Help w/ Header Install
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 64
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From: Wylie Texas
Help w/ Header Install
I was wondering if anyone has installed headers on a C5 themselves and how easy it is to do, or if it is worth paying high $$$ to have someone put them on? I am purchasing LG longtubes.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
It really depends on how mechanically inclined you are, what kind of space you have, do you have a 2nd car, and what tools you have.
I'd say on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being putting a wheel on/off and 10 being rebuilding a transmission or something I'd be a 5 or so.
You'll want to take your time, relax, and prepare for odd things like cross-treading bolts, dropping things in odd spaces (read - get a tap/dye kit and a grabber tool and pickup magnet!).
I did mine in my garage in 4-5 hours taking my time... the Kooks require more to be removed than the LGs. However, I have a beater truck so if I screw up I'm not in a jam.
I'd say on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being putting a wheel on/off and 10 being rebuilding a transmission or something I'd be a 5 or so.
You'll want to take your time, relax, and prepare for odd things like cross-treading bolts, dropping things in odd spaces (read - get a tap/dye kit and a grabber tool and pickup magnet!).
I did mine in my garage in 4-5 hours taking my time... the Kooks require more to be removed than the LGs. However, I have a beater truck so if I screw up I'm not in a jam.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
It's definitely a fun project. Depends how patient you are and obviously your mechanical skills. I'm not a master mechanic and I did mine just fine. I ran into a lot of tiny issues. First off make sure you can get the car up high enough, safely. Take your time and double check everything. Took me about 9-10 hours over 2 days. My friend put the gasket in upside down and I had to loosen up everything all over again. Didn't realize his mistake until I was done and putting in the plugs. Good luck!!!
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
It really depends on how mechanically inclined you are, what kind of space you have, do you have a 2nd car, and what tools you have.
I'd say on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being putting a wheel on/off and 10 being rebuilding a transmission or something I'd be a 5 or so.
You'll want to take your time, relax, and prepare for odd things like cross-treading bolts, dropping things in odd spaces (read - get a tap/dye kit and a grabber tool and pickup magnet!).
I did mine in my garage in 4-5 hours taking my time... the Kooks require more to be removed than the LGs. However, I have a beater truck so if I screw up I'm not in a jam.
I'd say on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being putting a wheel on/off and 10 being rebuilding a transmission or something I'd be a 5 or so.
You'll want to take your time, relax, and prepare for odd things like cross-treading bolts, dropping things in odd spaces (read - get a tap/dye kit and a grabber tool and pickup magnet!).
I did mine in my garage in 4-5 hours taking my time... the Kooks require more to be removed than the LGs. However, I have a beater truck so if I screw up I'm not in a jam.
I'd give it a 5 as well. Getting the car up is the biggest issue. Please be safe and have redundant safety measures.
Other than that, basic mechanic skills will get your threw, like don't over torque the bolts ect...
Peace
Chip
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,683
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Just did the install this weekend. Took longer than expected for my Dynatechs. I'd say about 10-11 hours for me. My girlfriend was actually my second set of hands. She did great!
I stripped out the threads in one of the AIR tube holes on the passenger side, dropped a bolt between the headers at the collector, and spent about an hour trying to get my car back on the ground.
Please, please be careful with the car that high in the air. I saw my rear jack stands up on 2 of the 4 legs and almost threw up 
Take your time, and double check everything!
I'd do it myself again, only because I like the satisfaction of a job done by myself (right or wrong) and it saved me some $$$.
I stripped out the threads in one of the AIR tube holes on the passenger side, dropped a bolt between the headers at the collector, and spent about an hour trying to get my car back on the ground.
Please, please be careful with the car that high in the air. I saw my rear jack stands up on 2 of the 4 legs and almost threw up Take your time, and double check everything! I'd do it myself again, only because I like the satisfaction of a job done by myself (right or wrong) and it saved me some $$$.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 1,088
From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Just read through these two write-ups a few times and you'll be good to go:
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=29
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=29
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Wylie Texas
Originally Posted by BudgetPlan1
Just read through these two write-ups a few times and you'll be good to go:
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=29
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=29
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
Thanks for the links, those are great!
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