wormdoggy
Enthusiast
Installed the belanger headers and exhaust today. I really wanted to share the install since there seems to be very little information on the belanger ( full system ) installation.
The install took a little over 8 hrs. We could have cut that down considerably , but we just wanted to get it right and learn from our first time modifcation on a Viper. And like everything in life, practicality is soooooooo much different then theoretical and what I read and found out today was no exception. Both of us were challenged with some aspects of the installation.
The side sills came out a lot easier then I had read on posts from other members. The key is to take your time and remove the inside wheel well. We found this to be a lot easier, especially to access the nut under the top louver area which proved to be challenging at first. The wheel well is very easily removeable.
The passenger side manifold / headers are much more complicated and tighter for removing and installing. The wiper cowl, although a simple disconnect is a real pain to remove. And the coolant bottle keeps getting in the way. Don't remove any of the hose connections, just have some one tilt the bottle to wards the wiper cowl, once removed, and the headers should remove and fit fine. The drivers side, on the other hand, once you remove the throttle cable and a few other simple items, is a real gem for installing the headers. Make sure the postive cable battery connection is properly shielded once removed.
I chose to reinstall the factory shields and I found the stock shields fit like a glove on the belanger headers with just some slight modification. The only issue is that the stock plug shields do not fit so you will have to order some after market socks for the new install. I believe partsrack carries these items.
The exhaust, bolts, clamps, was incredibly well designed and everything just fit with perfection. We installed the sill once for tip placement and then tightened and reinstalled complete. Make sure , as with all exhaust installs, that the exhaust tip is placed forward of center and slightly exiting the sill opening. They really do retract and once hot they are dead center to the sill opening.
And no wonder the sills get so hot on these cars...........I can't believe the amount of pipe that was removed. Absolutely unbelieavble and all FOR SALE!!! The sills run so much cooler now and it really feels, although early in the install, that the car just performs superior.
Overall a great day, a lot of fun and the sound is to die for. Every Viper should sound like this stock...........a tad loud but I am certain once the break in period is over they will sound superb!!
The only problem that I noticed when I got home was the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT came on. I really want to wash and drive the car tomorrow. Anything to worry about with the check engine light and is there an easy way to fix this problem. .....I undertand a reset should do the trick.
Thanks for all the posts that helped me with my install today and I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Patrick
Exhaust
Headers
Removeal of side sills
Disconnections
Stock manifold
New headers
For sale ........Look at all the excess pipe
New sensor wiring location
New exhaust
The install took a little over 8 hrs. We could have cut that down considerably , but we just wanted to get it right and learn from our first time modifcation on a Viper. And like everything in life, practicality is soooooooo much different then theoretical and what I read and found out today was no exception. Both of us were challenged with some aspects of the installation.
The side sills came out a lot easier then I had read on posts from other members. The key is to take your time and remove the inside wheel well. We found this to be a lot easier, especially to access the nut under the top louver area which proved to be challenging at first. The wheel well is very easily removeable.
The passenger side manifold / headers are much more complicated and tighter for removing and installing. The wiper cowl, although a simple disconnect is a real pain to remove. And the coolant bottle keeps getting in the way. Don't remove any of the hose connections, just have some one tilt the bottle to wards the wiper cowl, once removed, and the headers should remove and fit fine. The drivers side, on the other hand, once you remove the throttle cable and a few other simple items, is a real gem for installing the headers. Make sure the postive cable battery connection is properly shielded once removed.
I chose to reinstall the factory shields and I found the stock shields fit like a glove on the belanger headers with just some slight modification. The only issue is that the stock plug shields do not fit so you will have to order some after market socks for the new install. I believe partsrack carries these items.
The exhaust, bolts, clamps, was incredibly well designed and everything just fit with perfection. We installed the sill once for tip placement and then tightened and reinstalled complete. Make sure , as with all exhaust installs, that the exhaust tip is placed forward of center and slightly exiting the sill opening. They really do retract and once hot they are dead center to the sill opening.
And no wonder the sills get so hot on these cars...........I can't believe the amount of pipe that was removed. Absolutely unbelieavble and all FOR SALE!!! The sills run so much cooler now and it really feels, although early in the install, that the car just performs superior.
Overall a great day, a lot of fun and the sound is to die for. Every Viper should sound like this stock...........a tad loud but I am certain once the break in period is over they will sound superb!!
The only problem that I noticed when I got home was the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT came on. I really want to wash and drive the car tomorrow. Anything to worry about with the check engine light and is there an easy way to fix this problem. .....I undertand a reset should do the trick.
Thanks for all the posts that helped me with my install today and I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Patrick
Exhaust
Headers
Removeal of side sills
Disconnections
Stock manifold
New headers
For sale ........Look at all the excess pipe
New sensor wiring location
New exhaust