Installing headers - Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 15
From: Austin Texas
Installing headers - Question
I just got my ARH headers back from being ceramic coated. I took out all the plugs and wires, disconnected the original mid pipe and im left with the manifold/catalytic converter. The problem i see is that the rear o2 sensors are still connected and i have no earthly idea how i can get it disconnected. Im stuck on both driver and passenger sides. Any advice on what i should do?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 15
From: Austin Texas
ok update i disconnected the manifold from the cats. So the manifold is out but the cat is still connected to the rear o2 sensor that i cant seem to unplug. I am trying not to have to cut it to make this work
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 392
From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
If I remember (and that's saying something!) there is a plastic pin that prevents the tab that clips to the plug housing from moving. You'll have to pull out the (blue??) pin before you can press the tab to pull the connector apart.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 15
From: Austin Texas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 15
From: Austin Texas
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,627
Headers install from the bottom of the car upwards.
So make sure you have the car up high enough on jacks so you can install the headers from the bottom of the car.
Also, help to have assist with the header bolts to the heads while you hold the headers in place under the car.
As for electronics, may need pre o2 sensor extension cables. the rear O2 ports in the X pipe will get plugged, and the rear O2 sensors will be turned off in the tune.
Hence pre 02 sensors are used for close loop, so they have to be installed, but the post O2 sensors are only used to monitor the cats, and with the cats pushed back off the heads in their new position on the X pipe (high flow cats), will not get the needed differential reading needed pre and post O2 sensors, and car will throw codes for the cats not being effective enough.
Also, with the amount of heat that the headers are going to generate, you need to get a heat shield on the starter or you going to have problems with the starter solenoid terminal cracking off !!!!!!
So make sure you have the car up high enough on jacks so you can install the headers from the bottom of the car.
Also, help to have assist with the header bolts to the heads while you hold the headers in place under the car.
As for electronics, may need pre o2 sensor extension cables. the rear O2 ports in the X pipe will get plugged, and the rear O2 sensors will be turned off in the tune.
Hence pre 02 sensors are used for close loop, so they have to be installed, but the post O2 sensors are only used to monitor the cats, and with the cats pushed back off the heads in their new position on the X pipe (high flow cats), will not get the needed differential reading needed pre and post O2 sensors, and car will throw codes for the cats not being effective enough.
Also, with the amount of heat that the headers are going to generate, you need to get a heat shield on the starter or you going to have problems with the starter solenoid terminal cracking off !!!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 392
From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
Since this looks to be a DIY job and because I'm thinking about it, I would appreciate it if you could please document your problems, what you did, the headers (brand) and parts you purchased if any. Thanks for the pictures so far !!
Last edited by Dutch08; Mar 23, 2019 at 04:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 15
From: Austin Texas
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 577
Likes: 22
From: Longview Texas
Go in from the top. As far as the O2 in the stock exhaust manifold, there is a speacial socket you can get at the auto parts or Harbor freight store that will remove it easily. Cost about $8
https://www.harborfreight.com/78-in-...ket-63702.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/78-in-...ket-63702.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 15
From: Austin Texas
Go in from the top. As far as the O2 in the stock exhaust manifold, there is a speacial socket you can get at the auto parts or Harbor freight store that will remove it easily. Cost about $8
https://www.harborfreight.com/78-in-...ket-63702.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/78-in-...ket-63702.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I didn't have the trouble you're having. Passengers side (once the starter was removed) was a slam dunk. Had all sorts of room. You've got the car plenty high. I seem to recall the drivers side going in from underneath and the passengers side going in from up top. But still, starter needed removed. Been a while, I might be thinking reversed on that.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Most of all, don't get frustrated and do something stupid. As was already mentioned above, you might need to loosen a motor mount and jack the motor up ever so slightly to make room. Just be patient and get them in without making a mess of the coating.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 291
Likes: 42
From: CT
put it up on an angle, so that the collector is almost under the oil pan.
not sure about ARH but my kooks went in like butter from underneath. i did not remove anything outside of the factory exhaust. the starter was still in place. i did this on a quickjack whatever the max height is.
not sure about ARH but my kooks went in like butter from underneath. i did not remove anything outside of the factory exhaust. the starter was still in place. i did this on a quickjack whatever the max height is.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 392
From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
So take a look and see up or down it might give you the little bit extra you need.