CALL911

iTrader: (17)

I am installing my Kooks race LT headers (1 7/8) into my 95 Z28, and they seem to be hitting my steering shaft. I also am running a BMR K-member and upper and lower A-arms, and I need to find a fix for this.

Surely with Kooks making them for LT1 cars, and my car should not be different than anyone else's this has come up before.

What is the fix? I need to get this figured out ASAP!

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

Its a common problem on their stepped headers. 2 things to try.

1st loosen the steering column and push it as far away from the header as possible. If that doesnt give you enough room you can slot the holes to get a bit more.

2nd grind the steering knuckle down just a bit if you have to. There is plenty of material on the knuckle to shave it just a bit.

CALL911

iTrader: (17)

I need almost 3/4 of an inch. I don't think I can take that much matereal off.

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

Move the column first and see what you get. You wont notice it inside the car. 3/4 is alot though. Maybe call Kooks and see if they will adjust it. For the cost of their headers they should.

CALL911

iTrader: (17)

Kooks are a top notch brand. I don't see how my set of headers would vary from someone else's that much, meanwhile my Z should not be different from someone else's 95 Z.

Fbody4Ever

iTrader: (15)

It sort of sounds like what you're saying is the header isn't in there all the way yet and the steering shaft is still bolted in there and preventing you from installing. If this is the case.. Try unbolting that steering shaft from the rack and get the header in where it's supposed to be and then try bolting the shaft back up and see what's what.

if that's not what's going on and you've already shifted the column over as much as possible, sounds like you need to get some pics to send to Kooks and get them on the phone.

CALL911

iTrader: (17)

What I've found is that this is a problem for most everyone with these headers (nice to know NOW). Seems like most have fixed this with swaping to an LS1 steering shaft. I am going to have one by Monday and see if that works.

However, the guy I found who did this did not have the aftermarket K-member that I do, so we'll still see if this will work.

fuel

iTrader: (13)

my kooks never had a problem and i had a stock kmember.. i sold the headers to my buddy and he had a bmr kmember and the steering shaft was hitting the header.i think he made adjustments to the k member and the column.and it fixed the problem

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I was going to suggest the complete LS1 Rack and Linkage..it gives alot of clearance..

SRZ

iTrader: (14)

Hope you get it sorted out Ben. I'll be doing OBX's this fall instead and see how it goes.

VinR1

iTrader: (17)

Wait, I thought we were supposed to buy more-expensive name brand headers as opposed to the affordable ebay knockoffs to avoid this issue...?

CALL911

iTrader: (17)

In some cases, your sarcasm is warranted, as the most expensive name brand is not always the best. However Kooks are stainless, offers some of the best plug access, and shows a significant power gain over many of the competitors, so even though they are a more expensive name brand, I believe them to be probably the best set of headers you can buy. That being said, it would be nice if they fit without issues for aftermarket K-member and stock steering shaft.

The plan is still to try out the LS1 steering shaft, then see where things are.

fergymoto

iTrader: (129)

You should not run into an issue with this on headers that expensive. It's bullshit. I just had a thread complaining about the LS1 Y pipe last week lol

defaultexistence

iTrader: (11)

just what i was thinkn.....

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

IDK why guys think Kooks have no issues since they are expensive. I see tons of threads with them having the exact same issues all other companies have. With that said I do feel they are some of the best out there, I just couldnt justify spending 2x what my headers cost.

defaultexistence

iTrader: (11)

Wait...what?

SRZ

iTrader: (14)

Any luck Ben?

blakez28

iTrader: (6)

If I paid that much for headers i'd expect them to put themselves on

CALL911

iTrader: (17)

Going to check in on things tomorrow with the LS1 steering shaft and I'll update.

"Yes" it seems that even though they are expensive, they have issues. Is this a pain? Sure. But when it comes to the longevity of stainless headers, and the power gain that Kooks offer, there are no other headers I know of that come to mind. If ARH decided to build some LT1 headers, then I think Kooks would have good competition. But until then, there really isn't any others that offer the performance, and longevity. Thats why I spent the big bucks on them.

blakez28

iTrader: (6)

my headers are stainless too
but I hope you're right about performance. Hope you work this issue out brother