Part review: Blackhorse racing (eBay) shorty header for 2.2 Ecotec (ION)
 

I bought this from eBay a few weeks ago for $55 shipped (yes, $55 for a 304 stainless header) and figured I couldn’t lose too bad at that price... the flanges were cut well and the fitment itself was okay in that it bolted onto the head and onto the stock downpipe without issues, except...

the exhaust runners werent perfectly matched matched to the ports and the number three runner had to be completely reworked to not contact my coolant crossover pipe, which is an engine specific design flaw, NOT an application specific issue... I’m glad the guy I use for mechanic work had fabrication equipment...
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That header would clear the coolant pipe on an L200 since the thermostat is around the end of the cylinder head. Your coolant pipes look like the ones on my grandson’s Olds Alero and on a Cavalier.

So that’s my thermostat housing that I had to flatten the runner to clear? Interesting...

at any rate, the header doesn’t quite bolt onto a 2004 Ion as pictured...

Yes that is the thermostat housing and the water pump is at the other end of that pipe. Not designed for ease of maintenance however the components are quite durable.

I have almost 170K on my original water pump and I have no inclination that it won’t go to at least 250K lol

yoi don’t think I’ll have any issues with my thermostat what with having the exhaust runner so close to it?

Probably not, your thermostat is water cooled!

Small update, the header is still doing well, no leaks even where it was cut flattened and welded... car makes great power!