Header installation question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,229
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From: Kansas City MO
Header installation question
I don't have the means to install headers at home by myself so before I get any, I am going to have to call around to find somewere that will install them. Do exhaust shops typicall install headers or should I be looking for an engine mechanic to do it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
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From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
If you can't do it yourself, have a mechanic do it. Expect to pay A LOT for him to do it though. If you buy the headers and y-pipe, you shouldn't even need to take it to the exhaust shop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
The exhaust shops I talked to would not touch the job, no would my mechanic. There is no way they could properly estimate the hours, and there are a lot of gotchas with these Corvettes.
I had to do my own, it took me a month. Mostly the bitch of getting off the old pipes and cats on an LT1. The L98 would be easier.
I had to do my own, it took me a month. Mostly the bitch of getting off the old pipes and cats on an LT1. The L98 would be easier.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 935
Likes: 2
From: Beverly, NJ
Originally Posted by scofolo
I don't have the means to install headers at home by myself so before I get any, I am going to have to call around to find somewere that will install them. Do exhaust shops typicall install headers or should I be looking for an engine mechanic to do it?
You can do it with basic tools. What year is your car? I did full exhaust on my car and it didn't take me that long. Get 4 jackstands and put them on at your house. You won't need any special tools except for maybe a crows foot for the rear passenger bolt.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
Originally Posted by darkman5001
You can do it with basic tools. What year is your car? I did full exhaust on my car and it didn't take me that long. Get 4 jackstands and put them on at your house. You won't need any special tools except for maybe a crows foot for the rear passenger bolt.
My info is in my sig. I have a dual exhaust system so I can't just get a y-pipe to connect the headers. The pipes will have to be cut and re-welded. I wouldn't be against doing it myself, but it just might be more than I can handle.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
You're in a major market area. Why not get recommendations from those in your area (in your regional section of the forum) for any good specialty Vette or other high performance shops?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
It's really not that bad if you could borrow some jackstands and basic tools. Or better yet a friends shop with a lift. 
I did it last week in a couple of days in my spare time. Here's threads with pics I posted in general.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=990504
I did it last week in a couple of days in my spare time. Here's threads with pics I posted in general.http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=990504
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by scofolo
My info is in my sig. I have a dual exhaust system so I can't just get a y-pipe to connect the headers. The pipes will have to be cut and re-welded. I wouldn't be against doing it myself, but it just might be more than I can handle.
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...+PIPE&x=17&y=8
Last edited by skateparkdave; Jan 17, 2005 at 10:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City MO
the problem that I anticipate running into is the dual exhaust. i am sure i can figure out how to take off the current manifold and attach the headers, but the dual exhaust curves up and connects directly to the stock manifolds. I think that I will have to have them cut back and welded to the headers. that is the main thing holding me back from ordering headers. there are a couple of race shops around here that charge outrageous fees to work on cars, but i may end up going to one of them if i have to.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Strick
I totally agree with Corvette Kid NC. We don't agree on much, but he's right on this. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Plains Ga.
Header installation
I just finished installing long tube headers on our '96 LT1 coupe. It will take you some time and patience. It doesn't require special tools, but a good helper would be recommended. I believe you can do it on some "GOOD" tall jack stands. I have the luxury of a car lift in my shop, which makes it much easier than jack stands. Check around and see if someone has a car lift they will let you use or rent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
I just put long tubes and true dual on the l98. I put the headers on, I then went to the back and cut the rear Y just before they join. From the parts store I got straight pipe, and put that on, and cut it where it got by the trans, and had to curve. After talking to a exhaust shop, I took a straight peace of heavy wire ( heavy coat hanger wire), and from the center of the header to the center of the straight pipe, I bent it to fit. Took those two pieces of wire to the exhaust shop the next day, and they bent both pieces for me. I had them expand the ends so I just took it home, and slipped it on the pipes i had made already. Fit like a dream. I could have clamped those pieces on, but since I had a welder, I welded them in. Piece of cake. Randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Originally Posted by scofolo
the problem that I anticipate running into is the dual exhaust. i am sure i can figure out how to take off the current manifold and attach the headers, but the dual exhaust curves up and connects directly to the stock manifolds. I think that I will have to have them cut back and welded to the headers. that is the main thing holding me back from ordering headers. there are a couple of race shops around here that charge outrageous fees to work on cars, but i may end up going to one of them if i have to.
You want to get some x-pipes in the new rig so there's some exhaust work to be done there. If you cut the pipe where you indicate the removal of the old and the install of headers will be a piece of cake. But a muff shop won't do that work. You can get odd pieces of pipe, band clamps, and a 3" to 2 1/2" reducer from Summit to patch the existing exhaust to your new headers. This you can do yourself and it will be good enough to drive until you can get into an exhaust shop to take care of proper pipe and the x-pipe install.
What was a bitch for me and took the most time was taking off the old LT1 cats. You don't have to deal with that.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by scofolo
the problem that I anticipate running into is the dual exhaust. i am sure i can figure out how to take off the current manifold and attach the headers, but the dual exhaust curves up and connects directly to the stock manifolds. I think that I will have to have them cut back and welded to the headers. that is the main thing holding me back from ordering headers. there are a couple of race shops around here that charge outrageous fees to work on cars, but i may end up going to one of them if i have to.
Do the Header install yourself. Then take your car down to the exhaust shop running open headers for them to weld up. Its what I did and its a bunch cheaper.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Greenville Ohio
St. Jude Donor '05
header install
So I gather that most feel you can change the headers yourself.
How high do I need to get the car on jackstands?
Is the removal of the dipstick required? How?
Currently in the process of changing some front pieces and all A-arms are off-which by looking at it gives me some extra room.
I think I will attempt it, and install the air pump eliminator, new plugs, and wires.
How high do I need to get the car on jackstands?
Is the removal of the dipstick required? How?
Currently in the process of changing some front pieces and all A-arms are off-which by looking at it gives me some extra room.
I think I will attempt it, and install the air pump eliminator, new plugs, and wires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by bowersock
So I gather that most feel you can change the headers yourself.
How high do I need to get the car on jackstands?
Is the removal of the dipstick required? How?
Currently in the process of changing some front pieces and all A-arms are off-which by looking at it gives me some extra room.
I think I will attempt it, and install the air pump eliminator, new plugs, and wires.
How high do I need to get the car on jackstands?
Is the removal of the dipstick required? How?
Currently in the process of changing some front pieces and all A-arms are off-which by looking at it gives me some extra room.
I think I will attempt it, and install the air pump eliminator, new plugs, and wires.
Yes removal of oil dipstick and tube will need to be done. You just unbolt it from stock manifold and pull firmly with a little back and forth rotation and it comes right out. I found that the EZ removal of the center plastic piece of inner fender skirt helped access to all work on passenger side be much easier. I was able to remove stock manifold and install the header without unbolting AC compressor by removing that middle plastic piece. Then I decided to replace a seeping valve cover gasket while I had the EGR pipe off and ended up having to loosen the AC compressor and bracket anyway.
Go ahead and remove the starter too before attempting to remove stock manifold as it will make it easier and you have to remove it to get header up in there anyway.
Dave