Installed Long Tubes This Weekend - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SolidGoldBomb · 05-14-2013, 02:22 AM

Received my Kooks long tubes from Maryland Speed last Tuesday, and got them installed Saturday. Previously my only mods were a CAI intake and a Borla ATAK catback, performance wise. Sounds great at WOT, and the idle is much meaner too. I was a little worried after a lot of the threads I've read that the LT's with the Borla ATAK would be too loud, but that isn't the case at all. I think it sounds great, and the drone is pretty light as well.

I'm not incredibly experienced with automotive maintenance, so I got a buddy to help me install and it took us about 5ish hours, including a small break to go get some high temperature silicone. No fitment issues, and the dipstick even slid back in pretty easily with the help of someone to watch from below the car.

Not throwing any codes yet, but I do have an AutoCal EFI from Black Bear Performance to tune anyway. Went out on Sunday and did a mixture of city driving and more "spirited" driving out in the hills to get a data log on the tuner and sent it off to Black Bear, hopefully I'll have my tune back by the weekend.

Thanks to Maryland Speed for the good deal, and I don't think Black Bear has anyone on here, but thanks to them too for the military discount they gave me on the AutoCal. I posted a before and after video below. I don't believe the clips really do it justice, probably because of the point and shoot camera I used to record it, but here they are anyway for the curious.

Before headers:

After headers:

BAWLZ SS · 05-14-2013, 02:35 AM

What did u torque ur header bolts to? And did u use hi temp silicone on the header gaskets like stated in the instructions?

SolidGoldBomb · 05-14-2013, 02:59 AM

30 inch pounds for the bolts, used Stage 8 locking bolts too as opposed to regular ones. Yes I did use the high temp silicone. My buddy had some that was ancient and we didn't trust, which is why we took the break to go get some.

axis · 05-14-2013, 10:32 AM

Tq specs on our header bolts is 18-20lbs, then recheck after a few hundred miles. You should NEVER use anything but antisieze on exhaust parts.

SolidGoldBomb · 05-14-2013, 10:55 AM

To clarify, the hi temp silicone was on the gaskets, not the bolts obviously. The instructions for the Kooks called for 25-30 inch pounds.

BAWLZ SS · 05-14-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolidGoldBomb

To clarify, the hi temp silicone was on the gaskets, not the bolts obviously. The instructions for the Kooks called for 25-30 inch pounds.

+1

Just making sure! I also got the grade 8 bolts. I should be finishing up my install today after work!!! And I also stopped when I had to go to the store and buy hi temp silicone for the gaskets and anti seize for the bolts and O2 sensors! Thanks!!! Cant wait to see how it sounds and how much difference in power it will make

axis · 05-14-2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolidGoldBomb

To clarify, the hi temp silicone was on the gaskets, not the bolts obviously. The instructions for the Kooks called for 25-30 inch pounds.

I take it you used the Kooks gaskets? Most here, including vendors will either reuse the OEM one or buy a new OEM gasket. No silicone needed and they just plain work. I think the kooks recommendations are universal while the 18-20 is GM's recommendation. It's not that much more so I doubt there will be an issue but i'd keep an eye on those gaskets.

RJT-SS · 05-14-2013, 12:02 PM

I re-used the OEM gasket and bolts. No silicone and anti-seize on the bolts. Worked like a champ!

The Blue Ox · 05-14-2013, 12:55 PM

Sounds Good and Congrats on the Kooks! Really like my Kooks too and Black Bear will be tuning mine soon! Just got a deal on a EFI Live handheld!

BAWLZ SS · 05-14-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJT-SS

I re-used the OEM gasket and bolts. No silicone and anti-seize on the bolts. Worked like a champ!

What did u torque ur headers bolts to?

litle88 · 05-14-2013, 01:47 PM

Kooks headers ARE GARBAGE, I'd never use rvt on any of my exhaust work. The OEM gaskets are a good quality and don't need any unless you have thousands of miles on them.

SolidGoldBomb · 05-14-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

I take it you used the Kooks gaskets? Most here, including vendors will either reuse the OEM one or buy a new OEM gasket. No silicone needed and they just plain work. I think the kooks recommendations are universal while the 18-20 is GM's recommendation. It's not that much more so I doubt there will be an issue but i'd keep an eye on those gaskets.

I did use the Kooks gaskets.

fargomike · 05-14-2013, 02:33 PM

Sounds awesome !! Blazzin1 and I installed the same setup on mine this past weekend . I too was worried about the sound being too much . So far so good , and we did torque mine at 22 and used the OEM gaskets and bolts . The fitment for everything was spot on . Still have my grin going , tune is next .

vroomapunk · 05-14-2013, 02:35 PM

can someone just tell me what 18 lbs of torque feels like? Im not all that worried about exact specs. And I dont own a torque wrench

Just tighten the shit out of them? Or get them snug and do another turn?

