CMY SIX

OK, I'm waiting for my Kooks headers and catted X-pipe to arrive. I've got my old manifolds and cats and X-pipe out. Already to put the headers in. Here's the Question do I drop them down from the top? Or feed them up from the bottom? Any tips from those of you that have DIY. THANK YOU!

EviLS7

Bottom, and put the car as high up on jack stands as you can. Just have to angle them in at first, but they will go in.

CMY SIX

bump

myredhead1

Put my kooks in from underneath. Jacked the car up on rhino ramps. Very easy install.

Dano523

Up from the bottom,

and if you don't have a helper, get APR manifold studs that uses nuts. This gives you the needed studs to install the gaskets on before you get under the car, then hang the headers off of when you are under the car, then climb out from under the car to nut down to install the headers in the end.

Dcasole

#2 on the studs...the hardest part for me was starting the bolts and the fear of cross threading them . if you don't have the Headers lined up just so ...some of the bolts won't start .

you are going to love the power gain....

Dave

myredhead1

My best two cents is to wait until everything is together before completely tightening everything. I'll second loving the power gain. Good luck!

rhoyvald

CMY SIX

I wonder if I'll notice anything as I have had the full ZO6 system

Dcasole

not sure about the zo6 to headers but what I can tell you is the power gain down low thru the shift point is crazy ....

CMY SIX

Well ARP makes some nice stuff but $150 or so for studs! I got a few regular ones and will use them in aiding in "hanging" the headers and gaskets. it will make it easier to thread the bolts without cross threading them, had a couple of the stock ones come out slowly so I cleaned the holes with a tap{bottom} and if any ones wondering it M8X1.25, put some heat shields on the brake and clutch lines, now if they would just get here. I don't think it will take more then about an 1 1/2 to install them

sabersaw30

I went from z06 exhaust to 1 7/8 tsp headers havent put it on dyno yet with headers just a street tune for them feels really good with the headers but could just be the sound. Will have to get it on dyno and see.

CMY SIX

SOTP usually means more torque, My tuner says a retune probably isn't needed, but he teases me with " you might want too know" I just had it retuned because of a "radically ported" manifold and it's just kind of FLAT? I think the long tubes will help pull the air thru.

sabersaw30

I got the Ls3 whoops i didnt see Ls2 on your post but should still pick up a little from z06 exhaust.

CMY SIX

I think you did the right thing with 1 7/8 I went 1 3/4 for my LS2 I've read quite a bit about "scavenging" and "exhaust pulse" I think we were missing most of that with the ZO6 system. if someone near me is looking for a ZO6 system PM me

Ragtop 99

Somewhere in threads years ago was a dyno comparison of Z06 manifolds to Long tube headers. There were gains everywhere, with the biggest gains in the midrange. Not sure the top end gains will be enough to pass the SOTP test, but it all helps.

IIRC, the FAST 90 showed a huge midrange gain over the LS2 manifold. much bigger than the gains from porting. If you're going to retune, replacing the IM at the same time would make sense, if it is in your budget. Might be able to snag a used one from someone upgrading to the newer designs. LT + Fast + Tune really woke up the LS2.

myredhead1

Completely agree with the above. If possible, a ported fast 102 is the golden ticket to compliment your kooks. I have an airaid, vmax ported tb, ported fast 102, 1 3/4 kooks with off road, cow tune and corsa extremes. I'm very happy with what this did to my LS2 in regards to low and mid range alone with sound.