Header install dellema
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: NOVA
Header install dellema
Hello,
I am planning on installing american racing headers and a vararam this weekend and need some help.
I could either install everything at a do it yourself garage with a lift at 20 bucks an hour or do it in my driveway for free. I am pretty sure I have all the tools I will need for the install but might wind up needing something. I'm thinking the install is going to take me alone about 6-8 hours (I may be way off on that but I have never done it before).
What would you guys do?
Thanks,
Kevin
I am planning on installing american racing headers and a vararam this weekend and need some help.
I could either install everything at a do it yourself garage with a lift at 20 bucks an hour or do it in my driveway for free. I am pretty sure I have all the tools I will need for the install but might wind up needing something. I'm thinking the install is going to take me alone about 6-8 hours (I may be way off on that but I have never done it before).
What would you guys do?
Thanks,
Kevin
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 609
Likes: 8
From: Round Rock TX
I have not done the header install but from what I have read you can do it in the drive way BUT doing it on the lift is the BEST way.
I have done the vararam install using a lift and it is the only way I will ever do THAT install. Major PITA either way you go.
The way it sounds you can use a lift for $120 to $140. SPEND THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
I have done the vararam install using a lift and it is the only way I will ever do THAT install. Major PITA either way you go.
The way it sounds you can use a lift for $120 to $140. SPEND THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
I would do it at home. You will want to take your time with these mods and not rush because you're being charged. Breaks are also necessary. I had to take lots of breaks (it was really hot).
It is pretty scary being under the car with it on stands though. Make sure everything is secure before going under and you will be good to go. Hopefully you have a second car just in case you need extra parts.
It is pretty scary being under the car with it on stands though. Make sure everything is secure before going under and you will be good to go. Hopefully you have a second car just in case you need extra parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
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From: centennial colorado
I did mine at home. Car has to be about 24" in the air so make sure you have sturdy jackstands. It was not that bad getting the headers in. Took more time to get everything lined up. I also installed a tunnel plate while I had it apart. Keeps the added heat down there.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
Another tip I remembered. When you get stuck put everything down, take a break, and come back to it. Every single time I ran into a snag and did this I came back out and figured it out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 16
From: Nashville TN
Which headers?
I have installed LG headers on jack stands and on a lift. they are a pain using jack stands.
If you plan ahead I think you could swap headers in 2 hrs on a lift. I say rent the lift and get a buddy to help.
I have installed LG headers on jack stands and on a lift. they are a pain using jack stands.
If you plan ahead I think you could swap headers in 2 hrs on a lift. I say rent the lift and get a buddy to help.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
like they said, do it at home. You are assuming everything will go right. If you rent the lift, run into trouble, can't drive the car, you are stuck with a huge problem; in your driveway you can walk away and come back when things get sorted out, often after posting a question or two on the forum...happens to me all the time; latest is the LG coilovers....what should have been a simple task turned into a PITA...still haven't done my fronts yet because of the troubling thoughts I am having. Headers are even more demanding than coilovers. Take the $$$ you are saving and buy some high quality jackstands (the ones with a steel pin, not the cast iron ones with teeth that can break off
). You will then have all you need for future mods where you have to work under the car.
). You will then have all you need for future mods where you have to work under the car.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: MA
I installed mine and ran into problems that took almost a week to set straight! I had a mid section that wasn't manufactured correctly. The vendor had to sent a several new ones before I got one that was manufactured correctly.
It was a little scary to get under the car when it was way up in the air. If you are handy you shouldn't have any problems.
It was a little scary to get under the car when it was way up in the air. If you are handy you shouldn't have any problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,103
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From: Sandy Ego Ca.
Id split the installs apart.. Id do the headers with the lift... its just easier...you time seem about right from everything Ive read.. the Vararam.. will take two hours the first time you do it.. its not hard.. it just takes a butt load of adjusting.... working around the break ducts was the worse thing.. get the front of the car up get the wheels off and go to it... there are some killer instructions on line someplace.. "Cajun" somebody.. has them
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 210
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From: NOVA
Thanks everyone for the advice! I think yall made me decide to do it at home. That way like pretty much everyone said I can take my time and not have to rush. I also got new plugs and wires to give it a tune up so I can take my time and do everything I want to do. Plus doing it at home I can always have a cold one just a small walk away when I need a break 
This should be fun. Thanks again!
Kevin
This should be fun. Thanks again!
Kevin
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Do it at home so you can take your time. Best of luck and hope you have an easy install.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 432
Likes: 49
From: Southern Maryland
I was watching ARH install headers at Carlisle. You can do it on jack stands, but you really need the front end a good 22 inches off the ground. The front end of the header needs to be almost vertical, then you rotate it back and slide it up and in. The passenger side seemed to be the most difficult. The combination of the heat shield and the a/c lines cause a slight interference. You'll probably need somebody using a pry bar and pushing from below while somebody else is pulling from above. Once you get the header from the passenger side in, the rest is a piece of cake. I just got my ARH headers today. It'll take me a couple of weeks to get my act together. before I start my install. Let me know how the install goes, and if you have any better suggestions on getting the passenger side in.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 241
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From: Richmond Va
After watching the guys at carlisle install headers in about a hour, i was amazed at how easy they made it look. On jack stands in the driveway prob a all day project, followed by the vararam u might want to get some help if any is available, keep us updated.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
It is easy if you don't screw up...
Be very careful bolting on the headers.... the aluminum block can easily get cross threaded....
finding a chasing tap on the weekend (if you didn't buy one in advance) will cost hours .....
one has to remove at least the wiring on the starter for the ARH install... take a picture of the connections before of all the wiring especially the grounds.... black wires are easy to miss when reconnectiong things.
miss one and you will have a not start....
trying to re attach the ground after the headers are in may also add hours.....
Be very careful bolting on the headers.... the aluminum block can easily get cross threaded....
finding a chasing tap on the weekend (if you didn't buy one in advance) will cost hours .....
one has to remove at least the wiring on the starter for the ARH install... take a picture of the connections before of all the wiring especially the grounds.... black wires are easy to miss when reconnectiong things.
miss one and you will have a not start....
trying to re attach the ground after the headers are in may also add hours.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: NOVA
*UPDATE* So taking my time today and not rushing I got the headers on. It wasnt hard but it did take some time. I'm glad I didnt do it in the garage though because I ran into a problem.
It seems the American Racing headers they gave me are not the correct ones. Think they are for a 2001-2004 vette (mines a 2000) because the Air tube on the passanger side needs to be moved about 6 inches towards the front of the car. Also, its missing the nut/mount for the dip stick (dont think this is a big problem). I am going to search the forum and see what i can find, but if anyone has some advise let me know!
Hopefully this isnt too big of a problem.
Thanks,
Kevin
It seems the American Racing headers they gave me are not the correct ones. Think they are for a 2001-2004 vette (mines a 2000) because the Air tube on the passanger side needs to be moved about 6 inches towards the front of the car. Also, its missing the nut/mount for the dip stick (dont think this is a big problem). I am going to search the forum and see what i can find, but if anyone has some advise let me know!
Hopefully this isnt too big of a problem.
Thanks,
Kevin
