maroonls1z

Have a 2000 camaro with kooks 1 3/4 headers currently on. I adj the linkage as much and I could and it was still rubbing the #1 primary a tad so I undid the 3 bolts holding the steering column to the firewall and was able to move it probably 1/8" while still being able to install the 2 top bolts back and not doing any filing to the bracket. This allowed me to achieve probably about 2mm clearance from the fat part of the linage after the first joint. Is there a better way to gain more clearance? Is there an aftermarket linkage that doesn't have that fat section at the swivel joints? I know I can take a dremel to the bracket and it will allow me to move the column more but I'm trying to avoid doing that. I am about to put a 434 ls7 in the car which I have a set of kooks 2" to go with it so I need atleast another 1/4" clearance

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

The first thing I'd do is ensure you don't have a LT1 rack. I state this as my friend learned this the hard way a couple of weeks ago during an install. See here (top - LT1; bottom - LS1):

maroonls1z

I recently installed a rebuilt rack, Have no idea if they gave me the wrong one but it seems doubtful

Fry_

This seems likely, Kooks are know for there quality control and fit and finish.

maroonls1z

Ive read of many people having this exact problem with their kooks though? I know i can take a file to the steering column mount and probably get more clearance on the primary, just wondering if there was other options. i thought about contacting a company about a custom one that is slightly longer pulling it away from the primary

maroonls1z

here is what im working with

maroonls1z

I doubt it will make much of a difference but i am running original motor mounts, 180k miles.... I know new ones will raise it up a bit but i would think it wouldnt really give me any more clearance

maroonls1z

Any more ideas?

maroonls1z

Anyone have a custom length linkage? I think adding about 1/2" to the middle section would get it to clear?

.boB

iTrader: (1)

Can you replace the section with standard 3/4" DD shaft and aftermarket U joints?

maroonls1z

I don't know? Can I? Haha that's what I'm trying to find out, my options... I know a ton of people have had this problem and somehow solved it

Fry_

I'm sorry but you spent close to a grand on Kooks headers but were to cheap / lazy to replace the motor mounts.

maroonls1z

Umm they are going in with the superdeck 434 in my garage... But thanks for the unhelpful input

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

The LT1 rack bolts in perfectly; however, it's the angle of the steering shaft that messes everything up. There should be PLENTY of clearance between the steering shaft and primaries. You should install the rack for RPO "FE4"

maroonls1z

Does anyone have the acdelco part number for the correct rack?

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Should be 3616537 or 36R0391

maroonls1z

So is 3616562 the V6 one?

maroonls1z

so i examined my rack and i think you ay be right about the wrong rack... It was a rebuilt one i got from orielys . Based off the pic u shower i think i have the wrong one. the i dont know the word for it but circular bulge at the bottom of the part of the rack that attached to the linkage faces exactly forwards while when i look at the pic u posted it seems the right one does not?

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

93-97 LT1 cars; perhaps V6 as well. Y87 was a performance option for V6 cars that gave them V8 steering (among other things), so that may have also included LS1 steering rack by that point.

Anyway, enough of confusing semantics

The "incorrect" rack attaches the steering shaft closer to a 90* angle which causes it to go right toward the primary (it also makes it very difficult to R&R the shaft). The correct rack angles toward the driver side.

maroonls1z

Min angles a little bit, but as you can see from the pics it pretty much does go straight into the #1 primary. I never noticed it was in perfect because until recently I was running manifolds and it fit just fine. I'm honestly surprised I was able to get it to work with these headers if it's the wrong rack, although it did take a significant amount of adjusting