F2 Step Header installation - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

Wolf 10 · 11-12-2009, 09:13 PM

So I'm seconds from clicking purchase on the F2 Step Header for the 6i (as a personal birthday gift lol). Before I do any major decisions on my lovely Mazda I like to check with the loving mazda6club members because they often know a lot more than me =]

Hope this wasn't covered somewhere else, if so please link me and lock this thread. I tried looking for awhile couldn't quite find anything.

So I heard that the Headers for the 6s take from 5-8 hours of labor to install and are a bitch, will the F2 Step Header take a similar amount of time?!?! Because I would most likely have to bring it to the shop because I'm only semi-mechanically inclined and I don't entirely have the tools require. 8 hours of labor at $70 plus an hour where I go isn't worth it, especially with how crappy the sound is going to be with a Magnaflow and the lack of actual gains it provides.

Also any other fun facts or problems that are involved with the installation or just using the header would be appreciated.

UPDATE:
Got it installed. Pretty straight forward install. Took about 2 hours with help from some good guys with the right equipment. The gains aren't that great so far but as Business says the 6 takes a week or two for the ECU to adapt I suppose. And yes it's REALLY loud but it still has a nice tone and I love it, neighbors on the other hang are more or less going to put c4 on my car at night.
ALSO, AS OF TODAY I HAVE NOOOO CEL =]]
Pics/Vid:
http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/w0...nt=f2header.flv
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0959.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0960.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0962.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0964.jpg

MrTea · 11-12-2009, 11:37 PM

it's not very hard at all actually, just a bit of a pain with access and whatnot. i would highly recommend doing it yourself, the biggest issue is the gasket that comes with it. If i were you and wanted it, i'd order it, then go looking for a better gasket that i would be using (hit up Biz there perhaps?) and the day before it's expected to come i'd pull off the stock heat shield as it just adds to the time needed at install. it's an easy one, but with it removed things are a lot easier to work with so might as well save a bit of time.

...if you want also, you can go and hit the bolts on the back with pb blaster / wd40 and crack them loose. with the shield gone and bolts already loosened you'll be way ahead of the game for install.

Wolf 10 · 11-13-2009, 09:00 AM

QUOTE (MrTea @ Nov 12 2009, 08:37 PM)

Quote:

it's not very hard at all actually, just a bit of a pain with access and whatnot. i would highly recommend doing it yourself, the biggest issue is the gasket that comes with it. If i were you and wanted it, i'd order it, then go looking for a better gasket that i would be using (hit up Biz there perhaps?) and the day before it's expected to come i'd pull off the stock heat shield as it just adds to the time needed at install. it's an easy one, but with it removed things are a lot easier to work with so might as well save a bit of time.

...if you want also, you can go and hit the bolts on the back with pb blaster / wd40 and crack them loose. with the shield gone and bolts already loosened you'll be way ahead of the game for install.[/b]

Thanks MrTea, I'll pm biz see what he has to say about the process if he isn't too busy. Does the gasket that comes with it not fit well or something? or is it just a bitch to take off a 3 year old used gasket for the first time lol?

MrTea · 11-13-2009, 08:43 PM

the consesus has been the gasket that comes with the header just doesn't seem to seal well enough from what i've heard. i've never seen/used it, but i'd play the odds and be safe. seal it up tight the first time and not have to mess with it again.

Wolf 10 · 11-13-2009, 11:33 PM

QUOTE (MrTea @ Nov 13 2009, 06:43 PM)

Quote:

the consesus has been the gasket that comes with the header just doesn't seem to seal well enough from what i've heard. i've never seen/used it, but i'd play the odds and be safe. seal it up tight the first time and not have to mess with it again.[/b]

Yeah Business warned me about that damn gasket. Well I ordered it today, so I'll see how things go.

ttshark · 11-14-2009, 05:17 PM

Does the header use a rubber gasket like everything else or is it metal based? If it's rubber i'd just oil it up to make a nice seal, if it's metal or some other composite like asbestos or fibre-based, i'd just buy a new one because they do rip sometimes.

sanchez2 · 12-13-2009, 03:27 AM

yea i have my f2 header setup and it doesnt seem to seal rite..everytime i give it some gas while im driving it seems to have a leak..i didnt replace the metal gasket..so that jus mite be my solution..but bcuz it was metal i didnt feel that it needed to be replaced..

11-12-2009, 09:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wolf 10 Drivers License Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: United States, Florida Posts: 72 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	So I'm seconds from clicking purchase on the F2 Step Header for the 6i (as a personal birthday gift lol). Before I do any major decisions on my lovely Mazda I like to check with the loving mazda6club members because they often know a lot more than me =] Hope this wasn't covered somewhere else, if so please link me and lock this thread. I tried looking for awhile couldn't quite find anything. So I heard that the Headers for the 6s take from 5-8 hours of labor to install and are a bitch, will the F2 Step Header take a similar amount of time?!?! Because I would most likely have to bring it to the shop because I'm only semi-mechanically inclined and I don't entirely have the tools require. 8 hours of labor at $70 plus an hour where I go isn't worth it, especially with how crappy the sound is going to be with a Magnaflow and the lack of actual gains it provides. Also any other fun facts or problems that are involved with the installation or just using the header would be appreciated. UPDATE: Got it installed. Pretty straight forward install. Took about 2 hours with help from some good guys with the right equipment. The gains aren't that great so far but as Business says the 6 takes a week or two for the ECU to adapt I suppose. And yes it's REALLY loud but it still has a nice tone and I love it, neighbors on the other hang are more or less going to put c4 on my car at night. ALSO, AS OF TODAY I HAVE NOOOO CEL =]] Pics/Vid: http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t300/w0...nt=f2header.flv http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0959.jpg http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0960.jpg http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0962.jpg http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/HPIM0964.jpg __________________ ATX 2006 Mazda 6i (silver) Bomz Short Ram Intake w/ K&N filter, Optimized Throttle Body w/ Steeda Spacer, F2 Step Header w/ high flow cat & Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust System, 35W H1 XENON HID 5000k, Super White LED 194's

