Shorty header install??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 4
From: Delray Beach Florida
Shorty header install??
ok no comments on LT's being better. i'm on a budget and the shortys are more cost effective and i can do it in my garage.
ok for the ??'s Are all the bolts trasnferable to the new headers? i think the 3 that bolt the manifold to the pipe that leads down, every install pic's i've seen show them on the manifold and not the shortys, so r they welded to the manifold or do they come off of it?
also do all the stock gaskets still work fine? i have a new set but only if i need them, i'd rather not lol.
i might ahve more ?'s as i go lol
thanks
ok for the ??'s Are all the bolts trasnferable to the new headers? i think the 3 that bolt the manifold to the pipe that leads down, every install pic's i've seen show them on the manifold and not the shortys, so r they welded to the manifold or do they come off of it?
also do all the stock gaskets still work fine? i have a new set but only if i need them, i'd rather not lol.
i might ahve more ?'s as i go lol
thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
What type of shorty headers are you considering? That may help with the replies. 
Most cast iron manifolds have studs in them where they bolt to the head pipe, so those may not come out easily nor would you want to reuse them.
You might get those bolts in a new set of JBA or B&B shorty headers, anyway. If not, you can easily find stainless, grade 5 or grade 8 bolts for that junction.
I think most owners end up using the oem bolts at the flange/heads, but after market (ARP) bolts are available.
The oem gaskets seem to be preferable as well...especially if yours are salvageable for re-use.
Most cast iron manifolds have studs in them where they bolt to the head pipe, so those may not come out easily nor would you want to reuse them.
You might get those bolts in a new set of JBA or B&B shorty headers, anyway. If not, you can easily find stainless, grade 5 or grade 8 bolts for that junction.
I think most owners end up using the oem bolts at the flange/heads, but after market (ARP) bolts are available.
The oem gaskets seem to be preferable as well...especially if yours are salvageable for re-use.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Mark, does your Phoenix shop still do customer installs? And if so, what is the typical amount of time involved ($/hr) so that the original poster might have a general comparison vs DIY?
Last edited by hotwheels57; Feb 16, 2008 at 12:58 PM.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 496
Likes: 14
From: Phoenix AZ
We are not open today, I am on my computer at home but if you give me a call Monday at 888-228-7435 and I will get you the correct bolts.
Mark Fowler
Billy Boat Performance Exhaust
Mark Fowler
Billy Boat Performance Exhaust
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 496
Likes: 14
From: Phoenix AZ
Yes, we do installs. I would estimate around $250.00 to $300.00 for the install (approx 3 hours). If you are doing it yourself at home I would suggest you plan on the better half of the afternoon to do it.
Mark Fowler
Billy Boat performance Exhaust
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 4
From: Delray Beach Florida
yeah i was planning on do it today, b/c i have no other plans. BUT now that i know i need those bolts. idk if i could wait to contact you or run to the store and get some proper bolts today.
on that note, what is the proper sized bolt, thread size etc
on that note, what is the proper sized bolt, thread size etc
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 496
Likes: 14
From: Phoenix AZ
If I remember right they are 3/8-16 but I can't remember the length.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
I installed a set of JBA headers on my car. It took about 5 hours to do, and I used a lift to get beneath the car. I used the supplied bolts and gaskets because I didn't know better. I would recommend reusing the stockers if they are in good condition. The studs will come out of the factory manifolds, but they are junk and I wouldn't reuse them. I twisted 3 off when installing my x-pipe. I used some PB Blaster and a stripped bolt extractor with an impact to get them out. I replaced them with some nice Grade 8 studs from NAPA.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 4
From: Delray Beach Florida
i did my install today, what a pain in the ***. but totally worth it, however i have a tiny clicking noise, sorta sounds like a leak, but when i rev the motor over 1000rpm's it stops clicking. i think it might be the gasket at that little dangley thing that bolts to the top of headers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 4
From: Delray Beach Florida
nah its definitly is a leak, b/c it click up top of the motor area and its only on the drivers side. i think the one bolt that was REALLY hard to get my wrench into isnt tight
