Labor estimate?

I recieved my A-1 headers and mufflers yesterday. What beautifull craftsmanship, and ceramic coating is just awsome. What do you guys think it will take to remove my VS exhaust and install the new set up. I also ordered the high performance heater boxes.

How many hours labor? I just want to keep my mechanic honest.

Marty

Having done the same conversion myself, but being pretty much a klutz, I'd say 4 hours, absolute max. You're gonna love it.

i just did this and it will take 4 hours.
the key is to put heater boxes on first, hand tighten nuts, then put the header part on again just finger tight the nuts, then the hard part is getting that flat bar that connects muffler to #1 exhaust. i had to drill a new hole in that hard ass stainless. not much room for the fingers and wrench to turn. i'd rate it a six pack job.

Thanks guys, I think Tiger at A-1 said about 3 hours. 4 hours is not unreasonable.


Marty

I just installed mine. I would say it took me about 4 hours, however, a guy who does this stuff everyday should do it in less time than that. Now, that does not include hooking up the heater stuff. That would be more time, but then, I had to build mine from scratch. If the heater stuff goes back in the same place, it should be a piece of cake. 3 hrs.

Warren -

Do you like the sound/note of your new exhaust system? Is it the tone you were looking for under accelleration and at a steady cruising speed?

I'm guessing that you are very satisfied with your A-1 system - Yes?

Jim - The best thing I like about the A-1 is the look. The 2nd thing I like is that the engine doesn't backfire anymore on deceleration, but that was because the gaskets on the old system were bad. The sound is pretty much what I expected. A good solid throaty sound when I jump on those Webers, yet it is quiet enough for normal driving. Overall, I am very pleased.

Warren,
How about a couple of pictures of the new look? Where did you purchase the parts?

Better than a picture would be if you brought it to Colorado in September!! Any chance?

Dusty

Great idea Dusty;

Warren - Ginny & I are going to trailer our SPeedy to Colorado, maybe we can caravan together (your RV?). I think Roy M. is considering making the trip as well and has expressed interest in joining a SoCal caravan to the Colorado gig.

Sorry for hi-jack...now back to A-1 exhaust topic...

do it yourself. it's super easy. save yourself the mechnic cost and gain expereince at the same time.

Dusty/Jim - I will think about Colorado. Sounds like fun.
Here are some pics.
The one with Karen is the completed job.
Bracket - Not necessary but I wanted it.
Rear - If the exit looks crooked, it was. It's straight now with a little convincing.

It should be fairly straight forward, but I'll tell you my story to balance things just a bit.

I bought the header and muffler from A-1. I had new heat exchangers and sent them down to be modified to 1-5/8". The engine was new, fresh from CB after my original 2165 broke a crank at the flywheel side, so the engine was out and on the support.

The exhaust and heater box flanges that bolt to the heads are larger and thicker than the original units so I had to dremel the tin to get it to fit around the flanges. That would have been a real bitch if the engine had been in the car, I'd have pulled the engine to do that. Next, the angle of J-tubes in the HB's did not line up with the flanges on the exhaust header so I had to heat the J-tubes and bend both towards the center of the car.

Don't get me wrong, no blame at Tiger at all. Specialty cars can have some specialty problems. I fixed it and love the header.

I just wanted to pass on a slight possibility of a problem.

Also, for my car, an IM has the engine mounted further forward than a pan based car. That made it so the muffler would not fit between the header outlet and the brake caliper. Just something else to play with, I ended up leaving it with the muffler shop that adapted the wrap around IM exhaust to Tigers header. Love it!!!

Anyway, have fun working on your car.