Speed Engineering Headers Fitment Issue - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

NGUYP · 08-15-2018, 03:45 PM

Not sure if I'm the only one with Speed Engineering 1 7/8 headers fitment issue, but my passenger header is sitting right against the sub frame. Whenever I make a left you can hear metal on metal contact.

Exhaust is not sitting on the tunnel brace and there is plenty of space between the brace and exhaust. I've double check to make sure its not being pushed out by something else, but don't see anything. I've read on here some people loosen up the motor mount and move it over, but I barely have clearance on driver side before it touch the steering shaft (See first picture). I've loosen up the connection pipe and try to re-align everything, but the result is still the same. Motor mount appears in good shape physically and when you raise the RPM there isn't any excessive vibration. At 37k miles I don't think these motor mount would go bad yet. Contacted Speed Engineering and they pretty much blame my motor mount. Also, said there is no way it would be mfg defect and that they couldn't do anything else (As expected, not a shocker).

Before I take a hammer to it make it fit or go with a quality brand I was wondering if anyone else got any ideas. I'm fresh out of ideas.

Vehicle for reference is 2015 Camaro SS 1LE with stock exhaust.

Issue seems to be similar to this thread, but this one is with LG.
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101082

oslouie · 08-15-2018, 06:46 PM

I've heard of loosening the motor mount to try and shift the motor over but in your case, it wouldn't help as you are having clearance issues on both sides. If the driver side is not rubbing on the steering shaft, then you can either dimple the passenger side or do what I did and take it to an exhaust shop and see if they can torch it hot enough and push it in. I had the same issue but my ultimate decision was based on time and the cost of the headers. Besides, dimpling headers does not affect performance.

WoodBoss · 08-16-2018, 10:50 AM

Just dimple those areas and be done with it. I have lots of clearance with mine, sorry you are having an issue.

SSEssence · 08-16-2018, 11:16 AM

You may have to do both: loosen motor mount and shift over slightly and then dimple on driver side for steering shaft.

Reaper85 · 08-16-2018, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodBoss

Just dimple those areas and be done with it. I have lots of clearance with mine, sorry you are having an issue.

+1 I have lots of clearance with mine aswell.

pyroguy · 08-17-2018, 08:18 AM

Not to be "that guy" but you bought $250 headers. You should expect to have to "massage them" a little bit and by "massage them" I mean dimple the tube and go on with it. Engine Masters did a test on beating the hell out of headers and it didn't effect the power. They may look ugly as sin with a bunch of dents, but they're get the job done.

yzinger · 08-18-2018, 06:56 PM

I feel your pain pal...I stressed for days about this issue. Dont kid yourself, alot of the higher end headers do this also - often times on the other side. The issue is moreso with where the boys at the factory cranked down the motor mounts. Dont dick around, mark with a sharpie where you need to dimple, take that header off and do it. I used heat on that spot then dimpled 1/4 inch or so. Put back on and was then finally happy.

Good luck.

Leo72793 · 08-18-2018, 07:01 PM

must be a later 5th gen issue. my 2011 fit like a GLOVE. no frame hitting, not steering shaft hitting, never moved a mount.

Clarkstar · 08-18-2018, 07:35 PM

Mine had plenty of clearance...

camguynj · 11-06-2018, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yzinger

I feel your pain pal...I stressed for days about this issue. Dont kid yourself, alot of the higher end headers do this also - often times on the other side. The issue is more so with where the boys at the factory cranked down the motor mounts. Dont dick around, mark with a sharpie where you need to dimple, take that header off and do it. I used heat on that spot then dimpled 1/4 inch or so. Put back on and was then finally happy.

Good luck.

What he ^^^^ said. I've never seen anything documented that there were subframe changes on any 5th gen SS yrs.

Dante7 · 11-09-2018, 11:20 PM

Mark it with a sharpie pull it off and lay it on the ground and give a few nice hits with a hammer to massage the metal to clear the frame. Had to do mine the same way zero issues afterwards. Fairly common issue on almost any car that you put headers on. No one will ever see it down there.

Mr2Hard2See · 11-11-2018, 11:22 AM

Sorry you have to dent them but you’ll be good after that. My 2011 has these headers but no issues at all with my install. Good luck on the fix.

LCPLPunk · 11-11-2018, 07:56 PM

No issues on my 2010...

Ashen L99 · 11-11-2018, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

Not to be "that guy" but you bought $250 headers. You should expect to have to "massage them" a little bit and by "massage them" I mean dimple the tube and go on with it. Engine Masters did a test on beating the hell out of headers and it didn't effect the power. They may look ugly as sin with a bunch of dents, but they're get the job done.

When I bought mine I didn’t expect to have to massage them and they fit perfect. On the other hand, my roommates GTO has the nice $1200 kooks headers, and they rub the rack. Regardless, OP, just dimple the header where you need to... in the end it’s bent metal tubing.

08-15-2018, 03:45 PM	#1
NGUYP Drives: Junk Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: NWA Posts: 59	Speed Engineering Headers Fitment Issue Not sure if I'm the only one with Speed Engineering 1 7/8 headers fitment issue, but my passenger header is sitting right against the sub frame. Whenever I make a left you can hear metal on metal contact. Exhaust is not sitting on the tunnel brace and there is plenty of space between the brace and exhaust. I've double check to make sure its not being pushed out by something else, but don't see anything. I've read on here some people loosen up the motor mount and move it over, but I barely have clearance on driver side before it touch the steering shaft (See first picture). I've loosen up the connection pipe and try to re-align everything, but the result is still the same. Motor mount appears in good shape physically and when you raise the RPM there isn't any excessive vibration. At 37k miles I don't think these motor mount would go bad yet. Contacted Speed Engineering and they pretty much blame my motor mount. Also, said there is no way it would be mfg defect and that they couldn't do anything else (As expected, not a shocker). Before I take a hammer to it make it fit or go with a quality brand I was wondering if anyone else got any ideas. I'm fresh out of ideas. Vehicle for reference is 2015 Camaro SS 1LE with stock exhaust. Issue seems to be similar to this thread, but this one is with LG. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101082 Attached Images Last edited by NGUYP; 08-16-2018 at 07:59 PM.

