How to Remove the Factory Header on a Subaru BRZ

Written By: Dung Nguyen (and 2 other contributors)
  • Comments: 1
  • Favorites: 0

Difficulty

Very difficult

Steps

12

Time Required

03:00:00 - 04:00:00

Sections

4

Flags

1

User-Contributed Guide

User-Contributed Guide

This guide is not managed by the site's staff.

Introduction

This header removal is a great write up to show the steps on removing the stock header on a Scion FRS or Subaru BRZ. The stock header is a bit heavier than our catted HKS one. If you are installing a header without a cat, im sure you will notice a big difference in power and the difference in weight as well.

  1. Initially, before starting on any project on the front of the car, you would want to get it in the air. Supported by Jack stands. There are various bolts on the back under tray that need to be taken off with a 10mm socket There are 11 Bolts that have to be taken off to remove the black under tray.

    • Initially, before starting on any project on the front of the car, you would want to get it in the air. Supported by Jack stands.

    • There are various bolts on the back under tray that need to be taken off with a 10mm socket

    • There are 11 Bolts that have to be taken off to remove the black under tray.

    Edit

  2. After getting the rear under tray off, its time to move on to the front under tray. Theres 7 black clips that require a flat head to pop out. Be careful not to break the head on these. Once they pop out, just pull them out of the hole. After the Clips are out, go ahead and use the 10mm socket to get the bolts out. There should be (8) 10 mm head bolts holding up the under tray.

    • After getting the rear under tray off, its time to move on to the front under tray.

    • Theres 7 black clips that require a flat head to pop out. Be careful not to break the head on these. Once they pop out, just pull them out of the hole.

    • After the Clips are out, go ahead and use the 10mm socket to get the bolts out. There should be (8) 10 mm head bolts holding up the under tray.

    • Once those bolts are taken out, the under tray will drop. Be careful not to damage the tray as it is a key item in the undercarriage of the vehicle.

    Edit

  3. First step is to unbolt the nuts from the front pipe that connects to the cat back part of the exhaust. Keep these, as they will be reused later on.

    • First step is to unbolt the nuts from the front pipe that connects to the cat back part of the exhaust. Keep these, as they will be reused later on.

    Edit

  4. Caution, depending on your region's weather condition, oxidation must make it difficult to remove nuts. Using a 14mm wrench, remove the two nuts holding the frontpipe to the overpipe. Utilizing a 14mm wrench, remove the bolt supporting the front pipe to the transmission mounting bracket.

    • Caution, depending on your region's weather condition, oxidation must make it difficult to remove nuts.

    • Using a 14mm wrench, remove the two nuts holding the frontpipe to the overpipe.

    • Utilizing a 14mm wrench, remove the bolt supporting the front pipe to the transmission mounting bracket.

    Edit

  5. With the front pipe being supported by the hook on the center bracket, separate the front pipe from the catback. Remove front pipe from center bracket. Some pressure on the bracket may be required. Front pipe can now be separated from the overpipe studs.

    • With the front pipe being supported by the hook on the center bracket, separate the front pipe from the catback.

    • Remove front pipe from center bracket. Some pressure on the bracket may be required.

    • Front pipe can now be separated from the overpipe studs.

    Edit

  6. Now that you have the Stock front pipe out, you are now ready for the install of the replacement front pipe, or any other exhaust component.

    • Now that you have the Stock front pipe out, you are now ready for the install of the replacement front pipe, or any other exhaust component.

    Edit

  7. After the removal of the front pipe, you are now ready to move on to the over pipe. Remove the nuts securing the overpipe to the header. A 14mm gear wrench is suggested. Remove the nuts securing the overpipe to the header. A 14mm gear wrench is suggested.

    • After the removal of the front pipe, you are now ready to move on to the over pipe.

    • Remove the nuts securing the overpipe to the header. A 14mm gear wrench is suggested.

    Edit

  8. Remove the four 10mm bolts and one 10mm nut securing the heat shield to the overpipe. Remove the heat shields. With the heat shields removed, you may now maneuver the overpipe forward and under the header. With the heat shields removed, you may now maneuver the overpipe forward and under the header.

    • Remove the four 10mm bolts and one 10mm nut securing the heat shield to the overpipe. Remove the heat shields.

    • With the heat shields removed, you may now maneuver the overpipe forward and under the header.

    Edit

  9. After removing the under trays and the 2 exhaust components, you are now ready to tackle the header. Be sure to confirm that you are able to remove the o2 Sensors because you shouldnt continue without removing them. After removing the under trays and the 2 exhaust components, you are now ready to tackle the header. Be sure to confirm that you are able to remove the o2 Sensors because you shouldnt continue without removing them.

    • After removing the under trays and the 2 exhaust components, you are now ready to tackle the header. Be sure to confirm that you are able to remove the o2 Sensors because you shouldnt continue without removing them.

    Edit

  10. You now have to un-clip the two o2 sensor pig tails. The black and the grey one. You also need to disconnect the clip securing the o2 sensor wires to the front of the motor. You may now remove the o2 sensor. Be careful not to strip or round the head of the sensor, as it will make it more difficult to remove.

    • You now have to un-clip the two o2 sensor pig tails. The black and the grey one.

    • You also need to disconnect the clip securing the o2 sensor wires to the front of the motor.

    • You may now remove the o2 sensor. Be careful not to strip or round the head of the sensor, as it will make it more difficult to remove.

    Edit

  11. For the next o2 sensor removal, we recommend an o2 sensor removal tool. With the o2 sensor removal tool, go ahead and remove the o2 sensor on top portion of the header.

    • For the next o2 sensor removal, we recommend an o2 sensor removal tool.

    • With the o2 sensor removal tool, go ahead and remove the o2 sensor on top portion of the header.

    Edit

  12. While supporting the header, loosen the 3 nuts holding the left side of the header to the head. (Loosen the nuts slowly on the left side of the header). Make sure to support he left side of the header. Do not allow it to sag. You may now lower the header carefully to remove it. You may now lower the header carefully to remove it.

    • While supporting the header, loosen the 3 nuts holding the left side of the header to the head. (Loosen the nuts slowly on the left side of the header). Make sure to support he left side of the header. Do not allow it to sag.

    • You may now lower the header carefully to remove it.

    Edit
Conclusion

The completion of the header removal can now lead to the installation of the aftermarket header.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Dung Nguyen

Member since: 03/27/2013

842 Reputation

49 Guides authored

One Comment

Before removing the O2 sensors make sure the manifold is completely cold. Not even warm. The threads on the O2 sensors rip off super easy.

Noel Hibbard - Reply

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