[Z06] Kooks header install-help needed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 86
From: DALLAS/FT WORTH TEXAS
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
I called George and of course he was very helpful. I will not have a chance to try the install again most likely until Thursday evening though. Thanks George and everyone else who offered up advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Take the intak off and remove the steering arm from the rack. slide the arm down as far as you can. remove oil filter and sending unit from block over oil filter. take out the coolant sensor and the go in no problem while lifting the engine from the sidew of the pan not straight up.
passenger side
remove battery and box surrounding it, take out starter. lift from side, replace starter then bolt up headers.
passenger side
remove battery and box surrounding it, take out starter. lift from side, replace starter then bolt up headers.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
Take the intak off and remove the steering arm from the rack. slide the arm down as far as you can. remove oil filter and sending unit from block over oil filter. take out the coolant sensor and the go in no problem while lifting the engine from the sidew of the pan not straight up.
passenger side
remove battery and box surrounding it, take out starter. lift from side, replace starter then bolt up headers.
passenger side
remove battery and box surrounding it, take out starter. lift from side, replace starter then bolt up headers.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: Waco Texas
I just did them at the beginning of this year. Both go in from the top. I hope you are working on a lift. You need to unbolt both of the motor mounts. I used a jack to lift the motor up on one side while my buddy pryed the motor over with a 2x4. I slid the header in from the top. Starter definitely needs to be out. The passenger side was hardest.
Good luck! Its worth it!
Good luck! Its worth it!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
Yeah yesterday I figured I could get the driver side one in if I had a helper who could pry the engine over but I was working solo. I am confident I will get them in on my next attempt. Thanks
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
They have to be the hardest headers to install or remove.
I removed the coil packs, fuel line, spark plugs, steering shaft, radiator and washer tanks, altenator, starter and oil filter, along with ground straps and other items.
Removed engine mount bolts and had my brother use a 2 x 4 to lift engine from alternator and air conditioning bracket.
What a PIA, never again will I ever by Kooks Headers as the fit is horrific.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
On the passanger side, I removed the coil packs, valve cover and starter. It fit right in almost effortlessly.
On the drivers side, i removed the temp sensor, coil packs, valve covers along with the Oil Filter and Oil Filter mounting base (not necessary, but didn't want to risk breaking the sensor).
On the drivers side, I used the 2 ton jack pole to pry the engine over towards the passanger side (about 2 inches or so), and only then was I able to slide the header in.. After that, it was just putting it back together..
Good luck
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
Valve covers are off of both sides, spark plugs are out, alternator is out, ground strap is unbolted, and starter is unbolted. I have to unbolt the steering shaft still and unbolt the motor mounts one at a time. I had unbolted both sides so the engine wouldn't roll to one side it would just lift up. One question though, will I be able to get all of these things back in place when I get the headers in?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Valve covers are off of both sides, spark plugs are out, alternator is out, ground strap is unbolted, and starter is unbolted. I have to unbolt the steering shaft still and unbolt the motor mounts one at a time. I had unbolted both sides so the engine wouldn't roll to one side it would just lift up. One question though, will I be able to get all of these things back in place when I get the headers in?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
No luck tonight and I had a helper. Had the drivers side just about in but the front cylinders header pipe got stuck on the alternator bracket and the back of the header was stuck on the brake booster. This time I had just the drivers side engine mount unbolted and jacked up but I need about 1/2 more clearance. My buddy was trying to pry the engine towards the passenger side but couldn't get quite enough. I am thinking about unbolting the passenger side engine mount and having him pry it over while I wiggle it into place. I am so close but ran out of time.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: Waco Texas
No luck tonight and I had a helper. Had the drivers side just about in but the front cylinders header pipe got stuck on the alternator bracket and the back of the header was stuck on the brake booster. This time I had just the drivers side engine mount unbolted and jacked up but I need about 1/2 more clearance. My buddy was trying to pry the engine towards the passenger side but couldn't get quite enough. I am thinking about unbolting the passenger side engine mount and having him pry it over while I wiggle it into place. I am so close but ran out of time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
I had them both unbolted on the first day. I tightened down the passenger side because George from Kooks said to only unbolt one side at a time so the motor would roll more than raise when I jacked it up. How are people unbolting the mounts, the top 18mm nut, the bottom 18mm nut or the three bolts in the block?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Houston Tx
Unbolt the motor mount from the bottom. On the drivers side remove the alt. steering shaft, oil filter. coil rack temp sensor, and plugs. Lift the motor with a scissor jack until you contact the cowl at the top of the engine compartment with the fuel rail. Once you get it at the correct angle, it will almost fall in. On the passenger side remove, the same bottom bolt on the engine mount, starter, plugs, battery box wall and coil rack. Lift the motor the same way. The correct angle again and it will almost fall in. I would not hammer them in any way. There is no easy way or short cut. The Kooks instructions are good and if you follow them EXACTLY you will have the fewest problems. With these cars there are no short cuts on anything. Be sure the car is about 30 inches off the ground. I did mine by myself but I have good air tools and a pneumatic jack so it was not as hard as it could have been. Good luck. The best advice I can give you is to be patient and take your time. Frustration will make it twice as hard. 