Header Rubbing Frame - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

frey.199 · 12-30-2019, 03:54 PM

I have the common issue of my header rubbing against my frame. I know people have fixed this problem by removing the header and denting it about 1/16th of an inch. I've been putting this off because frankly, I do not want to remove the header completely. Has anyone done anything else that has worked without moving the header? Rubber support between frame and header? Ideas?

2010reddevil · 12-30-2019, 04:18 PM

Unfortunately you're gonna have to pull it. It's not that hard really. I had to do the same, took me all of 2hrs. Pull it, place big socket on offending area and give it a few good whacks. Reinstall and check for clearance, repeat as necessary. I was lucky and managed to get all I needed 1st dimple.

pnwdan · 12-31-2019, 12:51 AM

Yeah gonna have to pull it. You cant pry on it. Gotta use blunt force. These cars are the easiest to do headers on so you got that going for you.

WHAMMO · 12-31-2019, 01:30 AM

You can heat it and pry it some. You can try to move the engine mounts a little too.

102SS · 12-31-2019, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frey.199

I have the common issue of my header rubbing against my frame. I know people have fixed this problem by removing the header and denting it about 1/16th of an inch. I've been putting this off because frankly, I do not want to remove the header completely. Has anyone done anything else that has worked without moving the header? Rubber support between frame and header? Ideas?

Just pull it out and fix it off the car.

If you start prying on it while its attached to the head you could cause damage that you may regret.

Doing it the right way is the only way IMHO.

pyroguy · 12-31-2019, 06:43 AM

Out of curiosity what brand headers did you buy? Depending on the manufacturer they might replace it with one that fits better. If that isn't an option then yes, you'll have to dimple.

xc_SS/RS · 12-31-2019, 07:18 AM

Take it out and beat it like it owes you money!

frey.199 · 12-31-2019, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

Out of curiosity what brand headers did you buy? Depending on the manufacturer they might replace it with one that fits better. If that isn't an option then yes, you'll have to dimple.

I believe they are Stainless Works, so no, I don't think they'll have a "better fit" for me haha. I can't remember what the name is to be honest, but I know they are not a name brand but have been purchased by many on here.

Batmanntexas · 12-31-2019, 08:20 AM

I'd try loosening the motor mounts (top & bottom), and see if you can shift the motor a slight bit. If there is no play to be had, then dimple it is, my friend.

pyroguy · 12-31-2019, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frey.199

I believe they are Stainless Works, so no, I don't think they'll have a "better fit" for me haha. I can't remember what the name is to be honest, but I know they are not a name brand but have been purchased by many on here.

If they're Stainless Works and you bought them new, they should work with you. However, SW is a big name brand and you said yours weren't. Maybe Stainless Power? They should still work with you. The only company that is kind of name brand that won't work with you is Speed Engineering and that's because they're already giving you bargain priced headers. A dimple won't effect the power so it isn't too big of a deal as long as you don't mind a dimple.

WHAMMO · 12-31-2019, 08:54 AM

I'll add something here's what I experienced; my friend had 1 bad engine mount before we installed headers. We installed his headers and changed the bad engine mount for a Z28 one(he has a SS). The Speed Engineering were easy to slip on and had planty of clearance. Then the other engine mount went bad. He goes to a friend getting his other mount replaced and BAM the pass header was hitting the frame! He tried to give as much clearance as he could and he ended up with like 1/8" clearance. So he heated that header with a torch and pried it.

So you really never know how it's gonna end up for clearance with headers.

I have a 1LE(same engine mount as Z28) and my Stainless Works fit perfectly even the 2inch. They were harder to slip in cause they're thicker stainless and bigger but the fit was more than perfect.

frey.199 · 12-31-2019, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyroguy

If they're Stainless Works and you bought them new, they should work with you. However, SW is a big name brand and you said yours weren't. Maybe Stainless Power? They should still work with you. The only company that is kind of name brand that won't work with you is Speed Engineering and that's because they're already giving you bargain priced headers. A dimple won't effect the power so it isn't too big of a deal as long as you don't mind a dimple.

YES! That's it, speed engineering is the brand. I knew it was with an "S".

ABM Camaro · 12-31-2019, 09:57 PM

If the headers are rubbing at idle, it will be much worse rubbing under load when the engine twists.

gunchamp · 01-03-2020, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xc_SS/RS

Take it out and beat it like it owes you money!

HAHA!

12-30-2019, 03:54 PM	#1
frey.199 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 260 View My Garage	Header Rubbing Frame I have the common issue of my header rubbing against my frame. I know people have fixed this problem by removing the header and denting it about 1/16th of an inch. I've been putting this off because frankly, I do not want to remove the header completely. Has anyone done anything else that has worked without moving the header? Rubber support between frame and header? Ideas?

