URGENT! KOOKS header install, NEED HELP!
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 17
From: Auburn/Dacula/Lawrenceville Georgia
Kooks are by far the biggest pain in the *** headers to install on ANY car. Even on the F-bodies, the motor mounts have to be disconnected on the drivers side to get them in as to where Pacesetters literally slip right in.
Kooks makes a nice product, but until something is done w/ the primary design that doesn't require half the car to be take apart/jacked up/moved over with a pry bar, I will not recommend these headers to anyone. AR and LG headers literally "fall" in the engine bay.
Kooks makes a nice product, but until something is done w/ the primary design that doesn't require half the car to be take apart/jacked up/moved over with a pry bar, I will not recommend these headers to anyone. AR and LG headers literally "fall" in the engine bay.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 1
Kooks are by far the biggest pain in the *** headers to install on ANY car. Even on the F-bodies, the motor mounts have to be disconnected on the drivers side to get them in as to where Pacesetters literally slip right in.
Kooks makes a nice product, but until something is done w/ the primary design that doesn't require half the car to be take apart/jacked up/moved over with a pry bar, I will not recommend these headers to anyone. AR and LG headers literally "fall" in the engine bay.
Kooks makes a nice product, but until something is done w/ the primary design that doesn't require half the car to be take apart/jacked up/moved over with a pry bar, I will not recommend these headers to anyone. AR and LG headers literally "fall" in the engine bay.
Now on really modified engine you might.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 105
From: Northern Colorado
WOW! maybe its a C5 thing, maybe since it was a private sale the OP had the wrong/year/style for his C5.
I have Kooks 1 and 7/8 to 2" stepped headers on my C6Z. I can literally take it form sitting flat on the ground to up on jack stands and headers off in 30-40minutes by myself ( I got really good at it after doing it 3-4 times swapping head gaskets out that turned into a dropped liner).
The only KOOKS fitment issue I've had was when the dealer
got my previous LG stuff mixed up with the newer Kooks gear on my mtor R&R and crammed the G X-pipe over the Kooks/ B&B system
That took a large vise, torch and many of these
to get off.
Once it was all Kooks, everything has been a breeze.
My only regret is that I didn't get them coated before the first install, but they are now..
I have Kooks 1 and 7/8 to 2" stepped headers on my C6Z. I can literally take it form sitting flat on the ground to up on jack stands and headers off in 30-40minutes by myself ( I got really good at it after doing it 3-4 times swapping head gaskets out that turned into a dropped liner).
The only KOOKS fitment issue I've had was when the dealer
got my previous LG stuff mixed up with the newer Kooks gear on my mtor R&R and crammed the G X-pipe over the Kooks/ B&B system
That took a large vise, torch and many of these
to get off.Once it was all Kooks, everything has been a breeze.
My only regret is that I didn't get them coated before the first install, but they are now..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Well, we got them on and the car is running. Had to cut off the AIR TUBES and welded off, so that they would fit. Maybe some of you love the install and would do it again and again and again, but I will pass. I think there are alternatives for LTs that have a MUCH better fitment and install design.
Vinnie is happy and that is GREAT!
Vinnie is happy and that is GREAT!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 1
Funny how a 1 7/8" is considered okay for a 427. The old big Blocks of the same size would use 2 - 2 1/2". I guess things have changed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 5
From: Oldham County Louisville, KY
Isn't it in the Kooks directions somewhere that you need to use a Hickory Pick handle to pry the motor over? That's what I had to do. I even labled it "Kooks Header Install Tool". And in the spirit of the Corvette Tax I'm selling these for $499.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 1
WOW! maybe its a C5 thing, maybe since it was a private sale the OP had the wrong/year/style for his C5.
I have Kooks 1 and 7/8 to 2" stepped headers on my C6Z. I can literally take it form sitting flat on the ground to up on jack stands and headers off in 30-40minutes by myself ( I got really good at it after doing it 3-4 times swapping head gaskets out that turned into a dropped liner).
The only KOOKS fitment issue I've had was when the dealer
got my previous LG stuff mixed up with the newer Kooks gear on my mtor R&R and crammed the G X-pipe over the Kooks/ B&B system
That took a large vise, torch and many of these to get off.
Once it was all Kooks, everything has been a breeze.
My only regret is that I didn't get them coated before the first install, but they are now..
I have Kooks 1 and 7/8 to 2" stepped headers on my C6Z. I can literally take it form sitting flat on the ground to up on jack stands and headers off in 30-40minutes by myself ( I got really good at it after doing it 3-4 times swapping head gaskets out that turned into a dropped liner).
The only KOOKS fitment issue I've had was when the dealer
got my previous LG stuff mixed up with the newer Kooks gear on my mtor R&R and crammed the G X-pipe over the Kooks/ B&B system
That took a large vise, torch and many of these
to get off.Once it was all Kooks, everything has been a breeze.
