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Old 06-21-2018, 09:59 AM   #1
pnwdan

 
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Who here has moved their engine over due to header clearance?

Just installed long tubes in my car. The drivers side has a ton of clearance (even with the rubber boot on the steering shaft) and the passenger side sits about 1/8" off the frame rail causing the tube to bounce off of it at low RPM. I know people dimple the tubes or whatever but I'd prefer to shift the engine over. Looking for the best method or info. thanks
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Old 06-21-2018, 10:01 AM   #2
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Some headers sit close. A dimple is usually the best option. You won't want to change the angle of the engine.
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Old 06-21-2018, 11:48 AM   #3
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If your motor mounts are not shot then That is a problem with some headers that were not made quite right so they fit . What brand of headers are they ? I have installed many sets of headers on 5th gens and all slid right in if the motor mounts are good . I would contact the manufacturer and tell him the headers they sold you are out of spec and have them replace them . You paid good money for a set of NON HAMMER FIT HEADERS .
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:16 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GONIF View Post
If your motor mounts are not shot then That is a problem with some headers that were not made quite right so they fit . What brand of headers are they ? I have installed many sets of headers on 5th gens and all slid right in if the motor mounts are good . I would contact the manufacturer and tell him the headers they sold you are out of spec and have them replace them . You paid good money for a set of NON HAMMER FIT HEADERS .

I second this. I have seen more header posts than I have ever wanted being on this site, and never heard about anyone hitting on the passenger side. If anything, it's the steering knuckle that you have lots of room around. Could be 2 things

1) Engine was already moved over for some reason, or was possibly off a bit from factory? Would explain why you have room around steering shaft, but not on other side

2) The header was not made exactly right and is off enough to cause issues. Only solution would be get a replacement, or dimple your new header.
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Old 06-21-2018, 12:35 PM   #5
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I would get another set of headers. My 1 7/8" Speed Engineering long tubes had plenty of clearance, what manufacturer & size did you install? Don't move the motor.
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Old 06-21-2018, 01:57 PM   #6
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I second this. I have seen more header posts than I have ever wanted being on this site, and never heard about anyone hitting on the passenger side. If anything, it's the steering knuckle that you have lots of room around. Could be 2 things

1) Engine was already moved over for some reason, or was possibly off a bit from factory? Would explain why you have room around steering shaft, but not on other side
my exact thinking because its wide open on the steering side

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I would get another set of headers. My 1 7/8" Speed Engineering long tubes had plenty of clearance, what manufacturer & size did you install? Don't move the motor.
Quote:
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If your motor mounts are not shot then That is a problem with some headers that were not made quite right so they fit . What brand of headers are they ? I have installed many sets of headers on 5th gens and all slid right in if the motor mounts are good . I would contact the manufacturer and tell him the headers they sold you are out of spec and have them replace them . You paid good money for a set of NON HAMMER FIT HEADERS .
Speed Engineering and their response via email is that my 38k mile enging mounts must be shot..
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Old 06-21-2018, 02:08 PM   #7
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This is where it is hitting
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Old 06-21-2018, 02:31 PM   #8
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I would not dimple them , I would make sure your motor mounts are not shot . There are many out there who beat up a set of motor mounts in 38000 miles by hole shots, aggressive up and down shifts and track days , so check that first . If the motor mounts are good then the headers are out of spec and need to be replaced . You paid for new in spec headers and you should not have to modify them to fit .
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Old 06-21-2018, 02:45 PM   #9
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my speed engineering lt's hit my steering knuckle on long right hand turns. i found out that my motor mounts were shot so i replaced them and i dimpled the header around the steering knuckle for clearance.

so far everything is gravy
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Old 06-21-2018, 04:59 PM   #10
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Just mark the tube and dimple it, no big deal. There is no negative power effects from the dimple.
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Old 06-21-2018, 05:40 PM   #11
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Just mark the tube and dimple it, no big deal. There is no negative power effects from the dimple.
That may very well be true , but he paid good money for a direct fit set of headers . He should get in spec quality that fit without dimpling for his money. If the Manufacturer sent out of spec headers they should give him a discount or replace them with in spec direct fit headers. What brand of headers are they ? IMHO the manufacture should know so they can correct the problem and stop shipping out of spec headers . If they have a QC problem , it needs to be addressed .
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Old 06-21-2018, 06:23 PM   #12
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That may very well be true , but he paid good money for a direct fit set of headers . He should get in spec quality that fit without dimpling for his money. If the Manufacturer sent out of spec headers they should give him a discount or replace them with in spec direct fit headers. What brand of headers are they ? IMHO the manufacture should know so they can correct the problem and stop shipping out of spec headers . If they have a QC problem , it needs to be addressed .
True!
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:37 PM   #13
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That's exactly where my right side header was touching the frame when I installed my TSP 1 7/8 inch headers. When installed there was a space between the header and frame. Did not think it would be a problem but when driving and turning it would make an awful noise when vibrating against the frame. I felt like same as others, I did not buy headers to beat on them with a hammer. At first TSP did not want to replace the header since I has started the car with the headers installed. After some discussion, they sent me another header, it fit perfectly. They are a great set of headers. Kudos to TSP for standing behind their product.
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Old 06-22-2018, 07:55 AM   #14
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I went home last night and tore into this thing. I loosened mounts and pried that engine all over. Couldn't get it to stay shifted enough. I gave up on that idea quick...

I loosened all of the hardware and tried to re situate the whole exhaust. Couldn't get much more clearance...

I finally just dropped the header out again and put a tiny flat spot where it was tapping the frame. BFH and some patience..Problem solved...

I hated doing it but after the half a$$ response from the manufacturer about how it must be my almost new 38k mile engine mount causing the issue, I was not going to waste my time trying to get blood out of a turnip by trying to explain to them how things can actually be made wrong even in their perfect welding jig the say they have.

In the end they are super cheap by comparison to all other brands so I don't feel that bad about it. They are still overall the best bang for the buck even if you have to fix them unconventionally. The flat spot is so small that you cant even see it from up top and the car runs great. I still would recommend them to anyone that doesn't mind putting in a bit of effort to save some cash. Just don't plan on any customer service.

On a side note, anyone that tries to tell you that running headers and no cats is "only a tiny bit louder" is deaf. I have the NPP exhaust and these things make my car a monster. I love it. I don't think my neighbors like the 4:30 am cold starts though ha ha..
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