[NA18CamaroSS]

I finally broke down and bought the American Racing Headers long system. Installed it yesterday. It went smoothly, for the most part. I did not receive instructions with the system-I don't know if the system comes with them-so I was on my own. There was one problem that I encountered, so I thought that I would share my experience, in the interest of helping the community. In the photo of the system, I have circled the problem pieces.
The pipes that attach to the headers look identical, but as I found out, they are not. One pipe is roughly 10 MM shorter than the other. I unknowingly put the short pipe on the right and the longer pipe on the left. This created an interference issue with the transmission cross brace on the right side, and the left side was rubbing against the body. After sleeping on the problem, it occurred to me that the pipes might not be equal length. Today I pulled them out and sure enough, there was a slight difference in length.
Long story short, the longer pipe goes on the right, and the shorter pipe goes on the left. FYI.
PS: The system sounds incredible! Still running the factory NPP muffler to keep peace in the neighborhood.

[NA18CamaroSS]

The system connects perfectly to the stock muffler.

[SS_1LE]

Right as in passenger side? Left as in driver side?

[Dvs510]

Originally Posted by NA18CamaroSS

I finally broke down and bought the American Racing Headers long system. Installed it yesterday. It went smoothly, for the most part. I did not receive instructions with the system-I don't know if the system comes with them-so I was on my own. There was one problem that I encountered, so I thought that I would share my experience, in the interest of helping the community. In the photo of the system, I have circled the problem pieces.
The pipes that attach to the headers look identical, but as I found out, they are not. One pipe is roughly 10 MM shorter than the other. I unknowingly put the short pipe on the right and the longer pipe on the left. This created an interference issue with the transmission cross brace on the right side, and the left side was rubbing against the body. After sleeping on the problem, it occurred to me that the pipes might not be equal length. Today I pulled them out and sure enough, there was a slight difference in length.
Long story short, the longer pipe goes on the right, and the shorter pipe goes on the left. FYI.
PS: The system sounds incredible! Still running the factory NPP muffler to keep peace in the neighborhood.

Thanks for sharing.. good info to know... by chance do u remember where exactly the long system stopped or where u cut the stock pipe?

[NA18CamaroSS]

Originally Posted by Dvs510

Thanks for sharing.. good info to know... by chance do u remember where exactly the long system stopped or where u cut the stock pipe?

Look at my second post in this thread-you can see where the stock muffler connects to the long system. There is ~ 16-18 inches of piping going from the muffler to the ARH long system. I cut the muffler piping at the end of the restriction and then mounted everything up to check fitment. It was necessary to cut about another inch off of the muffler piping to mate it to the ARH system.

Originally Posted by SS_1LE

Right as in passenger side? Left as in driver side?

Yes.

[NA18CamaroSS]

Originally Posted by Dvs510

Thanks for sharing.. good info to know... by chance do u remember where exactly the long system stopped or where u cut the stock pipe?

Look at my second post in this thread-you can see where the stock muffler connects to the long system. There is ~ 16-18 inches of piping going from the muffler to the ARH long system. I cut the muffler piping at the end of the restriction and then mounted everything up to check fitment. It was necessary to cut about another inch off of the muffler piping to mate it to the ARH system. I attached a shot here of just the junction of the stock muffler with the ARH system.

Originally Posted by SS_1LE

Right as in passenger side? Left as in driver side?

Yes.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Man... I REALLY wish I would have seen this before yesterday... Spent hours on my back trying to get this system to align, and now i see i made this mistake. I cant believe this system failed to provide proper instructions, or labels on parts... i have about .25" between the passenger side cap pipe and the trans brace.... does everyone agree that it will rub, or should I try to drive it first? Also, are the clamps going to prevent leaking, or does everyone weld their system?

I will say, that the 6 hours to install the BMR motor mounts allowed the headers to slide in just 1 minute per side

[RobbyBeefcake87]

Originally Posted by SOCAL.M6.ZLE

Man... I REALLY wish I would have seen this before yesterday... Spent hours on my back trying to get this system to align, and now i see i made this mistake. I cant believe this system failed to provide proper instructions, or labels on parts... i have about .25" between the passenger side cap pipe and the trans brace.... does everyone agree that it will rub, or should I try to drive it first? Also, are the clamps going to prevent leaking, or does everyone weld their system?

I will say, that the 6 hours to install the BMR motor mounts allowed the headers to slide in just 1 minute per side

Did the bmr motor mounts lower then engine any?

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by RobbyBeefcake87

Did the bmr motor mounts lower then engine any?

Hmmmm, I cant say that i checked, but my memory says no. I did raise the engine a bit, but i recall the new mounts fit perfect.


I will say that the car runs like shit after everything I installed, and it really needs a tune. I am worried that the mounts are causing alot of KR, but i need to install my wideband o2 and JMS BAP first before we can datalog... stay tuned.

[Spaceme1117]

This and fitment of ARH on my C6 Corvette is why I will never buy ARH again or recommend them to anyone. No instructions and no labeling of the parts to ensure there are no install issues is unforgiveable for what is supposed to be a high-end and very expensive product.

Never had any problems with Kooks (five different cars with Kooks). Always fit, always include instructions, and the parts are labeled.

[Spaceme1117]

This and fitment of ARH on my C6 Corvette is why I will never buy ARH again or recommend them to anyone. No instructions and no labeling of the parts to ensure there are no install issues is unforgiveable for what is supposed to be a high-end and very expensive product.

Never had any problems with Kooks (five different cars with Kooks). Always fit, always include instructions, and the parts are labeled.

[RobbyBeefcake87]

Originally Posted by SOCAL.M6.ZLE

Hmmmm, I cant say that i checked, but my memory says no. I did raise the engine a bit, but i recall the new mounts fit perfect.


I will say that the car runs like shit after everything I installed, and it really needs a tune. I am worried that the mounts are causing alot of KR, but i need to install my wideband o2 and JMS BAP first before we can datalog... stay tuned.

I'm surprised you're running it with those mods and it's not throwing codes or going into limp mode whenever you hit it... assuming you hit hard from time to time, which ideally you aren't lol.

Thanks, good to know the mounts don't really cause an issues with the manuals trans and shifter fitment.