Chokeu

Hello All,
I just scored a great deal on a set of Kooks 1 7/8" Headers, Kooks X-Pipe no cats, and Corsa Sport axle back exhaust. I will be doing the install in my garage. I've got Race Ramps, 3 Jacks, and a pair of Jack Stands. My tune right now already has the rear O2 sensors turned off but I know it has to be retuned after the install. I have a 2005 roadster A4.

Any install suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated from those of you who put their own systems on. Thank you in advance!!

timd38

Get a set of ARP studs. It makes the job easier because you hab hang the headers from below with out having a person above to put a bolt in so that they don't fall down.

sevinn

Not to mention you never have to worry about stripping the holes in the head with the studs. They are worth the money for sure.

My only advice to you OP is to make sure you get new exhaust manifold gaskets and get the car high enough to have the header completely vertical so that you can move the header at any angle to get it into place.

b0xm0ns73r

This!
A good buddy insisted I use his lift when installing mine and it helped dramatically. Get the car up as high as you can, as safe as you can. The passenger side took a little more work getting the header up through the bottom. Don't get in a hurry. Take your time and do it right.

I purchased different bolts/nuts from the hardware store when installing my LG LT's. We stripped a couple of the provided nuts/bolts trying to get rid of a couple of exhaust leaks. The hardware from the hardware store was quite a bit better in terms of not stripping.

The Corsa Sports should sound good with the headers. I have NPP and it sounds like a beast at WOT.

Then be prepared to have sore face muscles from all the grinnin'!
Headers make the fun factor go from Woohoo to a string of 4 letter expletives!

tennblkc6

I have an 05 and had zero issues installing my slp headers in my garage by myself. If I remember correctly the pass side installed from the top and the driver's side from the bottom. Disconnect the neg battery cable then make sure you get the car up ~24" and remove the starter. I reused my exhaust gaskets as well as the stock bolts.
good luck!

That_White_C6

in my 08 BOTH were easy as pie to install from the bottom, i've done it 3 times so far, and i'll be doing it again this weekend when i pull the heads

timd38

You work on your car too much!

Chokeu

What do you use to get the O2 sensor off? Is there a special socket? Also, where would you get plugs for where the O2 sensors are supposed to be on the x-pipe or should I just put the factory rear O2 sensors in but leave them unplugged? Looking at O2 sensor removal sockets right now, anyone use one and knows what size it is?

sevinn

You can use a normal open ended wrench, but an o2 socket or wrench makes the job of removing the sensor from the stock manifold easier since it's pretty well tucked in. Any auto parts store will have one.

Chokeu

Is it a universal size?

Kenny94945

Be ready if the OEM exhaust mainfold studs and bolts to cats are stubborn.
Use penetrating oil for a few hours and perhaps handy torch ready.

Ditto for the lower bolts cats to exhaust pipes.

O2 socket sizes I think are universal, noting it is a special shaped socket....see Napa Auto Parts.

P.S. Height is your friend. Get the vette high off the ground.

Dano523

Ditto on the ARP studs,
Not only does is give you a place to hang the headers from below, but the studs do a full in bed of the threads to aluminum thread channels on the heads, with less worries of stripping the channels out.

Mugen1516

I did my AR headers by myself on jack stands.

Penatrant spray on all lower exhaust bolts the night before and an impact wrench makes for easy work.

O2 socket from Harbor Freight.

Don't tighten anything until you get the mufflers level and in the place you want them. I had trouble with my mufflers hitting the rear sway bar and also a stud off of the transmission on the over the axle pipes which would cause rattles. I put a piece of wood on my jack and raised the rear half of the exhaust before tightening the bolts and that fixed it all.

Extra set of jack stands helps if doing it by yourself.

Chokeu

Thanks everyone for the tips, gonna make a trip to harbor freight for that O2 socket tomorrow. I have an air compressor and all air tools as well. Prolly pick up another pair of jack stands too.

b0xm0ns73r

Good luck I hope it goes smooooth

Chokeu

Me too! Can the car be driven without a tune or should I wait until after to drive it around?

sevinn

You'll be fine without a tune but I wouldn't romp on it or anything but even if you did it would probably be OK.

Also if you have enough height, try to get the stock manifolds and cats off as a single unit so that you don't have to worry about those studs.

That_White_C6

Agreed #BecauseRacecar

That_White_C6

Yes there are special O2 sockets you can rent them at your parts store or buy them for 10-20 bucks

LD85

I installed the Kooks with Hi-Flow cats in my 2005, no issues, just get it up high, 18"-24" to the bottom of the frame,

I used race ramps in the front and jack stands in the rear, I used the stock bolts, with anti seize, no issues there either

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-gaskets.html