Is it necessary to remove the steering linkage to install these? Also, can anyone give any pointers before I start the install? How about any install guides? TIA!

 

Steering linkage has to go. Get as much stuff out of the way as possible. Alternator, intake tract, AIR pump, starter..... if it looks like it might be in the way just remove it. I used a fel pro gasket, and put orange high temp RTV on it just to prevent leaks. Once you have done the install, be sure and drive around with open headers for at least an hour

If you run into any snags let me know....

John

 

Also install new plugs.

 

If you are putting dual cat shorties on you might be able to get away without removing the shaft.If you are changing to a single cat set , then yes you have no way around it , the oil filter also has to go then.The biggset pain is removeing the old stuff.That is what took me the longest to do.Some of the manifold bolts are a bitch to get at and you only got room for a 1/8 of a turn at a shot.I would think about doing a tuneup at the same time while the plugs and wires are some what easy to get at.

 

hi,
i just did it this weekend on my 97 dual cat camaro,what a pia,make sure you have at least two days to work on it,im decent with working on cars,and it took my about 5 hours sat,and all day sun. to complete,i took the starter,and alternator off,unbolted the power steering pump,and thats it,i didnt have to take off my oil filter either,ac delco has a new smaller oil filter now,so it slipped right past it,i put the drivers side up from underneath,and the pass. side down through the top,i even let the "check oil" tube in,just bent it out of the way,def. do a tune up while its out,youll be glad you did,or hating yourself if you dont,cant get to the plugs to well with the headers either,also make sure you have a case of beer for the occasion,you'll need it,but other than that,its pretty much a straight forward job.also,the egr tube,i just bent mine up to the location it needed to go,i dont know weather you can do that or not,but i could....and it works for me...

 

Yes, this is for a dual cat setup.
Do you mean the pass side up from the bottom, and the driver's side from the top?
I hope I don't have to remove the oil filter, I just filled her up with Royal Purple. I have the oil cooler option on my SS, do you think that'll force me to remove it?
I'll definitely be changing the plugs, but will it be necessary to change the wires too? I want to get a good set, but I'll have to wait a little to spend anymore money. Also, I figured it would be good to use the old stock wires as guinea pigs to see which ones I will have a problem with header contact.
Thanks for the help, keep'em coming.

 

Don't forget to move the sparkplug cables out of the way! I burned two of them on the passenger side because they were too close to the headers!!!! Also use heat shield around the wiring harness and PCM! Someone I know burned the harness!!!

 

no,i put the driver up through underneath,and pass. down from the top,you could use yourfactory wires,but its still gonna be a pain to change them later,you have decent amount of room so that you dont burn your wires,just make sure you check them before starting it,let me know if you have any other questions,and i dont know about your oil filter.mine dont have that...

 

So, even though the driver's side went in from the bottom, you still didn't have to remove the steering linkage?

 

Word. I yanked all that crap when I installed mine

 

nope,i didnt have to remove mine,it went through,with a little persuasion,"spelling" same for passenger side...good luck,im taking mine back out.....you are going to have to reroute you heater core line as well,you'll see what im talking about when they are in and done,these headers arent worth a xhit,good luck with yours.
phil

 

That's the first I've heard about the heater core line. Would I have to do this before I finish bolting them up, or after? Did anyone else have to do this?

 

I did not do anything w/the line and everything is still fine a year later

 

hi,
the tube lays right against the i think 6 header tube,there is a piece of aluminum foil looking stuff,that i puilled up the line so its between,but another guy told me,it wont last long,it will eventually burn through,and pop...but mine sits on the header tube....
phil

 

so what exactly are you disconnected at the steering linkage? that small bolt at the joint?