SLP Exhaust Header Install for 1999 SSEi

[99ssei]

EDIT: For anyone looking to have the SLPs put on their 99, here are the mods you will need to do:
- Replace H-body transmission dipstick with W-body

http://intense-racing.com/Merchant2/mer ... ory_Code=T

EDIT: You'll also need to buy an interlocking flex section (3" x 6"). The SLP flex section is only braided and causes a very annoying ticking sound (like an exhaust leak). I've only see two available zz performance and verocious motorsports:
http://www.verociousmotorsports.com/Sho ... e-Coupling

- You'll need to cut away some of the trans / motor mount so the headers will fit.
- Low profile fan (see below)

So, I had Midas install my SLPs and it took 4.5 hours. I drove straight to my brother's house to show him. When I pulled in his drive, there was smoke coming out of the hood. I thought it was just the grease and what not still burning off, however, it turns out to be much worse. There's no clearance between the front headers and the main fan. The heat shield for the fan motor was right up against the headers. Waited for it to cool down, and the big fan was seized up (smaller fan spun freely). I took the heat shield off and disconnected the fan. Here's the pics.
Anyone know if I can get low profile fans?
I desperately need them!!

[99ssei]

Just ordered the Flex-a-lite 118 from Summit.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/lo ... mline.html
It can push 2,500 cfm and it's only 3.187 in. thick. If this one fits well, I might go with another for the auxiliary.
Does anyone know what the factory cfm is on my main fan? (want to compare)

Shipping in next day air to arrive Tuesday.
Now I just got to figure out where I'm going to mount the relay...

[1994se]

Seeing as you paid Midas good money to do the install I'd have them fix it. They had to have seen the header was touching the fan and they knew it would get hot. I'd at least mention it to them.

[99ssei]

The tech showed it to me before I left and said it should be okay, but he was wrong. Considering the custom work involved, $348 was very cheap. Chilton's book time on replacing factory headers is 1.2 hours for the front and 2.3 for the rear. I'm not sure what more they could've done given the situation at 8:30 pm on a Friday. I'm still concerned that the trans/motor mount is touching the header on the bottom. Not sure if that will be an issue down the road.

[99ssei]

Got the new fan in.
Had to do some major modification. The directions for the fan said to put nylon screws through the radiator. The screws looked a bit big to be fitting through them, so I took the factory shroud and used a jig saw to custom fit the new fan. If I did it by the directions, I'd have 2" of clearance. Doing it my way leaves me about a 1/2" of clearance, which should be fine.
Here are the pics:

[99ssei]

Update: I moved the fans inside the shroud:

[SSsuperchargedEi]

i dont understand why the fans were such an issue. the install on my 98 went smooth as well as the parts exchange from my 98 to a 97. weird.

edit: here's mine

[99ssei]

I don't know the differences between the 98 and 99 in regards to distance from the fans to the motor. I'm guessing the 98 had more room.

[BillBoost37]

Not at all.. 96-99 all had the same clearance. On the 97 I have, the metal heat shield was removed from the fan and it still works great over a year later.

[McGrath]

Not at all.. 96-99 all had the same clearance. On the 97 I have, the metal heat shield was removed from the fan and it still works great over a year later.

With my TOGs I just trimmed a corner off of the heat shield and I'm good to go.

I'm still concerned that the trans/motor mount is touching the header on the bottom. Not sure if that will be an issue down the road.

You are going to need to modify the stock front mount.

Ed

[99ssei]

You are going to need to modify the stock front mount.

Ed

As stated in my first post.

Got the 3 x 6 interlocking flex pipe from verocious motorsports and took to muffler shop to install. Now they are saying that I need new manifold gaskets. Does anyone know if the gaskets for the SLP are specific to them or can we get any after market gaskets? They are also concerned about the crossover pipe. They say heating them up to expand the metal to separate them might crack because it's stainless steel. They are held in by clamps...wtf?

Side note: ordered the 99 GTP trans dipstick tube and picked it up this morning. I'll be putting that in at the same time as flex pipe.

[99ssei]

Yeah!!!
Had the flex pipe put in and it sounds normal again!! Woo hoo!

[BillBoost37]

Good to hear..

On the gaskets, most folks use stock aluminum gaskets. As for taking the pipes apart at the crossover, unclamp and wiggle. It'll come apart.

[99ssei]

Used OE gasket.
There was concern that a small leak exists at the front crossover clamp. Wondering if we should put a second clamp on or header wrap it.

[BillBoost37]

Can it be heard or felt if you hold a hand near the pipe?

[99ssei]

I haven't checked since they re-installed them, but before it was felt with my hand but not heard (sucking sound of CAI was louder). I'll check it out tonight after car cools off (not with the fans on).