Installing headers x-pipe, is this a do-it-yourself job.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Installing headers x-pipe, is this a do-it-yourself job.
Its cold in the garage & I'm getting old & lazy. So how long should it take to install a set of Kooks headers and x-pipe. On a scale of 1 to 10 how hard is this job 10 being the hardest. I have done c3's & c2's installs and a few old hot-rods but the c5 looks tight, real tight. W/a lot more stuff to remove & re-install. Now if I decide to let a garage do the job how much should I expect to shell out $$
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,870
Likes: 38
From: Sacramento CA
We got a local guy who does headers for 150. Of course he has probably done dozens of installs so he knows all the little tricks. For 150 I rather have him do it then me getting on the cold floor. Try finding someone in your area who does installs and get a quote.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
2 old n 2 cold!
If the Kooks are 1 7/8", they will be real tight and more of a bear to install then 1 3/4". You have one of the best shops in the nation, right there in N.J. East Coast Supercharging. Cream Ridge N.J. Call Chris on his cell/732 740 8040. Good luck!
Last edited by bumble-z; Feb 6, 2009 at 06:11 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: PSL FL
I would say do it yourself. You said that you have done several other ones in the past, and it is in the garage for winter so you have time. Take your time and in a couple of days it will be done, unless of course you can find the guy who will do it for $150. That's cheap.
GL
GL
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I would say do it yourself. You said that you have done several other ones in the past, and it is in the garage for winter so you have time. Take your time and in a couple of days it will be done, unless of course you can find the guy who will do it for $150. That's cheap.
GL
GL
If the $150. guy would fly to NJ I'd buy him all the beer he can drink while installing my headers....
I'm waiting to hear from fast cop after he installs his. Maybe I'll post an ad for anyone in the NJ NY area to come by and help me. I'll pay $200. plus beer and lunch....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
I did mine in a basement, if u have garage than its a easy weekend DIY job, if starter on the way than loosen it little bit dont remove completely or starter wires either.
This one helps u and give u an idea.
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
This one helps u and give u an idea.
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
Last edited by sami85L98; Feb 6, 2009 at 07:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 0
From: Oil Country
Sami my Canadian brother 
, how did you do a header install in a basement???
(unless you mean underground parking)
Anyways, I agree with Sami in that it shouldn't be too hard to do yourself on jack stands in the garage. Take your time, read a few install guides and get to it! Put the money you were willing to spend on an install towards a tune or maybe the wheels I'm selling
!
Tyler
edit: that's the install guide I reviewed Sami!
, how did you do a header install in a basement??? (unless you mean underground parking)Anyways, I agree with Sami in that it shouldn't be too hard to do yourself on jack stands in the garage. Take your time, read a few install guides and get to it! Put the money you were willing to spend on an install towards a tune or maybe the wheels I'm selling
!Tyler
edit: that's the install guide I reviewed Sami!
Last edited by cdn ws6; Feb 6, 2009 at 07:30 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
I would say do it yourself. You said that you have done several other ones in the past, and it is in the garage for winter so you have time. Take your time and in a couple of days it will be done, unless of course you can find the guy who will do it for $150. That's cheap.
GL
GL
Just nuts and bolts, you can handle it
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I can install a set of 1 3/4" ARH's in a C6 on jack stands in 3 hours. A C6 isn't much different than a C5. I was a test mule for a new set of headers and got real good at installing them and removing them. Did it all by my self with hand tools. They slide in from under the car and slide right in without any issues.
C5'5 are NOT hard at all. I have 1 3/4 Stainless Works headers and the SW 3" mid pipe and mufflers. When I did my heads cam install, I removed the complete system in about 2 hours and installed the complete system back in the car in about 2 hours (didn't have to remove the old stuff) Did those on jack stands also and they also slid in from the bottom.
If you do install them your self,,,make sure that you REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS instead of leaving them in and working around them. You will break one or more in a skinny minute. Also, before you remove the rear set of O2 sensors, MARK the location where each harness as to where it came from and make sure it goes back into the same exhaust bank.
BC
I was a test mule for a new set of headers and got real good at installing them and removing them. Did it all by my self with hand tools. They slide in from under the car and slide right in without any issues.C5'5 are NOT hard at all. I have 1 3/4 Stainless Works headers and the SW 3" mid pipe and mufflers. When I did my heads cam install, I removed the complete system in about 2 hours and installed the complete system back in the car in about 2 hours (didn't have to remove the old stuff) Did those on jack stands also and they also slid in from the bottom.
If you do install them your self,,,make sure that you REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS instead of leaving them in and working around them. You will break one or more in a skinny minute. Also, before you remove the rear set of O2 sensors, MARK the location where each harness as to where it came from and make sure it goes back into the same exhaust bank.
BC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Here's some pics to motivate you: Stainless Works LT headers with Custom Hi flo Cats and Corsa X-pipe:, headers are butt ugly but they are Swain Coated (not shiny ceramic).
Last edited by sami85L98; Feb 6, 2009 at 09:41 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
Difficulty to install depends on many things. Do you have jackstands? Can you get (or feel comfortable) getting the car 20" off the ground?
What about tools? Have a good selection.
I hate to break it to you, but Kooks are the hardest (that I've heard) to install.
ARH's are unquestionably the easiest. The LG Pro's aren't that bad either.
However, with the Kooks, I'm pretty sure you have to unbolt one of the motor mounts and jack up the engine to get clearance. Even with that, it should still only take a day.
My advice, buy a new set of spark plug wires (GMPP recommended). You'll probably break one trying to get it off.
What about tools? Have a good selection.
I hate to break it to you, but Kooks are the hardest (that I've heard) to install.
ARH's are unquestionably the easiest. The LG Pro's aren't that bad either.
However, with the Kooks, I'm pretty sure you have to unbolt one of the motor mounts and jack up the engine to get clearance. Even with that, it should still only take a day.
My advice, buy a new set of spark plug wires (GMPP recommended). You'll probably break one trying to get it off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Its cold in the garage & I'm getting old & lazy. So how long should it take to install a set of Kooks headers and x-pipe. On a scale of 1 to 10 how hard is this job 10 being the hardest. I have done c3's & c2's installs and a few old hot-rods but the c5 looks tight, real tight. W/a lot more stuff to remove & re-install. Now if I decide to let a garage do the job how much should I expect to shell out $$
Thanks
Thanks
Kooks headers have been known to require jacking the engine
Last edited by Got uid0; Feb 7, 2009 at 09:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
OK if I'm going to tackle this install myself, should I get all new manifold bolts and what type/grade bolt & where should I buy them? Napa? My offer still stands for local help $200 plus beer.....
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 0
From: Oil Country
I don't know about your headers, but my Dynatechs came with new bolts. Get some new plug wires just in case you ruin one (I did
) and I think GM manifold gaskets are recommended (possibly f-body ones?? Maybe someone will confirm), round port anyways. If I was local, I would give you a hand for free, but, I'm about 2000+ miles away so "no-go"
Good luck
) and I think GM manifold gaskets are recommended (possibly f-body ones?? Maybe someone will confirm), round port anyways. If I was local, I would give you a hand for free, but, I'm about 2000+ miles away so "no-go"Good luck