Kook Headers & X-pipe Install Help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
yes, i understand that, but trying to disconnect the wires for the O2 s is near impossible, unless one drops the cats first, then maybe get to the connectors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
It is tight there if you can get your hands up by the O2s. They are attached to a plastic clip. If you can get that clip off that will drop the wires some. Then push up on the grey plastic clip, then disconnect the wires. Once they are disconnected you can drop the headers. Just be patient and not rush it so you don’t damage the wires.
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 45
Yes, that is exactly what I did. Then you will be able to disconnect all four and drop the manifolds out. Major PIA!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
To add insult to injury, my damn passenger side pre-cat O2 sensor's threads stripped off when breaking it loose from the stock exhaust. I had to order a new sensor, because absolutely no local parts stores or dealerships had any in stock. What's odd is that I had the exact same issue with my old '09 Pontiac G8 GT when I installed its headers. 
Last edited by lakemg; Nov 19, 2017 at 10:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
Thanks, what i was thinking. Is there a trick to get to the last nut above the suspension. Pafdt inst say drop the suspension and unbolt motor moumts. I think that is a little extreme. I fimd no real.good inst anuwhere. Even tho some say watch the diy video on youtube, but is not very instructive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
If I remember correctly, I had to use a wrench on the nut and had to tap on the wrench with something to break it loose. That one is a pain in the *** for sure.
Last edited by lakemg; Nov 20, 2017 at 08:53 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
yes for sure.. may have to use a stubby wrench on it, hard to even get a wrench on it maybe, not sure never tried that yet. good job i don t have a set of torches. hehe
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 45
Thanks, what i was thinking. Is there a trick to get to the last nut above the suspension. Pafdt inst say drop the suspension and unbolt motor moumts. I think that is a little extreme. I fimd no real.good inst anuwhere. Even tho some say watch the diy video on youtube, but is not very instructive.
Last edited by brettmess24; Nov 20, 2017 at 09:14 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 939
From: Huntsville Alabama
I dropped the X, and then worked on the cat pipes, and then once off they wont come out untill you take off the manifolds.... but it did allow me to get the 02s disconnected. they are a hell of a clip for sure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
one last queary, did most everyone have to jack the engine up ? Kooks inst. that i got today, which are not very detailed at all, state, jack it up about 3/4 ", to get manifolds out, if i do that, it may also give me more clearance to get at the 2 nuts about the control arms.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
Likes: 5
one last queary, did most everyone have to jack the engine up ? Kooks inst. that i got today, which are not very detailed at all, state, jack it up about 3/4 ", to get manifolds out, if i do that, it may also give me more clearance to get at the 2 nuts about the control arms.
Thanks, what i was thinking. Is there a trick to get to the last nut above the suspension. Pafdt inst say drop the suspension and unbolt motor moumts. I think that is a little extreme. I fimd no real.good inst anuwhere. Even tho some say watch the diy video on youtube, but is not very instructive.
To add insult to injury, my damn passenger side pre-cat O2 sensor's threads stripped off when breaking it loose from the stock exhaust. I had to order a new sensor, because absolutely no local parts stores or dealerships had any in stock. What's odd is that I had the exact same issue with my old '09 Pontiac G8 GT when I installed its headers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
one last queary, did most everyone have to jack the engine up ? Kooks inst. that i got today, which are not very detailed at all, state, jack it up about 3/4 ", to get manifolds out, if i do that, it may also give me more clearance to get at the 2 nuts about the control arms.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
I soaked them in a penetrating oil similar to PB for a few hours and also used the O2 sensor socket on them. All came loose without issue except the passenger side front sensor.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 939
From: Huntsville Alabama
I did not touch the engine.
I removed the starter, for installing the headers....left the Z51 oil lines on as well.
other wise has cats unbolted from manifolds and then undid manifols, and then took them out in 2 parts. then installed header.
I removed the starter, for installing the headers....left the Z51 oil lines on as well.
other wise has cats unbolted from manifolds and then undid manifols, and then took them out in 2 parts. then installed header.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
Did you use the special o2 sensor socket? I used that and some PB blaster and had no issues.[/QUOTE]
you think they will be seized in the cat ??
soak with penetrating oil for a few days and wrench it ??
you think they will be seized in the cat ??
soak with penetrating oil for a few days and wrench it ??
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
Likes: 5
you think they will be seized in the cat ??
soak with penetrating oil for a few days and wrench it ??[/QUOTE]
They are typically hard to get out. The longer, the better. I let mine sit overnight.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
well, got the cat off driver side, pass side is a biatch, took manifolds off to get a little more clearance for them, think i need another set of hands, one to manouver the manifold and one to mess with the cat. tried getting the driver side man out. to no avail, i thought i would leave it and try again the next day, man everything is tight in there, not like a C6 or C5.
thanks for all the tips.
thanks for all the tips.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 142
Likes: 16
From: Chicagoland
So I've watched videos and looked at how to guides but don't want to break something. Removed the three screws but the junction block bracket is still held down by the 5 wires connected to the fuse box(es). How do those come off so the entire bracket can be removed?