Long Tube Headers project start to finish

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Ramitiner

U.S. ARMY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
1,130
Reaction score
421
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Ok, so I haven't seen a complete start to finish on these so I'll start one. I'm probably not the best person to do this since I always find a way to f@ck something up but at least you guys can learn what not to do.... So first things first, thanks to Nick from gotexhaust.com for hooking me up with a good deal. Pullya and wildone and the rest of the forum members for the advice... Got it, took the headers out, cleaned off any oil with acetone and gave a quick coat of DEI high heat silicone spray (not needed). Having a beer while they dry so I can start f@cking up the wrapping with DEI titanium exhaust wrap.

KIMG0566.JPG

KIMG0569.JPG

KIMG0570.JPG

KIMG0571.JPG
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,720
Reaction score
23,377
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
If you can hunt one of these sockets up and a long extension,it'll make the job a lot nicer Hernan.Tie the steering wheel so it won't move,and unbolt the steering shaft,after you pull both front tires and wheel well liners.Re-install the dipstick before you bolt the drivers side header on tight,i usually hang the header and gasket on with 2 bolts just barely holding the header on,that way you have a little wiggle room to feed the dipstick through the primaries and into the hole in the block.Good chance if your truck is a 4X4 you won't be able to get the lower dipstick bolt all the way out,some guys cut the bracket,but on the last couple installs I've done,i've turned the bolt out as fas as possible then got in behind the bracket and cut the bolt,then a few minutes on a grinder cleaning up the bolt threads and I've got away with re-using the shortened bolt and still had the lower bracket to hold the dipstick in place.If all else fails and you give up on the stock dipstick Lokar makes a flexible dipstick that a lot of guys are using instead of the OEM hardline dipstick.If I remember right the Lokar number is ED5015-24

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-3-...470836&hash=item215fe4e6ba:g:ZFgAAOSwFoZdQGyZ

Gear Wrench also has a similar socket.This is the Canuck Amazon site,it'll be cheaper on Amazon.com though.

https://www.amazon.ca/GearWrench-80...ocphy=9001346&hvtargid=pla-434543444859&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Lokar-ED-5015-Flexible-Dipstick-Chrysler/dp/B003JBCKLO
 
OP
OP
Ramitiner

Ramitiner

U.S. ARMY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
1,130
Reaction score
421
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Ok, so I'm not starting with the headers as my 100' roll of wrap didn't come yet so I started off with the other pieces...and another beer break before the next piece.
1. Tape every edge you cut..it will fray like a ****.
2. Measure the amount you think you need and then add 4 inches before you cut.
3. Give the wrap a lil bath (she's a dirty girl).
4. Bend the edge with about an inch overlap... Be honest with yourself about how big an inch is.
5. Wedge that bent edge into the crease (yea, just like that). And start wrapping up towards the flange.
6. Use stainless steel lock ties (I got them from Amazon.. 100 for under 10 bucks.

KIMG0572.JPG

KIMG0573.JPG

KIMG0575.JPG

KIMG0574.JPG

KIMG0576.JPG
 
OP
OP
Ramitiner

Ramitiner

U.S. ARMY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
1,130
Reaction score
421
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Now, for the rest... I started by again wedging a bent edge and wrapping on the side with the O2 ****. I had to push one of the locking ties through the wrap to secure it in place and then continued on down towards the flange. As you go down it tapers so I folded the excess into the valley the pipes create. Tie it all off and VOILA.. I think it looks ok.

KIMG0583.JPG

KIMG0584.JPG

KIMG0585.JPG
 
OP
OP
Ramitiner

Ramitiner

U.S. ARMY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
1,130
Reaction score
421
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
If you can hunt one of these sockets up and a long extension,it'll make the job a lot nicer Hernan.Tie the steering wheel so it won't move,and unbolt the steering shaft,after you pull both front tires and wheel well liners.Re-install the dipstick before you bolt the drivers side header on tight,i usually hang the header and gasket on with 2 bolts just barely holding the header on,that way you have a little wiggle room to feed the dipstick through the primaries and into the hole in the block.Good chance if your truck is a 4X4 you won't be able to get the lower dipstick bolt all the way out,some guys cut the bracket,but on the last couple installs I've done,i've turned the bolt out as fas as possible then got in behind the bracket and cut the bolt,then a few minutes on a grinder cleaning up the bolt threads and I've got away with re-using the shortened bolt and still had the lower bracket to hold the dipstick in place.If all else fails and you give up on the stock dipstick Lokar makes a flexible dipstick that a lot of guys are using instead of the OEM hardline dipstick.If I remember right the Lokar number is ED5015-24

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-3-...470836&hash=item215fe4e6ba:g:ZFgAAOSwFoZdQGyZ

Gear Wrench also has a similar socket.This is the Canuck Amazon site,it'll be cheaper on Amazon.com though.

https://www.amazon.ca/GearWrench-80...ocphy=9001346&hvtargid=pla-434543444859&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Lokar-ED-5015-Flexible-Dipstick-Chrysler/dp/B003JBCKLO


Hardcore! Thanks for this
 
OP
OP
Ramitiner

Ramitiner

U.S. ARMY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
1,130
Reaction score
421
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Ok, now for the 2nd tube... I'm getting worried that the 100' roll that's coming may not be enough to actually do the two headers. ALMOST an entire 50' roll went into these two pieces.