08-15-2018, 06:46 PM	#2
oslouie Drives: 2018 2SS M6 Redline Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: United States Posts: 431	I've heard of loosening the motor mount to try and shift the motor over but in your case, it wouldn't help as you are having clearance issues on both sides. If the driver side is not rubbing on the steering shaft, then you can either dimple the passenger side or do what I did and take it to an exhaust shop and see if they can torch it hot enough and push it in. I had the same issue but my ultimate decision was based on time and the cost of the headers. Besides, dimpling headers does not affect performance. __________________

08-16-2018, 11:16 AM	#4
SSEssence Instagram: Sangstah Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Buena Park, CA. Posts: 2,802 View My Garage	You may have to do both: loosen motor mount and shift over slightly and then dimple on driver side for steering shaft. __________________ 2019 SS 1LE - "CaSSandra" 2014 SS - "AleSSandra - Sold" 94 Z28 - Sold Follow the build https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612717

08-17-2018, 08:18 AM	#6
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,917 View My Garage	Not to be "that guy" but you bought $250 headers. You should expect to have to "massage them" a little bit and by "massage them" I mean dimple the tube and go on with it. Engine Masters did a test on beating the hell out of headers and it didn't effect the power. They may look ugly as sin with a bunch of dents, but they're get the job done. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

08-18-2018, 07:01 PM	#8
Leo72793 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 1,190	must be a later 5th gen issue. my 2011 fit like a GLOVE. no frame hitting, not steering shaft hitting, never moved a mount. __________________ •2011 Camaro SS 2SS/RS A6 •MRR M017 1le Replica Wheels •Vararam Ram Air Intake •Speed Engineering Longtube Headers w/ Magnaflow HF Cats •Bo White PnP Stage 2 TB •GPI SS2 VVT Cam w Cometic thin gaskets 10.69 compression •Xpipe w/ Res Delete and NPP Exhaust •Tuned By Anonymous Calibrations •Gen5DIY Mylink Conversion W/ Backup Cam •Morel 3 way custom speakers, Infinity 860w Subwoofers in trunk baffle •Helix P6 6ch amp w/ 8ch DSP and P1 Sub amp

08-16-2018, 10:50 AM	#3
WoodBoss "Old School" Drives: 2010 2SS L99 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sherrills Ford, NC Posts: 1,295	Just dimple those areas and be done with it. I have lots of clearance with mine, sorry you are having an issue.

08-18-2018, 06:56 PM	#7
yzinger Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS - IOM - LS3 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Canada Posts: 302	I feel your pain pal...I stressed for days about this issue. Dont kid yourself, alot of the higher end headers do this also - often times on the other side. The issue is moreso with where the boys at the factory cranked down the motor mounts. Dont dick around, mark with a sharpie where you need to dimple, take that header off and do it. I used heat on that spot then dimpled 1/4 inch or so. Put back on and was then finally happy. Good luck.

08-18-2018, 07:35 PM	#9
Clarkstar Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ixonia wi Posts: 1,456	Mine had plenty of clearance... __________________ 2013 1le- Katech 416 short block, TSP custom grind cam, LOD intake, cnc heads by F.ED., Nick William's 102mm T.B., CORN fed, Pedders coilovers. Performance street alingnment by Justin at Lake Country Alignment and dyno tune by Late Model Throttle. 603 h.p. 495 ft lbs tq.

11-09-2018, 11:20 PM	#11
Dante7 Drives: 2015 SS Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chester West Virginia Posts: 19	Mark it with a sharpie pull it off and lay it on the ground and give a few nice hits with a hammer to massage the metal to clear the frame. Had to do mine the same way zero issues afterwards. Fairly common issue on almost any car that you put headers on. No one will ever see it down there.

11-11-2018, 11:22 AM	#12
Mr2Hard2See Instagram: Mr2Hard2See Drives: 2011 2SS/ RS Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 691	Sorry you have to dent them but you’ll be good after that. My 2011 has these headers but no issues at all with my install. Good luck on the fix. __________________ YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Mr2Hard2See LSA blower BTR stg 2 cam 227/242 BTR dual springs pushrods lifters retainers etc Che bronze trunnion Ls3 timing/valley cover Dod/vvt delete Dsx e85 Dsx aux fuel pump Id1050x injectors ZL1 fuel pump, Griptech 2.55 pulley, Solo performance Mach ll 2.5 catback exhaust 1 7/8th Lt headers

11-11-2018, 07:56 PM	#13
LCPLPunk USA-1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Near DC Posts: 1,893 View My Garage	No issues on my 2010... __________________ "A Camaro in the garage is safe, but that's not what Camaros are built for..." R2C CAI / Apex Scoop / VMAX Ported TB / Speed Engineering LTHs / X-pipe / GPI port/rod-mod intake manifold / Circle D 3200 278mm Converter / 3.91 gears / DynoSteve tuned / 1LE Shocks/Struts/Toe Links / ZL1 Rear Sway Bar / Z/28 Trailing arms / Prothane Radius Arm & Subframe Bushings / BMR UCA Bracket, Steering rack bushing / B&M Tranny Cooler / RX Catch Can / Jannetty Tranny Dipstick / 2012+ Heater Hose / 2013+ Rearview Mirror / Fuel rail flip / Drake shifter / Oil Cooler Delete