Is it labor intensive to install aftermarket headers on the LT-5?

[Vette73]

For those that have headers,is it labor intensive?

Does the motor have to be lifted to get the stock manifolds out?
Any other parts have to be removed to get the headers on?

[edram454]

cant answer that since my car came with them already. being a zr1, probably is.

[tccrab]

I haven't myself installed headers on a ZR1, but I am reasonably familiar with the underside of my 1990, having replaced my transmission and installing the flowmaster cat back exhaust.
Having said that, done at home with no lift, I'd figure on taking around 6 to 8 hours for each side.
The car will have to be a couple of feet off of the ground, and that's quite a trick to do at home.
There not a lot of room to get at the manifold bolts, and there's miles and miles of razor sharp edges on all of the heat shields which seem to be everywhere under there.
You will need lots of extensions, wobbly sockets, PB Blaster, WD-40 and a big box of band aids. Keep a tourniquet handy just in case you have to tie off an arm.....

'Crabs

[Paul Workman]

Getting the heat shields off, was the "bitch". Everything else was pretty straight forward. Took me about 8 hours working alone off of jack stands.

I did remove the inner fender panels for better access, but it never occurred to me to tilt the motor a bit. And, you'll find you can't get all the flange bolts installed, due to interference with some of the pipes. No biggie tho. The fanges are plenty thick and a new gasket and some RED (high temp) RTV on the contact surfaces has been solid for over 5 seasons now.

I recommend that you get (or) re-calibrate the PROM or have someone like Marc Haibeck or Corey Henderson or someone familiar with the LT5 calibration. You'll need more fuel to feed those 25-30 horses, or otherwise you may be running too lean w/o the tune adjustment!

Oh, and I made my own dipstick bracket, which I have since been offering others doing headers. You can too, or NOW would be a good time to let me know if you want me to whip one up for ya (I'm already doing some for a couple others installing headers now - I just wish I'd anticipated the need when the weather was decent.:o)

Good luck!

[Vette73]

Hey thanks Paul.....Yes, I already spoke to Marc and he sent me a chip for the added air/fuel.....

Will be in touch as far as fabricating the dipstick ..

Thanks
JW

[Vette73]

Hey Paul...
Sent you a PM as far as getting the dipstick from you..

Thnx...

[5ABI VT]

I have a few threads on it with pictures on the install. It wasn't too difficult it just takes a bit of time depending on how slow you work.. how much you want to clean etc. The shields were a bit of a pita and it depends on how hard they bolts are to remove (mine weren't too bad at all) but its one of those jobs if you were to do it again you could probably do it in half the time. I found the job enlightening, I got to see and get under my z and start to get familiar with it.

oh and I just did my clutch and flywheel.. I had the stainless fasteners with the locks and every single bolt had loosened up a little since the install so double check them a little while afterwards.


Heres my thread. Lots of great pics from others as well showing the manifolds and shields etc and lots of tips from members in there :)

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20989