Installing Headers soon - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jester06 · 08-22-2015, 08:43 AM

Hey guys I will be installing LT headers soon and I would like to pick your brains and see if anyone can give some tips to make the installation process as smooth as possible. And yes I have read just about every thread here on Header installs, thanks!

1LE Timmy · 08-22-2015, 08:53 AM

Honestly it's pretty straightforward and not very difficult. Easiest to have a buddy underneath hand them up to you so you can get a bolt or two started. If no buddy, lift them up into the general area and tie them up to something with a bungee cord or string or something. Then go up top and start the bolts. Old manifolds can come off with the cats attached.

Jester06 · 08-22-2015, 08:55 AM

What about getting the O2 sensors off? That shouldn't be too hard, no?

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1LE Timmy · 08-22-2015, 09:00 AM

No they shouldn't be too hard. If you don't have an O2 sensor socket (cheap at an auto parts store or harbor freight) a 7/8 wrench will do. Go slow on them, take your time so as not to damage the threads but they should come out fine. Clean the threads off and add some anti-seize to them (a small amount) and install them.

Jester06 · 08-22-2015, 09:01 AM

Ok awesome! What about lift? What's a generally good height to have the front end lifted?

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1LE Timmy · 08-22-2015, 09:04 AM

maybe a foot off the ground. There should be plenty of room. Use jack stands!!!!

Jester06 · 08-22-2015, 09:05 AM

Cool! I was going to use stands or a ramp we have so I think I should be good

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1LE Timmy · 08-22-2015, 09:12 AM

Have fun!

FASTDIESEL · 08-22-2015, 09:38 AM

Spray every bolt with penetrating oil a couple of times before the disassembly. Spray them again just before you take it apart.

Secure on ramps/jack stands. The drivers side pipe wont come off with the cats attached, unless it a good 18" off the ground. If you can't get it up that high, take the pipes off the manifold, and remove in two pieces.

O2 sensor socket.

New, GM gaskets (optional, many reuse old ones).

Remove plugs. If the header slips, they're easy to crack. I put new plugs in, only because the had 100K miles on them. They looked so good, I should have left them in.

Dipstick tube can be a bit of a pain. Look closely at the routing BEFORE disassembly. Take a picture. Mine went right back in.

You will need some 12" O2 wire extensions. Zip tie away from exhaust, so they don't melt.

It's just nuts and bolts. Take your time. Mine was the easiest set of headers I've ever installed, and I've been doing this for 45 years! And they were el-chepo ones. Perfect fit and finish.

Jester06 · 08-22-2015, 09:40 AM

Great! Thanks for all the tips so far!!!!

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greenh2 · 08-22-2015, 06:41 PM

Had the front 16inches off the ground. I used basic wrench and socket sets. Passenger side I put the in from the top. Driver side I Installed from below. I would do both from below though. It was a pain to pull enough of the stock exhaust back so I could get the clamps on to the hi Flo cats. I used the jack to raise the exhaust and push it back. I also jacked up the exhaust until I tightened everything. BTW. The bungee cords was a great idea! I Installed myself.

I'll say this. I looked at every cheap header kits out there. I decided on kooks because ease of install. I didn't have to go buy better gaskets and I didn't have to go buy grade 8 locking header bolts and the kit came with O2 extenders. And the fit was perfect.

bionick · 08-22-2015, 11:34 PM

I took the old stuff off then torched the bungs to heat them up and then loosened the sensors. They are easier to take off when the bungs are hot. Especially if you've got quite a bit of miles on them. Also try spraying some PB blaster on them and let them sit a little

000montoya · 08-22-2015, 11:51 PM

Just did mine yesterday . when putting in the lt headers on the left side you have to remove the steering linkage ( I think it's called that ) it's an 11mm bolt . If you turn the wheels a little to the left you have a staight shot at it just use a long extension . Make sure the 02 extensions aren't touching the headers . Use zipties

JCunningham · 08-23-2015, 01:38 AM

I bought 2 studs with nuts from the hardware store to mount the gasket and headers. put in the bolts and replaced the studs.

