Header install hitting steering shaft - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

family man · 02-08-2013, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazzin1

Not sure where you are getting this info. Stainless WORKS headers are made in USA, Stainless POWER headers are subcontracted overseas for assembly, which mean they are NOT made in America.

The OP in another thread (the one SPCBA linked in their reply) stated SW was going to start making headers overseas. From that thread...

"I have a great idea. Everybody on this forum has seen or heard the debate on Kooks headers being copied by OBX and made overseas at a MUCH cheaper price......So now Stainless Works kinda took a page out of their own book and came out with an overseas option and calls it Stainless Power!!"

Matt @ FSP · 02-08-2013, 11:11 AM

We have not had any issues with ARH, Kooks, Dynatech, or Stainless Works products.. I have had numerous issues with OBX and Pacesetter applications on numerous brands (Not just Gen 5s). The first and last set of OBX we ever did we had to cut the primary tube and install a new section to clear the steering shaft. Both flanges were so warped we need to square both of them off. Needless to say, we will not install anything that is not proven anymore and especially if it comes to this country on a boat!

GMTool · 02-08-2013, 11:17 AM

Sorry to hear about your trouble, hope you get it figured out. It would be real interesting to know just how much variation there is between the stock exhaust manifold and the steering shaft on every SS that comes off the line. Before I go loosening motor mounts and trying to push the engine over I would have to do some research. From what I know from reading alot, some headers require the steering shaft to be removed for installation. If your steering shaft has the rubber boot around the u-joint, it will need to be removed if you have not already done so.

Camarojt · 02-08-2013, 12:25 PM

Problem fixed! 1" socket laid sideways and rolled a slight dimple in it. Now it clears!

Guys my point was not to bash the top brands. I was simply looking for a solution to the issue that apparently is way more common than what you know. If you don't believe my percentages, it was just an observation. Of course it's not dead accurate, nobody can get a dead accurate number. Google "steering shaft hitting headers on gen 5 Camaro" and you will be surprised at what is out there. I didn't think I would see what I found. Without researching, I would have probably thought the same thing and that mostly it would be the cheaper brands with the issues. Specifically I saw Dynatech, ARH, Kooks, and Stainless Works. Some stories shocked me! If you still don't believe it, I will post links to all the threads and let you see at least a dozen complaints of these brands.

I honestly don't think it's a brand issue at all. I don't think there is anything wrong with any if these brands! Which is what led me to this post.
I think there are random Camaros coming from the factory with spacing issues.

I'm not here to bash anyone. I just wanted advice. There is a specific guy that had a 2011 Camaro just like mine that bought I believe a set of Kooks. Maryland Speed even came on Camaro5 and said that there had to be some kinda change in some 2011's with the steering shaft that was causing the issue Bc none if his other earlier 2010 had any issue. So my point to this is It's not always the imperfect header excuse.

I will post anything you want later. Right now I am doing my 3" exhaust. Btw my headers are not OBX. They are Top Speed Pro. No welds at the top like OBX. It's full mandrel bent.

BlaqWhole · 02-08-2013, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camarojt

Problem fixed! 1" socket laid sideways and rolled a slight dimple in it. Now it clears!

Guys my point was not to bash the top brands. I was simply looking for a solution to the issue that apparently is way more common than what you know. If you don't believe my percentages, it was just an observation. Of course it's not dead accurate, nobody can get a dead accurate number. Google "steering shaft hitting headers on gen 5 Camaro" and you will be surprised at what is out there. I didn't think I would see what I found. Without researching, I would have probably thought the same thing and that mostly it would be the cheaper brands with the issues. Specifically I saw Dynatech, ARH, Kooks, and Stainless Works. Some stories shocked me! If you still don't believe it, I will post links to all the threads and let you see at least a dozen complaints of these brands.

I honestly don't think it's a brand issue at all. I don't think there is anything wrong with any if these brands! Which is what led me to this post.
I think there are random Camaros coming from the factory with spacing issues.

I'm not here to bash anyone. I just wanted advice. There is a specific guy that had a 2011 Camaro just like mine that bought I believe a set of Kooks. Maryland Speed even came on Camaro5 and said that there had to be some kinda change in some 2011's with the steering shaft that was causing the issue Bc none if his other earlier 2010 had any issue. So my point to this is It's not always the imperfect header excuse.

I will post anything you want later. Right now I am doing my 3" exhaust. Btw my headers are not OBX. They are Top Speed Pro. No welds at the top like OBX. It's full mandrel bent.

