Stillen Headers on a FX45

A

Adeo

Member
Location
United States
Car
FX45
Hey IS!

Been a few months since I have been able to spend anytime on the forum. Work is kicking my BUTT right now and I have been itching to do something to the FX. I hate that my dreams and desires for the FX are so directly tied to my J O B ........

So I have been digging around and found lot's of info and images on the comparisons between the VK56DE and the VK45DE. While I would enjoy a full custom set of headers I can't justify the price to HP increase. I need to maintain some budget as I have a few other projects I am working on that I want to showcase to the forum members when completed .....

Based on the things I have read and seen I feel that with a small modification to the Titan Headers offered by Stillen they could work on the FX45. The factory exhaust manifold's are the same dimensions on both, port spacing matches up as well as stud placement. The only difference I can see is the flange on the VK56 is oval where the VK45 is circular.

Has anyone tried to install the Stillen headers on their 45? With a very minimal amount of machining the oval could be made circular. I found a local machine shop that will use the exhaust gasket as the template mark the flange and round it out.

What are your thought's on this? For $1,300.00 shipped from Stillen I can obtain the headers as well as the B-Pipe with the HFC .............

Thanks in advance to anyone that has some advice or knowledge on this ........

///10144[/ATTACH]///10145[/ATTACH]///10146[/ATTACH]///10147[/ATTACH]///10148[/ATTACH]///10149[/ATTACH]///10150[/ATTACH]///10151[/ATTACH]///10152[/ATTACH]///10153[/ATTACH]
 
shadow191 said:
http://forums.nicoclub.com/titan-headers-on-an-m45-pics-t454842.html

Titan headers on an M45.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I did not see that post - found those images from the web looking for comparisons - I have enough belief now that I am going to pull the trigger on this ........ hopefully I can get them machined and installed in the next 45 - 60 days. IDK though it's the busiest time of the year at work - ACA and Medicare are in full swing ....... will keep you guy's posted and post a sound clip ....... honestly it probably won't be most members cup of tea ....... the FX is already quite meaty and L O U D .......... LOL however I am E X C I T E D....... thanks for some confirmation :)
 
Funny you should ask .... Tuesday when the snow storms hit the SouthEast the front drive shaft "AKA Propeller Shaft" decided to sheer at the U Joint. I had a closet full of stuff I have been putting off getting done and the headers w/HFC was one of them. Needless to say she is in the shop getting a lot of maintenance things done and a few upgrades; the headers being one of them.

Hopefully she will be back together and running on Friday ..... :) Then a small road trip to get the Uprev tune to balance everything back out ............

If all goes well I will shoot a quick video of a cold start and warm start for the forum ........

No to concerned over the cash to have the shop port out the flange and remove excess material ....... prefer someone with more experience to machine the header flange and ensure smooth gas flow allowing me many years of use.

This will always be a back-up car and I won't get rid of it ......... might as well keep it with all the money I have poured into it since 06' will never get it back out ...........

I have been researching and found a company that is reasonable and is willing to create a new crank and the 96MM pistons .... having a challenge finding the connecting rods ....... have plans to drop engine and rebuild ..... would be nice if I could get the kit built and have a bored and stroked VK45DE with the JWT Cam Kit to round out my NA engine ......

Will keep the forum posted ..........
 
Hi Everyone! As you know nothing ever goes as planned with our 45's and this time was no different. Here is a quick update:

Stillen Headers to Custom JBA LT: What I found out is they "almost" fit ...... I was hopeful due to the very close dimensions of the VK56 manifolds and primary cats .... the 1st primary has about 5MM to much bend and the motor mount and firewall clearance become an issue. Also, the way the header is designed with the 1st primary wrapping around the back then to the collector hit the steering linkage; needed another 1.5 inches to clear. The passenger side had clearance issues on the 1st primary as well. Instead of chopping them all up to run the tubing I elected to return the HFC's and sold the Stillens, ordered a set of JBA shorties had them cut and the remaining tubing run to make the LT headers. I kept the same tubing size that the JBA's came with and reused the FireCone collector that help make the JBA very efficient at scavenging plus as an added bonus it helps produce that JBA sound. For the time being I had them sprayed and wrapped ...... I might not be alive much longer if I don't return my GF's car ...... she might be more excited about the return of my baby than I am ..... nah probably not.

Magnaflow HFC: I wanted to try these since the price point is attractive and the reviews were good; I chose the round spun 200 Cell HFC; they retail for about $100.00 each and I got them both for that.

In addition to the above items I have either replaced and or repaired these items during this service visit:

1. New Valve Cover gaskets
2. New spark plugs
3. New Power Steering Pump
4. New idler pulley
5. New serpentine tensioner
6. New front heat/AC blower
7. New Motor Mounts both L/R
8. New clock bulbs
9. New D/S Escutcheon
10. 4 HHO Extensions
11. 2 90 degree o2 extenders
12. Front drive shaft
13. Repaired huge missing piece of transmission housing from Ujoint on drive shaft sheering
14. FINALLY got the electric fan conversion installed

** Add to that a new battery and starter ....... wow the list continues to grow!

Below are images of the headers as they get ready for install. My plan is pick her up tomorrow drive her for a few days and go get a fresh UPREV tune at CIN motorsports in Charlotte, NC. In the next 5 - 6 months purchase the BBK's and coilovers then wait another 12 - 13 months have the headers coated at Calico coatings, engine rebuilt and JWT cam kit installed.

I will get some video up soon so you can hear it ...........


For those that are wondering about the header cost it was actually very reasonable ..... $424 for the JBA's, $1000 to run the Long Tubes, $175 in wrap supplies ........


///10498[/ATTACH] Rough fitting - right after mocking it up on their way to get bead blasted
///10497[/ATTACH]after their 1st spray
///10499[/ATTACH] after their 1st spray
///10500[/ATTACH] wrapped
///10501[/ATTACH] wrapped
///10502[/ATTACH]HFC
 
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UPDATE: Picked the FX back up Wednesday of last week and all I can say is WOW!!! The tone is deep and when pushed the sound is VERY aggressive. Have only put a couple of hundred miles on her since getting her back. No CEL and runs like a top ..... hopefully I can get the appointment at UPREV scheduled for this week for the fresh tune.

Also, noticeable difference with the electric fan conversion .... much quieter ..... smooth throttle response ...... if you haven't done this yet or had it installed it is well worth it.

Video coming .... as soon as I can get the tune.
 
Adeo said:
Also, noticeable difference with the electric fan conversion .... much quieter ..... smooth throttle response ...... if you haven't done this yet or had it installed it is well worth it..
Click to expand...

Sounds like it's a perfect combination. Cant wait for the vid.

Aiya should be on this thread.
 
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