I am in the process of installing my new TPiS headers on my 87 coupe. I have the headers installed on the engine. I am now truing to install the "Y" pipe which connects them to the cat converter. My problem is, they won't slide on far enough to allow the straight part of the "Y" to fit into the hanger at the rear of the transmission. It looks to me like the "y" needs to go another 2 1/2 to 3 inches forward. Were these designed to use the stock hangers?? I've placed a piece of wood 2 by 4 over the rear end of the pipe and beat on it repetedly with an 8 pound sledge hammer but it refuses to go any further on. Even if I don;t use the hanger, I am concerned about overall legenth because, of course, the rear "Y" Pipe has to remain in it't position.

Any experiance with this brand of headers on this ventage of Corvette would be appreciated. Ideas???

 

i don't have any TPIS header, but in my research of them, everyone says there the best ones going. but i would call TPIS about your problem with the fit before you damage some thing. sure they sent you the ones for your year vette?? never know??

 

I had to use a hammer to get my Y on, but not a sledge.
Call tpis - sounds like there is a problem, should fit perfectly.

 

The Y pipe from TPIS sucks! I spent HOURS trying to get it to line up correctly in order for my muffler tips to exit the rear evenly. I wound up doing a lot of filing / grinding / sanding / test fitting until I finally got it. I really don't know of any easier way. I also put a very thin coat of motor oil on the collectors, which made it a little easier for the Y pipe to slip over them.

 

Is it something that a local shop could cure in a moment
with their pipe expander if you slipped them a few bucks?

.

 

Are you talking the front y or the rear y that goes to the mufflers?
If you are talking the front y the best thing I found is you leave the drivers side header bolts loose as you push the y forward, then tighten those bolts down. The angle at which the headers are set in there at don't allow you to push the y pipe forward easily with both headers tight.

If your problem is the rear y I don't have a damn clue.

 

yes same problem 4 years ago. It is the coating that is preventing the slide. Muffler shop had to use the enlarger on mine. They also did the trick of not quite bolting them tight and banging the end home with wood and hammer. Also make sure you have the bolts on the connector out of the way so they don't hit the ground or speed bumps. Also, good idea to wrap the strater with Heat Wrap from SUmmit (DEI). Also good idea to make sure fuel lines/brake lines are kinda pushed as far away from headers as possible. Also Heat wrap any elec lines that are even close. (like starter wire and O2 sensor wires). Lastly, the sparkplug wires better be in some loom and away from the pipes as I burnt my number 8 wire on the first start. Take a picture of them when installed. They will never look as good as that first day. Mine are now rusting at the top and the bottom, but middle looks great, 4 years later...OH and no you don't need exhaust hangers near front. Only on the CAT and rear mufflers. The CAT needed a universal hanger that would fit with that rubber flexible piece in middle.
Good luck

 

hippy is right Thats how I got mine on. The Y pipe is sort of crappy but the headers are great. Spark plug clearance is really good.

 

The horse is still squirming, so I too will say that you need to leave header(s) loose. I think I also ran some sand paper in the Y and put some WD40 on the collector and inside the Y. It burns off with the reat of the crap that needs to burn off.

After doing this I used the hammer, as you are, and one smack sent the Y right into position.

PS. Like suggested above just take the driver side loose, nobody likes messin with cyl#8 bolt up against the HVAC box.

 

You have a lot of "alsos" in this post.

 

I had Virginia Speed custom modify my Y-pipe to get it to fit. It took them a while, but they cut and welded the hell out of it, its bent at the wrong angle.

 

I have TPIS headers on my 86'. I also had issues with the front Y-pipe.

When I was done, I made a photo doc of the process and the issues I found. It is on my web site here:

TPIS header install photo doc

 

I am not sure if this picture will help or not but I have TPIS headers on my coupe 6speed (I love my headers) they are about 3 years old still look like new
Hope you can see how far the Y has to go onto the headers

 

I thought I was the only one who went crazy trying to fit the TPIS Y pipe to the headers. Its been awhile but I remember spending hours beating with a wood block and rubber sledge trying to get the Y pipe on. I also remember I couldn't get the K frame diagonal brace back on on the passenger side because the header interferred with the bolt. Had to grind down bolt length. Good headers but murder to install.

Larry

 

I hope I am not insulting you when I say that the y-pipe is assemetrical.

Meaning ...it is possible to put it on upside down.

I however also think that sliding them on before torquing down the header bolts is gonna help.

 

Chuck is correct the can go on up side down. I reinstalled mine after I ceramic coated them. First try to line up with all header bolts loose. If it doesnt work the expander at the local pipe shop is in order

Good luck