speed engineering header install - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

irish108 · 07-19-2019, 11:25 AM

First of all, the headers are pretty decent quality for the money. However the passenger side is hitting the frame ever so slightly. Just enough to hear it nocking occasionally. The clamps did not completely seal the fake cat pipes. Had to get different clamps to finish it off.

So has any one else on here installed these and had the same problem? If so, what was your solution?

Thanks,

go_go_gadget88 · 07-19-2019, 11:47 AM

I did not have the hitting on the passenger side problem. Would probably just pull and dimple the header.

The clamps do suck but I knew that ahead of time from reading reviews, so I had different ones ready to go when the headers showed up.

xc_SS/RS · 07-19-2019, 12:02 PM

Mine touched the steering knuckle slightly on hard right turns. Took it off and dimpled it and no more noise.

Just put a small dimple/dent in the pipe. Not gonna hurt anything

PepeLePew · 07-19-2019, 12:35 PM

To dimple them (which is common on a lot of headers), use a big socket like 35-36mm axle nut socket turned on its side and hit it with a hammer. It will cause zero loss in performance. Mark the header with a sharpie or a grease pen before you pull it off so you know where to clearance it.

Greenhornet2 · 07-19-2019, 12:59 PM

Mine touched on the passenger side frame, read many had this issue. Heated the header and dimpled it. I used stainless band clamps for the fake cats, I used a straight one but a stepped one would work better I think. They have them at most part stores now.

pyroguy · 07-19-2019, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

To dimple them (which is common on a lot of headers), use a big socket like 35-36mm axle nut socket turned on its side and hit it with a hammer. It will cause zero loss in performance. Mark the header with a sharpie or a grease pen before you pull it off so you know where to clearance it.

Not sure what headers you're buying that is so common to need to dimple, but the ones I've installed haven't required dimpling. Unless you're talking about Speed Engineering specifically and then yes, many of their sets require dimpling.

PepeLePew · 07-19-2019, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

Not sure what headers you're buying that is so common to need to dimple, but the ones I've installed haven't required dimpling. Unless you're talking about Speed Engineering specifically and then yes, many of their sets require dimpling.

Good point Pyro, I should have clarified. When I say common, it I mean it is something that happens with some percentage of headers... could be very low, but I've read accounts across the board on all of the Chinese manufactured headers that some need dimpling due to manufacturing tolerances. The American made Kooks, ARH, and Stainless Works headers are probably the only exceptions that I can think of where I have not read a case of dimpling needed especially in 1 7/8" X 3". I'm running the TSP 1 7/8" set and had no problem. But I've read that others were not so lucky.

sscamaro · 07-19-2019, 04:05 PM

That's why I bought Kooks.

Juiced1 · 07-19-2019, 04:17 PM

They are one of the only 1 7/8" header that needs to be dimpled. We see that more often on 2" headers but hard to beat them for the bang for your buck.

pyroguy · 07-19-2019, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

Good point Pyro, I should have clarified. When I say common, it I mean it is something that happens with some percentage of headers... could be very low, but I've read accounts across the board on all of the Chinese manufactured headers that some need dimpling due to manufacturing tolerances. The American made Kooks, ARH, and Stainless Works headers are probably the only exceptions that I can think of where I have not read a case of dimpling needed especially in 1 7/8" X 3". I'm running the TSP 1 7/8" set and had no problem. But I've read that others were not so lucky.

There's a reason why COPO Camaros have ARH and Cobra Jet Mustangs have Kooks and don't discount Stainless Works headers. However, not everyone wants to pony up the dough for a set from those manufacturers and I get that. However, like many things in life you get what you pay for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sscamaro

That's why I bought Kooks.

