who has installed headers on the g35 sedan ? it really looks like its very cramped and very hard to work on,any inputs ?

 

I have SS headers for a couple years and I had them installed by a shop.

They sort of impress mechanics who look under the hood, do about nothing for performance and make the hood so hot in the summer after driving and then parking that you can hardly put your hand on it. (Hey, I always wanted headers. Now I know what I wasn't missing!)

In other words, they are a typical bolt-on value!

 

Look in the engine forum. There are 100's of threads about headers.

 

JetHot2000 coating, from Jet Hot Coatings, does a great job. Even with headers and cats, I haven't noticed a significant heat increase underhood. I can imagine that uncoated, aftermarket stainless-steel headers are going to transmit more heat than the OEM cast-iron manifolds. Just take the step to offset that.

I'm running NISMO headers on the coupe and they fit fine. That's not to say that install was simple, but the engine didn't have to be pulled either.

 

Wow those headers suck then, because I have noticed the total opposite with my Alphawerks headers. My engine bay is cooler, and the top end power is sweet.

 

You're not going to pull 50+ HP from a set of headers, such as you might on an old american big-block (or even a 350). Headers have been a great mod, historically, which is why they are popular (along with the increased volume) but there just isn't a whole lot of improvement to make on a OEM 300HP V6 (staying NA).

That said, I'm happy with the Z-tube, MREV, Headers, Cats and ECU combo that I have. I'd like to chase more HP down the line (set on staying NA), if I don't find myself wanting a different car more.

 

The top tuned designs (Alphawerks, DC, Crawford etc) will definitely improve power, especially in the mid-range. Only consider stainless steel and ceramic coat them. They will last forever and the radiated heat will be reduced a lot. I did mine and have no complaints at all about underhood temps. They are worthwhile mod if you do it right with the right design.

 

I didn't install my headers, but the place I took them too installed them in just over 4 hours. No need to raise the engine either. It is very cramped so expect to get a few nicks and scratches in the process. If you take them to a shop for install, expect to pay around $300-350. If they're asking more than that or don't seem completely confident that they can do it, shop around.