How to install headers: The easy method

**dsmuts** · 04-17-2012

If you do it wrong you could get false kr. Like if the trans dipstick is hitting or if the crossover is hitting the trans.

**asite57** · 04-17-2012

^^^^ what do you mean? and bill i heard it hit things?

**dsmuts** · 04-17-2012

If the crossover pipe is hitting the trans case it'll cause false kr or if the trans dipstick is hitting the rear header.

**asite57** · 04-17-2012

how do i fix the crossover hitting the trans case

**dsmuts** · 04-17-2012

It only does it with some brands like pacesetters. You have to grind down the trans case to make it fit ok.

**asite57** · 04-17-2012

i would get the SSAC ones, what about those? and what about the sway bar hitting?

**brandonl2000** · 04-17-2012

I haven't seen many cases of headers that do hit the sway bar. But if it does happen, fix it! You can either flip the sway or use some sort of wrap on them.

But I think you should respect Bill's wishes and not crap up the how to thread. Just sayin

**GTPSHAWTY** · 04-17-2012

aka.. GET THE HELL OUTTA THIS TREAD... GO TO THE HEADER THREAD... OR EXHAUST THREAD....lol... yea i was just that guy

**asite57** · 04-17-2012

ok ok im done this is a great how to and ill start a new thread just kinda got carried away

**BillBoost37** · 04-18-2012

Brando..I'm not worried...they can post all they want in here. I have the power of delete. =0)

The convo would benefit more in the exhaust section because people see a How to thread and figure someone is asking a how the **** question or adding to a better way of installing etc.

**TLSheff** · 09-11-2012

So Mr Bill. Quick (sorta) question

Soon to try for a simple install of the SDs and solid Motor/Tranny Mount swap. Would like to do it all at the same time.

Do you think there will be enough room to swap both mounts while the cradle is lowered or will I need to support and raise the engine at the same time?

Working at the dealership I could borrow a engine support (not a cherry picker, but the metal bar thing that sits on the frame of the fenders and will support the whole motor/tranny) to help support the motor and I think it raises it up a few inches if need be, but if its not needed I won't bother asking to borrow it. Just trying to get all my ducks in a row before I dive into this and get stuck halfway thru and panic lol.

**matt5112** · 09-11-2012

Might as well "service" the oil pan. Cradle doesnt need to be touched for headers. Remove trans dip stick and it slides right in.

**TLSheff** · 09-11-2012

Fixed the oil leak problem when I had the 2nd engine put in. so that is not needed.

I do however need to swap the mounts and it would normally require lifting the motor a little to allow for them to fit in. But I figure if its easier to lower the cradle a little it might serve well to swap the mounts at that moment and have it all done at once.

**matt5112** · 09-11-2012

That makes perfect sense.

**TLSheff** · 03-06-2013

It's both... technically.

After the rear header, it collect to a 3" pipe, hits the turn still 3", connects to a "race pipe" (where CAT goes), then to a 3"/2.5" adapter that bolts to the rest of the exhaust system. If you run a full 3" you start at the race pipe or converter and go out from there. You just have to weld in a bung for the rear 02 as it sits in that rear adapter.

**Sternzy** · 03-19-2013

Thanks for the write up bill, I used this to install Speed Daddy headers, high flow cat, and 31" thrush on my brother in laws 99 GPGT.

I just wanted to leave a little note here regaurding the upstream o2 sensor for the people who plan to bash their firewall in. There is a hole directly towards the front of the car from where the o2 would hit. It is up over the cradle and between the oil pan and power steering rack. I slipped a 4' crow bar right into that hole and smashed that firewall like a gentlemen. The cradle even holds the bar for you should you need to adjust position.

**BillBoost37** · 03-21-2013

Nice.. I use an air hammer and some er uh..skill to not punch holes in the body.

Ok, maybe it's luck.

**Sternzy** · 03-21-2013

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Nice.. I use an air hammer and some er uh..skill to not punch holes in the body.

Ok, maybe it's luck.

I may or may not have tried that method first and uh....did just that.

That RTV comes in handy for the darnedest things sometimes.

**smyoung52** · 06-13-2013

In the process of doing this with a set of those ebay ssac headers... biggest headache of my life. i am about 5.5 hours of work in and now i must take the radiator and fans off because that cheap Chinese bolt broke off in my cylinder head. so i guess its time to tap that out and finish up this nightmare... better be worth it in the end

**glendayle** · 06-13-2013

Originally Posted by smyoung52

In the process of doing this with a set of those ebay ssac headers... biggest headache of my life. i am about 5.5 hours of work in and now i must take the radiator and fans off because that cheap Chinese bolt broke off in my cylinder head. so i guess its time to tap that out and finish up this nightmare... better be worth it in the end

I broke one of my header bolts and then broke off an extractor tip in the bolt. Ended up having to get some carbide bits from Grainger and drilling it out and retapping. Not really that fun, but it all worked out in the end.