12-30-2019, 04:18 PM	#2
2010reddevil Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Victory Red 6M Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Gulf Coast, TX Posts: 1,424	Unfortunately you're gonna have to pull it. It's not that hard really. I had to do the same, took me all of 2hrs. Pull it, place big socket on offending area and give it a few good whacks. Reinstall and check for clearance, repeat as necessary. I was lucky and managed to get all I needed 1st dimple. __________________ 2011 2SS 6A Red Jewel Metallic, Vararam Tune CAI, Magnaflow 3" Competition c/b, Speed Engineering 1-7/8 LT's, Circle D 5C, M/T 275/40R20 S/S, HPTuners tune by Ryan@GPI 12.3 @ 112 ACM as of 12/22/19 Gone on 12/28/19 R I P 2010 2SS 6M Victory Red/Black (old ride) CAI intake, Speed Engineering 1 7/8" LT's, X4 base tune, Flowmaster Outlaw axle-back. 12.6 @ 115 SAR as of 9/19/15 Gone but never forgotten.

12-31-2019, 12:51 AM	#3
pnwdan Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Washington Posts: 848	Yeah gonna have to pull it. You cant pry on it. Gotta use blunt force. These cars are the easiest to do headers on so you got that going for you. __________________ 2014 2SS/RS LS3/M6

12-31-2019, 01:30 AM	#4
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,640	You can heat it and pry it some. You can try to move the engine mounts a little too. __________________ 13' 1LE Old setup: TSP 231-236/Tick 660/.105 PR, UDP, SW LT 2'' & HFC, stock NPP & H pipe, VR-DRX CAI, air scoop, Goertz1 manifold, 102mm BBK, 26" Toyo DRs, Forgestars R17x10 & F18x8, rear seat delete, remote Pat G tune Autocal, 7400 limiter, Spec Mini Twin. 91oct. 11.90@122.3, 0-60ft 2.0 / 11.99@123.6, 0-60ft 2.1 DA+819 ...519RWHP SAE Solid roller SBE LS3, FED, LLSR, 91oct, 605rwhp N/A. Tuned by Pat G. Build by me.

12-31-2019, 06:43 AM	#6
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,918 View My Garage	Out of curiosity what brand headers did you buy? Depending on the manufacturer they might replace it with one that fits better. If that isn't an option then yes, you'll have to dimple. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

12-31-2019, 07:18 AM	#7
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	Take it out and beat it like it owes you money! __________________ 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

12-31-2019, 08:20 AM	#9
Batmanntexas Drives: 2012 Camaro SS (2SS) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 1,372 View My Garage	I'd try loosening the motor mounts (top & bottom), and see if you can shift the motor a slight bit. If there is no play to be had, then dimple it is, my friend. __________________ 745RWHP/634RWTQ on 93 @ 10psi 806/676 on E85 @ 10psi COTW 9/8/14

12-31-2019, 08:54 AM	#11
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,640	I'll add something here's what I experienced; my friend had 1 bad engine mount before we installed headers. We installed his headers and changed the bad engine mount for a Z28 one(he has a SS). The Speed Engineering were easy to slip on and had planty of clearance. Then the other engine mount went bad. He goes to a friend getting his other mount replaced and BAM the pass header was hitting the frame! He tried to give as much clearance as he could and he ended up with like 1/8" clearance. So he heated that header with a torch and pried it. So you really never know how it's gonna end up for clearance with headers. I have a 1LE(same engine mount as Z28) and my Stainless Works fit perfectly even the 2inch. They were harder to slip in cause they're thicker stainless and bigger but the fit was more than perfect. __________________ 13' 1LE Old setup: TSP 231-236/Tick 660/.105 PR, UDP, SW LT 2'' & HFC, stock NPP & H pipe, VR-DRX CAI, air scoop, Goertz1 manifold, 102mm BBK, 26" Toyo DRs, Forgestars R17x10 & F18x8, rear seat delete, remote Pat G tune Autocal, 7400 limiter, Spec Mini Twin. 91oct. 11.90@122.3, 0-60ft 2.0 / 11.99@123.6, 0-60ft 2.1 DA+819 ...519RWHP SAE Solid roller SBE LS3, FED, LLSR, 91oct, 605rwhp N/A. Tuned by Pat G. Build by me.

12-31-2019, 09:57 PM	#13
ABM Camaro Drives: 2013 ZL1 A6 Camaro Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 171	If the headers are rubbing at idle, it will be much worse rubbing under load when the engine twists. __________________ 2013 ZL1 Camaro A6. ARH Headers, K&N intake, Tuned by Tampa Tuning 2014 V6 Camaro bolt ons and E85 Tuned by Tampa Tuning