thomsbrain

Hi folks, I'm trying to install my Comptech header myself but am having a hell of a time getting it in there.

I got the stock header out from below without too much trouble. It looks like I could potentially get the Comptech in from below, too, but I just can't seem to get the car jacked high enough to give me enough clearance to move it the way it needs to move.

I tried removing an engine mount and jacking the engine up to get additional clearance to put it in from the top, but the valve cover is still in the way. So close yet so far.

I'm at the point now of removing the valve cover, but does anyone have any other tips? Or special tricks to get the car jacked really high?

Ginge

These problems are behind me now since I have a pit but one of the tricks I used to employ is putting two wheels of the car on a high kerb and then jacking that side of the car.

You could also jack it in stages, jack it up, put packing under the wheels, jack it down onto the packing then put packing under the jack and jack it up again...
Just make sure you block it before you get underneath.

I have been waiting for my ratchet axle stands for two weeks, the post here has gone crazy.

Blue Gumby

You disconnected the O2 sensor from below, so you do fit from below. Have you tried installing from below after loosening the engine mount and jacking up the engine? Jacking up the engine made all the differnce in the world when I installed the PLM headers.

2004Hs2k

I used a crowbar and towels to keep from scratching the valve cover. Just lift on the engine and it should squeeze in. Worked very well for me. Good luck!

thomsbrain

I lifted the engine but still couldn't squeeze it in. Maybe I need the short bus.

Do I need to undo more than one engine mount to lift it properly? I only removed the bolts from the mount nearest the header. I'm lifting from the header side of the oil pan. Is there a better place to put the jack when lifting the engine?

2004Hs2k

It may be the angle your coming in at...? Like I said above I used a crowbar and didn't really lift up on it just pryed it away from the header to make more space and it worked. Wasn't easy as my friend had to play with the header from below but we got it in after 40 min of lifting the engine different ways.

02brs2k

I've had my Comptech in/out a few times and never had any issues. I go from the top and slide it down. IIRC, I needed to twist it a little bit to get it to drop down into place.

It was much easier to install than the Comptech header in my old RSX

thomsbrain

Finally got it from the bottom with an engine mount off and the engine propped up all the way. Had to start with the cat end pointing towards the driver's door instead of straight back, and that seemed to make all the difference!

Thanks all your advice everyone!