help with header installation!!
#1
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help with header installation!!
ok...well im 17 yrs. old and ive never done headers before. i have a 96 camaro w/ lt1 and i am about to buy the dynatech long tubes. im tired of paying ppl to do this stuff when i know i can do it. i just need to know the basics like 1) do you do it from the top or bottom? 2) do i have to remove anything to get them in? any help would be appreciated.
#2
well i installed shorties and to take out the passenger side header i removed the bracket that holds the ac, powersteering and alternator, it's a pia... that one came out from the top but we installed it from the bottom, which was a also a pain in the ***... the driver side came out from the top as well and all i removed was the steering knuckle and it went in from the top pretty easy... all in all it took about a good 12-14 hours of actually working but it was also like the first tme i did anything like that... be careful not to break any sparkplugs (btw it's a really good time to change them) and do not use copper gaskets on aluminum heads!! big headache! and another thing to be careful about is not to strip the holes, jus be patient and take ur time, u learn a lot about your after be under there so long... have fun and let me know how it go's lol
#3
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***I might have not done this the right way, or the best way, so I am not guranteeing this is how to do it, just how I did it, and it worked fine for my car, no flaming my newbieness***
Long tube header installs are a bit different that shorties(I can't speak of how much cuz I have only done long tube's, but I've heard long tubes are alot harder). I installed long tubes with a friend(he was alot better, and did more of the work), and I would suggest having an assistant to help guide the headers from the top, while you are underneath.
I would strongly suggest getting a lift.. and I wouldn't even try until you can get the middle(by the seats) about 2-3 feet off the ground(higher than jackstands that I used heh.. had to stack 8 bricks under the car).
For the drivers side you can pull it out without even having to take anything off, but when you put the long tubes in you'll need to take apart the steering knuckle, go from underneath, have someone help guide. I also had to take out my oil filter.
For the passengers side I had to take off the alternator bracket(this was very easy for me). I installed from underneath, and had to remove the starter, and carefully bend a silver bracket looking line(don't know know what it was because I suck). I removed all my EGR **** also. I had to jack the engine up a bit on both sides, I also had to unbolt the K-member on both sides. To unbolt the K-member, I jacked it up, then unbolted, then slowly lowered it back down, and it made a decent opening.
Some of these things might have only been neccesary because I could not get my car high enough for a good angle to stick the tubes in. I also used a allen styled bolts for easier tightening access. Also.. make sure you put your wires in the right spot, and don't let em touch those headers =D. I love the **** out of my long tubes, wouldn't have it any other way.
P.S. prepare to be pissed.
Long tube header installs are a bit different that shorties(I can't speak of how much cuz I have only done long tube's, but I've heard long tubes are alot harder). I installed long tubes with a friend(he was alot better, and did more of the work), and I would suggest having an assistant to help guide the headers from the top, while you are underneath.
I would strongly suggest getting a lift.. and I wouldn't even try until you can get the middle(by the seats) about 2-3 feet off the ground(higher than jackstands that I used heh.. had to stack 8 bricks under the car).
For the drivers side you can pull it out without even having to take anything off, but when you put the long tubes in you'll need to take apart the steering knuckle, go from underneath, have someone help guide. I also had to take out my oil filter.
For the passengers side I had to take off the alternator bracket(this was very easy for me). I installed from underneath, and had to remove the starter, and carefully bend a silver bracket looking line(don't know know what it was because I suck). I removed all my EGR **** also. I had to jack the engine up a bit on both sides, I also had to unbolt the K-member on both sides. To unbolt the K-member, I jacked it up, then unbolted, then slowly lowered it back down, and it made a decent opening.
Some of these things might have only been neccesary because I could not get my car high enough for a good angle to stick the tubes in. I also used a allen styled bolts for easier tightening access. Also.. make sure you put your wires in the right spot, and don't let em touch those headers =D. I love the **** out of my long tubes, wouldn't have it any other way.
P.S. prepare to be pissed.
#4
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how much are they wanting to charge tou for the install i had a local shop for $350.00 and they installed my slp exhaust also for $100.00 and it took only 2 days maybe 3 but no more than that
#5
"redhot lt-1 how much are they wanting to charge tou for the install i had a local shop for $350.00 and they installed my slp exhaust also for $100.00 and it took only 2 days maybe 3 but no more than that"
damn that's a good price, an exhaust shop quoted me 500 and i thought that was a shitty price, until after i did them and then i thought 500 would be rippin my mechanic off ... one thing i forgot to mention is don't take the header off the heads before you undo your y-pipe!! trust me!! i made that mistake and lets jus say that after a metal grinder and $150 later i ended up with a custom y-pipe..
damn that's a good price, an exhaust shop quoted me 500 and i thought that was a shitty price, until after i did them and then i thought 500 would be rippin my mechanic off ... one thing i forgot to mention is don't take the header off the heads before you undo your y-pipe!! trust me!! i made that mistake and lets jus say that after a metal grinder and $150 later i ended up with a custom y-pipe..
