Another header install, please help this noob!

(I have Flowtech LT's with 3" ypipe for my 2000 Camaro SS)

I just called it a night when trying to do the header install. Man its a b*tch, me and my brother only got the driver side header out. We had to take out the spark plugs. Is there an easier way to take those damn things out? Cause it took so long and had to pull them real hard to get them out. One of the rubber covers of the spark plug broke so I hope I can get that at a local autoplace or I'm assed out. When pulling on the spark plugs, the cover came out but the actually spark plug stayed in there, is that okay?

It looks like there is no room at all on the passenger side, is there anything I should take out from the passenger side before I start taking out the bolts from the stock headers? I took out the 12mm bolt to remove the dip stick but the damn thing won't come out. What else do I do to take it out besides the dip stick on the passenger side. Please help, it looks like the passenger side is going to be hell man.

SORRY IF I'M BEING A NOOB, I FEEL SO EMBARRESSED :( but please help this noob out. Thanks guys!

When you say the rubber piece I assume you mean the plug wire. They connect the plugs to the coil packs on top of the valve covers. Those just pull off the actual plug and then you need to get a socket in there and unscrew the plugs. There is a special socket called a spark plug socket, and it looks like it has a nut made into the back end of it so you can turn it with a wrench if you don't have enough room to get a ratchet on there. The plugs have to be out to remove and install your new headers.

You're right there is no room on the passenger side. Be ready for busted knuckles and a lot of cussing. I removed the coil packs from the passenger side to get a little more room and avoid cutting my hands on the little studs that are sticking out for no apparent reason.

Just take your time and don't get excited. If you need to take a break, and remind yourself that you don't have a LT1. Those are a bitch compared to the LS1 cars. I put the jethots on my 99 trans am and it just takes a little patience. Don't just go jerking on stuff, look and see what has you hung up. Baby steps man, baby steps.:thumb:

Thanks bro, another day and another try!

it is a tricky procedure...not hard mechanically...just logistically.

should have searched here first for tips...we have plenty of them.

check out my install guide:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/243722/11

Just take your time and don't get excited. If you need to take a break, and remind yourself that you don't have a LT1. Those are a bitch compared to the LS1 cars. I put the jethots on my 99 trans am and it just takes a little patience. Don't just go jerking on stuff, look and see what has you hung up. Baby steps man, baby steps.:thumb:

Looking under the hood of the LS1 cars I'd say headers look harder on an LS1 then an LT1 car, I just got mine finished, ( all but the y-pipe is hooked up :devil: ) and it definitely wasn't easy but man it looks easier then on the LS1s.

To me it seems like the LS1 has all kinds of wires going everywhere compared to the LT1 car, especially between the fender wells and over where the manifolds are.

Looking under the hood of the LS1 cars I'd say headers look harder on an LS1 then an LT1 car, I just got mine finished, ( all but the y-pipe is hooked up :devil: ) and it definitely wasn't easy but man it looks easier then on the LS1s.

To me it seems like the LS1 has all kinds of wires going everywhere compared to the LT1 car, especially between the fender wells and over where the manifolds are.


Looks can be decieving. LS1 headers are way easier for a skilled mechanic than LT1s

never done an LT1...but for my LS1...it was my first ever header swap. did it in 10hrs, by myself...from start to starting the car...it was actually really easy.

I put the hookers on my LT1 and had no choice but jack up the motor. Other than that nothing majo just a pain in the dick.

On the trans am it was just a bunch of knuckle busting. As is to be expected with any late model car.

BTW: did ya ever get them on?

Finally got the install done guys. Azrael from norcal-ls1/wcgmp came down on his day off to help me out. Thanks Azrael. The car sounds great guys and all I need is to save money to get a basic tune. Then save up for a cam, woohoo. Thank you guys for your help!

COOL...glad it went well



psst....sigs are limited to 5 lines ;)

Thanks, I fixed it :) and hey teke184. When you installed your flowtechs was the ypipe baning? If so what solution did you do to fix it?

i had a bassani offroad pipe on stock manifolds prior to the LTs...and the ypipe banged all the time, even with 12/-3/4" clearance aroudn the frame.

i pulled the motor mounts out and swapped in some poly ones. made all the difference in the world!!

engine barely moves when under load, and neither does the exhaust. i now have it less than 1/2" from the frame and have never had it touch.

now for the bad news...

you needed to swap the motor mounts while you had the manifolds off...i think it's impossible to do with LTs in.

not trying to be an ass, but a simple search or even posting these questions prior to installing the headers would have revealed this issue and you'd have saved yourself alot of grief.

as for a band-aid for the clearance issue, check out the mufflex bracket that Thunder Racing sells, it's designed to keep the exhaust from banging

Thanks for the information, I admit I thought I had enough information do to the install but I didn't. I did do a search but I guess I missed out on a lot of information. But after doing the install with Azrael, I learned a lot. Thanks for the info about the banging issue. I just got back from kragen and purchased a heater hose with hose clamp. Hope it works, if not then I'll try out the ex bracket.