Installing Headers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Installing Headers
For those who have installed their own headers, how difficult a job is it if done in driveway. If I use high flow cats will it throw codes. Where are the oxygen sensors and how are they wired?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
Plan on 4 plus hours by yourself. It is nice to have an extra set of hands. I did mine with help from an 8 year old lol. It is straight forward. The O2 sensors are located on either side of the stock cats. You will need the O2 wire extensions. These are plug and play, no splicing required. I think there is a nice set of instructions on the dynomax header website. If you can't find some good instructions send me your email address and I will send you a copy. You will get the P04xx codes for cat threshold inefficiency. This can be tuned out or simply erased with a code reader.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
That is correct, maybe a little less. Most of the instructions also say to remove the starter, but I didn't have to. Make sure you do remove the battery cable. Also remove the spark plugs, it is to easy to break one if you aren't careful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
It depends on the header somewhat; some headers are a little bit harder to install than others.
I did my Kooks using only jackstands and basic hand tools; it took 4 hours. You can see my write up on this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...cs-inside.html
And decide for yourself if it is something you want to do yourself... I wouldn't worry much about it. The O2 sensors just screw into the headers and plug in via a wire extension with a plug in each end; nothing more to them...
This is all the ground clearance I needed for my Kooks:
I did my Kooks using only jackstands and basic hand tools; it took 4 hours. You can see my write up on this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...cs-inside.html
And decide for yourself if it is something you want to do yourself... I wouldn't worry much about it. The O2 sensors just screw into the headers and plug in via a wire extension with a plug in each end; nothing more to them...
This is all the ground clearance I needed for my Kooks:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
I did LG Pro LT's on normal jackstands and my car was no where close to 2 feet in the air. In comparison to putting headers on my 01 Z28, this had to be the easiest header install I've done.
Some tips I did:
1) Remove the manifolds and cats as a unit. Saves busting your knuckles trying to get the old cats off.
2) Leave the spark plugs in, they are not in the way.
3) Remove the coil packs, gives you a lot more room up on top.
I did them by myself. The headers just slip into place from underneath and then go back on top and bolt them in place. Hardest part was routing the wires for the rear O2 sensors. I didn't throw a code for almost a year since I had high flow cats. After that I just tuned out the rear O2's using HPtuners.
Have fun!
Some tips I did:
1) Remove the manifolds and cats as a unit. Saves busting your knuckles trying to get the old cats off.
2) Leave the spark plugs in, they are not in the way.
3) Remove the coil packs, gives you a lot more room up on top.
I did them by myself. The headers just slip into place from underneath and then go back on top and bolt them in place. Hardest part was routing the wires for the rear O2 sensors. I didn't throw a code for almost a year since I had high flow cats. After that I just tuned out the rear O2's using HPtuners.
Have fun!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I did LG Pro LT's on normal jackstands and my car was no where close to 2 feet in the air. In comparison to putting headers on my 01 Z28, this had to be the easiest header install I've done.
Some tips I did:
1) Remove the manifolds and cats as a unit. Saves busting your knuckles trying to get the old cats off.
2) Leave the spark plugs in, they are not in the way.
3) Remove the coil packs, gives you a lot more room up on top.
I did them by myself. The headers just slip into place from underneath and then go back on top and bolt them in place. Hardest part was routing the wires for the rear O2 sensors. I didn't throw a code for almost a year since I had high flow cats. After that I just tuned out the rear O2's using HPtuners.
Have fun!
Some tips I did:
1) Remove the manifolds and cats as a unit. Saves busting your knuckles trying to get the old cats off.
2) Leave the spark plugs in, they are not in the way.
3) Remove the coil packs, gives you a lot more room up on top.
I did them by myself. The headers just slip into place from underneath and then go back on top and bolt them in place. Hardest part was routing the wires for the rear O2 sensors. I didn't throw a code for almost a year since I had high flow cats. After that I just tuned out the rear O2's using HPtuners.
Have fun!
I agree with everything you said except I didn't remove my coil packs; wasn't necessary... I also went over 2000 miles before tuning my car, and never threw a code. I gained more from the tune than from the headers though.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,841
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
I installed LG's on both my C6's in the past and it was an easy install. Never bothered to remove the spark plugs, starter, nor coil packs.
The most monotonous part of the whole thing was running the O2 sensor wires and even that wasn’t very difficult.
If your car has some miles on it, the h pipe and exhaust muffler tubing might require some effort to disconnect because of the carbon build up.
