Installed my Kooks LTs and catted X pipe (pics)
08-17-2011, 12:06 AM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 396
Installed my Kooks LTs and catted X pipe (pics)
Hey everybody. I installed my kooks Longtubes with the catted x pipe today. Going into this i knew it would be a bit challenging as well as aggrivating, but i enjoy doing my own installs and getting to know my car. Im going to cut to the point, this was not an easy install, but it was well worth it. It took me about 9 hours with a lift (big thumbs up to anyone who does this on jack stands) and air tools. I highly reccomend getting a 13mm flex head wrench, i was told this is a big help, but i never got the chance to grab one, and trust me it would have saved some time and aggrivation. This is by no means a write up i just thought i would share some pics as well as my experience and tips with the install, hopefully some can benefit from this.
Comparison of the stock h pipe to the shorty catted x pipe. Notice the high flow cats, they really improve sound and flow
An undershot of the car with the stock midpipe removed
The stock manifolds, with the steering shaft on the left. This will need to be disconnected. There are three bolts and one is in the car under the dash. Also you can see the motor mounts under the manifolds. The engine will need to be supported while taking off the motor mounts, and then it can be raised, i used a transmission lift with a block of would on it to support the motor.
On the passenger side the starter is in the way and will need to be disconnected. Some say to unbolt the starter and let it hang, i just took it off. NOTE be sure to disconnect the battery before the install. There is a red wire running to the starter and i have heard it will fry the ECU if disconected improperly, not sure if this is true but i wasnt willing to find out....just disconnect the battery.
The block with the stock manifolds removed. When removing the header bolts some of the nuts stayed rusted to the studs making removal easy. Some stayed of the studs stayed in the block, there was a head on the edge of the stud im not positive but i believe it was a 4mm socket that i used to take them out. Take your time with this, the studs strip easy, i had to use vice grips and some brute force to get one of them out.
This is just a shot of the passenger side header after it was installed
I thought i took more pictures but as the day went on i became more eager to finish and start her up. Also my patience were starting to where thin. I have the pype bombs and this setup is incredible. In the spring i was running the pypebombs with an o/r x pipe and it was very raspy, way to loud, sounded great but it sounded like i had a prostreet drag car...i dont. Now the headers and the highflow cats sound perfect IMO very throaty. I got an email tune from bama (93 race) and reflashed the computer before i started the car. i plan to get my car dyno'd soon i just need to get around to it. I did notice a nice power gain in the lower and mid range rpms you can feel it on the SOTP meter, but if your looking for a major power upgrade this is not your mod, it is a great supporting mod tho. I have an auto, and i just installed the billet LCAs last week. After the LCA install from a hard launch i would spin first a little...the LCAs work, but today from a dead stop, i stomped it and spun first and a into second. The car rips pretty nice now. I will be sure to get some pictures of the finished install, i could of sworn i took atleast one... anyway the install was well worth it. It can be done by whoever...im not a mechanic, just clear your day and be prepared for some aggrivation. Take your time, make sure everything is tightened down and re-installed correctly and you should be good. If anyone has any questions just ask. New pictures will be up ASAP.
Comparison of the stock h pipe to the shorty catted x pipe. Notice the high flow cats, they really improve sound and flow
An undershot of the car with the stock midpipe removed
The stock manifolds, with the steering shaft on the left. This will need to be disconnected. There are three bolts and one is in the car under the dash. Also you can see the motor mounts under the manifolds. The engine will need to be supported while taking off the motor mounts, and then it can be raised, i used a transmission lift with a block of would on it to support the motor.
On the passenger side the starter is in the way and will need to be disconnected. Some say to unbolt the starter and let it hang, i just took it off. NOTE be sure to disconnect the battery before the install. There is a red wire running to the starter and i have heard it will fry the ECU if disconected improperly, not sure if this is true but i wasnt willing to find out....just disconnect the battery.
The block with the stock manifolds removed. When removing the header bolts some of the nuts stayed rusted to the studs making removal easy. Some stayed of the studs stayed in the block, there was a head on the edge of the stud im not positive but i believe it was a 4mm socket that i used to take them out. Take your time with this, the studs strip easy, i had to use vice grips and some brute force to get one of them out.
