Header Fitment Issue, Help? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Coreymottes · 04-28-2019, 09:48 PM

I just installed speed engineering 1 7/8 headers. I understand these are cheap headers and knew that when I bought them. They were very close to the passenger side frame rail but when installing we didn’t think about them expanding and moving with the motor(yes I know we should’ve thought of it). On the first drive I felt the dreaded vibration in my feet and gas pedal of the header vibrating the car. Can I use heat to soften the header and a pry bar to dimple the it while they are still installed or do I have to go through the whole process of removing the one side again to dimple them off the car?

pnwdan · 04-28-2019, 09:53 PM

I had the same issue. You'll have to remove them. No heat required though. Just use a sharpie when they are installed to mark the area, remove that side and lay something round like a pipe in the direction you need and give it a tap with a hammer. You only need about 3/16" of an inch.

I had this discussion with Speed Engineering. They argued that my engine mounts are bad. My car had 36k on it at the time. I gave up on them playing the blame game and just did as I stated. Even in the end I'd probably buy them again. They are holding up well and are good for the price. You get what you pay for and with them it just happens to be headers without customer service Haha.

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Avenging Orange · 04-29-2019, 07:39 AM

It's a tight fit. Even the big name brands have to be altered at times.

Coreymottes · 04-29-2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

It's a tight fit. Even the big name brands have to be altered at times.

Yeah I know, I was just wondering if I could still dimple the header while it’s on the car by heating them rather than going through the process of uninstalling to reinstall them

Benman · 04-29-2019, 08:16 AM

I would not attempt to heat the offending pipe, the possibility of putting a hole in it will be to great. Additionally bending and prying the headers while installed will put a lot of stress on the aluminum heads they are bolted to. Can you unbolt and simply lower the header enough to gain access to the area needing adjustment? I did make adjustments years ago on a different car (non Camaro) using a socket and a stainless band clamp, I put as much pressure as the clamp would apply then gave it a whack with a shop hammer, I did not remove the header completely, just unbolted and lowered as much as possible.

GONIF · 04-29-2019, 11:54 AM

They should advertise them as HAMMER TO FIT HEADERS. That is un acceptable IMHO. Poor QC is the problem.

2010reddevil · 04-29-2019, 12:46 PM

Yeah I don't know what the hell their problem is? My 1st set fit like a well worn pair of shoes, perfectly. My current ones had the exact same issues OP had. They also blamed it on engine mounts. Told them that they probably cut the primary tubes too long when they welded them to the flange. And then the guy said there's no more than 1/8" variance because of their jigs...... LOL. I told him I'd take that 1/8th no prob! I just pulled it off and used a socket and hammer to give about 1/4 clearance. No vibes or rubbing.

pyroguy · 04-29-2019, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GONIF

They should advertise them as HAMMER TO FIT HEADERS. That is un acceptable IMHO. Poor QC is the problem.

And people wonder why I spent more for some Kooks headers. I may have "overspent" according to some, but I didn't want to have dented headers on my car from now until the end of time. (I'm NEVER selling this car unless some major life catastrophe comes along.)

OP, good luck with denting the header. You're getting some good advice from others who have also "massaged" their headers to fit. Thankfully Engine Masters did an episode on whether or not dimpling a header hurts the power and in their study it did not. Good luck and have fun pulling and replacing the header.

pnwdan · 04-29-2019, 04:39 PM

Dented mine and you cannot see it because its next to the rail.

Also removing the single header is super easy and not a big deal

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IKILLEDSUPERMAN_ZL1 · 04-29-2019, 07:14 PM

I'd beat the crap out of them to save 600 bux and still not affect flow. I'll prob pre dimple them before final install when I do mine.

Coreymottes · 04-29-2019, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IKILLEDSUPERMAN_ZL1

I'd beat the crap out of them to save 600 bux and still not affect flow. I'll prob pre dimple them before final install when I do mine.

Saturday I will be dimpling the passenger header to give it clearance thanks for everyone’s replies. Yeah I would recommend pre-dimpling them if they look close at all to save you from having to go back like I do

2010reddevil · 04-30-2019, 04:10 AM

Werd........ 1" or bigger socket, block of wood and a good hammer. Problem solved.

arussh · 05-01-2019, 01:55 AM

i went with texas speed engineering 1 7/8 and they fit perfectly. No clearance issues at all.

STALKER · 05-01-2019, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

And people wonder why I spent more for some Kooks headers. I may have "overspent" according to some, but I didn't want to have dented headers on my car from now until the end of time.

This

04-28-2019, 09:48 PM	#1
Coreymottes Drives: 2010 ABM 2SS Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 43	Header Fitment Issue, Help? I just installed speed engineering 1 7/8 headers. I understand these are cheap headers and knew that when I bought them. They were very close to the passenger side frame rail but when installing we didn’t think about them expanding and moving with the motor(yes I know we should’ve thought of it). On the first drive I felt the dreaded vibration in my feet and gas pedal of the header vibrating the car. Can I use heat to soften the header and a pry bar to dimple the it while they are still installed or do I have to go through the whole process of removing the one side again to dimple them off the car?

