Header Clearance

[lilbowtie]

I said earlier clearance the A-arm, just like Tex did. I know the headers have to come back off but do it right.

 

[foxtrot]

If this is just a weekend driver and your not concerned about the 15 HP gain you could always ditch the headers. A nice set of exhaust manifolds would provide tons of clearance.

 

[commandercool86]

If this is just a weekend driver and your not concerned about the 15 HP gain you could always ditch the headers. A nice set of exhaust manifolds would provide tons of clearance.

Throw in the towel on my first complete rebuild? Naw man. I've gone too far

 

[454GrandPrix]

As for the passenger header, it's barely rubbing the upper control arm. Below is a photo. I really don't want to cut unless it's absolutely necessary. I already lobbed off the drivers side a-arm ear for clearance.

You didn't final-torque install the headers already, did you? I hope not, because your solution is easy: take that header back off, hit that tube with a ball peen hammer to dent it for clearance, then reinstall. This won't cost you any power at all.

 

[melloelky]

Heat it till it gets red,spread the heat around too don't stay in one place to long By heating a bigger area than you need it'll be a smoother transition.clearance it with something blunt like a piece of wood or something not very sharp,you don't have to really smash it either with heat it'll submit. that header tube is thin already and it's gonna get thinner when heated so it's not gonna take much force to persway it around.keep in mind when that header gets hot with regular use it's gonna grow a little bit (as most things when heated) so give yourself some room to grow.

 

[melloelky]

Heat it till it gets red,spread the heat around too don't stay in one place to long By heating a bigger area than you need it'll be a smoother transition.clearance it with something blunt like a piece of wood or something not very sharp,you don't have to really smash it either with heat it'll submit. that header tube is thin already and it's gonna get thinner when heated so it's not gonna take many much force to persway it around.keep in mind when that header gets hot with regular use it's gonna grow a little bit (as most things when heated) so give yourself some room to grow.

 

[commandercool86]

You didn't final-torque install the headers already, did you? I hope not, because your solution is easy: take that header back off, hit that tube with a ball peen hammer to dent it for clearance, then reinstall. This won't cost you any power at all.

I did that on the drivers header to get some room around the motor mount bracket. The passenger header was such a pain to get in, I'm going to try the heat 'n beat approach. Passenger side is tight but isn't torqued down yet