08-22-2015, 08:43 AM	#1
Jester06 Drives: 2013 White L99 SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Great Falls, VA Posts: 225	Installing Headers soon Hey guys I will be installing LT headers soon and I would like to pick your brains and see if anyone can give some tips to make the installation process as smooth as possible. And yes I have read just about every thread here on Header installs, thanks! __________________ Current HP/Torque: 413HP/413 Torque Current mods: Pfadt Tri-y Headers with Hi-Flow Cats, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle body, CAI intake by Cold Air Inductions, Apex Air Scoop/Washer relocation set, RX Catch Can, Stainless Works 3" retro Chambered cat back exhaust, Flex Fuel sensor, 3.91 gear ratio, BMR rear trailing arms, BMR Rear Toe rods Future Mods: GPI's SS3 VVT cam, 3600 stall triple disc torque converter, Fast LSX 102mm throttle body

08-22-2015, 08:55 AM	#3
Jester06 Drives: 2013 White L99 SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Great Falls, VA Posts: 225	What about getting the O2 sensors off? That shouldn't be too hard, no? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Current HP/Torque: 413HP/413 Torque Current mods: Pfadt Tri-y Headers with Hi-Flow Cats, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle body, CAI intake by Cold Air Inductions, Apex Air Scoop/Washer relocation set, RX Catch Can, Stainless Works 3" retro Chambered cat back exhaust, Flex Fuel sensor, 3.91 gear ratio, BMR rear trailing arms, BMR Rear Toe rods Future Mods: GPI's SS3 VVT cam, 3600 stall triple disc torque converter, Fast LSX 102mm throttle body

08-22-2015, 09:01 AM	#5
Jester06 Drives: 2013 White L99 SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Great Falls, VA Posts: 225	Ok awesome! What about lift? What's a generally good height to have the front end lifted? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Current HP/Torque: 413HP/413 Torque Current mods: Pfadt Tri-y Headers with Hi-Flow Cats, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle body, CAI intake by Cold Air Inductions, Apex Air Scoop/Washer relocation set, RX Catch Can, Stainless Works 3" retro Chambered cat back exhaust, Flex Fuel sensor, 3.91 gear ratio, BMR rear trailing arms, BMR Rear Toe rods Future Mods: GPI's SS3 VVT cam, 3600 stall triple disc torque converter, Fast LSX 102mm throttle body

08-22-2015, 09:05 AM	#7
Jester06 Drives: 2013 White L99 SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Great Falls, VA Posts: 225	Cool! I was going to use stands or a ramp we have so I think I should be good Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Current HP/Torque: 413HP/413 Torque Current mods: Pfadt Tri-y Headers with Hi-Flow Cats, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle body, CAI intake by Cold Air Inductions, Apex Air Scoop/Washer relocation set, RX Catch Can, Stainless Works 3" retro Chambered cat back exhaust, Flex Fuel sensor, 3.91 gear ratio, BMR rear trailing arms, BMR Rear Toe rods Future Mods: GPI's SS3 VVT cam, 3600 stall triple disc torque converter, Fast LSX 102mm throttle body

08-22-2015, 09:38 AM	#9
FASTDIESEL Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 SLP Cosmetics Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 382 View My Garage	Spray every bolt with penetrating oil a couple of times before the disassembly. Spray them again just before you take it apart. Secure on ramps/jack stands. The drivers side pipe wont come off with the cats attached, unless it a good 18" off the ground. If you can't get it up that high, take the pipes off the manifold, and remove in two pieces. O2 sensor socket. New, GM gaskets (optional, many reuse old ones). Remove plugs. If the header slips, they're easy to crack. I put new plugs in, only because the had 100K miles on them. They looked so good, I should have left them in. Dipstick tube can be a bit of a pain. Look closely at the routing BEFORE disassembly. Take a picture. Mine went right back in. You will need some 12" O2 wire extensions. Zip tie away from exhaust, so they don't melt. It's just nuts and bolts. Take your time. Mine was the easiest set of headers I've ever installed, and I've been doing this for 45 years! And they were el-chepo ones. Perfect fit and finish. __________________ 13.244 @ 104.91 100% stock (#17). Now - Mike Norris catch can. 245/50/19 Firestone Wingfoot A/S on LT2 black powder coated rims (square). 1 7/8" Speed-Engineering LTH, off road pipes, tune. Now 12.93 @ 109.13. Last edited by FASTDIESEL; 08-22-2015 at 08:10 PM.

