i need to change the gaskets on my headers so i want to take them off because i want to get them ported to. is this a hard job?? also is it possible to take the heat shealds off the headers and replace them with sum kind of heat rap because they rattle alot when driving and really do my head in. lol thanks

 

Which gasket? If it's just the headers, and not up-pipe, then pretty easy...especially with access to a ramp and the right tools. Biggest issue will be getting heatshield bolts undone (on old ones may be rusty and the captive bolt will break with bits of the heatshield). I've known people wrap the headers with no issue, but others suggest this can be bad for the cast iron long term due to excessive heat.

Consider swapping the up-pipe for an aftermarket item - stock item is pretty restrictive. And on new age WRX's it comes with a cat (so definitely get rid). Up-pipe requires tmic and downpipe to be removed too. Straight forward, but can be a bit complicated if it's your first time (my first d/p removal took me 3.5 hours.....it's a 20 mins tops job really ).

Richard

 

cheerz mate. im not sure wat gasket it is thats bowing yet but its definatly the headers or up pipe because all the other gaskets are new ones. i definatly want to replace the heat shealds with exhaust rap because they rattle to much,ive tried jubilee clips but its still the same. so do i take the headers off from underneeth and the up pipe from above? im quite gud at changing the down pipe now,is it much of a job to remove the up pipe too? will the turbo stay where it is? my aim is to change headers and up pipe gaskets and wrap them including the decat downpipe. cheerz for your help

 

Yes, turbo stays in place. Could well be your (flexible) up-pipe that is leaking.

 

do u reckon its worth me putting an uprated up pipe on and porting the headers out while its all off ??