04-28-2019, 09:53 PM	#2
pnwdan Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Washington Posts: 848	I had the same issue. You'll have to remove them. No heat required though. Just use a sharpie when they are installed to mark the area, remove that side and lay something round like a pipe in the direction you need and give it a tap with a hammer. You only need about 3/16" of an inch. I had this discussion with Speed Engineering. They argued that my engine mounts are bad. My car had 36k on it at the time. I gave up on them playing the blame game and just did as I stated. Even in the end I'd probably buy them again. They are holding up well and are good for the price. You get what you pay for and with them it just happens to be headers without customer service Haha. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk __________________ 2014 2SS/RS LS3/M6

04-29-2019, 07:39 AM	#3
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	It's a tight fit. Even the big name brands have to be altered at times. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

04-29-2019, 11:54 AM	#6
GONIF Drives: 73 VETTE ,, 05 2500hd diesel,14 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Left lane PHOENIX AZ Posts: 2,626	They should advertise them as HAMMER TO FIT HEADERS. That is un acceptable IMHO. Poor QC is the problem. __________________ OLD GUY FLYING FAST AND LOW

04-29-2019, 12:46 PM	#7
2010reddevil Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Victory Red 6M Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Gulf Coast, TX Posts: 1,424	Yeah I don't know what the hell their problem is? My 1st set fit like a well worn pair of shoes, perfectly. My current ones had the exact same issues OP had. They also blamed it on engine mounts. Told them that they probably cut the primary tubes too long when they welded them to the flange. And then the guy said there's no more than 1/8" variance because of their jigs...... LOL. I told him I'd take that 1/8th no prob! I just pulled it off and used a socket and hammer to give about 1/4 clearance. No vibes or rubbing. __________________ 2011 2SS 6A Red Jewel Metallic, Vararam Tune CAI, Magnaflow 3" Competition c/b, Speed Engineering 1-7/8 LT's, Circle D 5C, M/T 275/40R20 S/S, HPTuners tune by Ryan@GPI 12.3 @ 112 ACM as of 12/22/19 Gone on 12/28/19 R I P 2010 2SS 6M Victory Red/Black (old ride) CAI intake, Speed Engineering 1 7/8" LT's, X4 base tune, Flowmaster Outlaw axle-back. 12.6 @ 115 SAR as of 9/19/15 Gone but never forgotten.

04-29-2019, 08:16 AM	#5
Benman Drives: 13 IOM 2ss RS manual Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Euless,TX Posts: 213	I would not attempt to heat the offending pipe, the possibility of putting a hole in it will be to great. Additionally bending and prying the headers while installed will put a lot of stress on the aluminum heads they are bolted to. Can you unbolt and simply lower the header enough to gain access to the area needing adjustment? I did make adjustments years ago on a different car (non Camaro) using a socket and a stainless band clamp, I put as much pressure as the clamp would apply then gave it a whack with a shop hammer, I did not remove the header completely, just unbolted and lowered as much as possible.

04-29-2019, 04:39 PM	#9
pnwdan Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Washington Posts: 848	Dented mine and you cannot see it because its next to the rail. Also removing the single header is super easy and not a big deal Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk __________________ 2014 2SS/RS LS3/M6

04-29-2019, 07:14 PM	#10
IKILLEDSUPERMAN_ZL1 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Wichita,KS Posts: 603	I'd beat the crap out of them to save 600 bux and still not affect flow. I'll prob pre dimple them before final install when I do mine. __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS, 6.0 iron block forged bottom end, Dart heads, BTR intake, Huron twin turbo kit, Summit stage 3 twin turbo cam, Circle D stage 4 6L90, 3800 FTI converter. BMR suspension, Viking coil overs, Fore triple pump fuel system.

04-30-2019, 04:10 AM	#12
2010reddevil Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Victory Red 6M Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Gulf Coast, TX Posts: 1,424	Werd........ 1" or bigger socket, block of wood and a good hammer. Problem solved. __________________ 2011 2SS 6A Red Jewel Metallic, Vararam Tune CAI, Magnaflow 3" Competition c/b, Speed Engineering 1-7/8 LT's, Circle D 5C, M/T 275/40R20 S/S, HPTuners tune by Ryan@GPI 12.3 @ 112 ACM as of 12/22/19 Gone on 12/28/19 R I P 2010 2SS 6M Victory Red/Black (old ride) CAI intake, Speed Engineering 1 7/8" LT's, X4 base tune, Flowmaster Outlaw axle-back. 12.6 @ 115 SAR as of 9/19/15 Gone but never forgotten.

05-01-2019, 01:55 AM	#13
arussh Drives: 2011 2ss/rs, 1990 iroc-z Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa Ontario Posts: 197	i went with texas speed engineering 1 7/8 and they fit perfectly. No clearance issues at all. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS 6.4 sleeved ls7, ported CTSV supercharger; zl1 hat,fuel pump with Kenny Bell boosta pump,102 throttle body,6l90e g-force driveshaft,zl1 rearend and axels, ID 850s, dual pass heat exchanger; Auto Tech electric water pump;160 degree themostat; ls7 pushrods,rockers; Metco polished pulley kit, 2.4ud; ls3 assessory bracket kit;2 Hayes trans coolers; CAI intake; Texas Speed 1 7/8 headers; 3" Magnaflow exhaust; Alkycontrol meth kit; p;Elite catch can; BMR 1" lowering springs, ZL1 10" front 11" rear rims, trans and engine tune by wally a.