This is just a shot of the passenger side header after it was installed
I thought i took more pictures but as the day went on i became more eager to finish and start her up. Also my patience were starting to where thin. I have the pype bombs and this setup is incredible. In the spring i was running the pypebombs with an o/r x pipe and it was very raspy, way to loud, sounded great but it sounded like i had a prostreet drag car...i dont. Now the headers and the highflow cats sound perfect IMO very throaty. I got an email tune from bama (93 race) and reflashed the computer before i started the car. i plan to get my car dyno'd soon i just need to get around to it. I did notice a nice power gain in the lower and mid range rpms you can feel it on the SOTP meter, but if your looking for a major power upgrade this is not your mod, it is a great supporting mod tho. I have an auto, and i just installed the billet LCAs last week. After the LCA install from a hard launch i would spin first a little...the LCAs work, but today from a dead stop, i stomped it and spun first and a into second. The car rips pretty nice now. I will be sure to get some pictures of the finished install, i could of sworn i took atleast one... anyway the install was well worth it. It can be done by whoever...im not a mechanic, just clear your day and be prepared for some aggrivation. Take your time, make sure everything is tightened down and re-installed correctly and you should be good. If anyone has any questions just ask. New pictures will be up ASAP.
08-17-2011, 01:55 AM
#2
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maui
Posts: 4,752
You had a lift! Dude, that is so cheating! Well at least you suffered by not having the $15 miracle tool.....13mm flex head racheting.....lol
Me and 2 buddies crawled around on our backs and sides for two days.......I think a lift should be my next mod. Congrats, LTs are awesome. Now you got a nasty sounding machine. They took two tenths off my ETs too, so yes you got more power........sweet.
Me and 2 buddies crawled around on our backs and sides for two days.......I think a lift should be my next mod. Congrats, LTs are awesome. Now you got a nasty sounding machine. They took two tenths off my ETs too, so yes you got more power........sweet.
08-17-2011, 03:59 AM
#3
2nd Gear Member
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 396
Haha, well the offer to use my buddies lift came up and I couldn't refuse. I figured getting it done in one day vs three wasn't a bad idea. Anyway yes it sounds incredible, next stop...the dragstrip
08-18-2011, 12:24 AM
#5
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maui
Posts: 4,752
Yes race that biotch! Let's see those times.
08-18-2011, 12:38 AM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 396
08-18-2011, 12:46 AM
#7
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 396
Btw you have a ram srt-10? My close buddy had a 2 door 6 speed and he let me drive it very often. Just sold it though. He just had an intake, canned tune and stock exhaust but we removed the resonator and replaced it with two straight pipes. Idk what your exhaust set up is, but man that thing popped and gurgled like a ****. I'm talking very loud. It was awesome, tons of fun to drive though...just thought I'd share that lol
08-18-2011, 06:04 PM
#8
I bought a kobalt 13mm flexhead ratcheting box end from lowes for the install. Its now the most used tool in my box. Oh, and I had the car on 4 jackstands and had a creeper. No issues.
One more thing, I hope your install sounds better than mine. I have horrible trumpeting so I ordered a pypes cat kit which'll be here Monday.
Last edited by Hack Job; 08-18-2011 at 06:07 PM.
08-18-2011, 06:55 PM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 396
Agreed! I also installed LT's last weekend. Total PITA, but well worth it. Plus I just dont trust anyone else working on my car. And if someone else was to work on it I don't think they'd want me watching their every move.
I bought a kobalt 13mm flexhead ratcheting box end from lowes for the install. Its now the most used tool in my box. Oh, and I had the car on 4 jackstands and had a creeper. No issues.
One more thing, I hope your install sounds better than mine. I have horrible trumpeting so I ordered a pypes cat kit which'll be here Monday.
I bought a kobalt 13mm flexhead ratcheting box end from lowes for the install. Its now the most used tool in my box. Oh, and I had the car on 4 jackstands and had a creeper. No issues.
One more thing, I hope your install sounds better than mine. I have horrible trumpeting so I ordered a pypes cat kit which'll be here Monday.
I think the trumpeting was caused by the o/r mid pipe, what axle back do you have, because when I was running pretty much straight pipes before I installed my headers it had a terrible trumpet, I had to switch my o/r x back to stock I got so tired of it. But right now it sounds incredible. Im pretty sure the cats you ordered should get rid of that.
