[Z06] Kooks header install-help needed
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
Kooks header install-help needed
Hi Guys and Gals, I started my Kooks install today and everything went fine up until the part where I slide the Kooks in. I can't get either side in no matter what I try. I tried the bottom and the top, I have unbolted the engine from the motor mounts and (carefully) lifted the engine up as much as I could safely go and still no luck. I am pretty sure I could get the passenger side in if I remove the starter. I cut my finger for the last time of the day at that point though and decided to call it a night. So, all those who installed their Kooks themselves, how did you get them in? Any help would be appreciated. Thank You
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
I have not, but with many header swaps make sure you have the car high enough off the ground. I have fought many times where if i just lifted the car an extra few inches i could angle the headers to slide right in. Just an idea if you have not already tried.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Goldsboro NC
not sure on kooks....but i just took my LG pros 1 3/4 off...with those you just gotta play with how you angle them...at times you think no way this is going in...keep trying different things...angles...helps if you have someone to pull from the top. Is it catching on the starter stuff at all? Take off the ground strap off the drivers side of the block? I put them on my brothers 2000 FRC...they all seem to be different...but i got them in his without too much fuss. Put 1 7/8 ARH headers on mine about 2 months ago...they were a little harder than the LGs....thing is...i did the LGs on a lift both times....the ARH on the ground...we jacked it up further on the jack stands and that helped....having a buddy handy on the pass side really helped get it past the starter and that stuff...and on the drivers side having a bud to hold what he could out of the way. Try and see where the pinch point is and if anything can be held out of the way and grab a extra hand. I'll be online most of the day at work so post up what you find and we'll guide you in the right direction
Kurt
BTW are you doing the cam now too? or just headers?
Kurt
BTW are you doing the cam now too? or just headers?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Acworth Georgia
The Shop local that does a lot of Vette Work has told me that with Kooks the engine actually needs to be disconnected from the mounts and then one side lifted slightly to slide the headers in and then do the same for the other side. The Stainless works headers I have only required that for one side according to the shop. A lift is recommended for an Install.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood Village Colorado
St. Jude Donor '08
Although I can't help you with your current problem, I recommend you get some good gaskets and locking header bolts for when you get it all together.
Mine are probably sealed by now but I'm still thinking of getting the gaskets replaced with Percy's gaskets and split lock fasteners to eliminate any possibility of leakage.
BTW I really like the Kooks headers I've got, they totally changed the sound of the car. It's different, but nice.
Good luck with the rest of the install, I wish I could help you with your problem...
Mine are probably sealed by now but I'm still thinking of getting the gaskets replaced with Percy's gaskets and split lock fasteners to eliminate any possibility of leakage.
BTW I really like the Kooks headers I've got, they totally changed the sound of the car. It's different, but nice.
Good luck with the rest of the install, I wish I could help you with your problem...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
Worked on it for a bit this afternoon with no luck again. I think I can get the drivers side in with a helper but I am not sure about the passenger side. I took the starter out but it really didn't help much though. I am so disgusted at this point so I'll let it sit for a couple of days.
Kurt, just the headers at this point because I am still waiting on the springs.
Kurt, just the headers at this point because I am still waiting on the springs.
Last edited by rico750sxi; Apr 19, 2009 at 08:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
On the drivers side, what are you getting stuck on?
Are you lifting the engine high enough? Lift it as high as you can until the manifold touches the firewall slightly
It should not be this difficult.
Are you lifting the engine high enough? Lift it as high as you can until the manifold touches the firewall slightly
It should not be this difficult.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
I'm hitting on the little piece of bell housing that sticks out. It's like it's there just to drive me nuts. I agree, it should not be this difficult. At one point I said to myself that these headers must be for the wrong car because the passenger side looks like it won't fit at all. I know it is just frustration talking at this point but I have never had this hard of a time with headers. And that includes an install on a LT1 F body!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis Missouri
We installed kooks 1 7/8s on my vette. They pretty much sucked...They both go in from the top. The drivers side wasn't too horrible. The passenger side was the worst. We had the engine lifted off the mounts as high as possible and were prying from from both top and bottom. I hear the 1 3/4 are easier, but havn't installed them. Good Luck
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
No, I know they do not slide in easily, I have done header installs before. These just aren't really even close to fitting even with the engine unbolted from it's mounts and it jacked up as far as I could get it. I will get it I'm sure just looking for tips to ease the struggle. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 55
From: b.b. n.j.
they were a bitch but well with it. think i unbolted the starter but let it hang and unbolted the steering shaft. you have to jack it to the moon to get them in. stay with it!!! nothing anyone says it going to make easier!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Canonsburg PA
They were tough on my car too. I had to disconned the steering shaft, take off the oil filter, the temp sensor. It's a lot easier if you take the alternator off. Almost impossible on the driver side with the alternator on.
Had to take the starter off to do the passenger side. Was able to push the A/C lines out of the way far enough to squeeze it through.
Like others said, we had to loosen the motor mount and jack one side of the engine up at a time as well.
I talked to one guy that took the intake and heads off. He said they drop right in that way no problem. lol.
Had to take the starter off to do the passenger side. Was able to push the A/C lines out of the way far enough to squeeze it through.
Like others said, we had to loosen the motor mount and jack one side of the engine up at a time as well.
I talked to one guy that took the intake and heads off. He said they drop right in that way no problem. lol.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
You wouldn't think that jumping from 1 3/4" to 1 7/8 " would make that much difference on an install, but it does! For those on the fence, on installing a set of long tubes, if you don't have the serious H.P., that requires the 1 7/8", stick w/ the 1 3/4". Good luck w/ the install, and bloody knuckles. When there finally in, it will be well worth the pain and frustration..
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 194
From: Selkirk NY
They were tough on my car too. I had to disconned the steering shaft, take off the oil filter, the temp sensor. It's a lot easier if you take the alternator off. Almost impossible on the driver side with the alternator on.
Had to take the starter off to do the passenger side. Was able to push the A/C lines out of the way far enough to squeeze it through.
Like others said, we had to loosen the motor mount and jack one side of the engine up at a time as well.
I talked to one guy that took the intake and heads off. He said they drop right in that way no problem. lol.
Had to take the starter off to do the passenger side. Was able to push the A/C lines out of the way far enough to squeeze it through.
Like others said, we had to loosen the motor mount and jack one side of the engine up at a time as well.
I talked to one guy that took the intake and heads off. He said they drop right in that way no problem. lol.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 11
From: Austin TX
You wouldn't think that jumping from 1 3/4" to 1 7/8 " would make that much difference on an install, but it does! For those on the fence, on installing a set of long tubes, if you don't have the serious H.P., that requires the 1 7/8", stick w/ the 1 3/4". Good luck w/ the install, and bloody knuckles. When there finally in, it will be well worth the pain and frustration..
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Texas, originally from San Angelo, TX
Weird, my 1 7/8" stepped to 2" Kooks headers fell right into place within about 2 minutes. Of course I did remove the the entire front cradle/suspension for a Katech rod-bolt swap.......
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