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Originally Posted by 98vortecbw
ok...well im 17 yrs. old and ive never done headers before. i have a 96 camaro w/ lt1 and i am about to buy the dynatech long tubes. im tired of paying ppl to do this stuff when i know i can do it. i just need to know the basics like 1) do you do it from the top or bottom? 2) do i have to remove anything to get them in? any help would be appreciated.
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#8
drivers side is pretty easy, just take the old manifold off, then you will have to take off the rack and pinion and oil filter to install the header, on the pass side you will have to take off the alternator to get the old manifold off, then you will have to jack up the car way high, and slide it right in.
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Originally Posted by transambandit
drivers side is pretty easy, just take the old manifold off, then you will have to take off the rack and pinion and oil filter to install the header, on the pass side you will have to take off the alternator to get the old manifold off, then you will have to jack up the car way high, and slide it right in.
Rack and pinion? Oil filter? Huh? What headers did you install that needed this. If he is installing FLP/Dynatech headers, that won't be needed.
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Originally Posted by transambandit
the pacesetters that i put on needed them to be removed.
#13
Originally Posted by NoMoreLS1
I know that the removal of the oil filter helps with the Pacesetters, but the rack. I don't think that is necessary.
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Originally Posted by transambandit
well its pretty common to have to remove it for a pacesetter install, considering you cant get the header in with the steering rod in place.
Originally Posted by transambandit
drivers side is pretty easy, just take the old manifold off, then you will have to take off the rack and pinion and oil filter to install the header, on the pass side you will have to take off the alternator to get the old manifold off, then you will have to jack up the car way high, and slide it right in.
#16
well its pretty common to have to remove it for a pacesetter install, considering you cant get the header in with the steering rod in place.
I used stage 8 locking bolts....we had to modify the clips on them because the header tubing is SO close to the hole that my bolts barely fit....
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i have a set of those exact Dynatech headers and yes they are an off road header but i drive them on the street and it worked well.
As for putting them in i was dropping in a new motor so it will alittle easier for me but to save you a **** load of time if your using a floor jack and jack stands make sure that you replace the starter,oil filter, plug and wires they are the hardest things to get to. Also the best thing is have a guy under the car and the guy tighting the headers onto the engine it works alot easier, and last but not least get the wire organzer piece that sets your wires on top of the header because stock wires and even up graded ones will burn from that preticlar header.
Have fun they are a pain in the @$$
As for putting them in i was dropping in a new motor so it will alittle easier for me but to save you a **** load of time if your using a floor jack and jack stands make sure that you replace the starter,oil filter, plug and wires they are the hardest things to get to. Also the best thing is have a guy under the car and the guy tighting the headers onto the engine it works alot easier, and last but not least get the wire organzer piece that sets your wires on top of the header because stock wires and even up graded ones will burn from that preticlar header.
Have fun they are a pain in the @$$
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for the pacesetter i also had to remove the seering u joint, but definately not the rack.i also had to jack the engine up to get the new ones in. if your dynatechs are anything like the pacesetters they will go in a lot easier than they come out. be carefull though of the plugs, AND the coolant temp sensor.
just have someone get you a 30 pack, and leave the better part of a day to do it, it may be a pain to do, but in the end when you fire it up itll be damn worth it.
just have someone get you a 30 pack, and leave the better part of a day to do it, it may be a pain to do, but in the end when you fire it up itll be damn worth it.
#19
Oh yeah....the dipstick was a bitch and i also had to remove that(and obviosuly all plugs)....if you can use a lift....highly reccomended
We ended up doing the entire job in about 7 hours....with putting an ORY, and welding a cutout into my exhaust....
LoL broke mine....had to go buy one at autozone during the install
We ended up doing the entire job in about 7 hours....with putting an ORY, and welding a cutout into my exhaust....
AND the coolant temp sensor.
#20
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Originally Posted by Ginz Ls1
i have a set of those exact Dynatech headers and yes they are an off road header but i drive them on the street and it worked well.
and last but not least get the wire organzer piece that sets your wires on top of the header because stock wires and even up graded ones will burn from that preticlar header.
Have fun they are a pain in the @$$
and last but not least get the wire organzer piece that sets your wires on top of the header because stock wires and even up graded ones will burn from that preticlar header.
Have fun they are a pain in the @$$
Remove the alternator, starter, and dipstick tube on the passenger's side. Driver's side just remove the manifold... be careful not to break the coolant gauge switch on the driver's side.
Follow the tips that I mentioned earlier and you'll be fine.