LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

help on header install

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 5, 2013 | 08:47 PM
  #1  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default help on header install

Hello fellas,

I am installing my pacesetter long tube race headers and I have my car up on wheel stands, I removed the stock maniflolds, y pipe, steering shaft, A/C was already deteted, AIR was already deleted I removed the starter, alternator and oil dip stick & tube.

My problem is I cant slide my headers in from the top and I dont have enough ground clearance to slide them in from the bottom.
How much ground clearance do I need to perform this, I am going to buy a jack tomorrow morning and I am wondering if I should get the highest lifting one they sell or if I should get a cheaper one and just lift the motor?

The drivers side was kind of close from the top, passenger side was actually alittle closer to sliding right in but still wouldent go.

I know I can easily get both in from the bottom if I lift the car high enough.

Any thoughts? who has done this job with a floor jack, did you lift the car to go in from the bottom or did you get enough room to go in from the top disconnecting the motor mounts one at a time and lifting the motor to slide it in.

My other question is, if you do lift the motor one side at a time, how much can you safely lift the motor without putting stress on any other components attached to it, tranny, other mounts and such.

Thanks for the help!
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2013 | 09:03 PM
  #2  
93BlackZ28's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 805
Likes: 2
From: Lincoln, NE
Default

I believe they will go in from the top if you unbolt the motor mounts and jack the engine up a little. I jacked the car way up in the air and went in from the bottom.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2013 | 09:05 PM
  #3  
SS SLP2's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: SILSBEE TX
Default

Don' t think eather side will go from top I did my pasesetters from bottom on a lift , did not remove any moter mounts only part of steering shaft starter and all plugs I think most ppl say you need about 2 1/2 ft of space on botton because the headers must stand all most stright up on end to go in
be very care full when car is up that high will be very easy to rock off the jack stands
good luck, Johnny
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2013 | 09:07 PM
  #4  
SoxXpupPeT's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 1
From: Yonkers, NY
Default

I have not with pacesetters but with my LPPs last week. You have to get the nose of the car up at least 18". Get yourself really good jack stands and support it under the frame rails. IF your jack doesnt go high enough get it up all the way. Place the jack stand under the frame. then put something in between the jack and the car and get it up again. After that if they dont slip in from the bottom. You might have to lower the K member abit. with the vehicle supported by the frame rail. Crack loose the 6 bolts that hold the k member to the body and lower it about 1/4" and see if theyll fit then.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2013 | 09:18 PM
  #5  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

Thanks for all the quick responses guys, I really appreciate the input!

I think Ill try jacking the motor up and sliding in from the top, I dont think Ill be able to get the car up high enough.

How much is safe to jack the motor up?
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2013 | 09:37 PM
  #6  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

should I undo both motor mount through bolts and jack the hole motor straight up?
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2013 | 10:54 PM
  #7  
SoxXpupPeT's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 1
From: Yonkers, NY
Default

Yeah take out both bolts but be careful not to kink anything by getting it caught between the engine and the body.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 09:48 AM
  #8  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

Update: unbolted the 3 bolts holding the motor mount to the drivers side of the block and tranny crossmember bolt and jacked the drivetrain up 3 inches which gave me loads of room to slide the drivers side header in, installed everything on the drivers side and hooked up the o2 sensor w/ extension and it looks great! I'm gunna tackle the passenger side now
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 10:30 AM
  #9  
SS RRR's Avatar
Village Troll
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,111
Likes: 598
From: Jackstandican
Default

If they're coated, get some self-adhesive bandage from a pharmacy and wrap around the primaries. Especially for the passenger side since it will take some fandangling to get into place.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2013 | 08:15 PM
  #10  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

there painted, I figure since i dont drive the car in the rain or snow they should last until I buy a vette

got them all installed and everything works great, they sound amazing like a proper v8!

It seems like its a lot louder from the front/engine is that normal for headers? i dont think there is any leaks I cant hear or see anything when I rev the motor at idle.

Pulls alot harder up top its nuts! just woke the motor right up, I can feel the slight hit in trq down low but is gone if i give it more than 50% throttle.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2013 | 07:46 PM
  #11  
SoxXpupPeT's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 1
From: Yonkers, NY
Default

The noise you hear is just the exhaust through the primarys on the headers. Its common with LT's. Post up some pics and vids!
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2013 | 08:59 PM
  #12  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

yah thats what I figured, i mean I got under the car while my gf was revving it and I could hear any leaks at all. But when I stomp on it on the street it just seems noisey up front but I figured its because the headers dont insulate sound like the cast manifolds. I listened to some old school muscle cars driving down the street today and they sounded exactly the same lol.

Ill post some video's tomorrow! There painted headers so naturally the paint burned off in about a day lol but I dont think they look to bad, kinda raw I like it.

It pulls so much harder up top its insane! I havent even dataloged and retuned yet lol
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 04:07 AM
  #13  
bufmatmuslepants's Avatar
12 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
Default

Wait till you get a tune, right now your ears are telling you it's faster. A tune and it'll be your *** telling you.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 09:05 AM
  #14  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

Sweet! Do headers lean it out that much? I'm going for a good datalog this afternoon so ill know soon enough! I should probably richen the PE AFR targets eh?
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 03:58 PM
  #15  
96LT1Z's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Lincoln NE
Default

Just got my headers done about a month ago! I will agree it is a huge difference! And I love the sound, it just sounds pissed off! and i love it!.
When i did it i unbolted each motor mount one side at a time and jacked it up until it pretty much tried picking up the car.. and there was a huge amount of room from up top, both mine went from the top with ease.
Glad you got them in
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 04:00 PM
  #16  
96LT1Z's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Lincoln NE
Default

Also did you get race headers or ones with the emissions stuff? and with out the y pipe mine ran rich because of the back wash of air, once the y pipe got on it sounds better and runs better
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 07:02 PM
  #17  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

Originally Posted by 96LT1Z
Just got my headers done about a month ago! I will agree it is a huge difference! And I love the sound, it just sounds pissed off! and i love it!.
When i did it i unbolted each motor mount one side at a time and jacked it up until it pretty much tried picking up the car.. and there was a huge amount of room from up top, both mine went from the top with ease.
Glad you got them in
Thats awesome bud! Yah 100% agree its a must for these cars! I did the exact same thing one motor mount at a time and there was tons of room!
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 07:04 PM
  #18  
jrwilliams95z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

Originally Posted by 96LT1Z
Also did you get race headers or ones with the emissions stuff? and with out the y pipe mine ran rich because of the back wash of air, once the y pipe got on it sounds better and runs better
I got the race headers so I had to delete and tune out the EGR and I already had the AIR system deleted.

I havent had a chance to hook it up to datamaster because its been raining here non stop since i installed them, but with the y pipe I am thinking it will be leaner with all the extra flow but who knows! lol
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 08:59 PM
  #19  
96LT1Z's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Lincoln NE
Default

Awesome I also did the race headers, kinda alot of stuff going on when i installed everything, had to cut the air tube the wraps around the oil pan, egr plates, and the air pump, and also when i did the headers, i did the water pump and water pump drive gear seal all at the same time...
Anyways let us know when you get it all tuned! I havent tuned anything so its not running the best it could be it still pulls hard! (for me that is)
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:33 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE