Header install tips? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

angie7 · 02-25-2014, 06:23 PM

A good friend, my fiance and I will be installing my headers on Friday. He's done this many times as he builds race cars but only Mustangs. This will be his first Camaro header install. Any special tips or secrets before we start? Unfortunately we will not be using a lift which is going to make it harder but we will make it work.

Also we are installing a 160* thermostat, any special tips on that. I assume its fairly cut and dry but never hurts to ask.

Thanks!!!

PS. Headers are TSP 1 7/8 w NO cats

Apex Motorsports · 02-25-2014, 06:26 PM

If he has done headers before he will have no problem doing it on a Camaro. The higher you can get the car the easier it will be. Be sure to remove all the spark plugs so you don't accidentally break one and freak yourself out when you start it up. Have fun!

newagemuscle · 02-25-2014, 06:30 PM

I did mine in my garage. All I can recommend is just get it up as high as you can. It was by far the easiest header install I have ever done. Taking my time it only took me about 4 hours.

angie7 · 02-25-2014, 06:33 PM

He said it looks very easy to do. He's been watching YouTube videos on it, lol. But I'm a worried mama

Chevy Fanatic · 02-25-2014, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angie7

A good friend, my fiance and I will be installing my headers on Friday. He's done this many times as he builds race cars but only Mustangs. This will be his first Camaro header install. Any special tips or secrets before we start? Unfortunately we will not be using a lift which is going to make it harder but we will make it work.

Also we are installing a 160* thermostat, any special tips on that. I assume its fairly cut and dry but never hurts to ask.

Thanks!!!

PS. Headers are TSP 1 7/8 w NO cats

I recommend getting the stock exhaust hot and then cracking the 02 sensors loose, this will help reduce the chance of galling the sensor threads. I have removed hundreds of 02 sensors this way without ever damaging the sensor threads. Removing the sensors on a cold exhaust generally results in stripped sensor threads, requiring replacements.

angie7 · 02-25-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy Fanatic

I recommend getting the stock exhaust hot and then cracking the 02 sensors loose, this will help reduce the chance of galling the sensor threads. I have removed hundreds of 02 sensors this way without ever damaging the sensor threads. Removing the sensors on a cold exhaust generally results in stripped sensor threads, requiring replacements.

Heat them with a gun or just general driving? Its a half hour there so everything will be hot from driving.

Chevy Fanatic · 02-25-2014, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angie7

Heat them with a gun or just general driving? Its a half hour there so everything will be hot from driving.

The drive will be sufficient, as long as you don't let the exhaust cool off too much before you start your work.

angie7 · 02-25-2014, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy Fanatic

The drive will be sufficient, as long as you don't let the exhaust cool off too much before you start your work.

Ok great thanks!

Indydriver · 02-25-2014, 07:16 PM

No cats?! You must like it loud and proud!

angie7 · 02-25-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indydriver

No cats?! You must like it loud and proud!

Sure do lmao!! Its not a daily driver so I doubt it will bother me too much. Ive always been a louder the better kinda girl. I have Flowmasters on it now and no where close to loud enough.

Has anyone heard of the oil dipstick not fitting in the tube after installing headers? Friend of mine installed the same TSP I'm installing and said his wouldn't fit.

revived · 02-25-2014, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angie7

Sure do lmao!! Its not a daily driver so I doubt it will bother me too much. Ive always been a louder the better kinda girl. I have Flowmasters on it now and no where close to loud enough.

Has anyone heard of the oil dipstick not fitting in the tube after installing headers? Friend of mine installed the same TSP I'm installing and said his wouldn't fit.

It fits fine no issues with tsp.

revived · 02-25-2014, 07:41 PM

Also you shouldnt need to heat o2 to get the loose, adjustable wrench and a hit with hammer loosens it and can spin them off by hand dont know why they say to heat them thats dumb you can burn youself.

Fast6.3 · 02-25-2014, 07:54 PM

if you have a hard time putting back the dipstick go under the car and put your hand on the block more or less where it goes till you find the hole have someone put it in from the top and you guide it in on the bottome quick and painless

ST1LE · 02-25-2014, 08:06 PM

There is a good post in that DIY section that should be all you will need.

02-25-2014, 06:23 PM	#1
angie7 Smoked by a GIRL Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 3,748 View My Garage	Header install tips? A good friend, my fiance and I will be installing my headers on Friday. He's done this many times as he builds race cars but only Mustangs. This will be his first Camaro header install. Any special tips or secrets before we start? Unfortunately we will not be using a lift which is going to make it harder but we will make it work. Also we are installing a 160* thermostat, any special tips on that. I assume its fairly cut and dry but never hurts to ask. Thanks!!! PS. Headers are TSP 1 7/8 w NO cats __________________ 2014 2SS/RS Summit White w/ IOM interior "Powder 2.0"

02-25-2014, 06:30 PM	#3
newagemuscle Philippians 4:13 Drives: SLP Supercharged LS3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Motor City - Michigan Posts: 2,902 View My Garage	I did mine in my garage. All I can recommend is just get it up as high as you can. It was by far the easiest header install I have ever done. Taking my time it only took me about 4 hours. __________________

02-25-2014, 06:33 PM	#4
angie7 Smoked by a GIRL Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 3,748 View My Garage	He said it looks very easy to do. He's been watching YouTube videos on it, lol. But I'm a worried mama __________________ 2014 2SS/RS Summit White w/ IOM interior "Powder 2.0"

02-25-2014, 07:41 PM	#12
revived Vrrrm. Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: MA Posts: 1,495	Also you shouldnt need to heat o2 to get the loose, adjustable wrench and a hit with hammer loosens it and can spin them off by hand dont know why they say to heat them thats dumb you can burn youself. __________________ Last edited by revived; 02-25-2014 at 09:05 PM.

02-25-2014, 07:54 PM	#13
Fast6.3 Drives: 2016 2SS coupe 2015 3LT Stingray Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: El paso texas Posts: 880 View My Garage	if you have a hard time putting back the dipstick go under the car and put your hand on the block more or less where it goes till you find the hole have someone put it in from the top and you guide it in on the bottome quick and painless __________________ Ported intake manifold and throttle body kooks 2" headers no cats

02-25-2014, 06:26 PM	#2
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	If he has done headers before he will have no problem doing it on a Camaro. The higher you can get the car the easier it will be. Be sure to remove all the spark plugs so you don't accidentally break one and freak yourself out when you start it up. Have fun!

02-25-2014, 07:16 PM	#9
Indydriver Drives: '14 2SS/RS Vert 6M/KTU/NPP/DTA/ARH Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,826	No cats?! You must like it loud and proud!

02-25-2014, 08:06 PM	#14
ST1LE Drives: E92 BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 4,496	There is a good post in that DIY section that should be all you will need. __________________ SOLD - 2013 1LE - Pat G Spec'd Cam, NPP with 1 7/8" Long Tube Headers with High Flow Cats, Intake w/scoop, Ported Throttle Body, and Apex 1.25" Lowering Springs. J-Rod Built and Matt@FSP Tuned