intake, header and Xpipe install on 99 coupe
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 901
Likes: 2
From: Palm City Fl
intake, header and Xpipe install on 99 coupe
I have a set of Kooks LTs, high flow catted Xpipe (ceramic coated) and the intake I took off my 02Z, that I am going to install on the wife's 99 coupe with 70K miles on it. I did not do the install of the same headers on my Z06 so I have no experiance doing this. Is there anything I need to know about, that would make the job easier? How hard is it to do? I am sure they don't just drop in after removing the old manifolds. I have a quicklift which should make the job a bit easier.
As far as the intake goes, I realize I need to replace the Z06 injectors with the 99 injectors. I take it I should do an oil pressure sensor relocation while I am there too. (old one is bad now) My delema is tuning. I don't know anything about tuning. I really don't want to pay $500 for a tune. Am I better off buying the software and learning to do it myself (which I would love to learn to do) or can I just get one of those plug in tuners (diablo sport ect) and change it myself with that? Any and all input is welcome and appreciated. I don't need the wife pissed that her Vette is out of service because I can't stand not to make it somewhat of a hotrod. lol lol
As far as the intake goes, I realize I need to replace the Z06 injectors with the 99 injectors. I take it I should do an oil pressure sensor relocation while I am there too. (old one is bad now) My delema is tuning. I don't know anything about tuning. I really don't want to pay $500 for a tune. Am I better off buying the software and learning to do it myself (which I would love to learn to do) or can I just get one of those plug in tuners (diablo sport ect) and change it myself with that? Any and all input is welcome and appreciated. I don't need the wife pissed that her Vette is out of service because I can't stand not to make it somewhat of a hotrod. lol lol
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
From what I hear, the early style kooks are hard to install, but can be done. I think you will be fine with either set of injectors. You wont be approaching the limits with bolt on's. People will probably recommend a mail order tune for your situation. But I would have it done professionally. Stay away from hand held units, they are quite worthless.
Also, you will run into differences in the air tube design if they are even on the headers. Likely you will have to delete the air pump system.
Also, you will run into differences in the air tube design if they are even on the headers. Likely you will have to delete the air pump system.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 901
Likes: 2
From: Palm City Fl
I bought emissions headers so the air tube is there. What I can't seem to find on GMPartshous is the intake O ring type seals. I found intake gasket, but it was like $60. I am wondering if that is pan gasket? Do I need to replace them if they look and feel good, which they do?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
Headers:
Penitrating oil the night before will help alot. might want to get the 01+ AIR pipes... IIRC the 97-00 had the old style AIR injecton system, so the they wont line up like they are supposed to, or Modify what you got. Also might get a 01+ oil dip stick, it will bolt on and fit better then the older style dipstick.
Intake Manifold.
There are how to's for doing a LS6 style intake manifold here as well. swaping the new style PCV is the best way but not requried. Rockauto should have any gaskets/seals you need, Try some of the supporing venders "GMPARTS HOUSE" or "PARTS TAXI" just to name a few. Rockauto offers a 5% off cupon code if you google you can find one.
Tune:
I would talk to supporting venders like ECS or Chuck COW about a custom mail order tune for a couple hundred bux. Tuning is not as easy as you would think. If the LS6 injectors are good you may condiser using them and have them use them in the tune (not required but will give you a little more room for growth)
There are plenty of HOW-TO's online search "C5 Header Install", "C5 LS6 Intake install" and you will have step by step.
S
Penitrating oil the night before will help alot. might want to get the 01+ AIR pipes... IIRC the 97-00 had the old style AIR injecton system, so the they wont line up like they are supposed to, or Modify what you got. Also might get a 01+ oil dip stick, it will bolt on and fit better then the older style dipstick.
Intake Manifold.
There are how to's for doing a LS6 style intake manifold here as well. swaping the new style PCV is the best way but not requried. Rockauto should have any gaskets/seals you need, Try some of the supporing venders "GMPARTS HOUSE" or "PARTS TAXI" just to name a few. Rockauto offers a 5% off cupon code if you google you can find one.
Tune:
I would talk to supporting venders like ECS or Chuck COW about a custom mail order tune for a couple hundred bux. Tuning is not as easy as you would think. If the LS6 injectors are good you may condiser using them and have them use them in the tune (not required but will give you a little more room for growth)
There are plenty of HOW-TO's online search "C5 Header Install", "C5 LS6 Intake install" and you will have step by step.
S
Last edited by RedZMonte; Dec 26, 2013 at 07:59 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 502
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville, AL Relaxed!
Headers
Lessons learned:
On the passenger side:
Remove the starter before trying to install the header.
Put the pass. side header in place, don't bolt it to the head.
Reinstall the starter.
Install the passenger header.
I HAD to lift each side of the engine in order to get the header installed. That is to say that in order to set the respective header in place, I had to lift that side of the engine. I removed the nut at the top of the respective engine mount, then lifted that side of the engine.
On the driver's side:
Remove the temp sensor and have a plug ready to replace it with. The sensor is easily broken, and if you remove it and don't have something to plug the hole with, you'll lose a lot of coolant unnecessarily.
Remove the alternator.
I had to remove the valve cover.
I hope this helps, ang good luck!
Jon
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 901
Likes: 2
From: Palm City Fl
I installed a set of Kooks headers and x pipe a few weeks ago. I ordered replacement exh. gaskets, the set came with air tube gaskets, as well.
Lessons learned:
On the passenger side:
Remove the starter before trying to install the header.
Put the pass. side header in place, don't bolt it to the head.
Reinstall the starter.
Install the passenger header.
I HAD to lift each side of the engine in order to get the header installed. That is to say that in order to set the respective header in place, I had to lift that side of the engine. I removed the nut at the top of the respective engine mount, then lifted that side of the engine.
On the driver's side:
Remove the temp sensor and have a plug ready to replace it with. The sensor is easily broken, and if you remove it and don't have something to plug the hole with, you'll lose a lot of coolant unnecessarily.
Remove the alternator.
I had to remove the valve cover.
I hope this helps, ang good luck!
Jon
Lessons learned:
On the passenger side:
Remove the starter before trying to install the header.
Put the pass. side header in place, don't bolt it to the head.
Reinstall the starter.
Install the passenger header.
I HAD to lift each side of the engine in order to get the header installed. That is to say that in order to set the respective header in place, I had to lift that side of the engine. I removed the nut at the top of the respective engine mount, then lifted that side of the engine.
On the driver's side:
Remove the temp sensor and have a plug ready to replace it with. The sensor is easily broken, and if you remove it and don't have something to plug the hole with, you'll lose a lot of coolant unnecessarily.
Remove the alternator.
I had to remove the valve cover.
I hope this helps, ang good luck!
Jon