Glad you got it fixed man!!

family man · 02-08-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaqWhole

Glad you got it fixed man!!

+1. A little dimple is no big deal.

SPCBA · 02-08-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camarojt

Thanks for your enlightened advice, tho I didn't really see the advice part.

With just a few searches last night I found numerous people having fitment issues, and they were all top brand headers. I can post the links if you would like to read them all. Mostly threads were about Kooks and having to disconnect steering shaft to get them to even fit. Then some couldn't get them to fit once they reconnected the shaft.

If your headers fit fine, then that's great, no worries, but I guess you feel good about coming on this particular thread, when someone is asking the people that HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM for advice, and you being a smart a$$ and just chiming in to assume that it had to be Bc of buying a Chinese brand. Dude get over your arrogance! Anyone can chime in and spout off behind a computer sitting at home! Funny how you wouldn't go to the track popping off your chicken Sh!t comments. So very brave you are!

well I am glad you got what you paid for. I did give you the best and most honest advice i could.

glad you got to spout off again just because i linked the thread you created. 20-30% is rediculous. glad you got the problem fixed by modifying a header that has no business not fitting in the first place. maybe you should make a buyer beware post about your "bargain" brand headers.

edited to say i researched your brand as i was waiting at the VA hospital. issues with flange thicknesses and warping. might want to keep an eye on it

Camarojt · 02-08-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPCBA

well I am glad you got what you paid for. I did give you the best and most honest advice i could.

glad you got to spout off again just because i linked the thread you created. 20-30% is rediculous. glad you got the problem fixed by modifying a header that has no business not fitting in the first place. maybe you should make a buyer beware post about your "bargain" brand headers.

edited to say i researched your brand as i was waiting at the VA hospital. issues with flange thicknesses and warping. might want to keep an eye on it

The flanges look fine, but thanks, I will keep an eye on it.
And the nipple or dent I put is not visible at all. So all is well. If I have another issue I will definitely post to let people know but as of now just the steering shaft issue. Everything else looks great!
Will post video of the exhaust later.
Oh and for those that are interested will post links to the headers with same issues.

BlaqWhole · 02-08-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camarojt

The flanges look fine, but thanks, I will keep an eye on it.
And the nipple or dent I put is not visible at all. So all is well. If I have another issue I will definitely post to let people know but as of now just the steering shaft issue. Everything else looks great!
Will post video of the exhaust later.
Oh and for those that are interested will post links to the headers with same issues.

Those are 2" primaries?!

Camarojt · 02-08-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaqWhole

Those are 2" primaries?!

Yes they are 2" primaries!

MarylandSpeed · 02-08-2013, 10:27 PM

No company makes perfect product all the time...it's impossible with humans making them.

The difference is, the second someone has an issue with a premium header they run to the forum, and tell everyone like they got ripped off. Never mind it is a simple mistake easily fixable. Conversely, when someone buys a cheap, knock off, chinese header, they are much less likely to go publicly post it because they know they will hear "told you so". Kinda like you proved in being afraid to say what brand it is.

At the end of the day, it's your money. If you are comfortable installing a no name something that needs to be beat on to fit so you can save some money, more power to you....

Camarojt · 02-08-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

No company makes perfect product all the time...it's impossible with humans making them.

The difference is, the second someone has an issue with a premium header they run to the forum, and tell everyone like they got ripped off. Never mind it is a simple mistake easily fixable. Conversely, when someone buys a cheap, knock off, chinese header, they are much less likely to go publicly post it because they know they will hear "told you so". Kinda like you proved in being afraid to say what brand it is.

At the end of the day, it's your money. If you are comfortable installing a no name something that needs to be beat on to fit so you can save some money, more power to you....

I agree totally. No company is flawless. And I also agree that you probably hear more people tell their bad experiences especially if its a high cost or high end brand header. At the same time tho, when someone on the other end of the spectrum buys a different brand and then has a fitment issue, people like to blame it on that they are cheap? Bottom line is... what exactly is causing the issue? Poor quality in the manufacturing of the header?? Or inconsistencies coming from the GM Factory when it comes to motor placement on the mounts? My guess is its a little of both. There has to be some reason for even the high end headers not fitting at times. I don't think it's Bc Kooks messed up and made a bad one. I think it's more likely to be Bc every car isn't exactly the same under the hood.
I will show you a few threads in a min that shows why I feel that this isn't about cheap vs expensive.

