I am trying to install some american racing headers. on my 99 vette. I just cant get the pass side in tried from the top and bottom. We pulled the starter and the the bottom of the bell housing and lifted the motor as much as we could. Coming from the top it looks to be hanging up on the ac line. From the bottom the header flange wont clear the block. What do i need to do to get this thing in.

 

How high is the car in the air? I haven't installed ARH but have installed others and the car height is critical to ensure you can rotate the header enough to sneak it in.

 

Push the AC line outboard until the header slips past (from the top). Had to do this with my Dynamax headers.

 

get that thing high...have someone pulling from the top and someone underneath....keep at it...it will go...i got my 1 7/8 arh in without even removing the starter

 

I helped a buddy get his in and we went in from the bottom. Had to remove the starter, jack the engine and use a 2X4 as leverage to wedge the engine to the side to give more clearance. It went in. Going in from the bottom seems to be the best way Believe me, we tried it from the top. Not going to happen.

BC

Bill

 

If they are like Kooks, Unscrew those motor mounts and jack the motor up a couple inches, or you'll be there for a week wishing

 

Just call Nick at American Racing Headers !! he will be glad to give you the advice on the install problem, or call the vette Drs. they have a video of the install. they go in from the bottom and are quite easy to install compared to the others. I've done a few and was surprised on how easily they went in.

 

I've got the SuperMaxx system and here are the instruction.

On the right side of the engine (passenger side) remove the bolt holding the oil dipstick
tube to the exhaust manifold. On 2001 and newer C-5’s, remove the dipstick tube hold
down bolt out of the head itself as opposed to the exhaust manifold.
· Pull the dipstick tube and dipstick out of the hole in the engine block and set aside for reinstallation
during a later step.
· Remove the spark plug wires from both the coil packs and spark plugs.
· Remove the spark plugs from the right side engine bank (passenger side).
· Remove the bolts from the air tube flange and remove the air tube flange gasket.
· Disconnect the plug connecting the coil packs to the main wiring harness and two (2)
press–on hoses. Loosen and remove the bolts holding the valve cover to the head. Lift the
valve cover with the coil packs still attached off the right side engine bank (passenger side)
and cover the exposed valve springs with several shop towels to prevent contamination.

\
· Begin installation by lowering the right side (passenger side) header into the engine bay
from the top side. The header has to twist and wind down through the opening to miss the
A/C lines etc. The tab on the lower part of the header must be passed by the starter. The
starter will have to be moved, in order for the tab to slip by. Once the header is past the
starter, re-install the starter bolts and securely tighten before installing the bolts in the
header. It can be done afterward but is much more difficult.
· Prepare the six (6) header bolts with a small amount of anti-seize for the right side header.
· Pull the header back up into position, install the gasket (see the picture below to avoid
gasket and sparkplug interference problems), and start the header bolts by hand to prevent
cross-threading. The bolts should be fully installed but not tightened at this time.

 

Are you on a 4 post lift? If so when doing mine I ran into issues as well as the ramp for the lift was blocking space I need to get the header in from the bottom.

 

No lift just jacked up really high and jacked the motor up high as it would go. the headers come off my buddies 2000 vette and he was telling me how easy they were. Now were both scrathing our head

 

here is a couple pics of how high i got the car up the front end is higher now than in the pics. Dont mind the rear of the car missing was doing the tick slave and clutch all togather.

 

Not even close to being high enough!

 

You dropped your oil pan didn't you?

 

Yep, as a last resort if nothing else is working the OP could try the same! It's actually VERY easy. Just remove the bolts holding the oil pan to block (don't forget the one in the hole, you'll see the hole). Then just drop the oil pan down as much as it will allow (it won't come out). Now with it loose you can move it around to get those damn bat wings out of the way to slide the headers up and in! Worked like a champ for me!

Oh yea... don't forget to drain your oil first

 

I finally got it tonight now off to the muffler shop with straight headers

 

Provide Picts and Info!

BC

 

Or a video of open Headers!!!!!

Tim

 

open headers sounded like poop. It didnt run right or even hold idle all the way to the muffler shop. Unfortantly im still running stock exhaust but stiil sounds good when you step on it. running a 3 in x pipe with 3 in piping back to the muffler hook up

 

 

Higher she goes!!!