Headers swap cost?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Bay Area
03 C32 gone, 06 CLS55, 16 Tesla X
Headers swap cost?
Is $300 too much for headers swap in Bay Area?
Does anyone have a DYI? and know how hard it is? I already have my tech do it for $300 and will get the car back tomorrow, but still wondering.
Does anyone have a DYI? and know how hard it is? I already have my tech do it for $300 and will get the car back tomorrow, but still wondering.
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02 C32 AMG
eh.....i had a guy who had never worked on MBs before install mine in 3 or 3.5 hrs. its not too hard...some of the header bolts are just difficult to get to and you need some extensions
i dont have a DIY, but to do it, basically.....
well first off, get some new gaskets and you're going to need new copper nuts and such. do a search on what the items are for a header install. i think splinter typed up a list and i just searched "header gasket" and came across a thread with the part list of what is needed
the exhaust system gets really really hot, so let the car cool down or work with some heat resistant gloves
remove the intake. i took off the intake hoses and air boxes. then unplug the wires and get those out of the way. then try and get to whatever header bolts you can on each side from the top
from the bottom (and its easiest to do this with a lift), you're going to want to unbolt the section from your primaries back to the area near the secondaries. there is a hanger on each side of each pipe that must be unbolted. in the back area of this, there is a clamp on each pipe (two clamps)
have something hold up the area after that back to the muffler. then unbolt your stock manifolds from the bottom. try to get those bolts out.....now, on the driver side, the steering column is in the way. my guy moved it out of the way by unscrewing it and moving the tires (or some variation of that, someone add or edit that comment if its wrong, but he messed with that as it is like IMPOSSIBLE to get to the driver's side manifold with that in the way).....then finish unbolting. bolt back on with new gaskets and nuts and bolts. and put everything back on in reverse order.
what headers do you have?
i dont have a DIY, but to do it, basically.....
well first off, get some new gaskets and you're going to need new copper nuts and such. do a search on what the items are for a header install. i think splinter typed up a list and i just searched "header gasket" and came across a thread with the part list of what is needed
the exhaust system gets really really hot, so let the car cool down or work with some heat resistant gloves
remove the intake. i took off the intake hoses and air boxes. then unplug the wires and get those out of the way. then try and get to whatever header bolts you can on each side from the top
from the bottom (and its easiest to do this with a lift), you're going to want to unbolt the section from your primaries back to the area near the secondaries. there is a hanger on each side of each pipe that must be unbolted. in the back area of this, there is a clamp on each pipe (two clamps)
have something hold up the area after that back to the muffler. then unbolt your stock manifolds from the bottom. try to get those bolts out.....now, on the driver side, the steering column is in the way. my guy moved it out of the way by unscrewing it and moving the tires (or some variation of that, someone add or edit that comment if its wrong, but he messed with that as it is like IMPOSSIBLE to get to the driver's side manifold with that in the way).....then finish unbolting. bolt back on with new gaskets and nuts and bolts. and put everything back on in reverse order.
what headers do you have?
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Not discounting your experience, but it’s likely CLKCLK will be hard pressed to find a competent technician/shop in SF to install ‘em for less than $100 an hour. :nix:
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02 C32 AMG
$100 sounds about right. if its an MB tech, i dont think it should take more than 3 hours MAX, being that my guy works on Hondas (and again, never on an MB) and was able to do it in 3 with me there (though i only helped unbolt small things, hold flashlights, and easy stuff like that lol)
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Just got mine installed yesterday as well. Took my mechanic about 3.5 hours by himself. It's a fair price. Alldata quoted 6 Hours for an R&R of exhaust manifold for a C32. MB dealer quotes 9 hours.
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From: Bay Area
03 C32 gone, 06 CLS55, 16 Tesla X
Thank you all for your responses.
I also think it's a fair cost, but still want to save money if I can
Thank you Splinter. Yes it's expensive over the Bay. Most of the time, I DYI if I can.
Jturkel, you are lucky! I will be willing to pay $155 with no complaint lol
BTW, I have a v1 LET's shorty header, bought from a trusted member here.
Gramma_Benz, how do you like it? Do you feel any different? I don't expect to see a different and don't think to see a big diff, just try make my feeling better that "hah, I have headers"
Thanks again folks!
I also think it's a fair cost, but still want to save money if I can
Thank you Splinter. Yes it's expensive over the Bay. Most of the time, I DYI if I can.
Jturkel, you are lucky! I will be willing to pay $155 with no complaint lol
BTW, I have a v1 LET's shorty header, bought from a trusted member here.
Gramma_Benz, how do you like it? Do you feel any different? I don't expect to see a different and don't think to see a big diff, just try make my feeling better that "hah, I have headers"
Thanks again folks!
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Both Jturkel and I put on a new set of LET's/Eurocharged headers. In my experience, they DO make a difference. Much more torque throughout the midrange. I can feel it on the highway, just using mild throttle to pass. I also just gave a little aggressive gas while making a left turn at a signal and the tires broke loose. Before it didn't do that so easily. I expect even more gains once I get a re-tune. I think you will like them very much. Plus the sound for me now is perfect. Much throatier.
Another thanks to Jerry, Jake and Hooleyboy!!
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Hey CLKCLK,
Both Jturkel and I put on a new set of LET's/Eurocharged headers. In my experience, they DO make a difference. Much more torque throughout the midrange. I can feel it on the highway, just using mild throttle to pass. I also just gave a little aggressive gas while making a left turn at a signal and the tires broke loose. Before it didn't do that so easily. I expect even more gains once I get a re-tune. I think you will like them very much. Plus the sound for me now is perfect. Much throatier.
Another thanks to Jerry, Jake and Hooleyboy!!
Both Jturkel and I put on a new set of LET's/Eurocharged headers. In my experience, they DO make a difference. Much more torque throughout the midrange. I can feel it on the highway, just using mild throttle to pass. I also just gave a little aggressive gas while making a left turn at a signal and the tires broke loose. Before it didn't do that so easily. I expect even more gains once I get a re-tune. I think you will like them very much. Plus the sound for me now is perfect. Much throatier.
Another thanks to Jerry, Jake and Hooleyboy!!
you should see the long tubes.....lol
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
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From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
$300's fair... if memory serves, I paid closer to $400 for a shorty header install. Hope it goes well for you! You should notice a bump in responsiveness IMHO, and it'll sound better too. Let us know your post-install impressions! 
Let us know your post-install impressions!
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From: FT POLK LOUISIANA
1992 Toyota Corolla, 1994 Chevy C1500, 2002 C32, 2012 Prius, 2013 Toyota Sienna