05-14-2013, 02:35 AM	#2
BAWLZ SS Drives: '10 Camaro LS3 2SS/RS, 1968 Nova Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: California Posts: 972	What did u torque ur header bolts to? And did u use hi temp silicone on the header gaskets like stated in the instructions? __________________ Performance- Kooks Headers w/HF cats, ZL1 Corsa exhaust, VMax, CAI Inc. CAI, MGW shifter, RX CC Suspension - KW V3 Coilovers/ Full PFADT & BMR suspension Appearance - ZL1 Fascia/Sides/ Diffuser, AAC Afterburners, RK Sport 3pc Spoiler, SLP Black out Kit

05-14-2013, 02:59 AM	#3
SolidGoldBomb Drives: '11 LS3 2SS/RS, '07 Accord SE Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 83 View My Garage	30 inch pounds for the bolts, used Stage 8 locking bolts too as opposed to regular ones. Yes I did use the high temp silicone. My buddy had some that was ancient and we didn't trust, which is why we took the break to go get some. __________________ 3/31/11 Ordered RJT LS3 2SS/RS (1100) 4/7/11 Make that IOM, RJT constrained indefinitely :( 4/7/11 Status 2000 4/15/11 Status 3000, TPW 5/2 4/22/11 Status 3300 4/27/11 Status 3400 5/4/11 Statuses 3800, 4000, 4150, 4B00 5/28/11 Picked her up!

05-14-2013, 10:32 AM	#4
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	Tq specs on our header bolts is 18-20lbs, then recheck after a few hundred miles. You should NEVER use anything but antisieze on exhaust parts. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

05-14-2013, 10:55 AM	#5
SolidGoldBomb Drives: '11 LS3 2SS/RS, '07 Accord SE Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 83 View My Garage	To clarify, the hi temp silicone was on the gaskets, not the bolts obviously. The instructions for the Kooks called for 25-30 inch pounds. __________________ 3/31/11 Ordered RJT LS3 2SS/RS (1100) 4/7/11 Make that IOM, RJT constrained indefinitely :( 4/7/11 Status 2000 4/15/11 Status 3000, TPW 5/2 4/22/11 Status 3300 4/27/11 Status 3400 5/4/11 Statuses 3800, 4000, 4150, 4B00 5/28/11 Picked her up!

05-14-2013, 12:02 PM	#8
RJT-SS Drives: '11 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Orleans Posts: 504	I re-used the OEM gasket and bolts. No silicone and anti-seize on the bolts. Worked like a champ! __________________ Performance Mods: Kooks 1-7/8 LTs; Calico coated w/HFCs, Solo Mach XL catback w/J-pipes, VMax TB, C.A.I. Intake, JRE Tune, RX Catch-Can

05-14-2013, 12:55 PM	#9
The Blue Ox Drives: 2010 SS L99 Inferno Orange Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Texas Coast Posts: 1,167	Sounds Good and Congrats on the Kooks! Really like my Kooks too and Black Bear will be tuning mine soon! Just got a deal on a EFI Live handheld!

05-14-2013, 01:47 PM	#11
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	Kooks headers ARE GARBAGE, I'd never use rvt on any of my exhaust work. The OEM gaskets are a good quality and don't need any unless you have thousands of miles on them. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

05-14-2013, 02:33 PM	#13
fargomike The Dude Abides Drives: Black 2SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fargo , ND Posts: 489	Sounds awesome !! Blazzin1 and I installed the same setup on mine this past weekend . I too was worried about the sound being too much . So far so good , and we did torque mine at 22 and used the OEM gaskets and bolts . The fitment for everything was spot on . Still have my grin going , tune is next . __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/LS3/M6 Kooks 1 7/8 Ceramic Coated Headers, Borla ATAK CB , JRE Tune , Halltech Yellow Jacket CAI ,VMax Ported TB, PFADT Coilovers,Forgestar CF5's Textured Gunmetal w/Nitto Invo's 275/315 ,Hurst Billet Plus 2 Shifter AAC P13W Plasma LEDw/DRL Harness ,30% Tinting,

05-14-2013, 02:35 PM	#14
vroomapunk [COTW 5/12/14] Drives: 2012 CRT NF Cammed 2SS/RS For Sale Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NOLA Posts: 6,115 View My Garage	can someone just tell me what 18 lbs of torque feels like? Im not all that worried about exact specs. And I dont own a torque wrench Just tighten the shit out of them? Or get them snug and do another turn? __________________