Im doing my header install tomorrow!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ARuiz9 · 03-18-2017, 09:31 PM

First off I've never installed headers before so pardon my ignorance.
Do I need to put any type of sealant on the gaskets? Anti seize or treadlock, keep hearing mixed answers to this? How high should I raise the car (2015 1LE) a lift is not an option? I keep hearing nightmare stories about the dip stick, any pics to help out? Anything else I should know that I didn't ask?

I'm installing kooks headers with high flows by the way.

Thanks in advance for the help!

2SScamaro2010 · 03-18-2017, 09:40 PM

No sealant on the header gaskets and don't use the gaskets that come with the headers get oem gaskets or use ur stock ones, no anti seize or thread lock. Dipstick tube was fun lol. I jacked my car up as high as I could and it was plenty high enough. Unook your battery cause you have to take off a ground strap on your head and your down working around your starter. I took out all my spark plugs also so I didn't crack one. Torque spec on the header bolts are 18ft/lbs if I remembered correctly.

2SScamaro2010 · 03-18-2017, 09:41 PM

Recheck torque and for leaks after a heat cycle

ARuiz9 · 03-18-2017, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SScamaro2010

No sealant on the header gaskets and don't use the gaskets that come with the headers get oem gaskets or use ur stock ones, no anti seize or thread lock. Dipstick tube was fun lol. I jacked my car up as high as I could and it was plenty high enough. Unook your battery cause you have to take off a ground strap on your head and your down working around your starter. I took out all my spark plugs also so I didn't crack one. Torque spec on the header bolts are 18ft/lbs if I remembered correctly.

Thanks. Yeah I ordered oem gaskets as soon as I saw the ones that come with the headers lol.

Avenging Orange · 03-18-2017, 10:09 PM

You can do em on ramps if you have em.

ARuiz9 · 03-18-2017, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

You can do em on ramps if you have em.

I tried getting some but the car is too low and it won't go up the ramps, plus it only seems to raise the car like 7 inches, seems too low to me?

fly2hip8 · 03-18-2017, 10:57 PM

Just put the front end on jackstands and you'll be fine. I did mine last year and it only takes a few hours. Spray WD-40 or your favorite on the O2 sensors a few times. I used a wrench to get the O2s out and didn't have a problem, however, a few people had problems with them.

The dip stick did take me a about 15 minutes to get in since I was doing it myself.

sinisterlsx510 · 03-18-2017, 11:45 PM

U might hve to remove the steering knuckle if u dont have enought clearence

2012OrangeVert · 03-18-2017, 11:45 PM

I did mine on normal jack stands. Not the very large ones. Takes a little finesse. Oil dipstick tube wasn't that hard. I did it.by myself. Look real hard at the top before taking it out. It goes between 2 spark plugs and angles towards the back of car. Also try and look where it fits in on the bottom. That is the more tricky part. It is sort of hidden behind some stuff. Getting all the bolts started is a little tricky if you don't have a helper to hold it while you start the bolts. I used anti seize on the header bolts. Nothing on the factory header gaskets though.

Avenging Orange · 03-18-2017, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARuiz9

I tried getting some but the car is too low and it won't go up the ramps, plus it only seems to raise the car like 7 inches, seems too low to me?

I just cut a couple 2"x6" in 3' lengths and set em in front of the ramps. Worked lika charm.

ARuiz9 · 03-19-2017, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

I just cut a couple 2"x6" in 3' lengths and set em in front of the ramps. Worked lika charm.

I thought about doing that but is 7" off the ground high enough?

Black_SS10 · 03-19-2017, 12:47 AM

The header install is easy! Especially if you have someone too help, have all the proper tools, and parts needed. The helping hand is awesome in helping you line up the header(s) and bolting them up. BUT most important is when your installing the dipstick. I did mine with someone guiding it from the top in 30secs...seriously easy. Don't overthink or be intimidated by it. Oh and high up on jack stands and you'll be fine.

ARuiz9 · 03-19-2017, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly2hip8

Just put the front end on jackstands and you'll be fine. I did mine last year and it only takes a few hours. Spray WD-40 or your favorite on the O2 sensors a few times. I used a wrench to get the O2s out and didn't have a problem, however, a few people had problems with them.

The dip stick did take me a about 15 minutes to get in since I was doing it myself.

So it isn't necessary to jack up the back end?

Black_SS10 · 03-19-2017, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARuiz9

So it isn't necessary to jack up the back end?

NOPE! Wish I could share the pics on how I did mine. I used a trailer and pulled the three middle boards out. Had to block and wood a path up. Drove my front end on to it. You can use jack stands and be just fine. Just get the front high as safely possible.

