Pacesetter LT Install
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 10
From: Oshawa, Ontario
Pacesetter LT Install Hey guys im ready to start my header install. I already yanked the starter and alternator since i know they for sure have to come out. With Pacesetters do i need to remove the steering linkage or can it stay? I hear some brands of LTs do and not sure if other do not? Does the oil filter need to come off aswell with them? Aswell my most important question do the Pacesetters require you to jack up the passenger side to get it in or can it be done without doing so? Got everything soaked down with pb blaster so that will hopefully help out with breaking everything free. Anything im missing?
Thanks!
Thanks!
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Bahrain
You need to disconnected the steering knuckle, its a 7/16s bolt if I remember correctly. Make sure you soak it in WD40 as well. Use anti-seize on all the bolts holding the headers in place, also apply some onto the thread of the steering knuckle bolt.
To remove it, you will need a pry bar, but it won't need much leverage. I put the pry bar down, and then tapped it with a hammer backwards, fell off within seconds.
Also helps to clean off the rust with a wirebrush and apply some grease to help it go back in easily.
Oil filter stays on. For passenger side, unless you have a lift to slide them in from below, you will need to raise the engine up, and push it aside too to wiggle them in.
Also, while your exhaust is out, go ahead and replace those motor mounts with some poly mounts before installing the headers.
Do a search, quite a few good write ups on the forum, I wrote a mini one myself but I covered everything needed to do the job. Left some out for the person doing the job to do so they can learn to wrench and have some fun.
To remove it, you will need a pry bar, but it won't need much leverage. I put the pry bar down, and then tapped it with a hammer backwards, fell off within seconds.
Also helps to clean off the rust with a wirebrush and apply some grease to help it go back in easily.
Oil filter stays on. For passenger side, unless you have a lift to slide them in from below, you will need to raise the engine up, and push it aside too to wiggle them in.
Also, while your exhaust is out, go ahead and replace those motor mounts with some poly mounts before installing the headers.
Do a search, quite a few good write ups on the forum, I wrote a mini one myself but I covered everything needed to do the job. Left some out for the person doing the job to do so they can learn to wrench and have some fun.
You need to disconnected the steering knuckle, its a 7/16s bolt if I remember correctly. Make sure you soak it in WD40 as well. Use anti-seize on all the bolts holding the headers in place, also apply some onto the thread of the steering knuckle bolt.
To remove it, you will need a pry bar, but it won't need much leverage. I put the pry bar down, and then tapped it with a hammer backwards, fell off within seconds.
Also helps to clean off the rust with a wirebrush and apply some grease to help it go back in easily.
Oil filter stays on. For passenger side, unless you have a lift to slide them in from below, you will need to raise the engine up, and push it aside too to wiggle them in.
I had to remove mine, every car is different.
Also, while your exhaust is out, go ahead and replace those motor mounts with some poly mounts before installing the headers.
You should probably mention its not a direct swap, you have to take your stock mounts, cut them open and insert the polys.
Do a search, quite a few good write ups on the forum, I wrote a mini one myself but I covered everything needed to do the job. Left some out for the person doing the job to do so they can learn to wrench and have some fun.
To remove it, you will need a pry bar, but it won't need much leverage. I put the pry bar down, and then tapped it with a hammer backwards, fell off within seconds.
Also helps to clean off the rust with a wirebrush and apply some grease to help it go back in easily.
Oil filter stays on. For passenger side, unless you have a lift to slide them in from below, you will need to raise the engine up, and push it aside too to wiggle them in.
I had to remove mine, every car is different.
Also, while your exhaust is out, go ahead and replace those motor mounts with some poly mounts before installing the headers.
You should probably mention its not a direct swap, you have to take your stock mounts, cut them open and insert the polys.
Do a search, quite a few good write ups on the forum, I wrote a mini one myself but I covered everything needed to do the job. Left some out for the person doing the job to do so they can learn to wrench and have some fun.
Also if you search, you'll find many threads and advice on how to do this.
The higher the better...I was able to get into a friends muffler shop after they closed and get mine installed VERY quick.