08-22-2015, 08:53 AM	#2
1LE Timmy Drives: 2014 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Copperas Cove, TX Posts: 58	Honestly it's pretty straightforward and not very difficult. Easiest to have a buddy underneath hand them up to you so you can get a bolt or two started. If no buddy, lift them up into the general area and tie them up to something with a bungee cord or string or something. Then go up top and start the bolts. Old manifolds can come off with the cats attached.

08-22-2015, 09:00 AM	#4
1LE Timmy Drives: 2014 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Copperas Cove, TX Posts: 58	No they shouldn't be too hard. If you don't have an O2 sensor socket (cheap at an auto parts store or harbor freight) a 7/8 wrench will do. Go slow on them, take your time so as not to damage the threads but they should come out fine. Clean the threads off and add some anti-seize to them (a small amount) and install them.

08-22-2015, 09:04 AM	#6
1LE Timmy Drives: 2014 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Copperas Cove, TX Posts: 58	maybe a foot off the ground. There should be plenty of room. Use jack stands!!!!

08-22-2015, 09:12 AM	#8
1LE Timmy Drives: 2014 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Copperas Cove, TX Posts: 58	Have fun!

08-22-2015, 09:40 AM	#10
Jester06 Drives: 2013 White L99 SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Great Falls, VA Posts: 225	Great! Thanks for all the tips so far!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Current HP/Torque: 413HP/413 Torque Current mods: Pfadt Tri-y Headers with Hi-Flow Cats, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle body, CAI intake by Cold Air Inductions, Apex Air Scoop/Washer relocation set, RX Catch Can, Stainless Works 3" retro Chambered cat back exhaust, Flex Fuel sensor, 3.91 gear ratio, BMR rear trailing arms, BMR Rear Toe rods Future Mods: GPI's SS3 VVT cam, 3600 stall triple disc torque converter, Fast LSX 102mm throttle body

08-22-2015, 06:41 PM	#11
greenh2 Drives: Silver 2013 2SS L99 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Walkerton, IN Posts: 22 View My Garage	Had the front 16inches off the ground. I used basic wrench and socket sets. Passenger side I put the in from the top. Driver side I Installed from below. I would do both from below though. It was a pain to pull enough of the stock exhaust back so I could get the clamps on to the hi Flo cats. I used the jack to raise the exhaust and push it back. I also jacked up the exhaust until I tightened everything. BTW. The bungee cords was a great idea! I Installed myself. I'll say this. I looked at every cheap header kits out there. I decided on kooks because ease of install. I didn't have to go buy better gaskets and I didn't have to go buy grade 8 locking header bolts and the kit came with O2 extenders. And the fit was perfect. __________________ K&N Series 63 cold air intake, Apex Scoop, Kooks 1 7/8 w/ Cats. Vmax PTB. hoosier street cars dyno tune. 380/392 12.53 @ 111.84 MPH R/T .076

08-22-2015, 11:34 PM	#12
bionick Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 931 View My Garage	I took the old stuff off then torched the bungs to heat them up and then loosened the sensors. They are easier to take off when the bungs are hot. Especially if you've got quite a bit of miles on them. Also try spraying some PB blaster on them and let them sit a little __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 416 LS3 \| FED stage 2 heads

08-22-2015, 11:51 PM	#13
000montoya Drives: 2014 RedRock 1LE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 245	Just did mine yesterday . when putting in the lt headers on the left side you have to remove the steering linkage ( I think it's called that ) it's an 11mm bolt . If you turn the wheels a little to the left you have a staight shot at it just use a long extension . Make sure the 02 extensions aren't touching the headers . Use zipties __________________ 498RWHP 439RWTQ Instagram: jm_103

08-23-2015, 01:38 AM	#14
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	I bought 2 studs with nuts from the hardware store to mount the gasket and headers. put in the bolts and replaced the studs. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1