Lateral performance headers

[Tyler]

i have fitted these headers to my car and have a bit of an issue with them, they dont line up properly. The manifold is bolted in etc but in the center they do not quite meet. Have tried unbolting all bolts etc, there is just no give at all. The manifold does split fine too so not jamed. What are my options? I would like to start the car to get the manifold hot to see if it contracts after expanding, but i can not as have fitted Nismo injectors, so car will just soak the plugs. Dont want to spot weld it as if i do when it expands i am sure it will just crack the exhaust.

[scooby doo]

they wont expand that much, something isnt right,

[Tyler]

Think they are bent, thing is under pressure would that be able to pull apart, even though it is rock solid at them moment?

[andy-m]

in the top pipe in that pic, the bar that goes across the join, it looks like the anchor has come away and is sitting 10mm to the left of where it should sit as there seems to be 2 weld lines to the right of the anchor ?

[Tyler]

Spot on Andy, that is what the issue is. Can not figure out how to get them together.

[andy-m]

only explanation I can think of then is that the headers must have been bent or were for an engine with the ports closer to the blocks(Although I don't know if any engines had ports closer to the blocks)

[scooby doo]

poss, engine been out and sat on the headers!

[asperformance]

although the inlet port spacing/shape varies with the ph1/1.5 to the later ph2 cars the exhaust ports are ALL identical...............

as above. bent headers sounds more likely

[Tyler]

Gutted, and knowing my luck these are going to pull apart under boost.

[andy-m]

if they are bent back and that anchor on the end of the bar welded back on in the right place, they should hold.

[Tyler]

Problem with that Andy is it needs to be on the car to know where to weld it.. did think that as well... Such a pain as map is booked for next wednesday..

[andy-m]

erm, how is that a problem ?

[Tyler]

ow i see like using a ratchet strap and try and pull together.. good idea mate.. Cheers.