Installing shorty headers
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
Installing shorty headers I just got some hooker shorty headers for my car and I was wondering if anyone had any pointers on installing them. They look fairly easy to install but I was wondering if I could to all of this from the top or if I should go in from the bottom (car is a 98 BTW). I was thinking to remove the valve covers then go in that way, but there instructoins say to remove the y-pipe. Is this really necessary? It doesn't seem like it is. Any tips? I'm sure JBAs install the same way so if you have any info on those I'm sure it would apply. thanks
And yes, I know I should have just gotten long tubes but I wanted to keep the smog ***** happy. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
And yes, I know I should have just gotten long tubes but I wanted to keep the smog ***** happy. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Re: Installing shorty headers jim
i have installed hooker shorties on a 98 F-bod. do whatever it takes to install them, don't take short cuts. on the install i had to remove the valve covers and had to loosen the motor mounts to raise the motor up 1-3 inches with a jack, i cant remember if they went in from the top or bottom . every install is different, on my macs i had to do this aswell, some folks don't have to do this for some reason,? i did not have to remove the y-pipe to install these.
while you're at it change plugs & wires if you haven't.
when you get these things on, make sure that no electrical wires are against the headers especially on the passenger side, it's a tighter fit, one plug wire on the passenger got burnt on my car, you might need a boot cover if the wire is close or touching the header.
the install is all common sense, its just time comsuming.
i have installed hooker shorties on a 98 F-bod. do whatever it takes to install them, don't take short cuts. on the install i had to remove the valve covers and had to loosen the motor mounts to raise the motor up 1-3 inches with a jack, i cant remember if they went in from the top or bottom . every install is different, on my macs i had to do this aswell, some folks don't have to do this for some reason,? i did not have to remove the y-pipe to install these.
while you're at it change plugs & wires if you haven't.
when you get these things on, make sure that no electrical wires are against the headers especially on the passenger side, it's a tighter fit, one plug wire on the passenger got burnt on my car, you might need a boot cover if the wire is close or touching the header.
the install is all common sense, its just time comsuming.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Installing shorty headers Thanks for the reply, that was very helpful.
I do plan to change the plugs and wires but since you mentioned it I'm looking at the passenger side header and the clearance looks VERY close. I may have to get something to shield the plug wire.
How hard was it to undo the motor mount? Installing the headers and things like that I'm ok with, but undoing the motor mounts and jacking the engine up scares me a little.
What I really wanted to know is if I should put the car on ramps before I start cause if I didn't, it would be really hard to get the car on ramps with the manifolds off. I guess I put it on ramps just in case. Thanks again for the reply.
I do plan to change the plugs and wires but since you mentioned it I'm looking at the passenger side header and the clearance looks VERY close. I may have to get something to shield the plug wire.
How hard was it to undo the motor mount? Installing the headers and things like that I'm ok with, but undoing the motor mounts and jacking the engine up scares me a little.
What I really wanted to know is if I should put the car on ramps before I start cause if I didn't, it would be really hard to get the car on ramps with the manifolds off. I guess I put it on ramps just in case. Thanks again for the reply.
Re: Installing shorty headers jim
yea raise the car up before you start working on it.
also, you MAY have to loosen the y-pipe so you can rotate it if you need to.
and if you are not removing the Y-pipe and cats, you'll have to install them from the top and not the bottom.
I did this install about a year ago and the memories and returning
it easy to raise the motor, just loosen(don't remove the BOLTS)the motor mount bolts and start raising the motor with a floor jack. Put a block of wood on the jack and raise the motor by the oil pan.
hope this helps
yea raise the car up before you start working on it.
also, you MAY have to loosen the y-pipe so you can rotate it if you need to.
and if you are not removing the Y-pipe and cats, you'll have to install them from the top and not the bottom.
I did this install about a year ago and the memories and returning
it easy to raise the motor, just loosen(don't remove the BOLTS)the motor mount bolts and start raising the motor with a floor jack. Put a block of wood on the jack and raise the motor by the oil pan.
hope this helps
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: NC, and Houston
I'm doing the same.. installing shorties, but mine is an LT-1... is any of you familiar with the install?? comes with the off road y pipe, and high flow cat.. when you lift the motor, about three inches that is, do you have to disconnect all the cables from the engine??? or anything else?? supension?? thanks all
Just slip the passenger side header in from the top, and unbolt the drivers side cat(not whole y-pipe) and slip it in from under the car. You shouldn't have to raise the motor if you unbolt the cat and do the drivers side from underneath.