My only regret is that I didn't get them coated before the first install, but they are now..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 105
From: Northern Colorado
I got to the point where I could take the car from sitting on the floor to sitting on the floor to swap head gaskets in 4.5 hrs. ( thats with REALLY being **** about cleaning everything before it goes back together1)
I thought originally it was faulty cometic gaskets. It turned out to be a dropped dartin liner.
Side Note: I once watched Louis and the boys at LG pull a C6Z motor out of a car and have it torn down to the short block in 2.5 hrs...no kidding.
My car is a C6Z and I did this 4 times before I figured it was the block (including the first swap for the LPE top end on my resleaved 454 L7)
BTW, no air tools. My dad still give sme crap about that...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Seriously,
I got to the point where I could take the car from sitting on the floor to sitting on the floor to swap head gaskets in 4.5 hrs. ( thats with REALLY being **** about cleaning everything before it goes back together1)
I thought originally it was faulty cometic gaskets. It turned out to be a dropped dartin liner.
Side Note: I once watched Louis and the boys at LG pull a C6Z motor out of a car and have it torn down to the short block in 2.5 hrs...no kidding.
My car is a C6Z and I did this 4 times before I figured it was the block (including the first swap for the LPE top end on my resleaved 454 L7)
BTW, no air tools. My dad still give sme crap about that...
I got to the point where I could take the car from sitting on the floor to sitting on the floor to swap head gaskets in 4.5 hrs. ( thats with REALLY being **** about cleaning everything before it goes back together1)
I thought originally it was faulty cometic gaskets. It turned out to be a dropped dartin liner.
Side Note: I once watched Louis and the boys at LG pull a C6Z motor out of a car and have it torn down to the short block in 2.5 hrs...no kidding.
My car is a C6Z and I did this 4 times before I figured it was the block (including the first swap for the LPE top end on my resleaved 454 L7)
BTW, no air tools. My dad still give sme crap about that...
Now I know the tricks, I am certain that if I ever did these again (which I will not), I could do it faster. BTW, did you remove/move the alternator bracket? That alone took over 30 minutes to do (damn bottom bolt).
Anyway, cruised in the car with Vinnie last night to DATA LOG and it feels pretty good. Not as good as mine, but pretty good!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 105
From: Northern Colorado
I am with CHUCKTOWN2012...I am almost willing to pay the airfare to Hawaii to watch you do it.
Now I know the tricks, I am certain that if I ever did these again (which I will not), I could do it faster. BTW, did you remove/move the alternator bracket? That alone took over 30 minutes to do (damn bottom bolt).
Anyway, cruised in the car with Vinnie last night to DATA LOG and it feels pretty good. Not as good as mine, but pretty good!
Now I know the tricks, I am certain that if I ever did these again (which I will not), I could do it faster. BTW, did you remove/move the alternator bracket? That alone took over 30 minutes to do (damn bottom bolt).
Anyway, cruised in the car with Vinnie last night to DATA LOG and it feels pretty good. Not as good as mine, but pretty good!
Ony things I need to do when R&R my Kooks stepped headers..
lossen the starter bundle wiring (don't remove starter), pull the dry sump lines off the pan and plug them ( royal purple is 8 a quart!), undo (2) o2 sensors, remove (4) 1/2" header to y-pipe bolts, plugs/wires and headers bolts. whalla, they drop right down.
That hard to imagine??
Glad I don't have a C5.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
C6Z here, that may be the deciding difference.
Ony things I need to do when R&R my Kooks stepped headers..
lossen the starter bundle wiring (don't remove starter), pull the dry sump lines off the pan and plug them ( royal purple is 8 a quart!), undo (2) o2 sensors, remove (4) 1/2" header to y-pipe bolts, plugs/wires and headers bolts. whalla, they drop right down.
That hard to imagine??
Glad I don't have a C5.
Ony things I need to do when R&R my Kooks stepped headers..
lossen the starter bundle wiring (don't remove starter), pull the dry sump lines off the pan and plug them ( royal purple is 8 a quart!), undo (2) o2 sensors, remove (4) 1/2" header to y-pipe bolts, plugs/wires and headers bolts. whalla, they drop right down.
That hard to imagine??
Glad I don't have a C5.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Peter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: MOTOWN / Fort Dix NJ MI
funny how todays LSX motor will run circles around that old school BB 427..... stock c5 vette is faster than any of the stock old school BB vettes
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: MOTOWN / Fort Dix NJ MI
Those SS Chrome headers where a snap to install......... just like the LG's
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 1
Apples and Oranges. Different topic,
But, you take an L88 427, and a LS-7, put them on the dyno, and you will see the old BB will trounce it, hell, put a ZR-1 engine up against it, and if they both have headers, no ac and a tune to accommodate for headers on both, the L88 may still have more power.