03-18-2017, 09:31 PM	#1
ARuiz9 Drives: 2015 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Phoeniz, AZ Posts: 54 View My Garage	Im doing my header install tomorrow!! First off I've never installed headers before so pardon my ignorance. Do I need to put any type of sealant on the gaskets? Anti seize or treadlock, keep hearing mixed answers to this? How high should I raise the car (2015 1LE) a lift is not an option? I keep hearing nightmare stories about the dip stick, any pics to help out? Anything else I should know that I didn't ask? I'm installing kooks headers with high flows by the way. Thanks in advance for the help!

03-18-2017, 09:40 PM	#2
2SScamaro2010 Drives: 2010 2SS M6 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 266	No sealant on the header gaskets and don't use the gaskets that come with the headers get oem gaskets or use ur stock ones, no anti seize or thread lock. Dipstick tube was fun lol. I jacked my car up as high as I could and it was plenty high enough. Unook your battery cause you have to take off a ground strap on your head and your down working around your starter. I took out all my spark plugs also so I didn't crack one. Torque spec on the header bolts are 18ft/lbs if I remembered correctly. __________________ Mods: SW Retro Chambered cat back, CAI cai black, APEX scoop and ww tank, RX catch can, APEX Skip-shift Eliminator, Hurst short throw, Speeddawg knob, Kooks 1 7/8 headers high flow cats, BMR trailing arms and toe rods, Livernois dyno tune, ZL1 grill and side skirts.WHP: 415 WTQ: 407

03-18-2017, 09:41 PM	#3
2SScamaro2010 Drives: 2010 2SS M6 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 266	Recheck torque and for leaks after a heat cycle __________________ Mods: SW Retro Chambered cat back, CAI cai black, APEX scoop and ww tank, RX catch can, APEX Skip-shift Eliminator, Hurst short throw, Speeddawg knob, Kooks 1 7/8 headers high flow cats, BMR trailing arms and toe rods, Livernois dyno tune, ZL1 grill and side skirts.WHP: 415 WTQ: 407

03-18-2017, 10:09 PM	#5
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	You can do em on ramps if you have em. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

03-18-2017, 11:45 PM	#8
sinisterlsx510 Drives: 14 ss camaro summit white Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: bay area Posts: 463	U might hve to remove the steering knuckle if u dont have enought clearence __________________ 2014 ss camaro Stainless works long tubes , rotofab cai , vararam wedge , muffler delete,cat delete ,resonator delete , x pipe 2019 sierra duramax 2500 all terrain x 2001 trans am Lsx 408 ci rebuild in progress(dead project) 1967 camaro Sbc 327.

03-18-2017, 10:57 PM	#7
fly2hip8 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Kansas Posts: 342	Just put the front end on jackstands and you'll be fine. I did mine last year and it only takes a few hours. Spray WD-40 or your favorite on the O2 sensors a few times. I used a wrench to get the O2s out and didn't have a problem, however, a few people had problems with them. The dip stick did take me a about 15 minutes to get in since I was doing it myself.

03-18-2017, 11:45 PM	#9
2012OrangeVert Drives: 2012 Orange 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Saint Louis, Mo. Posts: 227 View My Garage	I did mine on normal jack stands. Not the very large ones. Takes a little finesse. Oil dipstick tube wasn't that hard. I did it.by myself. Look real hard at the top before taking it out. It goes between 2 spark plugs and angles towards the back of car. Also try and look where it fits in on the bottom. That is the more tricky part. It is sort of hidden behind some stuff. Getting all the bolts started is a little tricky if you don't have a helper to hold it while you start the bolts. I used anti seize on the header bolts. Nothing on the factory header gaskets though.

03-19-2017, 12:47 AM	#12
Black_SS10 SomeguyK Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: FL Posts: 1,947	The header install is easy! Especially if you have someone too help, have all the proper tools, and parts needed. The helping hand is awesome in helping you line up the header(s) and bolting them up. BUT most important is when your installing the dipstick. I did mine with someone guiding it from the top in 30secs...seriously easy. Don't overthink or be intimidated by it. Oh and high up on jack stands and you'll be fine. __________________ TMS 427, Dart iron Block, Forged assembly, Frankenstien heads, AGP TT 62/62 BB turbo's, AGP/Fore triple fuel system, Tilton clutch, Holley 1 7/8 shorties, Technostalgia tail lights,Oracle, Aeroforce, MGW shifter,Flowmaster, Pegasus subframe bushings,BMR trailing & toe arms,Z28 UCA bushings,Zl1 rear sway bar,Prothane,BMR,Goodridge brake lines,Ridetech HQ coilovers,3.91,Trutrac,billet caps,DSS axles,HE offest,built TR6060,1LE diffuser,Havoc spoiler,SSclones,20in MRR 017, Pirelli P Zero, Nitto NT555RII More to come.