Camarojt · 02-08-2013, 11:52 PM

http://http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1...need-help.html
Kooks thread issue.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...steering+shaft
this one is on Stainless Works. surprised me.
Originally Posted by casper sc/1ss/rs

i fixed my header,stainless works would not send me another header they just told me to put a little ding in it and it would be ok witch was what i was going to do anyway but considering i still had to take the header off to fix it i thought i would try to get one that was right instead of one that was rigged up after all they were almost a 1000 dollars they should be right imo.

http://http://www.camaro5.com/forums...steering+shaft
Doug Thorley issue this one talks about the issue possibly starting in the 2011's

http://http://www.camaro5.com/forums...d.php?t=244454
Dynatech issue: but this thread explains alot of what i saw on my setup. If you read it you will see that Dynatech may not be to blame for this nor any brand.

This is from Ivan @ Southwest Speed
Im convinced that some cars come with the motors off by just a 1/16".

We've seen just about every header get damn close while the same header on a different car you could drive a truck between.

There are differences in the cars too. Can't place all the blame on Dynatech.

(...weird coming from a non-dealer of them right?)

Ivan

http://http://www.camaro5.com/forums...steering+shaft
this one shows a couple of guys commenting that Kooks are hitting steering shaft.

i think this is enough to show you what i was seeing. There was some more but im not gonna post them all. Point is that this idea that only cheap headers have fitment issues isnt accurate. It happens to all of them at times. The good news is that most of the time it can be fixed.

Mr. Unassailable · 02-09-2013, 12:07 AM

Glad to see you got it worked out. I am a weld inspector, have been for a pretty good while. I've probably looked at and ultrasonically (phased array) inspected several thousand welds. That said. I spent big money on a big name (Elevate - Volvo Parts) down pipe for one of my turbo cars. After being disappointed I spent little money on a OBX. I later sold the big money DP and kept the OBX. With my SS I went OBX first. The welds are crap, flat out crap. But the parts are all good quality 316L Stainless Steel. The flanges are good, the pipes are good, the bends are good, the welds are crap. Now, that said. I will forever buy good quality material that has been craptastically welded together and spend $100 getting it welded up better. I am right now still running my crap welded OBX headers on my 466 RWHP camaro. 9k miles on them and I drive it hard. No problems yet, but when they do crack, I'll gladly spend the $100 getting them reinforced.

I'm just throwing that out there for those that think the big name means something.

FYI also.

I have a Passport 9500ci on my car ($1700 radar detector)
Jannetty Racing cam kit
NT05R drag radials
Magnaflow cat back
JL audio stereo upgrades
ETC.

I'm into quality, trust me. Headers are metal that is bend and welded. That's it.

02-08-2013, 11:17 AM	#17
GMTool MY SS is SOLD Drives: AGM 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southwest Illinois Posts: 1,838	Sorry to hear about your trouble, hope you get it figured out. It would be real interesting to know just how much variation there is between the stock exhaust manifold and the steering shaft on every SS that comes off the line. Before I go loosening motor mounts and trying to push the engine over I would have to do some research. From what I know from reading alot, some headers require the steering shaft to be removed for installation. If your steering shaft has the rubber boot around the u-joint, it will need to be removed if you have not already done so. __________________ CAI, Dynatech Headers, HF Cats, JRE Tuned, Corsa Cat Back, Strut Tower Brace.

02-09-2013, 12:07 AM	#28
Mr. Unassailable Drives: 2010 2SS MT, 2010 SHO, 2004 S60R Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 581	Glad to see you got it worked out. I am a weld inspector, have been for a pretty good while. I've probably looked at and ultrasonically (phased array) inspected several thousand welds. That said. I spent big money on a big name (Elevate - Volvo Parts) down pipe for one of my turbo cars. After being disappointed I spent little money on a OBX. I later sold the big money DP and kept the OBX. With my SS I went OBX first. The welds are crap, flat out crap. But the parts are all good quality 316L Stainless Steel. The flanges are good, the pipes are good, the bends are good, the welds are crap. Now, that said. I will forever buy good quality material that has been craptastically welded together and spend $100 getting it welded up better. I am right now still running my crap welded OBX headers on my 466 RWHP camaro. 9k miles on them and I drive it hard. No problems yet, but when they do crack, I'll gladly spend the $100 getting them reinforced. I'm just throwing that out there for those that think the big name means something. FYI also. I have a Passport 9500ci on my car ($1700 radar detector) Jannetty Racing cam kit NT05R drag radials Magnaflow cat back JL audio stereo upgrades ETC. I'm into quality, trust me. Headers are metal that is bend and welded. That's it. __________________ Garage: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6, 2010 Taurus SHO, 2004 S60R GT, 2008 F250

