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OVRKLL · 11-27-2019, 10:00 PM

Well today proved to be a day of testing to say the least!

First off, AWE cat back exhaust is made for the OEM exhaust manifold, and the Kook headers are made for the OEM exhaust system and the two shall not meet...unless you do some cutting here and there.

Or I could do one and not the other, but that's not going to happen!

So I decided to install the headers first and work my way to the tips, so I can get a better idea of what/where I need to cut.
I'm pretty sure I'll have to cut the link pipes for the secondary cat delete from AWE.

The problem is the Kooks does not have a 2 bolt flange and the link pipes do...just like OEM.

I tried for a good 30min or so to get the passenger side in without removing the starter...it did not happen.

I removed the starter and I still had problems..the flange on the header kept hitting the firewall area where my brake lines come down and under.
After a good fight...almost gave up, but could not do that, I finally got it in.

Now I'm trying to reinstall the starter, the bad thing is I started to bolt up the header before realizing I need to do the starter first.
Not to mention trying to get the gasket to line up and bolt it up was a pain, I had to remove it all..yay!

I'll need to remember the dipstick too...I bet that will be fun too!

Oh, I also managed to donate 2 bolts to the abyss under the car somewhere! Even my flashlight battery cover fell down there, but I found it on the frame, but no bolts!

The steering connector was a breeze compared to the rest of the head aches. And I should have just turned the wheel, but there's space for an extension. Driver side header goes in like hand and glove.
I did notice the engine mount on the passenger side is larger and a bit more forward than the driver side, hence I kept hitting it.

So tomorrow the challenge is to get the starter back in, I got it in position, but the bolt holes were not lining up...not sure why, I hope one of my bolts didn't fall in there!

Getting it in was a pain, but I knew it would be.

Hopefully I get to the point where I can cut the pipes and start fitting the exhaust together, I just hope there's no exhaust leaks, if so it will be welding time, but I'll need to practice since I haven't done a weld in years.
Come to think about it, I'll need to get a helmet to weld...sheesh, this better be worth it.

I don't think I'll do something like this again by myself...I need at least a third hand to hold the flashlight!
However, I had to see if I could do it, a friend of mine has a lift, but then it would have been easier with the lift and a friend...wheres the challenge in that!
,

Oh, I called both AWE and Kook to speak to their tech service peeps, Kooks was very helpful and answered my questions.

AWE...crickets! Left a message, and nothing...AWE was AWOL, then again maybe they had the day off, but their recording didn't say that!

Thank you for all your suggestions and advice!

And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

11-27-2019, 10:00 PM	#5
OVRKLL Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE...makes me go YeeeHaw! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 577	Well today proved to be a day of testing to say the least! First off, AWE cat back exhaust is made for the OEM exhaust manifold, and the Kook headers are made for the OEM exhaust system and the two shall not meet...unless you do some cutting here and there. Or I could do one and not the other, but that's not going to happen! So I decided to install the headers first and work my way to the tips, so I can get a better idea of what/where I need to cut. I'm pretty sure I'll have to cut the link pipes for the secondary cat delete from AWE. The problem is the Kooks does not have a 2 bolt flange and the link pipes do...just like OEM. I tried for a good 30min or so to get the passenger side in without removing the starter...it did not happen. I removed the starter and I still had problems..the flange on the header kept hitting the firewall area where my brake lines come down and under. After a good fight...almost gave up, but could not do that, I finally got it in. Now I'm trying to reinstall the starter, the bad thing is I started to bolt up the header before realizing I need to do the starter first. Not to mention trying to get the gasket to line up and bolt it up was a pain, I had to remove it all..yay! I'll need to remember the dipstick too...I bet that will be fun too! Oh, I also managed to donate 2 bolts to the abyss under the car somewhere! Even my flashlight battery cover fell down there, but I found it on the frame, but no bolts! The steering connector was a breeze compared to the rest of the head aches. And I should have just turned the wheel, but there's space for an extension. Driver side header goes in like hand and glove. I did notice the engine mount on the passenger side is larger and a bit more forward than the driver side, hence I kept hitting it. So tomorrow the challenge is to get the starter back in, I got it in position, but the bolt holes were not lining up...not sure why, I hope one of my bolts didn't fall in there! Getting it in was a pain, but I knew it would be. Hopefully I get to the point where I can cut the pipes and start fitting the exhaust together, I just hope there's no exhaust leaks, if so it will be welding time, but I'll need to practice since I haven't done a weld in years. Come to think about it, I'll need to get a helmet to weld...sheesh, this better be worth it. I don't think I'll do something like this again by myself...I need at least a third hand to hold the flashlight! However, I had to see if I could do it, a friend of mine has a lift, but then it would have been easier with the lift and a friend...wheres the challenge in that! , Oh, I called both AWE and Kook to speak to their tech service peeps, Kooks was very helpful and answered my questions. AWE...crickets! Left a message, and nothing...AWE was AWOL, then again maybe they had the day off, but their recording didn't say that! Thank you for all your suggestions and advice! And HAPPY THANKSGIVING! __________________ The Thrill isn't around the corner, the Thrill is the corner! So don't hesitate, just brake late!