Help: Dynatech Header install (DIY)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
Help: Dynatech Header install (DIY)
Hey folks,
I'm doing the install in my driveway. Got the passenger side in, but the driver's side is kicking my butt. Any thoughts? Can't seem to thread the header up onto the heads. The backside of the car is not letting me get the header up. It seems to be hitting the lower firewall.
How high do I need to get the front end up? I'm using a Craftsman racing jack, (18 1/2" lift) pushing on a 4x4 with a pair of 2x6" on top of the 4x4. Should give me about 23 1/2" total lift to the chasis. Is that enough?
I'm leaving for San Diego on business this afternoon and need to get the install complete by noon today. If not, I'll push it into the garage and hit it next weekend, but that poses other schedule issues. I'm just a bit desperate here. You folks are real good at this stuff, I'm counting on you.
Joe
I'm doing the install in my driveway. Got the passenger side in, but the driver's side is kicking my butt. Any thoughts? Can't seem to thread the header up onto the heads. The backside of the car is not letting me get the header up. It seems to be hitting the lower firewall.
How high do I need to get the front end up? I'm using a Craftsman racing jack, (18 1/2" lift) pushing on a 4x4 with a pair of 2x6" on top of the 4x4. Should give me about 23 1/2" total lift to the chasis. Is that enough?
I'm leaving for San Diego on business this afternoon and need to get the install complete by noon today. If not, I'll push it into the garage and hit it next weekend, but that poses other schedule issues. I'm just a bit desperate here. You folks are real good at this stuff, I'm counting on you.
Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Couple of things I found helpful when I did my headers (not Dynatechs though). If you have a MN6, unclip the clutch line connection and move out of the way. Remove all the spark plugs if you haven't already done so. It is brass colored and up under the driver's footwell. On the Dynatechs, it may be necessary to remove the driver's side coil packs and the valve cover if that is where you are hitting. Also, just as a warning, find a deep socket that fits over the coolant sensor that sits near the #1 spart plug. Put the socket over the sensor while you install the header, a lot of guys have broken the sensor and then you are screwed. Sounds like you have enough height, but be careful and make sure the car is blocked up good.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Have you disconnected the steering linkage yet. We had to bust that loose on the last one I did...
Peace
Willfulone
Peace
Willfulone
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
I had to remove the coolant sensor to pull the stock header out. I haven't disconnected the the steering linkage, so far, it doesn't seem to be the issue.
How do I disconnect the brass clutch connector. What happens when I do? Do I loose clutch fluid, do I have to purge the clutch?
Thansk for responding guys. I just am not sure that I have enough height. I'm not to thrilled about using wood blocking to get the front end up to 30". Seems just a bit scary.
Joe
How do I disconnect the brass clutch connector. What happens when I do? Do I loose clutch fluid, do I have to purge the clutch?
Thansk for responding guys. I just am not sure that I have enough height. I'm not to thrilled about using wood blocking to get the front end up to 30". Seems just a bit scary.
Joe
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
I'm not to thrilled about using wood blocking to get the front end up to 30". Seems just a bit scary.
Peace
Willfulone
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 8
From: Northwest Washington
When I installed Dynatechs on mine I jacked the engine up 1/2'" to install the drivers side. This is mentioned in instructions on LS1howto.com. Mine was about 23" high to get the header in on drivers side.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
Thanks everyone. But, alas, time has run out, and business travel plans for the next 2 weeks, plus my wanting to do the autocross by my Vette club, I am ashamed to admit but.... I put everything into a safe and stable condition so (breathe), when I call my very competent, very close Vette dealer, I'll have them complete the install on one of their lifts.
Here's where I am:
Alt back on (1 bolt), left side header on, but bolts hand tight, coil packs on, but very loose, batt disconnected, frt O2's off, with extensions in place. Rear O2's duct taped to floor pan, rt valve cover on with bolts hand tigh. All parts to be replaced bagged and labeld, new parts and instructions in hatch. Cat backs on by only the muffler hangers (Corsa, that wasn't bad at all... accessed a lift).
Anything I missed.
I'm so ashamed.
Here's where I am:
Alt back on (1 bolt), left side header on, but bolts hand tight, coil packs on, but very loose, batt disconnected, frt O2's off, with extensions in place. Rear O2's duct taped to floor pan, rt valve cover on with bolts hand tigh. All parts to be replaced bagged and labeld, new parts and instructions in hatch. Cat backs on by only the muffler hangers (Corsa, that wasn't bad at all... accessed a lift).
Anything I missed.
I'm so ashamed.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 3
From: Metamora, IL
Don't be ashamed. It can be a difficult install if you don't do that kind of work regularly. I put my Dynatech's on yesterday, and it was kind of a trick getting them installed, but they went just fine. You have to get it just right, make sure all wiring is out of the way, and it will slip right up in there. I did do one thing extra that took a bit more time. I used a hole saw and ran the front O2 sensors up into the tunnel plate to connect to the extensions. That really helped to get the wiring away from any sources of extreme heat. Everything else lined up and installed fine. You will like them when the job is complete!
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: OKC OK
i didnt measure the height...but it was up there....height is the key to not hitting fire wall..........jack it way up ...stab the header and let it back down 2 minutes ( i read it take 3 ft hight for easiest install)