C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Another Kooks header install nightmare

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 30, 2011 | 11:35 PM
  #1  
whitesmokels1's Avatar
whitesmokels1
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles
Default Another Kooks header install nightmare

I started installing a set of 1 3/4 Kooks headers I got from a forum member and this is by far the hardest mod install I have come across. The passenger side went in with not too much trouble but I have the driverside header stuck at the moment. I have the engine lifted up as high as it will go on the driverside and the collector is barely under the oil filter flange and the alternator bracket is resting inside the no 1 primary pipe. I've tried to wedge the engine over to the passenger side with a jack handle and it will barely budge.
Has anyone that has done this install run across this same point in the install process?
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2011 | 11:45 PM
  #2  
ajg1915's Avatar
ajg1915
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

You need to pull the alternator and the bracket. Make sure you disconnect the battery first.

Also remove the spark plugs, wires and valve cover. Disconnect the steering rod.

It's a biotch of an install.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2011 | 11:54 PM
  #3  
Lothar34's Avatar
Lothar34
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 2
From: Pearland, TX
Default

Last time we did the driver side on mine, we had to take off the bellhousing cover and the alternator and jack the car way way up to get it in from the bottom.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2011 | 11:57 PM
  #4  
whitesmokels1's Avatar
whitesmokels1
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles
Default

Well ive removed the valve cover, oil filter, oil sensor, temp sensor, plugs and wires, alternator and disconnected the steering rod at the steering box like the instructions say. guess ill have to take the alternator bracket loose as well. I'm starting to really wonder if these are the best headers on the market.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2011 | 12:05 AM
  #5  
whitesmokels1's Avatar
whitesmokels1
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles
Default

Well I dont think going in from the bottom is an option. I climbed under the car before I jammed it in the top and I would have to jack it up much higher to get it in and its about as high as my jack will go. plus the instructions say for both to go in from the top so it has to be possible.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2011 | 09:58 AM
  #6  
Allthrottleandsomebottle's Avatar
Allthrottleandsomebottle
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 26
From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
NCM Ambassador
Default

FWIW:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...e-headers.html
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2011 | 11:31 PM
  #7  
whitesmokels1's Avatar
whitesmokels1
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles
Default

Victory! got it in. I ended up having to loosen the alternator bracket and lifting the steering shaft up and out of the engine bay and letting it rest against the washer tank. It looked like less room to slide it down but it allowed more room down low where I needed it. Now looking at those nice headers, I feel like it was worth the bloody knuckles and curse words.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Another Kooks header install nightmare





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:54 PM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE