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C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
Hey guys, I just purchased my first corvette about 3 weeks ago. It is a yellow 2006 z06. I just noticed while looking under the hood that the pfadt headers that came on the car are rubbing the steering column. Is there a way to fix this by readjusting the headers? Or some other way? Thanks in advance!
Yes. Remove them from the car. They are junk headers. They make no power, fit like **** and what is happening to you (contact with the steering column) is common with these POS. And while you are at it, locate anything else with the name Pfadt on it and immediately R&R.
Yes. Remove them from the car. They are junk headers. They make no power, fit like **** and what is happening to you (contact with the steering column) is common with these POS. And while you are at it, locate anything else with the name Pfadt on it and immediately R&R.
Other than that.....What do you think of them?????? LOL!
OP, not what you want to hear, but some headers require "persuasion" of the hammer type to eliminate rubbing. Yours looks like a good candidate. About the only headers that haven't been reported to rub are ARH. You may have less trouble with 1 7/8" headers, but our Zs like the 2" headers for performance. I have a newer set of Pfadt 1 7/8" headers and catted x-pipe and they did not rub, currently running ARH 2" w/ OR x-pipe.
Really don’t want to buy another set of headers if I dont have to. Also not super fond of hitting things with a hammer Are there any other options? Is it possible the motor mounts are shot causing a smaller clearance on that side?
As suggested by other posts here, the Pfadt headers were not the best made parts. Short of replacing them with another set of headers, you're only practical solution is the "brute strength and ignorance" approach.
I'd mark the header pipe where it interfers with the steering shaft. Then, I'd remove the header, lay a half-inch drive extension (say 8-12-in long) on the header pipe which has the clearance problem in the spot you marked and orient it the same way as the steering shafts goes across it. Then smack the extension with a hammer and you should have an indentation in the pipe which will clear the shaft.
As suggested by other posts here, the Pfadt headers were not the best made parts. Short of replacing them with another set of headers, you're only practical solution is the "brute strength and ignorance" approach.
I'd mark the header pipe where it interfers with the steering shaft. Then, I'd remove the header, lay a half-inch drive extension (say 8-12-in long) on the header pipe which has the clearance problem in the spot you marked and orient it the same way as the steering shafts goes across it. Then smack the extension with a hammer and you should have an indentation in the pipe which will clear the shaft.
Good luck.
I’ll give it a shot. Does the pipe need to be heated with a torch or something first?
Really don’t want to buy another set of headers if I dont have to. Also not super fond of hitting things with a hammer Are there any other options? Is it possible the motor mounts are shot causing a smaller clearance on that side?
Don't go re-engineering the car or creating new problems that aren't there just to make up for a bad part. That turns one mistake into two or more.
Your decent choices are dent the crappy header or buy better headers. Denting the crappy header is no big deal, it's crappy anyway. Doing anything other than that creates new problems in the hopes of making up for a crappy part. That's just plain dumb.
Really don’t want to buy another set of headers if I dont have to. Also not super fond of hitting things with a hammer Are there any other options? Is it possible the motor mounts are shot causing a smaller clearance on that side?
i prefer using a propane torch smaller and doesn’t put out crazy heat. Then smack it few times after it’s nice and hot. You don’t have much options unless you buy another brand
Agreed with Hib's "fix" to create some clearance if a new set of headers isn't in the cards. I would also inspect your motor mounts while you're at it since those are a common item to fail, but the primary issue here is the poor fitment of Pfadt anything.
Agreed with Hib's "fix" to create some clearance if a new set of headers isn't in the cards. I would also inspect your motor mounts while you're at it since those are a common item to fail, but the primary issue here is the poor fitment of Pfadt anything.
My AFE/Pfadt 1 7/8" headers had no fitment problems. AFE acquired Pfadt and has tried to improve on prior quality problems.
What is junk about them? So they touch, many headers do.
OP youre going to have to take them off....take the biggest socket you can find, lay a rag over the area you need to hit, lay the socket on its side and using a BFH go to it, the area will be slighly flattened instead of bashed up looking. It wont affect power one bit...reinstall and motor on.
Yes. Remove them from the car. They are junk headers. They make no power, fit like **** and what is happening to you (contact with the steering column) is common with these POS. And while you are at it, locate anything else with the name Pfadt on it and immediately R&R.
This. He nailed it like always.
Find a set of cheap/free stock manifolds. The pfadts don't make power, and even a cheap set of pacesetters would be better.
07-30-2018, 06:40 PM
Headers rubbing steering column
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Are there any other options? Is it possible the motor mounts are shot causing a smaller clearance on that side?
