3.5L OBX-R Shorty Headers, Pics/Video

[rwalshphoto]

OBX-R Headers Write-Up, Photos and Video

So I've been searching for an alternative to the JBA shorties for a long while. I've never been satisfied with their build quality or finish. I emailed every major headers company I could find without any luck (including OBX). I was either told it wasnt worth the R&D time and expense or was just flat up ignored. Our vendor here Stainless Works seems to make a top quality product but I just couldnt drop that sort of coin with my other projects going on and without any customer feedback about their product it was sort of a shot in the dark.

So I was surfing ebay for my usual terms and found a couple of auctions for these hidden amongst the listings for JBA. What are they...? OBX-R Polished Stainless Shorty headers.

About the product: (copied from their ebay listing)

Primary Tube Diameter (in): 1 1/2" Tube Size. Primary Tube Gauge: 14-gauge
Constructed With High Quality SUS-T304 Stainless Steel For Best Durability.
Mirror Polished Finishing.
CNC Machined Thick Flange


Price: $325 shipped (I received mine 3 days from time of purchase)

About the Install:


Well it was 108* outside and about 30% humidity (?) so yeah... uhmm not fun. It retrospect I really could've used a hand. I did the install in my garage so no lift, no ramps, just some jack stands and little hyrdaulic jack . The factory bolts were extremely tight and there is virtually no room to work with on the passenger side thanks to the wiring harness and intake plenum (I have the scrapes and bruises to prove it). Removing the heatshields is probably the biggest pain. You cant get to the header bolts without removing them and it requires a mixture of finesse and a really big pry bar. Once they are off the header bolts are a really tight squeeze that require some major heeman strength and/or a lot of leverage. Its too tight for a breaker bar and for most of them its too tight for a socket/ratchet...even with a swivel-universal. I tried using a 1/4 socket/ratchet since thats all that would fit but yeah...twisted the universal in half. Ended up using a ratcheting wrench (craftsmen thin profile) to fit in there and using a 21mmm closed end wrench as a breaker bar on the end of it for leverage....worked like a charm.

With the stock headers off and the new ones in position its a bit of a balancing act and cuddle party with the engine - particularly the oil pan and block. In 110* heat the motor never really cools down so that made for a steamy adventure. Getting everything lined up and the new bolts threaded in proper while holding the header in place....ugh, not fun. After all was said and done I had some exhaust leaks I had to go back and fix -- I think I still might have a few that I'll have to go back and torque a bit more after a few more heat cycles.

Oh...I had some help from my modding buddy too:







Photos of the headers:
(these photographs were taken for my own purposes and are not within public domain. If any company wishes to use these you must contact me first for copyright and usage terms and compensation)





















Video:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f83_cgP1Q_Q"]YouTube - Dodge Magnum 3.5L V6 OBX-R Headers[/ame]


Future Possibilities:
I am going to schedule some dyno time soon to see how much power I gained and probably run with them for a month or so to verify quality, durability, etc. If all goes well I will finalizing things with the guys at OBX and hopefully AEcarbon will start selling these to compliment the ported manifolds and throttle bodies

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[Prospector]

Once again, great work Ryan!!

[4rwheeler]

Sound pretty sweet. If you could train the dog to get you tools, that would be a big help.

[MAGTIKI]

Nice work man!! Nice write up too!!! Beans to ya!!!

[gomojo31]

that sounds awesome Ryan

[rwalshphoto]

Thanks guys. And getting her to layout there for 5 min to take a couple photos was a chore... she's like its f'ing hot out here I'm going back inside.

[JERKDOGG]

Kool!!!!!

[1sickmag]

oh thats awesome man!!

[lafilmmagnum]

hey ryan, no chance those would fit on a 2.7?

[rwalshphoto]

hey ryan, no chance those would fit on a 2.7?

I have no idea man, I've never seen the stock ones on a 2.7L. JBA and OBX dont advertise either of their products as fitting the 2.7L so I'm guessing the alignment and size is different. It would sure expand the market a bit if they did.