installing headers myself
installing headers myself I recently found out that I have access o a hydraulic lift if i need it. would it be pretty simple to install headers using the lift? I have put headers on a 94 chevy silverado, but i dont know if it would even b simple with a lift?
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: the South
No problem, just take your time.........get a couple bungee cords, they do well as substitutes for another pair of hands. The next time I do it I'm going to take off the coil packs and brackets, they have some nasty little spikes on them that can do some damage to arms.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
How hard your header install is has to do with a lot of things:
1.) What brand of headers did you get?
2.) What tools do you have access to besides the lift?
3.) Do you have anyone helping you?
Obviously, if you have a friend to help you out, a wide array of tools to get the job done and a good quality brand of header, the installation will go much more smoothly. However, one thing a lot of people forget is that how hard your header install is directly relates to your car itself.
You'll hear one guy with one brand of headers have no problem putting them in, then another guy that bought the same brand of header that had to cut and grind a million different areas to make their headers fit. This is because no two f-bodys are exactly the same. The tolerances of every car is a little different, and this is why header installs on some cars are absolute nightmares while others just slip right in like butter.
All I can tell you is it'll be A LOT easier to get the headers on with a lift than without. The biggest bit of advice I can give you is to get a friend to help, to remove the spark plugs/wires/oil filter/oil pain drain plug and make sure you stand the headers STRAIGHT UP in the air. Don't tilt them. Chances are, the steering column will be the biggest enemy in the install because that thing is RIGHT IN THE WAY, especially on the drivers side header (at least for me)!
Patience is your friend. If you get frustrated, you'll never get them on. If you're having trouble, just walk away and take a break for an hour. Grab a beer and watch a TV show. Then go back to work. It's amazing how much easier these things go when your head is clear and stress is low.
1.) What brand of headers did you get?
2.) What tools do you have access to besides the lift?
3.) Do you have anyone helping you?
Obviously, if you have a friend to help you out, a wide array of tools to get the job done and a good quality brand of header, the installation will go much more smoothly. However, one thing a lot of people forget is that how hard your header install is directly relates to your car itself.
You'll hear one guy with one brand of headers have no problem putting them in, then another guy that bought the same brand of header that had to cut and grind a million different areas to make their headers fit. This is because no two f-bodys are exactly the same. The tolerances of every car is a little different, and this is why header installs on some cars are absolute nightmares while others just slip right in like butter.
All I can tell you is it'll be A LOT easier to get the headers on with a lift than without. The biggest bit of advice I can give you is to get a friend to help, to remove the spark plugs/wires/oil filter/oil pain drain plug and make sure you stand the headers STRAIGHT UP in the air. Don't tilt them. Chances are, the steering column will be the biggest enemy in the install because that thing is RIGHT IN THE WAY, especially on the drivers side header (at least for me)!
Patience is your friend. If you get frustrated, you'll never get them on. If you're having trouble, just walk away and take a break for an hour. Grab a beer and watch a TV show. Then go back to work. It's amazing how much easier these things go when your head is clear and stress is low.
Did mine all by my lonesome and was pretty easy. The part that took the longest was hooking up the emission parts back up. (EGR, AIR). I had pacesetters and went smooth. There y-pipe sucks though
