LT header clearance issue

[GRGT1994]

After I installed my BBK LT headers I noticed a clearance issue. The stock K member brace no longer fit. There is a cross bar on a part of it that contacted with the lowest tube just before the collector. So I notched out that bar. Problem now is that I can get it on, but it is still too close. And the interference now is at the bar that runs back to the passenger rear mounting point.

So I have a few of questions.

Has anyone else run into this clearance issue - or heard of it before?

Could the problem be caused by sagging motor and tranny mounts? (I don't know if mine are bad, just wondering if that should be suspect)

Any suggestions that might allow me to run the stock brace?

Thanks for the help.

 

[zenboy99]

I had the same problem, had to put spacers on the other motor mount to twist the motor a little bit. BBK told me "sometimes things fit in a jig, get welded, but aren't the actual dimensions to fit your car". They refused to offer me a refund, and for that I will not recomend them to anyone. Now at idle I have a nice knocking noise where the header hits.

On top of that the ceramic coating had built up in the stud holes wich rendered them useless, so I had to use a smaller bolt. The collectors were ~2" not 2.5" and the caterpillar welds on the primaries were ridiculous. My Kooks headers for my 408W were a night and day difference to the BBKs, they are seriously a work of art, but I paid more $$$ for them. Get what you pay for I guess.

 

[RIO5.0]

Maybe just modify yours?? You could use a bushing like the ones that goes thru shocks, cut to 1" or so and weld it on your brace...Use that as a shim so to drop the bar down ?? If you have access to a welder it would be an easy fix...

You can see the stock brace and the G-Trac I added behind it...The Steeda one has 1" sleeve on the ends so it lowers it...but the sleeve method would cure your problem??

 

[GRGT1994]

Thanks for the great pic. I see the two cross bars on your K member. The front smaller one is still on my car. But since I have a 'vert, I have the larger brace too. It's quite big and already hangs down low - the lowest point on my car, and not far from speed bumps as it is. So I don't think I will drop the bar down. Although that was a good thought.

Maybe I'll just leave it off for a bit and see how it rides.

 

[RIO5.0]

Damn Vert's....

Don't know if I seen that brace before???

 

[Starman]

if you have subframe connectors the brace isn't neccesary