Kooks Headers/stock manifolds
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Burning Brakes
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From: Houston Texas
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Kooks Headers/stock manifolds
Hey guys I am in the middle of installing my Kooks headers and the manifolds seem to be stuck. rant: YES all the bolts are out. What is the trick to getting them loose? Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Houston Texas
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Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (DNAST1)
Alrignt, I was afraid to hit on the manifolds but that's what I did and they came loose :smash: :crazy: Now for those of you that have installed the Kooks headers, did you have to raise the motor (loosen the motor mounts) to be able to get them to drop in? I have been following other header install instructions, and this was not necessary, however I am having a hell of a time to get these to drop in! :mad
OKAY who has the skinny on how to intall the Kooks Headers? I went ahead and loosen the motor mounts and these SOBs will still not drop in :mad
[Modified by DNAST1, 11:41 PM 12/6/2003]
OKAY who has the skinny on how to intall the Kooks Headers? I went ahead and loosen the motor mounts and these SOBs will still not drop in :mad
[Modified by DNAST1, 11:41 PM 12/6/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Slave to the evil empire
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St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (DNAST1)
When I installed my FLP headers the drivers side header fit very nicely when I slid it in from the bottom up On the passenger side, I removed the coil packs and the valve cover and then I just worked the header down from the top, it gets kind of tight going around the starter but it will eventually drop into place.
BTW if you have an automatic tranny be careful on the passenger side, it's easy to get the lower mounting tab tangled in the tranny cooler lines
BTW if you have an automatic tranny be careful on the passenger side, it's easy to get the lower mounting tab tangled in the tranny cooler lines
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Houston Texas
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Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (Mike Mercury)
No, The instructions that came with it said both sides install from the top. Looks like I am going to have to wait until Monday and call them. I went ahead loosen up the motor mounts, and still not having success :mad
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Team Owner
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (DNAST1)
A buddy and I installed my FLP's and his LGM's from the top without touching the motor mounts. We had to remove the coilpacks and valve covers though along with the oil filter on my M6 and his A4 and also had to "work" the passenger side in. I think most headers fit in through the top and the ones that go in from underneath are far straight-foward.
Don't give up yet. Generally it's a matter of finding the right angle-of-the-dangle. It's easier if you have two people so someone can help maneuver from below as well.
Best of luck.
Don't give up yet. Generally it's a matter of finding the right angle-of-the-dangle. It's easier if you have two people so someone can help maneuver from below as well.
Best of luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,147
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (DNAST1)
No, The instructions that came with it said both sides install from the top. Looks like I am going to have to wait until Monday and call them. I went ahead loosen up the motor mounts, and still not having success :mad
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Houston Texas
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Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (LPDesRoche)
I called Kooks today and ask them what I was doing wrong. They told me the motor had to be jacked to one side, and then they should slide right in. I told him I already did that with no success. He reassurred me that they will slide in. The problem is now that I will not be able to touch the car until this weekend (maybe), due other events going on. I will give it another try with a helper this time, and keep you guys posted. Please keep the suggestions coming.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Houston Texas
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Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (DNAST1)
Here is a update. Last night a friend and I finally got the headers in. Besides following the instructions from Kooks, I also had to remove the oil filter, oil sensor, coolant sensor, drop the air compressor, and completely remove the motor mounts. I don't understand why my 2003 coupe tolerances are any different from the other models. Right now, the headers are setting down in place. All I have to do now is hook everything back up this weekend, I hope. This project came short of a few steps of pulling the motor. I've might of saved some money by going with Kooks header kit, however in the long run it would of worth it to buy the competitor's header kit which you do not have to go through what I did. As a matter of fact, if he would of posted his instructions sooner for his install, IMHO people would pick his with that alone!When done, I hope it was worth it!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,471
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From: Pensacola FL
Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (DNAST1)
I know long tubes make all the power, but this is one of the reasons I don't want to mess with them. I hopefully will find an inexpensive set of shorties & leave it be with that. Let me know if you ever need a hand on something like that- I can spin over on a weekend- SCOTT
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Houston Texas
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Re: Kooks Headers/stock manifolds (DNAST1)
Update. I was able to put everything back together over the weekend. The sound at idle is tad bit louder than when I just had the GHLs. At WOT she wakes right up! Right now I am satisfied that I was able to put everything back together with no problems. To take advantage of the headers, blackwing, and exhaust, I will have to get a LS1 edit done. Then I will really be able to see the difference! However IMHO I cannot reccomend these headers base on what I had to go through for the install. If I had to do it over I would go with the LGs base on the install. I would have to pay more but it would be worth it