As someone above stated, remove the oem exhaust manifolds and cats all in one piece.
The most monotonous part of the whole thing was running the O2 sensor wires and even that wasn’t very difficult.
If your car has some miles on it, the h pipe and exhaust muffler tubing might require some effort to disconnect because of the carbon build up.
As someone above stated, remove the oem exhaust manifolds and cats all in one piece.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
You are right about the coil packs, that's not a necessity, just makes it a little cleaner up on top. I've gotten where I can remove the coil packs faster than a jack rabbit on a date (quote from Christmas Story!).
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
While some have done this install and experienced no problem with the O2 extensions I know many other people who got the CEL after a few start ups. The issue is that since the O2's are now further back they do not get hot enough and fire off codes. Most people I know have had to get the rear O2's tuned out to stop getting the CEL. If you don't get the CEL consider yourself lucky but you should probably still get a tune to maximize the more free flowing exhaust.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 110
From: Tucson AZ
I agree with the others. The C6 is about the easiest header install we have done. The stock configuration places the cats up next to the engine on the sides of the oil pan, so when removed this gives you tons of room. I only put mine up on jackstands. Definitly not 2'.
I just loosened the starter and the passenger side went right in.
Get a 10mm racheting wrench (Sears) to save some time removing and reinstalling the header bolts.
I also reused the stock gaskets.
Get an O2 socket as the front O2 sensors are recessed into the cast iron manifolds. Also, there are four O2 sensors and I needed 4 extensions.
My car did set a code, but I drove it that way for a few weeks before finally using a Predator to tune it out.
It definetly sounds better and is slightly louder with headers.
I just loosened the starter and the passenger side went right in.
Get a 10mm racheting wrench (Sears) to save some time removing and reinstalling the header bolts.
I also reused the stock gaskets.
Get an O2 socket as the front O2 sensors are recessed into the cast iron manifolds. Also, there are four O2 sensors and I needed 4 extensions.
My car did set a code, but I drove it that way for a few weeks before finally using a Predator to tune it out.
It definetly sounds better and is slightly louder with headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
The most difficult time installing the Kooks on mine was lifting the car; I used stands on the rear and ramps on the front so it was pretty easy. Other than that I used some pb breaker the night before and it freed up cat to manifold bolts pretty good (I only had about 6,000 miles or so when I installed the headers).
I did get a cel but it was quickly cleared when I installed the diablo sport tune.
It really is a simple install, I did most of it myself in half a day or so.
JR
I did get a cel but it was quickly cleared when I installed the diablo sport tune.
It really is a simple install, I did most of it myself in half a day or so.
JR
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Prosser WA
Ten years ago, if someone would have told me that I could take s SB with some mods and get over 500 RWHP's AND get 26 mpg's I would have told them ##%**^%$#$%^&*(%$.
Now that I have that car, I love it. This IS the easist car to work on and to tune.
Computers can do that!!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Middletown DE
I did LG Pro LT's on normal jackstands and my car was no where close to 2 feet in the air. In comparison to putting headers on my 01 Z28, this had to be the easiest header install I've done.
Some tips I did:
1) Remove the manifolds and cats as a unit. Saves busting your knuckles trying to get the old cats off.
2) Leave the spark plugs in, they are not in the way.
3) Remove the coil packs, gives you a lot more room up on top.
I did them by myself. The headers just slip into place from underneath and then go back on top and bolt them in place. Hardest part was routing the wires for the rear O2 sensors. I didn't throw a code for almost a year since I had high flow cats. After that I just tuned out the rear O2's using HPtuners.
Have fun!
Some tips I did:
1) Remove the manifolds and cats as a unit. Saves busting your knuckles trying to get the old cats off.
2) Leave the spark plugs in, they are not in the way.
3) Remove the coil packs, gives you a lot more room up on top.
I did them by myself. The headers just slip into place from underneath and then go back on top and bolt them in place. Hardest part was routing the wires for the rear O2 sensors. I didn't throw a code for almost a year since I had high flow cats. After that I just tuned out the rear O2's using HPtuners.
Have fun!
with all except for not removing the plugs....The stock manifolds will drop right out with no problem, but I wouldn't risk leaving the plugs in for the installation of the new headers....It is very easy to crack one when you are trying to install the header due to the fact that you will be trying to fit it in from all angles until it slides into place...You will hit the plugs while you are doing this.