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I'm in the process of installing XS power headers. These are version 3 and look to be nice pieces.
I started to follow the how to on LS1howto on an LG Motorsports header install. That worked well for taking the car apart, but getting the headers back in seems to be a struggle.
On the passenger side, I have unbolted the motor mount and jacked it up as much as possible. The header seems to get stuck.
On the driver side I did the same process, but couldn't get it all the way down. I tried from bottom and top. I removed the valve cover which made 0 difference. In the process I broke the oil temp sensor in the process.
In the process the headers ceramic coating is started to scratched up.
Worst part is this piece broke in the process of me trying to flex the motor a little bit more. Is this fixable?
Last edited by billy mild; Sep 4, 2018 at 11:19 PM.
I haven't installed XS, but my ARH went in bottom up (both sides). Have to get the car up high, alternator and steering shaft removed, didn't touch motor mounts or starter, had to massage the aircond lines closer to the frame.
Before installing the headers, I wrapped the starter with a heat insulating / reflecting blanket.
Driver side from bottom. Passenger side however you can. I had those xs headers a long time ago and it was a pain. Driver was just ok, pass sucked. You just have to keep at it. Work on it some, cuss and throw ****, walk away and then repeat until it goes in.
Driver side from bottom. Passenger side however you can. I had those xs headers a long time ago and it was a pain. Driver was just ok, pass sucked. You just have to keep at it. Work on it some, cuss and throw ****, walk away and then repeat until it goes in.
How high did you have the car?
Also do you just force them into place? I'm worried about breaking something else.
I had to have the bottom of my car 27-28" off the ground for my TSP header install. They pretty much had to be pointing straight down. DS only, PS dropped in.
I went through this a few years ago. XS headers are nice but they were a bit painful to install. Luckily did not break anything. As others stated, you will need new bracket.
As for install, had to remove starter, pull plugs and wires, move AIR out of the way, raise the motor up a little, loosen and slide the steering linkage out of the way, remove the alternator and bracket, and struggle like crazy! Passenger side was easier for me. Installed from the bottom with the motor raised a bit. It was tight and the AC lines needed to be held to the frame, but after me pulling and a friend pushing from under the car, they slid into place.
The driver's side was a real pain. Go from bottom of car. You need the car a good 3 feet in the air to rotate the collectors straight down, then the header can be worked in place. Again, it is tight. I also had to grind the tab (I believe the bell housing) as it would not go in with the tab in place.
Also, put heat shield on the clutch hydro lines, spark plug lines, starter and AC lines.
Hope this helps and yes, it was a trying experience!
That's interesting to hear it needs to be almost 3 feel off the ground. My new 6 Ton jackstands only go 24" off the ground. At that point I can't even jack the motor up either.
Last edited by billy mild; Sep 7, 2018 at 06:57 AM.
I finally got the headers in. On the driver side I did need to cut that little nub off the oil pan. That made it so I could tryand get the header further up. Then from the top I had to pull really hard. I didn't bend anything. It will really help to have 2 people to do this job. One from the bottom pushing and another from the top to help guide and pull the header up.
Passenger side I went in from the top. That seemed to get in there, but I did have to bend the AC line a bit out of the way. The starter DID NOT have to be dropped.
Header install help needed
