Long Tube Header Install Issue....

[Gremlin85]

Hey everyone... I ran into an issue as I finished installing my long tubes and catless x-pipe.....

I installed the headers (what a fucking job that was) and catless mid-pipes. I finished everything up and got everything tightened and checked for leaks. I noticed that I forgot to put back on the brace that was said to be removed in the instructions so I grabbed it and noticed a HUGE problem.....

I can't get it on because the headers are in the way!!! As a practice of habit, I thread nuts back onto studs and bolts back into holes where they go so I don't lose them and now I can't even get those off!

My big question is; since I can't put the brace back on without either really loosening or even removing the headers, how will this effect the car without it installed??? I've driven about 30 miles so far with no obvious issues, but I'm worried I might be hurting something without it. I mean, it's there for a reason, right?

Here's what i'm talking about for those needing a visual (pic from American Muscle).... this brace:

So now what???

 

[fdjizm]

The cars didn't have those braces till 07 I think so you're probably not in bad shape.

 

[Captainstr8edge]

yep, don't even worry about it.

 

[Eel Mit]

You can press out the studs and use nuts and bolts to make the install easier.

 

[Gremlin85]

I kinda figured I'd be Ok, but I'm a bit paranoid and anal about things with my car.

You can press out the studs and use nuts and bolts to make the install easier.

Not a bad idea. I could try that... I was also thinking of just cutting them out and installing new nuts and bolts as well.

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

Show us a pic of how you can't get the brace on. I have SW Headers and they run close to the bar, but I'm trying to imagine not being able to get that bar back on with ANY LT install.


Here's mine.



Is this what you're talking about?

 

[BadHabit2Break]

Which headers are you running?

 

[Gremlin85]

Show us a pic of how you can't get the brace on. I have SW Headers and they run close to the bar, but I'm trying to imagine not being able to get that bar back on with ANY LT install.


Here's mine.



Is this what you're talking about?

Which headers are you running?

I'm runnig Stainless Power (Stainless Works).


Here's what I mean on how close the headers are to the bracket mounting studs. I had put the headers on, finished every part of the install and then remembered the bracket... can't get the nuts off the studs because the headers are too close....


I just went outside and took a pic with my phone as best I could....

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

Exactly how mine were. I just lifted up on the tail(collector portion) of the headers enough to get the nuts on/off.

It's VERY close but they will come off. The headers flex a little.

This is EXACTLY what I describe when people want to go with the SW/SP headers and have lowered motor mounts. It would be a clearance issue. Other than that, the install was the usual PAIN IN THE FREAKIN NECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! literally. LOL

Even if you have to lift up on the motor a tad by R&R'ing the (2) motor mount nuts would be worth putting that bar back on IMO.

#8 could blow and/or you could be 3V slow without it ! lol

 

[BadHabit2Break]

Holy Shit that is close!

 

[fdjizm]

Probably can lift the engine a bit to tilt it back.
Yea I would have put back in pretty early in the install lol.

 

[Captainstr8edge]

screw em down, use a grinder to take the top off the bolts and your good to go.

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

screw em down, use a grinder to take the top off the bolts and your good to go.

or this. LOL


you can use my pic on how much to remove.

 

[Gremlin85]

Exactly how mine were. I just lifted up on the tail(collector portion) of the headers enough to get the nuts on/off.

It's VERY close but they will come off. The headers flex a little.

This is EXACTLY what I describe when people want to go with the SW/SP headers and have lowered motor mounts. It would be a clearance issue. Other than that, the install was the usual PAIN IN THE FREAKIN NECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! literally. LOL

Even if you have to lift up on the motor a tad by R&R'ing the (2) motor mount nuts would be worth putting that bar back on IMO.

#8 could blow and/or you could be 3V slow without it ! lol

I'll try and lift up on the collectors when I get home tonight... Although, I recall struggling with it all when I was trying to figure out how to get the frigging thing back on haha.

Holy Shit that is close!

Too close for comfort.

Probably can lift the engine a bit to tilt it back.
Yea I would have put back in pretty early in the install lol.

Will do/try.

I totally forgot about the brace until I was cleaning up the old parts and getting ready to let car down to test drive it.

 

[Gremlin85]

screw em down, use a grinder to take the top off the bolts and your good to go.

or this. LOL


you can use my pic on how much to remove.

2.5 threads LOL

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

So the job was easy and only took 2 hours including picking up children, grocery shopping, cooking lunch, tanning, painting the house, cutting the 10 acre lot with a push mower, delivering the mail on foot for the sick mailman, like the internet commandos say?????

Jus wondering. LOL

 

[Gremlin85]

So the job was easy and only took 2 hours including picking up children, grocery shopping, cooking lunch, tanning, painting the house, cutting the 10 acre lot with a push mower, delivering the mail on foot for the sick mailman, like the internet commandos say?????

Jus wondering. LOL

All I can say is, I will never do another header install on one of these. Ever.

 

[Scott_0]

your best/easiest option is to simply jack the motor up a little, install the bar and youll be golden

 

[Captainstr8edge]

haha, nice

 

[Gremlin85]

I'll try all these suggestions tonight when I get home.

Another annoyance which I kinda expected was that after i adjusted everything to fit, my tips from the axel back exhaust stick out about 2-3 inches more. Looks like I'll be shortening the exhaust soon as well. There was absolutley no more adjustment with the mid-pipes to get the tips back in where they were.