Kooks LT install progress
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
Kooks LT install progress
Well, after returning from a meeting in Houston this afternoon I decided to get started on my Kooks install.
Started at 4:00 in the lovely Texas heat. By 8:00 I had removed everything and installed the drivers side header (but not tightened down yet). It took me probably 45mins to get the drivers side header in because I forgot to remove the oil temp sensor and oil filter and I wasn't jacking the motor high enough. I was able to install it from the top by myself with the help of a handy little 2x4 lever arm thingy. It was kind of a pain but not near as bad as some have led me to believe.
I'm zapped of energy for the night so its time to clean up and hit the sack. Won't be able to work on it again until Saturday morning
.... I hate starting something and not being able to finish it.
I will post more results and pics this weekend.
Started at 4:00 in the lovely Texas heat. By 8:00 I had removed everything and installed the drivers side header (but not tightened down yet). It took me probably 45mins to get the drivers side header in because I forgot to remove the oil temp sensor and oil filter and I wasn't jacking the motor high enough. I was able to install it from the top by myself with the help of a handy little 2x4 lever arm thingy. It was kind of a pain but not near as bad as some have led me to believe.
I'm zapped of energy for the night so its time to clean up and hit the sack. Won't be able to work on it again until Saturday morning
.... I hate starting something and not being able to finish it. I will post more results and pics this weekend.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
You're more than halfway there. The passenger side is a piece of cake compared to the driver's side. You'll be driving it Sat afternoon enjoying extra power. Curious, did you get a baseline before you started?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
yep.. the ole trusty 2x3. and yes, i really think in afterthought that the entire install was not as hard as people made it to be. just a little patience and thought to figure things out.
seemed like only yesterday when i was using the 2x3
good luck with the rest of the install.
here are a couple of links... ya might find a tip or two in there.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58992
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59089
also... LOVE MY KOOKS!
seemed like only yesterday when i was using the 2x3
good luck with the rest of the install.
here are a couple of links... ya might find a tip or two in there.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58992
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59089
also... LOVE MY KOOKS!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by S1K C5
lol your full of pucky. 45 min for the driver side? even Kooks will laff at u if they hear that. 10 hours on a lift for the full install. im not bsin either
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by PewterC5
Not sure why you think I'm BS'ing you. It took 45 minutes once I started trying to fit the header in. LAPD does the whole thing in 5 hours so I'm not sure where your getting 10 from? My guess is I'll be done in another four.
the 2x3 was the final piece to the kooks install puzzle for the 'dreaded' driver's side and really once you had the right parts removed and unbolted/lifted the engine, the 2x3 helps the headers 'drop' right in.after the first install, the shop that took 10 hours should be taking at least 1/2 that time or about as much time as any other headers once they've figured this stuff out too... unless they charge by the hour
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by ArKay99
You're more than halfway there. The passenger side is a piece of cake compared to the driver's side. You'll be driving it Sat afternoon enjoying extra power. Curious, did you get a baseline before you started?Arkay99,
Unfortunately no......one of these days I plan on taking the car down to MTI for a nice tune.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by S1K C5
lol your full of pucky. 45 min for the driver side? even Kooks will laff at u if they hear that. 10 hours on a lift for the full install. im not bsin either
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 2
From: North Manchester Indiana
I just gotta plug LG here, I did not have to remove the oil filter, oil sender , plugs or steering on the drivers side, Just the alternator,, they slid right in......the pass side I did remove the valve cover and coil packs, plus loosened the starter,,,,that was it... I thinks kooks are grea t but LG are an easier install...my 2 cents
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Bay Shore ny
Guys, I've been saying the install isn't all that bad even before we made the minor tweak to the drivers side. The level of mechanical ability from one installer to the next is by far the biggest determining factor but even the most qualified techs will spend additional time the first time they do this install. Of course the trusty 2x3 can help speeds things up considerably.
