JimmyGTO

Decided to change from kooks 1 3/4 to 1 7/8 after doing the LS3 H/C/I. Now I am having a problem with the header barely rubbing the steering knuckle. I went with the Hinson motor mounts which helped a little. Loosen the rack and header on the driver side to see if I could move them some. But the header is still barely touching. Do you guys have any ideas on what to do except taking the header off and putting a dent in it? Don't mind the dent just hate to go thru taking the rack, steering knuckle and header off. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.


Jim

dw456post

I don't remember if the steering shaft is splined or a "D" shaft. If it is splined, you could loosen the two big bolts holding the rack and slide the rack over until it doesn't contact anymore--doesn't need to miss by much. Then you can recenter your steering wheel by moving the shaft a notch on the splined shaft. Be sure and get the two bolts TIGHT after you loosen them.
Or you could take the header bolts out, ream out the holes a little larger and move the header? You could check by reaming the front hole, put the rear bolt in and snug, put the front bolt in and rotate the header a bit and see if it helps before you do all 6 holes.

JimmyGTO

I've tried that, didn't get much out of it. Thanks for the reply though.

Buzzmanb12

iTrader: (11)

I just used a big pry bar and put a bend/dent in the exhaust where the contact point was. You can wedge the pry bar in without dropping the rack or pulling the exhaust.

JimmyGTO

Thanks for the advice. I will try that.

Buzzmanb12

iTrader: (11)

Another thing you can try is to put a spacer/washer or 2 under the driver side motor mount to raise that side up a bit more... yeah it's a little shadetree but ya gotta be creative sometimes.

JimmyGTO

I am going to try the pry bar first as soon as I can. Probably after the holiday. Thanks for the advice

2QWK4RU 06 GOAT

iTrader: (1)

I'd go with buzz, many have done this as a quick get it going remedy.

If it was my car, I'd throw them Into the stratosphere, I don't think much of kooks or their service. Their 3" GTO cat back is horribly engineered and it was a pain dealing with them and the exhaust.

The day I loose my Turbos, I'd go to ARH.

JimmyGTO

Thanks for the advice 2qwk. I called Kooks about it, couldn't get anyone on the phone so I left a message. They never called back. Trying to figure out the best thing to do.

2QWK4RU 06 GOAT

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a picture?

JimmyGTO

I'm out of town will be back later in the week. I will take a picture then.

JimmyGTO

Here is a couple of pics. First one is before new motor mounts. Header was hitting towards top of knuckle and studs on the frame.

Second is after new motors mounts installed and studs on frame cut off. If you look close there is a mark on the headers halfway down the steering knuckle. That's where the header is hitting behind the knuckle.

KOOKS Headers

PM sent.

JimmyGTO

PM sent.

2QWK4RU 06 GOAT

iTrader: (1)

I see.. Tranny mount in good shape? You might wrap some radiant heat wrap down there to save the rack from cooking, especially if you drive in traffic.

JimmyGTO

Matt with Kooks wanted some more pics so I sent him some. He emailed me and ask if I would send the driver side header back to him. Shipped it this past Wednesday, they should have received it on Thursday or yesterday. Waiting to hear back from them.

2QWK4U - Motor mounts are in good shape. 24.xxx miles on car.

VAredgoat

When i did mine I had to grind down the knuckle some for it to clear

Sick LS2

dent it and be done with it. Engine Masters did a episode where dents do not effect hp

JimmyGTO

Do you happen to have a pic of where you ground it down?

2QWK4RU 06 GOAT

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully they correct it. They weren't willing to correct their cat back when we had clearance issues. In that case, it was just a poor routing choice. Corsa and borla had none of these issues and many of the guys went that route. ARH seem to install with less drama and that's what I recommend when asked.

The mounts can move with time sitting. Aftermarket mounts are nice and make the car feel more connected. One sponsor here makes a nice lowered mount for blower cars. I need to look at pics again, don't know if that would be an advantage to you.

Good luck.