To bad i couldnt do the same to drop the K member when i built the motor
To bad i couldnt do the same to drop the K member when i built the motor
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 772
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From: Bahrain
OP, you'll want to remove the steering linkage for sure. Also, I jacked the car up high as I could using a 3 ton jack and some 2x4 pieces of wood to get the extra clearance to slide them in from underneath. Scary having it up so high, but just be careful and you'll be fine, once they slide in you can lower it back down to normal height. I didn't have to unbolt any motor mounts. You can try to put them in from the top, you may get lucky and they could slide right in, don't get your hopes up though.
Also if you search, you'll find many threads and advice on how to do this.
Also if you search, you'll find many threads and advice on how to do this.
Everything he needs is in the write up, trust me bro
My driver side slid in without any motor jacking, but the passenger side? Well, lets just say we had loads of fun!
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 10
From: Oshawa, Ontario
Well im not gettin my hopes up as my car has high kms so im going to assume my motor mounts are worn so more then likely ill have to undo the mount so i can slide the header in.
Im aware of some of the write-ups some people have made but no one has an install guide on pacesetters. I realize the same applies no matter what brand you have but ive seen a couple people asking the same questions i am with nothing on these headers. Alot of people say these are the easier lt headers to install but not going to hold my breathe and just take my time as winter is just beginning
Pacesetter LT's with AIR & EGR
Mr Gasket Copper Gaskets
ARP Header Bolts
O2 Sensor Extensions
Magnecore Wires
High Heat Plug Wire Boots
NGK Plugs
Im aware of some of the write-ups some people have made but no one has an install guide on pacesetters. I realize the same applies no matter what brand you have but ive seen a couple people asking the same questions i am with nothing on these headers. Alot of people say these are the easier lt headers to install but not going to hold my breathe and just take my time as winter is just beginning
Pacesetter LT's with AIR & EGR
Mr Gasket Copper Gaskets
ARP Header Bolts
O2 Sensor Extensions
Magnecore Wires
High Heat Plug Wire Boots
NGK Plugs
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: Bahrain
The passenger side will slide in from the top without a problem, just need to disconnect the steering shaft. You already know about the starter, extensions and alternator so no need to mention those.
The driver side, can go either top or bottom. If you can raise the car high enough off the ground (if you have a really high lifting jack or will use wood planks on it to help) then you can go bottom.
Above needs the engine raised really high, and pushed aside to the driver side to make some clearance, trans mount needs to be unbolted at the center stud but not removed.
On the passenger side, your headers might just lay on the flywheel cover. If they make contact, you can cut some off the extra bit sticking out and clear them well.
Get the PS ORY, it fits like a glove, and use band clamps to ease installation.
Also, anti-seize your 02 sensors threads.
Anything you need, just ask bro
The driver side, can go either top or bottom. If you can raise the car high enough off the ground (if you have a really high lifting jack or will use wood planks on it to help) then you can go bottom.
Above needs the engine raised really high, and pushed aside to the driver side to make some clearance, trans mount needs to be unbolted at the center stud but not removed.
On the passenger side, your headers might just lay on the flywheel cover. If they make contact, you can cut some off the extra bit sticking out and clear them well.
Get the PS ORY, it fits like a glove, and use band clamps to ease installation.
Also, anti-seize your 02 sensors threads.
Anything you need, just ask bro
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Oshawa, Ontario
Well today was a good day i disconnected the steering linkage and got the y-pipe off which wasn't as bad as i had thought it was going to be. The car as i said has a lot of miles on it and im sure its never been off but i soaked the crap out of them with the PB blaster it did what everyone else said it would do so im totally impressed. Snapped one bolt on the passenger side collector that was it and she slipped right out. Might have some time tomorrow to back at it and get the egr unhooked and start pulling the manifolds 
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Bahrain
Well today was a good day i disconnected the steering linkage and got the y-pipe off which wasn't as bad as i had thought it was going to be. The car as i said has a lot of miles on it and im sure its never been off but i soaked the crap out of them with the PB blaster it did what everyone else said it would do so im totally impressed. Snapped one bolt on the passenger side collector that was it and she slipped right out. Might have some time tomorrow to back at it and get the egr unhooked and start pulling the manifolds
Your going to have some fun with this, trust me.
