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Adding JBA Shorty Headers

So with the addition of the MRT Ver. 2.0 Axle Back exhaust system, Ivy had developed a really nice exhaust note and I was very happy with it.  Then I came across a discussion that suggested that perhaps the stock exhaust manifolds on the V6 Camaro were perhaps not the most optimal.  I then found that JBA had developed a set of shorty headers for the V6 Camaro.  The important thing about these shorty headers to me was they retained the stock catalytic converters.  As it turns out MRT carries JBA products so I got on the phone with Kim from MRT and she got the ball rolling!

The new JBA shorty stainless steel headers arrived at MRT and I headed down to have them installed.  Rather than doing a long, boring write up I thought I would illustrate the install with pictures... so here it goes... (Click on pictures for a larger view)

With the heat shields removed you can easily see the stock manfolds. Manfolds are bolted on and are easily accessed.
Driver side manifold	Driver side manifold	Passenger side mandifold
Stock manifold	Stock vs JBA	Reusable stock gasket
Comparing the stock manifold outlet vs the JBA header outlet
Stock vs JBA	Stock outlet - not exact but...	JBA Outlet - You get the idea..

You will notice that the JBA headers are a quite a bit longer than the stock manifolds.  To fit the stock down pipe does need to be modified.  The pipe needs to be cut and a new JBA supplied flange welded in place.   For my install, the new header was bolted in place and the new flange was clamped onto the header.  The cut down pipe was slid on to the new flange and was tact in place when the proper placement was found.  The flange was then completely welded on to the down pipe. Header pictures below show the new flange clamped on to the JBA header during fitment.

Driver side header installed	Passenger side header installed	Stock down pipe and cats
Cutting the stock down pipe	Band clamp used as a guide	New flange welded in place
New JBA headers installed!  This is after a few days/heat cycles

The installation was very straight forward. There was enough room in the Camaro's engine bay that the stock manifold were easily unbolted. On thing we really weren't sure of is where to cut the stock down pipe.  The instructions were very clear where to cut but it kind of appeared to us that we would be cutting too much off!  As it turned out the instructions were correct and everything fit perfectly!

First impressions: The car did seem to get slighty louder on start up and revs. The exhaust tone seems a bit deeper and more full, giving it a "cleaner" sound.  The sound seemed to change (for the better) on the 90 minute drive home. Was surprised it seemed to change so quickly.  After a few days driving I've noticed that I now have a nice little rumble when I'm idling at stop light.  I was expecting the JBA's to slightly change the tone of my car's exhaust note, however I didn't expect it to change as much as it did!  The JBA's are a really nice complement to my MRT axle back exhaust!    I will dynoing the car shortly and will have some performance data... In the mean time here are a few videos!