Kooks / Steering Column issue?

[WheelmanSS]

Hey yo,

Has anyone had an issues with their Kooks long tube stepped headers slightly rubbing against the steering column?

I felt some slight grinding in the car after the engine came to temp during certain right turns after driving the car around. I couldn't figure out what the issue was.

Well, during my supercharger install, my dumbass finally noticed that there was some slightly rubbing of the steering column against the Kooks headers.

Anybody with Kooks long tubes have this issue? I dunno what to do on this one. I dont need a lot of space, but would like to ensure it clears.

[Powhusku]

[blake-b]

I don't have Kooks headers but I do have 2" primaries and had rubbing issues. I used option 2 because I wasn't aware of option 1 at the time. I also had a small amount of rubbing on the passenger side as well. Option 2 fixed it also.

Option 1 (may or may not work but doesn't hurt to try it first):
Based on this thread:
http://camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214701
You can loosen the engine mounts and transmission mounts and see if you can push the engine ever so slightly towards the passenger side to see if you can create the clearance. If you can, double check the passenger side afterwards. If you have clearance on both sides, you obviously are good to go!!

Option 2 (will work):

Remove the header and dimple it where it is rubbing. Either that, or contact the vendor/Kooks to see if they will do anything for you.

Dimpling it will NOT hurt performance and you won't be able to see it anyway.

To dimple it, mark the header where it rubs (often it will be scuffed, if not use a sharpie while still installed and make a mark)
Use a large socket on its side and lay it on the marked spot, hit it with a hammer until you are satisfied you have created clearance. You don't need to heat the headers. Do it cold.

Good Luck!!!

[MarylandSpeed]

For any issue with Kooks, I would recommend calling their warranty department at 1-866-586-Kook. I have seen this complaint with pretty much every brand, and I am wondering if there is some kind of variance in engine mounting from the factory. For instance, on the GTO, the engine placement in the car could vary by an inch in any direction. It is frustrating because the headers are made in a fixture, so they are basically always the same..however if the car is different, that creates issues.

[WheelmanSS]

Thanks guys, Engine mount was my first thought, and your insight is helpful in adjusting this.

[Nessal]

There was a brand on here that got so much flack for needing to "dimple" their exhaust in order for them to fit. For the price that you paid for the kooks, they better fit right out of the god damn box.

[geaux_tigerss]

Originally Posted by Nessal

There was a brand on here that got so much flack for needing to "dimple" their exhaust in order for them to fit. For the price that you paid for the kooks, they better fit right out of the god damn box.

Why does this always have to come up? Who really cares how much anyone spends on headers?

Jeez, this brings me back to middle school when you couldn't be cool without a pair of Tommy Hilfiger's; only it's the JCPenny kids that are loud and obnoxious now.

[Swytch]

I do have the Kooks stepped headers installed for more than a year now and have absolutely zero rubbing issues... 2010 LS3 if it helps..

[mike.nite]

I had a similar problem. In my case only the rubber boot touched the headers. I decided to cut it off and haven't had any problem since then:


http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173342

[bannonm]

I've got the same Kooks stepped you do and I had read about the issue with the steering boot before the install. But I've got about 3/8" clearance on my 2011. So I would go with the engine mount option to correct it.

[ss/rs-matt]

Uh oh.

[Nessal]

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

Why does this always have to come up? Who really cares how much anyone spends on headers?

Jeez, this brings me back to middle school when you couldn't be cool without a pair of Tommy Hilfiger's; only it's the JCPenny kids that are loud and obnoxious now.

Because some people were saying that perfect fitment comes with the high price tag blah blah blah and yet we see the same crap as the cheaper headers.

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

It's all in how the motor sits in the cradle/motor mounts and where the steering box sits in reference to the input shaft.

Starting to see more and more headers touch the steering shaft. And it's not just 3 or 4 brands of em, it's damn near all of em.

.....took a while, but I've noticed differences of up to 5/8's of an inch in some cases.

Not too hard to fix if you move things a bit.

You don't need to bang the crap out of your headers to "make em fit."

Ivan @ Southwest Speed

[WheelmanSS]

Update:

So we messed around with the engine mounts, moved something's around and shimmed the mount a bit. Since I have the supercharger on, I don't have a lot of play in either direction.

Tried driving around and there is still a decent amount of rubbing. I am getting very frusturated. Not sure what other options I have at this point.

Suggestions?