CLEARANCE TO STEERING SHAFT BOOT W/HEADERS - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

lkurek · 10-05-2020, 08:45 AM

Guys...been a while since I posted....its been a crazy year, to say the least.

In any case....I *finally* installed my Kooks 1 7/8 headers this weekend. Had them for a while, but I had them coated, then a set of SCE gaskets, and a set of ARP stainless studs. They turned out awesome....and on my test run (after getting the service stabiltrack light I tracked to a cracked #8 plug), when the dual mode exhaust opened up...holy hell that thing was loud! And that is through their high flo cats.

In any case, my question....seems there is about 1/8-3/16 clearance between the rubber boot on the steering shaft ujoint and one of the tubes. Again, I have them ceramic coated inside and out, but has anyone had any issues with this tight clearance? Any preferred solution if there have been issues?

BTW, of all the header installs I have done in my life....literally dozens...this had to be one of the best fitting and easiest installs ever. Amazing...even on the passenger side. I can see why Kooks are the best ones out there....top notch!

THANKS!!!

RobZL1 · 10-05-2020, 10:28 AM

If you've still got some clearance, I'd personally leave it on there.

When I had 1-7/8" Stainless Works, it had similar clearance and was fine.

Now that I have 2" TSP headers, I had to remove the boot AND dent the primary a bit to clear the shaft.

Decision guide:
- if there is a gap, leave the boot (the boot also has a lot of room under it before you get to the shaft).
- if the boot touches, cut it off
- if it still touches the u-joint or is really close,, dent the tube

Shouldn't be an issue with name-brand 1-7/8" headers, though

TuneAFish · 10-07-2020, 12:52 PM

I also ran the 2" TSP headers (which are AWESOME!) and had to remove the rubber boot completely and dent the primary tube. I didn't want to remove the boot, but it is not packed with grease like a CV joint, so I think you'll be fine if you 'had' to. If you don't have to remove it, leave it there. But if it looks like a fire hazard, I'd go ahead and remove it to be safe. Just my $.02

pyroguy · 10-07-2020, 10:54 PM

I don't have a bit, but I've had my Kooks ceramic coated long tubes with high flow cats for about 5 years without issue. You think they're loud now, try installing cutouts!

demonspeed · 10-09-2020, 10:27 AM

My Kooks rub on the boot but it’s not affected anything at all. They’re not coated, either.

Punisher_ATX · 10-16-2020, 10:50 AM

Cut the boot off. Toss it in the trash and be done. It does nothing for you.

Bo White · 10-16-2020, 11:18 AM

Supposed to remove the boot if your car has one.

lkurek · 10-20-2020, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo White

Supposed to remove the boot if your car has one.

Is that part of the info from Kooks, or.....? **EDIT** OK, I see that on their website in the install instructions. They say to remove it "if necessary for header clearance". Guess that leaves open how much clearance is needed....before you take it off?

I was going to wrap it with heat resistant tape from DEI, which I did, but now it slightly touches the headers. Its good for 500constant contact, but I really dont want to wear out my coating from rubbing either.

Finally, I was thinking about some heat protecting tubing, say in 2", to replace the boot. Im sure GM put it on there for a reason....if anything to keep crap out of the steering u-joint. They wouldnt do that for no reason?

Oh, and on a side note, I had a 1LE white intermediate shaft I bought a few years ago for the car. There is literally no difference in anything on it from the stock one, other than color. Maybe GM did this if there is a difference on the steering rack or steering column....but I dont see any difference on those either.

lkurek · 10-23-2020, 09:50 AM

I have about 1/16" clearance between the boot and header pipe.....which isnt dented in for clearance. I just dont want this thing to burst into flames on one hand, but I dont want the steering shaft to get all crapped up as I doubt GM would put a boot on their if it wasnt needed.....