Ditto. I love my kooks headers. I don't regret them for a minute.

irish108 · 07-20-2019, 04:16 AM

sounds like dimpling it is then. Thanks guys

gunchamp · 07-20-2019, 09:38 AM

The speed long tubes I have fit perfect. Easiest headers Ive ever installed.

gunchamp · 07-20-2019, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

There's a reason why COPO Camaros have ARH and Cobra Jet Mustangs have Kooks and don't discount Stainless Works headers. However, not everyone wants to pony up the dough for a set from those manufacturers and I get that. However, like many things in life you get what you pay for.

Ditto. I love my kooks headers. I don't regret them for a minute.

And a friend of mine bought kooks and had a clearance issue. Can happen with any brand

Greenhornet2 · 07-20-2019, 12:55 PM

$300 vs $1500. I'll choose to dimple =)

07-19-2019, 11:25 AM	#1
irish108 Drives: chevrolet camaro Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: south carolina Posts: 28	speed engineering header install First of all, the headers are pretty decent quality for the money. However the passenger side is hitting the frame ever so slightly. Just enough to hear it nocking occasionally. The clamps did not completely seal the fake cat pipes. Had to get different clamps to finish it off. So has any one else on here installed these and had the same problem? If so, what was your solution? Thanks,

07-19-2019, 11:47 AM	#2
go_go_gadget88 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS ABM 6M Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Kansas Posts: 617	I did not have the hitting on the passenger side problem. Would probably just pull and dimple the header. The clamps do suck but I knew that ahead of time from reading reviews, so I had different ones ready to go when the headers showed up. __________________ 2010 ABM 2SS/RS LS3 6 Speed -- Rotofab CAI \| Speed Engineering 1 7/8" Longtubes w/ cat Delete \| Magnaflow competition catback \| TSP 231/246 cam\| TSP/PAC .660" Spring Kit \| TSP CNC Ported Heads \| Bo White PTB \| GPI Ported/RM Intake \| 3.91's \| BC Catch Can \| MGW Shifter \| BMR 1" Drop Springs \| BMR Trailing arms/Toe Rods/Rear UCA Bushings \| Pegasus Subframe Mounts

07-19-2019, 12:02 PM	#3
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	Mine touched the steering knuckle slightly on hard right turns. Took it off and dimpled it and no more noise. Just put a small dimple/dent in the pipe. Not gonna hurt anything __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53

07-19-2019, 12:35 PM	#4
PepeLePew Drives: 2010 2SS Coupe; 2011 2LT Vert Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Prosper, TX Posts: 458	To dimple them (which is common on a lot of headers), use a big socket like 35-36mm axle nut socket turned on its side and hit it with a hammer. It will cause zero loss in performance. Mark the header with a sharpie or a grease pen before you pull it off so you know where to clearance it. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS LS3 - K&N, GM Performance Axle Back, Hurst Shifter, TSP 1 7/8ths long tubes no cats, TSP Stage 2 "Bald Eagle" cam, GM 3.91, 466whp/429tq

07-19-2019, 12:59 PM	#5
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	Mine touched on the passenger side frame, read many had this issue. Heated the header and dimpled it. I used stainless band clamps for the fake cats, I used a straight one but a stepped one would work better I think. They have them at most part stores now. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

07-19-2019, 04:05 PM	#8
sscamaro Drives: 2010 2SS, 2017 Silverado LTZ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver,PA Posts: 3,195 View My Garage	That's why I bought Kooks.

07-19-2019, 04:17 PM	#9
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,648	They are one of the only 1 7/8" header that needs to be dimpled. We see that more often on 2" headers but hard to beat them for the bang for your buck.

07-20-2019, 04:16 AM	#11
irish108 Drives: chevrolet camaro Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: south carolina Posts: 28	sounds like dimpling it is then. Thanks guys

07-20-2019, 09:38 AM	#12
gunchamp Drives: 15 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Mountains of central PA Posts: 1,442	The speed long tubes I have fit perfect. Easiest headers Ive ever installed.

07-20-2019, 12:55 PM	#14
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	$300 vs $1500. I'll choose to dimple =) __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane