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How long does it take to do this? I have been considering it on my LT4 :yesnod: :D . Obviously i'm waiting until my warranty runs out though.
Took us 5 hours. Would have taken us less time, but I put the CAT on the front Y pipe upside down the first time and spent an hour fighting it back off, plus we had to drive to AZ to get some shorter plugs. My guess if I had to do it again is somewhere around 2.5-3 hours on floor jacks and less with a lift.
You will more than likely need to do a LOT of grinding to the support rods that attach to the header studs on the driver's side. The primary tubes on most aftermarket headers are too fat, you'll see what I'm talking about if you go look. Plan on replacing bolts and nuts too, they'll probably break. In my 96 with a 6 speed the tranny was never an issue, email me if you have any specific questions.
Sam, I found out the hard way that you don't have to beat and bang on the headers to make clearance for the bolts or sockets to fit. Here's the trick that devilfish can benefit from...get the 1" long ARP stainless, small head hex bolts. You can use a 1/4" drive socket set without having to hammer your new coated headers. Also, you may want to check out the Cometic header gaskets. Used them along with their head gaskets on my stroker motor. Good stuff. The make a lot of Winston Cup gaskets.
Shorty headers will definitely not require the tranny to be touched. Long tubes do not require it either, but the y-pipe does need to come off if you are changing a TC or Tranny.
H Rocks I think you misuderstand me, I never meant that one had to beat on the headers. I was actually replying to Glock's post as he also has a 96 LT4 so I know exactly what he'll encounter.
I was referring to the support brackets that go from the back of the alternator and AC pump to the studed bolts of the headers on the drivers side. In some of the bolts you can use aftermarket header ones, but in others you will have to use the factory studs, which will require grinding the washer portion of the nut as well as the bracket ends that slide onto the threads. I assume anyone with an LT1/4 will know what I'm talking about.
Sorry I didn't keep it L98 specific, it was late when I read the thread and forgot to specify which engine I was talking about.