SW header install

[Billy Mild]

I have done a decent amount of work to the Corvette and now it is getting close to the time of putting my nicely fixed headers on the car. I had the collector changed from the 4" it came with to a 3" collector. I also had the O2 bungs put on the top side of the collector. I also have a set of cat pipes from a C6Zo6. I have read a lot of the threads on putting headers on the LT5 and it sounds like a difficult job.

I only have the headers and cats. Besides gaskets is there anything else I need to purchase to complete this job? Would it be recommended to do this job on a lift? Could it be completed on jackstands?

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by Billy Mild

Besides gaskets is there anything else I need to purchase to complete this job?Stage 8 locking bolts Could it be completed on jackstands? Yes

Installing Headers and Exhaust
Exhaust System Replace with Headers
Exhaust Headers Locking Bolt Tricks

Note....
You do not need a Header Bolt in EVERY threaded hole.

[Funracer]

Could it be completed on jackstands?

Yes but PITA like everything one does on jackstands.
If you have access to a lift it will save you lots of time and aggravation.

Besides being under jackstands all day is scary.

[Funracer]

You do not need a Header Bolt in EVERY threaded hole

True that. A good thing because some are nearly impossible to get in.

Oddly I put mine on so long ago I cannot tell if the ones missing now have always
been missing or have fallen out over the years. Might be a good idea to make a schematic of which
ones you could not get in for future reference.

[efnfast]

Dip stick relocation bracket.
O2 sensor wiring extension.

[Billy Mild]

Should I get new header bolts?

[Paul Workman]

You can do just about everything from jack stands...if ya hafta.

Headers go on easily. No trouble at all. Not all bolts required (or even possible), but on recommendations I used the high-temp (red) RTV (to sandwich the gasket); no leaks so far after 4 years and a wild (read: airborne) ride a couple years ago.

I'm gathering materials to make another batch of header/dipstick brackets. Should get a chance to grind them out IF it ever quits raining long enough to get set up (don't ask).

I intentionally moved the O2 bungs to the outside (horizontal) of the collectors for easy access and to facilitate occasionally installing a wide-band O2 for WOT tuning. That way I can access them w/o even lifting the car.

I used protective heat sleeves (from my speed shop) to cover the O2 harness extensions (which I made myself by soldering a section of wire(s) between the stock connectors and heat shrinking them before installing the heat shield).

I routed the sensor wires behind the stock heat shields that protect the fuel lines, etc. The wires are only exposed to heat at the connections: so far, so good!

NOW would be a good time to consider installing the SW "X" pipe, and maybe some ear plugs too, if you use the wrong mufflers.

[mike100]

I used a thermal sleeve I bought from a local place to cover the connection for the passenger side O2 extenstion. I used a piece of sheetmetal( a starter shim for a smallblock of all things) using am M6 bolt (10mm head) in an unused threaded hole that is on the cylinder block near where the wires run to hold that against the block and away from the pipes.

I went to fastenall and bought the metric bolts with the larger 13mm head to supplement the stock fasteners. You can reach more of the bolt holes with the headers than with the stock manifolds. The stockers only have about 6 or 7 per side plus the center 15mm nut. I retightened my hardware a couple of times after installation until the gasket set from the heat cycles.

My biggest suggestion is to pull the nuts off of the motor mount studs and raise the engine which makes getting at a few of the factory bolts a lot easier. These are for the ones on the top edge nearest the cam cover.

Once you do this once, it gets a lot easier. Mostly it is about learning the order in which to do it and what combination of favorite wrenches fit what spots. I used, s-wrenches, offset wrenches, one ratcheting 15mm, a good snap-on 3/8 drive universal 10mm to reach fasteners from underneath using a long extension. Once you get the regular manifolds off, the header practically just pops right on...there is so much more room to work with.

[Billy Mild]

Does anyone make an O2 extension? I would rather buy something like that than make my own.

http://www.jerrysgaskets.com/gasket-...er-90-95-11b4/
I assume these are the best exhaust gaskets?

My center resonator is gone and straight pipe was put in place before I owned the car. I have thought about putting an X Pipe back there. Would that be a bad idea?

Sounds like I will do this job at the DIY auto repair place in town. They rent out Lifts for $20 an hour. If it makes the job easier then it will be worth it.

[Billy Mild]

I'm having a hard time finding a O2 sensor harness extension for our 3 Pin sensors. I can find the 4 pin ones, but it seems are cars use a 3 pin.