Kooks 1 7/8 install

[Rob72]

Anyone have any advice(besides removing the K member) on how to squeeze these between the chassis and the motor/transmission? I have the motor mount and bracket removed on the left side and the engine is lifted to the point that the body is beginning to lift also.

 

[sixohtofiveoh]

Sometimes removing the studs helps. Are you using a lift? I've did two sets of Pypes, and I couldn't imagine doing it with out due to the angle of header when it goes in.

 

[Rob72]

Studs are removed. Since they are mid length header I am not having any problem with ground/angle clearance. It's the width of the headers and squeezing them through the back part of the K member and the bell housing.

 

[Wharf Rat]

Keep jacking. When the body first starts coming up it is from the weight of the motor being lifted off of the body. You gotta really hike it up to fit the header in there. The passenger side was harder for me than the drivers side.

Here's the notes from my install.

http://www.highperformancestangs.com/forums/showthread.php/13696-Longtubes

 

[onebadgsx]

only lift one side of the engine at a time, leave one side still bolted down so the engine tilts to 1 side. that will allow for alot more room

 

[Scuba-Matt]

I dropped the K member to install my long tubes. It made things a lot easier.

 

[collibr1]

The passenger side was the hardest. I removed the battery, battery tray, starter, header studs and motor mount. Jack the one side up and it will go. Takes a little bit to get it in there but it does goes.

 

[TheRookie65]

Rob any updates? How's the install going?

 

[86GT351]

Drop the K Member. Not worth fighting with the car. Get yourself as much room as possible.

 

[Rob72]

It's not going to happen for me. On top of that I pushed the bottom of the oil pan in a little. Used a jack, 4x4 and a roll of paper towels and it still happened. Now I'm in the process of putting it back to stock so I can take it to someone who can drop the k member. I just hope the oil pick up isn't damaged so I can drive it there. Everything that worked for me on the 2007 didn't work on this car. Sooooo pissed off right now. Thank you everyone for your advice and concern. Rob

 

[86GT351]

Remember the 1 7/8 is bigger with less clearance/ I just did a set of Bassani on an 08 Shelby and they sucked to do. Took the Drivers side out with the K Member still in the car.

Removed the K Member and it was a breeze!

 

[2c5s]

Did my 1 7/8 SW's without dropping the K member. I hate to say it without seeing the header, but past experience with Kook's = difficult installs due to shitty tube designs.

 

[dragpac]

12 hours for me to put pipes on my 09 without removing the k member.I would Not do it again.plus no lift for a added bonus

 

[Rob72]

Kook's = difficult installs due to shitty tube designs.

I think that it is a combination of the 1 7/8 primaries and them being equal lengths that is not giving me enough clearance.

 

[collibr1]

DO not lift from the oil pan! 1. Your lifting the entire engine evenly, not up on just one side and 2 the oil pan will cruch pretty easily. Take about an 6-8 inch piece of 2x4 and place it on the lip by where the oil pan bolts to the engine block and where the starter sits. You will see a perfect spot to place the wood. Once you start jacking up from here it will not only raise the motor up but will tilt it towards the driver side giving you more clearance. It it a PITA but can be done in your garage with out removing your k member.

 

[2c5s]

I think that it is a combination of the 1 7/8 primaries and them being equal lengths that is not giving me enough clearance.

The SW's are no different.

 

[Rob72]

The SW's are no different.

SWs aren't equal length.

 

[collibr1]

SWs aren't equal length.

They will still fit without dropping the k-member.

 

[Rob72]

It takes a lot of awkward bends to make the last two primaries the same length as the first two.

 

[Grabber Blue 5.0]

Just from the pics alone the Kooks look like they'd be a little tougher to install than the American Racing or Stainless Works ones. The Kooks with their mid length equal length design look like a nightmare compared to the other two. I wonder why Kooks uses a mid length as opposed to a full length?