10-05-2020, 08:45 AM	#1
lkurek Drives: 2015 CAMARO Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Illinois Posts: 168	CLEARANCE TO STEERING SHAFT BOOT W/HEADERS Guys...been a while since I posted....its been a crazy year, to say the least. In any case....I finally installed my Kooks 1 7/8 headers this weekend. Had them for a while, but I had them coated, then a set of SCE gaskets, and a set of ARP stainless studs. They turned out awesome....and on my test run (after getting the service stabiltrack light I tracked to a cracked #8 plug), when the dual mode exhaust opened up...holy hell that thing was loud! And that is through their high flo cats. In any case, my question....seems there is about 1/8-3/16 clearance between the rubber boot on the steering shaft ujoint and one of the tubes. Again, I have them ceramic coated inside and out, but has anyone had any issues with this tight clearance? Any preferred solution if there have been issues? BTW, of all the header installs I have done in my life....literally dozens...this had to be one of the best fitting and easiest installs ever. Amazing...even on the passenger side. I can see why Kooks are the best ones out there....top notch! THANKS!!!

10-05-2020, 10:28 AM	#2
RobZL1 fo'shizZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ATL Posts: 1,763	If you've still got some clearance, I'd personally leave it on there. When I had 1-7/8" Stainless Works, it had similar clearance and was fine. Now that I have 2" TSP headers, I had to remove the boot AND dent the primary a bit to clear the shaft. Decision guide: - if there is a gap, leave the boot (the boot also has a lot of room under it before you get to the shaft). - if the boot touches, cut it off - if it still touches the u-joint or is really close,, dent the tube Shouldn't be an issue with name-brand 1-7/8" headers, though __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Black \| Maggie 2650 // 103TB // Big Gulp // CSP LT's & Ultra Cats // JMS // Elite Ultra CC // BMR MM // BC Forged KL13 Mods being installed- oil pump, cam, ported heads, dual in-tank, Goliath and XDI, etc., etc.

10-07-2020, 12:52 PM	#3
TuneAFish Drives: 2015 Camaro SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 57 View My Garage	I also ran the 2" TSP headers (which are AWESOME!) and had to remove the rubber boot completely and dent the primary tube. I didn't want to remove the boot, but it is not packed with grease like a CV joint, so I think you'll be fine if you 'had' to. If you don't have to remove it, leave it there. But if it looks like a fire hazard, I'd go ahead and remove it to be safe. Just my $.02 __________________ -Rad Air CAI -GPI SS3 Cam & BTR Springs -2" Texas Speed Headers -AEM Wideband AFR -3" Full Exhaust w/Hi-Flow Cats & Single Chamber Flowmasters -McLeod RXT twin-disc w/Aluminum Flywheel -Yukon 4.11 -Nitto 555 G2

10-07-2020, 10:54 PM	#4
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #832 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 7,071 View My Garage	I don't have a bit, but I've had my Kooks ceramic coated long tubes with high flow cats for about 5 years without issue. You think they're loud now, try installing cutouts! __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #832 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

10-09-2020, 10:27 AM	#5
demonspeed not afraid of the wall Drives: Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,148	My Kooks rub on the boot but it’s not affected anything at all. They’re not coated, either. Attached Images __________________ 2023 1LE 1SS BCD GCF JF5 MN6 SIA SLN UQT 10/13/22: 1100 Past Camaros: 13 1LE\|02 SS\|01 Z28\|00 SS\|91 1LE\|91 Z28\|89 IROC-Z

10-16-2020, 10:50 AM	#6
Punisher_ATX Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Austin Posts: 439	Cut the boot off. Toss it in the trash and be done. It does nothing for you.

10-16-2020, 11:18 AM	#7
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,090	Supposed to remove the boot if your car has one.

10-23-2020, 09:50 AM	#9
lkurek Drives: 2015 CAMARO Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Illinois Posts: 168	I have about 1/16" clearance between the boot and header pipe.....which isnt dented in for clearance. I just dont want this thing to burst into flames on one hand, but I dont want the steering shaft to get all crapped up as I doubt GM would put a boot on their if it wasnt needed.....