I am planning on getting headers soon. Probably from Lou. My concern is the install. I plan on doing the installation myself without a lift and have read conflicting posts on the procedure. So can the headers be installed with jackstands only? Can both sides be installed from the top like the FLPs or is it necessary to install one side from the bottom? And if so how high would the car need to be and is this possible with only jackstands? I know it would be easier to use a lift, but unfortunately that is not an option. Any other tips/advice welcome.
Thanks for the help.
Chris

 

Supposedly LG includes some really good instructions with the headers. <shrug> I've only installed an older set and the set we had was seemingly impossible to get the drivers side in with the heads on. Supposedly its pretty easy from underneath, and the car doesn't have to be *too* high.

LG has changed the design since I helped do an install.

 

If anyone could scan and email a copy of the directions it would be greatly appreciated. I emailed Lou asking for a copy of the instructions to determine if I wanted to do it myself but got NO reply.

 

I have installed headers (DRM) using only jack stands.
Here is how high it was. http://govettego.com/video/vette/hinstall1.mpg

 

I installed my lgm's a couple of weeks ago using jackstands. Here is what I had to remove. Oil filter, take the starter bolts out just to move the starter a little, fuel rail covers, valve covers, coil packs and plugs and wires. I think that is it. Drivers side from bottom and passenger form top. Not to bad after you get all that out of the way. Good luck I will try and find my instructions

 

LG Pro Long Tube Headers
The Most powerful Corvette C5 headers on the planet
From LG Motorsports http://www.lgmotorsports.com
972-272-7753

Instructions:


The driver side header goes in from the bottom. Remove old exhaust system back to the 2 bolt muffler flanges in front of the differential. To do this, remove the spark plugs and ground strap on the driver side and install them from the bottom.

Use only stock GM- LS1 exhaust gaskets, NOT LS6 gaskets. Install all bolts finger tight in the header flange at the head. Be very careful to not cross thread the header bolts. You can install the passenger side from the bottom or top. If you go from the bottom, you might have to pry the engine over a little to make room for one flange that gets in the way. Or you can install the passenger side from the top but you will have to remove the coil packs and valve cover to install them from the top after removing the coil pack and valve cover on that side. We have done it both ways with equal success.

Do not tighten the bolts on the flange all the way until you get the bell housing bolts started. Once they are started, then you can tighten the exhaust flange on the engine.

If you have the hand made version, you should install the off road pipes or Cats with the V flange now. Some times we put a small amount of “Ultra Copper Silicon” on the V flange at the end of the collectors to insure that no air leaks into the header.
If you have the LG Pro Long Tube headers, install the slip fit X pipe using 2 of the supplied clamps. The clamp bolts should face outward at the front of the X pipe, and inward at the rear of the x pipe. >>> A leak here will confuse the O2 sensor and make the car run rich. <<<

Then continue to install the remainder of the system back to the mufflers. Keep the threaded parts of the clamps up out of harms way when they are tight for ground clearance.
After the engine is run, all bolts and clamps should be re tightened. Or we sometimes tap the pipes to vibrate the system to get the clamps totally tight.
O2 sensors:
This is very important. When you remove your old headers, you will remove all four 02 sensors. Set the old front sensors aside and do not use them, the wires are too short
Install the 02 simulators and plug them into the car harness, where the rear 02 sensors were attached to the wiring harness. The car harness has a square plug and so does the 02 simulator.
Next, take the original REAR 02 Sensors, and plug the LGM adapter into them. That will give you a long wire, with the LGM adapter which will allow this 02 sensor to be used as your main front 02sensor. Install the long 02 sensors in the collectors of the new LG headers, and make sure to route them away from any hot tubes. You must install the 02 wires one side at a time to not mix them up. The sensor on the right header (collector) gets plugged into the right side (Passenger side) and the one on the left collector gets routed to the left side plug in the car harness.
It is important that the 02 sensors go to the correct side of the car. If the 02 sensors are not hooked up correctly, the car will not idle correctly. This should be the first thing you check if a problem arises after the install. Just hook the driver’s side 02 to the driver’s side wiring harness, and do the same on the passenger side. Our 02 sensors angle across and can easily be confused. We drill a 1” hole in the upper heat shield to help route the wires, but this is not mandatory. But extra care must be taken to avoid the hot pipes so not to melt the wires.

Please call us if you have any install questions. 972-272-7753
Hope this makes your job easier.

Lou Gigliotti LG Motorsports

 

Thanks for the replied guys. So they can be installed with jackstands only. Dave777 how high did you have the car when you did your install? Also I plan on getting new head gaskets, but what about the header bolts. Can they be reused? If replaced should they be replaced with studs?
Thanks for the help. Looks like I need to give Lou a call and get my headers on order.
Thanks again

 

Yes I used jackstands only. I had the standard stands, I put them all the way up. To get the drivers side in, I had to jack only the front up a couple of extra inches for it to completely go in from the bottom. It was close, but I needed just a bit. I put it right back down on the stands once I got it to clear the floor.
Feel free to give me a call if you have anymore questions.
770-577-2420