11-12-2009, 11:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
MrTea Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 8,143 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	it's not very hard at all actually, just a bit of a pain with access and whatnot. i would highly recommend doing it yourself, the biggest issue is the gasket that comes with it. If i were you and wanted it, i'd order it, then go looking for a better gasket that i would be using (hit up Biz there perhaps?) and the day before it's expected to come i'd pull off the stock heat shield as it just adds to the time needed at install. it's an easy one, but with it removed things are a lot easier to work with so might as well save a bit of time. ...if you want also, you can go and hit the bolts on the back with pb blaster / wd40 and crack them loose. with the shield gone and bolts already loosened you'll be way ahead of the game for install. __________________ '03 Lapis(mostly) 6i...Tranny swap by Gillis Motorsports : MTX-75 5speed tranny, 4.06 gears, Torsen LSD & chromoly axles, Engine build by Gillis Motorsports: 9:1 Supertech Pistons, Crower rods, Supertech valves, springs & retainers, ARP head & main studs, F2 Stage2 Turbo, Custom F2 engine/tranny mounts, 3" Turboback exhaust, Tein Basic Coilovers, Brembo Big Brake Kit and Rotora Rear Rotors, RacingBeat Front & Rear Sways, Seibon OEM hood, VF Engineering rear engine mount, Powdercoated Valvecover, TEIN hood dampers, Some sort of Body Kit from some company usually last dyno 8/23, 10psi...260HP/267TQ Still need: Seat, cage, Gillis suspension...then i'm DONE!!

11-13-2009, 08:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
MrTea Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 8,143 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	the consesus has been the gasket that comes with the header just doesn't seem to seal well enough from what i've heard. i've never seen/used it, but i'd play the odds and be safe. seal it up tight the first time and not have to mess with it again. __________________ '03 Lapis(mostly) 6i...Tranny swap by Gillis Motorsports : MTX-75 5speed tranny, 4.06 gears, Torsen LSD & chromoly axles, Engine build by Gillis Motorsports: 9:1 Supertech Pistons, Crower rods, Supertech valves, springs & retainers, ARP head & main studs, F2 Stage2 Turbo, Custom F2 engine/tranny mounts, 3" Turboback exhaust, Tein Basic Coilovers, Brembo Big Brake Kit and Rotora Rear Rotors, RacingBeat Front & Rear Sways, Seibon OEM hood, VF Engineering rear engine mount, Powdercoated Valvecover, TEIN hood dampers, Some sort of Body Kit from some company usually last dyno 8/23, 10psi...260HP/267TQ Still need: Seat, cage, Gillis suspension...then i'm DONE!!

11-14-2009, 05:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
ttshark Track Racer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 405 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Does the header use a rubber gasket like everything else or is it metal based? If it's rubber i'd just oil it up to make a nice seal, if it's metal or some other composite like asbestos or fibre-based, i'd just buy a new one because they do rip sometimes. __________________ 2002 Mazda 6 Limited series 1 Manual 2.3L I-4 Australian Model (Jap Spec) 10:6 High Compression Current Mods: BC Racing Coilovers \| Injen CAI \| Advanced Timing \| Dark Yellow Smoked Fog Lights \| 18" Mazda RX-8 Wheels on Bridgestone GIII 225's \| Raybrig 4500K Pure White Parker/licence/door Bulbs imported from Japan \| Audiolink ipod Connection \| Fluoro Orange Rocker Cover \| Custom Grounding Kit \| Breather Air Filter \| Apexi Turbo Timer \| PCV Oil Catch Can (Still need to install) \| RDA Front Slotted Rotors \| ACRE Super Fighter Pads \| NGK Plug Wires \| 6-SMD Red Interior Map Lights \| Honda S2000 Gearknob Coming SUPER soon: HIDs (Freight Container Arriving Soon) \| Front/Rear Strut Bar \| Exedy Stage 1 Sports Organic Clutch \| Exedy Lightened Flywheel Coming soon: F2 Supercharger kit \| F2 Header \| Custom 3" Catback Exhaust System with High Flow Cat \| Complete Haltech Tune

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12-13-2009, 03:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
sanchez2 Learners License Join Date: May 2008 Location: fresno Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	yea i have my f2 header setup and it doesnt seem to seal rite..everytime i give it some gas while im driving it seems to have a leak..i didnt replace the metal gasket..so that jus mite be my solution..but bcuz it was metal i didnt feel that it needed to be replaced..