02-08-2013, 11:11 AM	#16
Matt @ FSP Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 2,610	We have not had any issues with ARH, Kooks, Dynatech, or Stainless Works products.. I have had numerous issues with OBX and Pacesetter applications on numerous brands (Not just Gen 5s). The first and last set of OBX we ever did we had to cut the primary tube and install a new section to clear the steering shaft. Both flanges were so warped we need to square both of them off. Needless to say, we will not install anything that is not proven anymore and especially if it comes to this country on a boat!

02-08-2013, 12:25 PM	#18
Camarojt Drives: 2011camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Allen, Tx Posts: 2,202	Problem fixed! 1" socket laid sideways and rolled a slight dimple in it. Now it clears! Guys my point was not to bash the top brands. I was simply looking for a solution to the issue that apparently is way more common than what you know. If you don't believe my percentages, it was just an observation. Of course it's not dead accurate, nobody can get a dead accurate number. Google "steering shaft hitting headers on gen 5 Camaro" and you will be surprised at what is out there. I didn't think I would see what I found. Without researching, I would have probably thought the same thing and that mostly it would be the cheaper brands with the issues. Specifically I saw Dynatech, ARH, Kooks, and Stainless Works. Some stories shocked me! If you still don't believe it, I will post links to all the threads and let you see at least a dozen complaints of these brands. I honestly don't think it's a brand issue at all. I don't think there is anything wrong with any if these brands! Which is what led me to this post. I think there are random Camaros coming from the factory with spacing issues. I'm not here to bash anyone. I just wanted advice. There is a specific guy that had a 2011 Camaro just like mine that bought I believe a set of Kooks. Maryland Speed even came on Camaro5 and said that there had to be some kinda change in some 2011's with the steering shaft that was causing the issue Bc none if his other earlier 2010 had any issue. So my point to this is It's not always the imperfect header excuse. I will post anything you want later. Right now I am doing my 3" exhaust. Btw my headers are not OBX. They are Top Speed Pro. No welds at the top like OBX. It's full mandrel bent.

02-08-2013, 10:27 PM	#25
MarylandSpeed Account Suspended Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,378	No company makes perfect product all the time...it's impossible with humans making them. The difference is, the second someone has an issue with a premium header they run to the forum, and tell everyone like they got ripped off. Never mind it is a simple mistake easily fixable. Conversely, when someone buys a cheap, knock off, chinese header, they are much less likely to go publicly post it because they know they will hear "told you so". Kinda like you proved in being afraid to say what brand it is. At the end of the day, it's your money. If you are comfortable installing a no name something that needs to be beat on to fit so you can save some money, more power to you....

02-08-2013, 11:52 PM	#27
Camarojt Drives: 2011camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Allen, Tx Posts: 2,202	http://http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1...need-help.html Kooks thread issue. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...steering+shaft this one is on Stainless Works. surprised me. Originally Posted by casper sc/1ss/rs i fixed my header,stainless works would not send me another header they just told me to put a little ding in it and it would be ok witch was what i was going to do anyway but considering i still had to take the header off to fix it i thought i would try to get one that was right instead of one that was rigged up after all they were almost a 1000 dollars they should be right imo. http://http://www.camaro5.com/forums...steering+shaft Doug Thorley issue this one talks about the issue possibly starting in the 2011's http://http://www.camaro5.com/forums...d.php?t=244454 Dynatech issue: but this thread explains alot of what i saw on my setup. If you read it you will see that Dynatech may not be to blame for this nor any brand. This is from Ivan @ Southwest Speed Im convinced that some cars come with the motors off by just a 1/16". We've seen just about every header get damn close while the same header on a different car you could drive a truck between. There are differences in the cars too. Can't place all the blame on Dynatech. (...weird coming from a non-dealer of them right?) Ivan http://http://www.camaro5.com/forums...steering+shaft this one shows a couple of guys commenting that Kooks are hitting steering shaft. i think this is enough to show you what i was seeing. There was some more but im not gonna post them all. Point is that this idea that only cheap headers have fitment issues isnt accurate. It happens to all of them at times. The good news is that most of the time it can be fixed.