header, ball joint, seal, and gasket q's, help?

[dph92lx]

Problem: 1) Exhaust
-head pipe / head gasket is leaking, I want to replace it with a Megan Racing header (budget), can anyone advise for or against this move?
-Is there any way i can get that damn heat shield off without removing the O2 sensor / having to grind up a socket / buying a socket.
-A cheap, but trusted brand for a catback? any suggestions?

2) I think essentially all of my seals and gaskets used for keeping oil inside the engine have deteriorated. F22A1 with 192,000 miles on it, i've been using Royal Purple 10W-30 for the past... 10k? The car isn't that old where it relies on the mineral properties of conv. oil...

3) If my upper ball joints are shot, will it decrease the remaining life of my lowers?

[ExplodingCake]

Problem: 1) Exhaust
-head pipe / head gasket is leaking, I want to replace it with a Megan Racing header (budget), can anyone advise for or against this move?

2) If my upper ball joints are shot, will it decrease the remaining life of my lowers?

Megan Racing is good.

Change your upper ball joints coz it will break off eventually , you don't want that while rolling 65MPH>

[dph92lx]

thanks, one more thing: shifts nicely from first to second (5spd), but from then on, anywhere from 4000rpm over in any gear, it grinds when entering 2,3,4,5. the clutch is to the floor, although it's had the same clutch for 192k miles.

[ExplodingCake]

thanks, one more thing: shifts nicely from first to second (5spd), but from then on, anywhere from 4000rpm over in any gear, it grinds when entering 2,3,4,5. the clutch is to the floor, although it's had the same clutch for 192k miles.

Maybe you need a new clutch.

[dph92lx]

even though it doesn't slip...