCH more mid-low range torque and the car will probably pull more up top.
Dyno results very depending on other mods/car/year/ etc.
Part #s[
3-bolt exhaust gasket - F5RZ-5E241-C
Right now I have an oil drain plug in that hole. 