Pewter, Good luck with the rest of the install. We're sure you'll absolutely love your new Kooks. Nick "Kook's Headers"
Pewter, Good luck with the rest of the install. We're sure you'll absolutely love your new Kooks. Nick "Kook's Headers"
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Bay Shore ny
wrustywrench, Kook's headers are true equal lengths. There's only so many ways to route the tubing in such tight confines and yet still maintain equal length primaries. We sacrificed a slightly easier install for a great performing header. The trade off was a no brainer. The way we see it, it's about performance and quality. The install is only done once in most cases. Nick "Kook's Headers"
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by wrustywrench
I just gotta plug LG here, I did not have to remove the oil filter, oil sender , plugs or steering on the drivers side, Just the alternator,, they slid right in......the pass side I did remove the valve cover and coil packs, plus loosened the starter,,,,that was it... I thinks kooks are grea t but LG are an easier install...my 2 cents
Lets keep this header discussion a useful one...which around here is very rare.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
Round #2 complete....took off early from work today and spent another four hours working on the Kooks install. Man, I really like this brain-dead-hobby-activity stuff. 
.
Passenger side is installed. Hung the remainder of the exhaust system and loosely installed the bolts. Adjusting the cat back is going to be a beech from what I can tell so far. Anyhow, tomorrow morning I'm going to tighten everything down and start her up.
.Passenger side is installed. Hung the remainder of the exhaust system and loosely installed the bolts. Adjusting the cat back is going to be a beech from what I can tell so far. Anyhow, tomorrow morning I'm going to tighten everything down and start her up.
Last edited by SnowyATX; Jul 23, 2004 at 06:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
The install from the headers back was actually quite easy. Like you did, I just bolted everything up and left it snug, but moveable. I then tightened down the two bolts at each collector and then keep working back. Before you tighten the exhaust, make sure your rear pipes are lined up.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
After another careful 4 hours this morning I finally finished...that makes a total of 12 fun filled hours.
Buttoned everything down, did a double check and then started her up. What a great idle/rumble through the GHL's. Much better than through the stock cats and magnaflow x-pipe. Took her out for a nice slow drive...and then got on it a little.....wow...she really screams now. The first time it punched it I started laughing and grinning ear-to-ear from the new found power and sound.
Within several minutes a young man driving behind me pulls up next to me and gives me a thumbs up.....must of sounded good behind me or something.
Idle and cruise are just about the same sound levels as before....maybe a little louder but not much...I'm very pleased with that as I didn't want it to be obnoxious or anything.
I will some notes and pics and post them soon....but now its time to go drive her some more.
Buttoned everything down, did a double check and then started her up. What a great idle/rumble through the GHL's. Much better than through the stock cats and magnaflow x-pipe. Took her out for a nice slow drive...and then got on it a little.....wow...she really screams now. The first time it punched it I started laughing and grinning ear-to-ear from the new found power and sound.
Within several minutes a young man driving behind me pulls up next to me and gives me a thumbs up.....must of sounded good behind me or something.
Idle and cruise are just about the same sound levels as before....maybe a little louder but not much...I'm very pleased with that as I didn't want it to be obnoxious or anything.
I will some notes and pics and post them soon....but now its time to go drive her some more.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
Ok...its official....the Kooks are awesome. To top it off the wife says she loves the sound of the new setup.
At WOT the car now sounds more like an exotic than an american V8...but I love it.
The system hangs lower than I would like. I will try to take some measurements sometime soon to see how much lower it is than the rocker rails.
At WOT the car now sounds more like an exotic than an american V8...but I love it.
The system hangs lower than I would like. I will try to take some measurements sometime soon to see how much lower it is than the rocker rails.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
you've inspired me to go take the z for a spin and listen to that KOOKy sound.
Good job there.
Good job there.
Originally Posted by PewterC5
Ok...its official....the Kooks are awesome. To top it off the wife says she loves the sound of the new setup.
At WOT the car now sounds more like an exotic than an american V8...but I love it.
The system hangs lower than I would like. I will try to take some measurements sometime soon to see how much lower it is than the rocker rails.
At WOT the car now sounds more like an exotic than an american V8...but I love it.
The system hangs lower than I would like. I will try to take some measurements sometime soon to see how much lower it is than the rocker rails.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,506
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough NJ
Originally Posted by PewterC5
Ok...its official....the Kooks are awesome. To top it off the wife says she loves the sound of the new setup.
At WOT the car now sounds more like an exotic than an american V8...but I love it.
The system hangs lower than I would like. I will try to take some measurements sometime soon to see how much lower it is than the rocker rails.
At WOT the car now sounds more like an exotic than an american V8...but I love it.
The system hangs lower than I would like. I will try to take some measurements sometime soon to see how much lower it is than the rocker rails.