stainless works header install problems

[wads ss]

I recieved my headers and longtubes and they look great. My fiend, who is a GM mechanic started the install and things went pretty well. I have a 2wd, so the getting them in wasnt that bad. The problem came when we tried to remove the old o2 sensors and put them in the new pipes. There is very little room to srcew in the front(precat)sensors once the headers are in, so put them in before you bolt in the headers. The real problem came when we tried to get the sensors out of the old manifolds. Two of them were crossthreaded from the factory so we tried to clean them up but we were not able to get one of them to stay in the header, so it popped out while driving and the truck is now a no-go until i get a new sensor put in on monday, which is a pain to do since there is no room to put the top sensor (pass side) in the header once it is bolted in the truck. It sounded and ran awesome for about 10 sec, so I am super exicited. Will let you know how it all turns out once i get a new sensor in and have all the coded cleared at the factory:confused:

[VTODD]

you may as well go buy some new ones. the GM precat o2s are notorious for cross hatching or stripping. i have had to buy 4 total, myself. (for TBSS and a SSS, and hell my buddies GTO had to get 2 new ones!)

todd

[ADM PERFORMANCE]

We have seen that with all new ls2/ls7 equipped vehicles.The C-6 ZO6 has many more issues when removing the exhaust system.

Just buy new ones.

Also on a side note-Did the GM Mechanic think they would hold with such little thread?


Andy

[vetruck]

Sorry the install had to be put on hold. Did you get them coated? How much do new O2's run?

[Soupuh]

<- (wads ss's brother)

The GM mechanic thought it was worth trying, as would anyone. It only took a few minutes to clean the threads up and try again, so why not?

The car sounded mean as hell when it was running, btw... :D

[MyGoatBites]

Putting the snesor issues aside, how long did the install take? Did you do it on a rack? What was the toughest part? Did you cut out the old Y pipe to speed the install?

Thanks for the details. Mine show up this week, sorry for the 20 questions.

[wads ss]

the install was not hard, though we did cut both the y-pipe and the resonator off the end of the exhaust to make it easier. Taking the front wheels off to get at some of the plugs and tightening the header bolts also worked well. i did not get the headers coated. I think it would be alot tougher with an awd though

[MyGoatBites]

A couple hours worth of install? I assume you had it on a rack since the wheels were off. I have yet to se install instructions. I take it the whole install is done from under the truck? Thanks again for your help.

[wads ss]

i took about 5-6 hours of work, there was alot of goofing off also. It also took a while to get the catback together, since there are no instructions for it, it is a trial and error thing. overall it was not that hard of an install. just be careful pulling the sensors out of the old pipes and put them in before you bolt up the headers

[StainlessGuy]

I will do my best to post the header install instructions on our vendor forum this afternoon. I think that it will give everyone a better idea of what is involved in the install and it can be used as a reference should you (for whatever reason) not get install instructions.

Rick
Stainless Works Sales/Tech.

[GMtech45]

Side note to anyone putting old O2 sensors in new pipes: you MUST re-coat the threads with high temp anti-seize! new sensors come with it on them.

[bbradyc5]

Side note to anyone putting old O2 sensors in new pipes: you MUST re-coat the threads with high temp anti-seize! new sensors come with it on them.

Good to know!