Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Kooks driver side header install help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 12, 2010 | 09:29 PM
  #1  
02SOMLS1WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: Zanesfield, OH
Default Kooks driver side header install help!

I have been fighting this header for the last couple of hours with no end in site to get it in there with what little directions came with them from kooks. Any of you guys with experience please let me know if there is a trick I am just not seeing. Basically the directions say just take off the oil filter and slide them in from the bottom. I have done this and have tried to put them in from every angle that I can see with no dice on getting it in. Please give me any advice if you have put kooks headers in.

Thanks in advance!
Reply
Old May 12, 2010 | 09:37 PM
  #2  
peterlawl84's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 871
Likes: 4
From: Kansas
Default

You didn't mention, but is the car on a lift? Just asking to make sure you have the car high enough. I cant remember exactly, but I know one side I had to have it almost completely vertical and kind of twisted it up and into place...if that makes sense.
Reply
Old May 12, 2010 | 09:45 PM
  #3  
David Q's Avatar
10 Second Club
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Houston Tx
Default

I have never done an install on a WS6 but I did a set on my C5, and I had to remove every cable, ground wire,hose,steering linkage, and any other line that could get in the way. I jacked the car up about 2 feet and barely wedged it in from the bottom. It took minor "persuasion" with a 4"x 4"block on the collector to get it to slide into place. They should fit without having to smash them all up. Be patient they will eventually go.
Reply
Old May 12, 2010 | 09:48 PM
  #4  
02SOMLS1WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: Zanesfield, OH
Default

Originally Posted by peterlawl84
You didn't mention, but is the car on a lift? Just asking to make sure you have the car high enough. I cant remember exactly, but I know one side I had to have it almost completely vertical and kind of twisted it up and into place...if that makes sense.
I wish I had a lift unfortunatly it is on jack stands. I do have the car high enough where I can get it verticle. Always seems like I get hung up between the body and part of the oil pan where the filter screws up at. I thought it would be best to walk away for the night and look at it again tomorrow after work. Maybe it will fall in to place, lol. Not likely with my luck. Everything else went real smooth the other side practically fell in.
Reply
Old May 12, 2010 | 09:51 PM
  #5  
lvbroham1's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lee, VA
Default

Some people have to ground down the k member slightly to get them to slide in. Also there is a tab on the motor that can be cut down that also makes install 1000 times easier.
Reply
Old May 12, 2010 | 09:53 PM
  #6  
Zmg00camaross's Avatar
10 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,069
Likes: 52
From: Missouri
Default

I had to remove coil packs, last 2 rear spark plugs. steering shaft, and oil filter. this with the TSP 17/8 headers, after removeing all that it slide in still took effort but went in.
Reply
Old May 12, 2010 | 09:55 PM
  #7  
cyacops's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: mt prospect,il
Default

get the car up high enouph and take the oil drain plug out and they should just go right in ive done many on jack stands usually the passenger side is a little harder
Reply
Old May 13, 2010 | 08:54 AM
  #8  
02TribalsWS6's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Nothern Colorado
Default

I just installed Kooks Race headers on my 02 ws6 and at first I had the same problem! For the driver side I didn't have to cut or knotch anything. I just took a jack and placed it under the transmission and lifted the transmission just an inch or two and then the header just slipped right in!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-2

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-9

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
Old May 13, 2010 | 11:14 AM
  #9  
98hc4mula's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: DFW
Default

Why dont you try taking the steering column linkage out. its only 2 bolts and will give you plenty of space to maneuver. That is what I did when Installing the ARH headers.
Reply
Old May 13, 2010 | 11:24 AM
  #10  
SLICK_LS1's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Rio Grande Valley
Default

NOOOO. You dont have to grind or anything. I installled mine on jack stands with the filter on. JUst jack th **** out of it and turn the header so much like its lying down. An just push it up slowly and it will slip right in. I had the same problem as you until i did that.
Reply
Old May 13, 2010 | 12:21 PM
  #11  
00T/AWS6's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Default

Yeah they pretty much covered it. If you can take the steering linkage out and that will free up some room. As long as you have drain plug and oil filter off and take the linkage off it should slide up. If you are lazy like me and dont want to do the steering linkage, a big hammer to the floor always clears up some room
Reply
Old May 13, 2010 | 12:46 PM
  #12  
sjsingle1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,763
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
Default

had to remove the motor mount pedastal for my TSP LTs..........then it fit like butta
Reply
Old May 14, 2010 | 03:08 PM
  #13  
02SOMLS1WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: Zanesfield, OH
Default

Thanks for the tips guys! I got it up and bolted in last night, I hope it sounds as good as it looks and gives me some hp at the wheels as well. I am waiting on O2 wire extensions to see if my money has paid off.
Reply
Old May 14, 2010 | 05:29 PM
  #14  
Z28/2002's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,799
Likes: 5
From: Your girl's back door giving her the long stroke while you're at work
Default

You can also smack the firewall a couple times with a hammer to get a little extra clearance.

Just for future reference
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:41 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

Slideshow: 10 reasons daily-driving a swap project might not be for you. Or is it?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-17 09:39:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-18 10:26:23


VIEW MORE
story-3
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-5
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-7
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE