Hi, I ordered the kooks header system (heads/hi-flo cats and x-pipe) with the extensions...are there any tricks i need to know to install these??? anyone have a write up that would be helpful for someone like me...i am really dumb and even the smallest things wouuld help me...please give me any pointers you have...from getting the stock ones off the easiest way...to putting the new kooks on ...planning on doing the install this weekend and the whole car will be high up in the air (i work at a dealership and the great thing about that is i can use a hoist on the weekend)

greatly appreciated
Bicky

 

Just installed kook's headers & x-pipe. Did it in my garage - no lift. The instructions are pretty straight foward and if you follow them as written you won't have any trouble. Headers go in from the top so you don't want to be too high and it helps if there is a buddy down below to guide the collectors past any obstructions. You will have to remove the coil packs, alternator, plugs, air tubes, steering shaft and although not in the instructions, it helps to pull the battery and remove the shroud to get more room on the passenger side. Be careful putting the flange bolts in - it is real easy to get them cross threaded in the soft aluminum heads. The rear bolt on the DS are a pain to get to.

Also make sure that all your wires are clear of the headers. Be careful with the O2 sensor wires. Don't cross them either. Passenger side of the car goes to the drivers side bung in the x pipe - drivers side goes to the passenger side bung in the x-pipe. The up stream O2 sensor go into the header on the corresponding side DS to DS - PS to PS.

The backet at the end of the collectors that bolts to the engine will have to be loose to get all the bolts in before tightening. It is an L shape bracket with four bolts. Two into the engine and two that hold the bracket to the collectors.

It helps to put the pipes that go to the cat back on the x-pipe before it goes in - but don't tighten the clamps. Once the x-pipe is attached to the headers and the hangers in the back - everything loose - you may need to rotate the pipes to move the flanges into position to line up with the cat back flanges.

Once everything is lined up tighten it all down. Its about a four hour project.

Good Luck

 

You will need to lift the motor up inorder to get the Kooks LT's in, undo both engine mount nuts and lift one side at a time. Also it helps if you have a 4 foot 2x4 to help assist the headers in.

Also when you attach the x-pipe to the headers, make sure the headers are not bolted in place.

Good luck.

 

also check to see if all the holes on the flange line up w/ the head before lowering the engine and putting everything back together.. give the bolts a few turns by hand to make sure they will go on straight

 

sounds pretty complicated

 

^ It is... I had mine put in while the car was getting re-ringed. But if you're patient and chll you'll be fine.

 

Exactly why I had Rick at Perfection Auto Services install mine,
only cost me $750, I didn't even break a sweat writing out the check.
PM me I'll give you his phone number.
mrgil

 

If you don't have any mechanical ability at all, don't try this.

It really isn't that big a deal but it does require some mechanical common sense and a sense of procedure to complete the job and not create a disaster. If it intimidates you to have your car in parts laying all around the shop then don't do it.

The instructions Kook's provides couldn't be simpler but I do think that they assume the person doing the work is somewhat of a mechanic.

Paying for soemone to do it for you could be money well spent but it is a lot of fun to do your own work. I think the headers produce 10 more hp if you put them on yourself.

Good Luck.

 

a mechanic from the shop would be doing it id just be helping him....its just my cars in the shop getting re-ringed right now maybe i should just get them to bolt it on...shouldn't cost too much...what do you guys think???

 

If it's a mechanic at the shop you work at, Have him do it for you.. That way it is done right and hopefully you'll get a decent shake on the install price. A gm tech did my B&B shortys ( yea, I know ) outside of work and charged me $150.. I gave him $190 to secure the relationship..........

 

yea the tech at work would do a good job thats the only thing...and i can watch and help a little so i guess ill just try it with him but he is not a full tech yet hes still training...so sometimes he gets a little confused...so any sort of instructions or tips you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated...and he does work on VW's all day...which he doesn't care too much about but he knows this things a corvette and has a great amount of respect for it so he doesn't really like ripping everything apart unless he knows it has to come off forsure...hes a great guy

 

I also purchased kooks 1 3/4 headers system,high flo cats and x pipe.Have you had yours installed yet.If so how much for the install.Are you sattisfied with them.Any codes thrown at computer.Also on my high flow cats welded to x pipe there are no heat shields.Did your kit come with them.pictures from vendor shows heat shields on cats

 

my car is in the shop getting the rings done right now...they are not installed yet...ill let you know how the install goes and how much it costs once i get it done

 

They are pretty easy to install. If you can turn a wrench you can install these headers. I will tell you that when you raise the motor, loosen the motor mounts "FROM UNDERNEATH" that will give you a bit more space to work in.
Bob

 

WHAT EVER THE HELL you do, make sure you chase the header bolt threads before you do anything!!!! I love my Kooks but my 1 7/8 were a pain in the azz and knuckles!

Shahram