Installing headers on a 06 ls2???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
Installing headers on a 06 ls2???
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!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
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.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
#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
you are going to love the power gain....
Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
I wonder if I'll notice anything as I have had the full ZO6 system
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
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
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
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.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
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.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
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
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 433
From: Bossier City Louisiana
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.