Why are you removing the steering knuckle or the starter with PS headers? I didnt have to remove any of that when I did mine last year. I installed both headers from the bottom, i jack the car up pretty high in the front. i didnt touch the motor mounts or anything. I must of had an easy install or something?
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Bahrain
Why are you removing the steering knuckle or the starter with PS headers? I didnt have to remove any of that when I did mine last year. I installed both headers from the bottom, i jack the car up pretty high in the front. i didnt touch the motor mounts or anything. I must of had an easy install or something?
I was already upgrading my mounts to poly, and it was the right time to do it when I had the space to work.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,368
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From: Oshawa, Ontario
I think im going to have the same problems as my jack doesnt go as high i would like it to but id rather make the process of getting them in alot easier by pulling certian things off and have some room to play with. Going to pull the manifolds this weekend and hope to get the headers in place. Fingers crossed mine wont need much to get in. Looks like the drivers side will pop right in from the top and the passenger will come up throught he bottom.
TECH Resident
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From: Bahrain
I think im going to have the same problems as my jack doesnt go as high i would like it to but id rather make the process of getting them in alot easier by pulling certian things off and have some room to play with. Going to pull the manifolds this weekend and hope to get the headers in place. Fingers crossed mine wont need much to get in. Looks like the drivers side will pop right in from the top and the passenger will come up throught he bottom.
The passenger side can go from the top, just needs more of pushing the engine towards the left along with lots of cursing.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 10
From: Oshawa, Ontario
Well got another couple hours of work in today with the car. Managed to get the drivers side manifold and to my suprise it came off pretty easy and was expecting a battle. Had to remove the oil filter and the header fell right into place and was a big relief haha. Wire brushed the old gasket material off the surface and put some anti-seize on the bolts like you guys said. Not going to get at the passenger side till next weekend and looks like its going to be quite the chore to get the manifold off and the header in. But so far so good and cant wait for the first start of open headers
Last edited by 95mysticta; Dec 12, 2009 at 05:45 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 10
From: Oshawa, Ontario
As of now i got both manifolds off and the drivers side header in and buttoned up. Getting ready to work at the passenger side. Only problem i have is the bolt holding the dipstick bracket has seriously rusted so i cleaned it all up and couldnt seem to get a socket on it and seems to be stripped. Used a set of vice grips and still couldnt get the job done. Temped to to just cut the brack and weld it after the headers are in place as its slowing everything up for something so stupid.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Bahrain
Try to use a 6 point ring 3/8 spanner or use the open end, try to jerk it open after some soaking with WD40.
A decent quality spanner's open end won't slip, it will slide on tight and avoid you rounding it out more. Good luck.
A decent quality spanner's open end won't slip, it will slide on tight and avoid you rounding it out more. Good luck.
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2008
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From: Washington State
Why are you removing the steering knuckle or the starter with PS headers? I didnt have to remove any of that when I did mine last year. I installed both headers from the bottom, i jack the car up pretty high in the front. i didnt touch the motor mounts or anything. I must of had an easy install or something?
X2. I put both of mine in from the bottom. The only thing I removed was the dipstick tube. Mine are coated and they didnt even get scratched. Just get it HIGH in the air. The driver side has to stand almost straight up and down.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,368
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From: Oshawa, Ontario
Ill pick up one of those spanner's at my local parts store and give it a shot.
Well i hear alot of stories and rather then make my life harder i just pulled them both just so i have more room to play with. Two bolts on each the starter and steering knuckle and thats it. Im sure i could prob do without but like i said if it makes it easier to work around why not
Well i hear alot of stories and rather then make my life harder i just pulled them both just so i have more room to play with. Two bolts on each the starter and steering knuckle and thats it. Im sure i could prob do without but like i said if it makes it easier to work around why not
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 10
From: Oshawa, Ontario
Well today i got another couple hours in with the car and the passenger header wouldnt slide in the from the bottom or top so i had to undo the motor mount and it slid right in from the top. Wish i wouldve just done it this way in the first place hah. Both Headers are now in looking good tomorrow im going to put the plugs and wires. Asside from that just putting the starter, alternator, and steering knuckle back on and start her up!