KIMG0586.JPG

KIMG0587.JPG
 
OP
OP
Ramitiner

Ramitiner

U.S. ARMY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
1,130
Reaction score
421
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
If you can hunt one of these sockets up and a long extension,it'll make the job a lot nicer Hernan.Tie the steering wheel so it won't move,and unbolt the steering shaft,after you pull both front tires and wheel well liners.Re-install the dipstick before you bolt the drivers side header on tight,i usually hang the header and gasket on with 2 bolts just barely holding the header on,that way you have a little wiggle room to feed the dipstick through the primaries and into the hole in the block.Good chance if your truck is a 4X4 you won't be able to get the lower dipstick bolt all the way out,some guys cut the bracket,but on the last couple installs I've done,i've turned the bolt out as fas as possible then got in behind the bracket and cut the bolt,then a few minutes on a grinder cleaning up the bolt threads and I've got away with re-using the shortened bolt and still had the lower bracket to hold the dipstick in place.If all else fails and you give up on the stock dipstick Lokar makes a flexible dipstick that a lot of guys are using instead of the OEM hardline dipstick.If I remember right the Lokar number is ED5015-24

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-3-...470836&hash=item215fe4e6ba:g:ZFgAAOSwFoZdQGyZ

Gear Wrench also has a similar socket.This is the Canuck Amazon site,it'll be cheaper on Amazon.com though.

https://www.amazon.ca/GearWrench-80...ocphy=9001346&hvtargid=pla-434543444859&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Lokar-ED-5015-Flexible-Dipstick-Chrysler/dp/B003JBCKLO
How positive are you on that model# this sounds like it's going to be a nightmare!!! Lol
 

Pull Ya

U.S. MARINE VETERAN
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Posts
15,787
Reaction score
23,056
Location
Cedar Creek, Tx
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I think Rick has a copy of the drawing you have to submit to Lokar to get the dip stick made. I think he likes the 27-28" long one but I think the 31-33" one is more convenient. They ain't cheap!!!!!!!
Jay
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,720
Reaction score
23,377
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
I think Rick has a copy of the drawing you have to submit to Lokar to get the dip stick made. I think he likes the 27-28" long one but I think the 31-33" one is more convenient. They ain't cheap!!!!!!!
Jay

Mine is a custom one 31" long,and if I was doing it again,i'd have it made 33" or 34" long. The ED 5015-24 is 24" long and is a part number Lokar stocks.The 24" long one is working for most guys,and is easier to get and a whole lot cheaper then a custom one is. That number is the one you want Hernan.
Rick

PS: i'd order another 50ft or even a 100ft roll of wrap,it's better to have to much then not enough,lol
 

ScLeCo

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 4, 2019
Posts
824
Reaction score
1,447
Location
Earth
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Supercharged 426
How positive are you on that model# this sounds like it's going to be a nightmare!!! Lol
It's a major PITA. The long tubes are easier than the shorties though by far.

That lokar dipstick is too short though (IMO). I had them make me a custom length that was 29" and if I had to do it over again I would have gone with 31 or 32"
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,720
Reaction score
23,377
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
It's a major PITA. The long tubes are easier than the shorties though by far.

That lokar dipstick is too short though (IMO). I had them make me a custom length that was 29" and if I had to do it over again I would have gone with 31 or 32"

Sc if I remember right you had to do the picture thingy to get your custom one,any chance you still have the picture you used? I never had any issues getting mine,but I also did mine several years ago.When I phoned them,i told them what I wanted and that it was for a custom turbo set-up on a 14 Challenger,and they never asked me for a pic,but I also think I talked to one of their better tech guys at the time,lol.

Make sure you add the -24 to the end of the part number,otherwise you'll end up with the short little 15" version,the -24 gets you the 24" long version
 
Last edited:

ScLeCo

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 4, 2019
Posts
824
Reaction score
1,447
Location
Earth
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Supercharged 426
Sc if I remember right you had to do the picture thingy to get your custom one,any chance you still have the picture you used? I never had any issues getting mine,but I also did mine several years ago.When I phoned them,i told them what I wanted and that it was for a custom turbo set-up on a 14 Challenger,and they never asked me for a pic,but I also think I talked to one of their better tech guys at the time,lol.

Make sure you add the -24 to the end of the part number,otherwise you'll end up with the short little 15" version,the -24 gets you the 24" long version

This is what I sent.

8d2830dca0b52b652be77b4fc77b7470.jpg
 
OP
OP
Ramitiner

Ramitiner

U.S. ARMY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
1,130
Reaction score
421
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Oh Jesus... What if I have a ton of extensions, swivels, etc.. you think I can manage with the stock tube?
 
Top