Swapped out the V6 crossmember with the V8. Put new lower control arms and swapped the gear. Went to hook up the steering shaft (coupler) and it won't reach the rack. It hits the headers, but may reach if we damage the headers. Don't want to damage the headers and I don't really want to change the headers unless absolutely necessary. What do I need to do. V8 gear, different shaft?

 

What car, engine and headers. More info. Please.

 

95 Firebird, 5.3L engine, stainless works headers

 

Im guessing the car was a v6 car to start off with. In this case you need the v8 steering rack. the angle of the input shaft at the rack is different on the v6s cars. Usually the issue is the ls engine has the alternator low on the driverside and this would interfere with the steering shaft. It angles it away from the block about 30 degrees as well as being angled back towards the the firewall. the short of it is you need a ls1 rack or one out of a v6 with the y87 rpo code ( performance and handling option included ls1 steering rack)

 

Yup, the ls1 steering rack and shaft should fix the clearance issue. Like mentioned above Make sure you get the one with a y87 or ws6 code v8 style. I forgot the exact verbage. It has a better steering ratio.

 

I got a rack from an 02 V8, but the shaft is discontinued.

 

Search ebay or look at the classified section on this site. There are many options to find the 98-02 steering shaft.

 

Correct. V6 and v8 steering racks and steering shafts are different. LT1 and LS1 steering racks and shafts are different as well. For the swap, you have to run a 98-02 v8 rack and shaft with an LS motor

 

Got the rack and shaft installed for a 98-02. Man is that close though.

 

yeah its still a tight fit haha not so bad with manifolds but long tubes get REAL close