KOOKS install, ARRRGGG!!

DanO · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 06:57 PM

Well.. i was putting in my new Ceramic coated 1-7/8" Kooks headers. I would say they have NOT lived up to the hype!

The passenger side went in easily, no probs (not even that last bolt that others refer to). However, one of the primaries is in contact with my K-member. WTF?!? Im not talking just the welded flange of the K-member, it hits the top rounded portion of the K-member.

The drivers side is another story, HOW DO THEY FIT??? I pulled the oil filter and tried every combination of fitting the headers in there. It hits the K-member and Oil pan, there is almost no way of fitting these in and in the meantime im scratching up the coating!! GRRR

I may have to call on some of the more experienced header installers on this site to assist, but the only thing i can see is to jack up the motor and pull the motor mount.

If anyone can give a hand it would be great, cause im at wits end.

I'll probably have to send back the passenger side because of the interference... boy this is not what i thought it would be and i spend the extra $$ to avoid this hassle in fitment. :smt067

Ta Jay · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 07:19 PM

dam that suks, they are supposed ot be good too. im getn pacesetter

#3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 09:33 PM

Dan, Myself as well as Brad had to cut a little bit (3/8") or so off the casting tab on the d-side of the block....after I did that she slid right in . I didn't even haveta drop the oil filter. Of course I got mine up about 20" from the ground to frame bottom, (front) amd had the back on on the "rhinos" :smt048

trigger · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 11:38 PM

Is the car jacked up uber high? you are probably going to have to get the header where you can stand it straight up and come in from the bottom. I can't remember if you have to remove the steering linkage to free up some room...

IBMgoat · #5 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 12:06 AM

Well the 7/8 headers are a whole different animal.....my 3/4 on my ss slid right in of corse cause of the size difference....

I would definatley send the pass side back if your not happy with it. For the drivers side with the 7/8 you might have to pull the steering linkage apart for those, and maybe even loosen the motor mount aswell. Its gonna be a tight fit anyway you look at it, so you might aswell make it easier on yourself and pull that stuff outa the way ahead of time.

PM me if you need any help...I dont live too far away :smt045

ta12sec · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 01:20 AM

i belive the 1 7/8 kooks guys are pullign the steering shaft there dano

DanO · #7 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 08:14 AM

The stering shaft isn't the hold up....

I have plenty of ground clearance but i still think i'm going to have to jack the engine up some on the drivers side.

trigger · #8 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 08:59 AM

Go for it. We had to jack the motor up when installing E'brock stepped headers on my buddie's 98 ls1. Sometimes you get lucky and the install goes smooth, other times...well..you obviously know how that goes. Don't worry the end result will be worth it. :smt077

WishIHadACamaro · #9 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 11:11 AM

Its all a pain in the ass.

DanO · #10 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 12:12 PM

Well.. just got off the phone with Kooks.

Aparently he has got a few other calls about the passenger side hitting lately. So im going to have to send that one back.

and for the drivers side he says it goes in, just takes some fiddling and i dont need to remove anything else... guess i'll try again.