Headers, Sway bar and vibration

[ChrisB-98GrandPrix]

I have TOG headers on a '98 GTP with the Random Technology Hi-Flow cat and U-bend (delete). After installation I could feel a vibration... mostly in the gas pedal and a bit in the steering wheel. I suspect the headers are hitting the sway bar or possibly the transmission oil tube. It does not seem to make the vibration/knocking when it's in reverse. The engine does not seem to move excessively when under tourque in forward gears but it does have 107K miles on it so I am considering getting the poly motor mounts.

Wondering if anybody has had to deal with the headers hitting the sway bar and how they fixed it. I heard that you could flip the sway bar but it looks like the ends bend down and flipping it would cause them to bend up ,which would make it difficult to re-connect them.

Any information is welcome. Thanx again everyone!!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by ChrisB-98GrandPrix

I have TOG headers on a '98 GTP with the Random Technology Hi-Flow cat and U-bend (delete). After installation I could feel a vibration... mostly in the gas pedal and a bit in the steering wheel. I suspect the headers are hitting the sway bar or possibly the transmission oil tube. It does not seem to make the vibration/knocking when it's in reverse. The engine does not seem to move excessively when under tourque in forward gears but it does have 107K miles on it so I am considering getting the poly motor mounts.

Wondering if anybody has had to deal with the headers hitting the sway bar and how they fixed it. I heard that you could flip the sway bar but it looks like the ends bend down and flipping it would cause them to bend up ,which would make it difficult to re-connect them.

Any information is welcome. Thanx again everyone!!

The vibration or resonating through the steering wheel is common when you put headers on a 6 or 4 banger, regardless of brand such as TOG or SLP, etc. The flipping of the sway bar is not a solution and poly motor mounts may or may not solve the problem either.

You may need to insulate or separate the headers from the collectors to the CAT convertor and the rest of the exhaust system. Companies like Pacesetter have what they call "woven flex joints". These help reduce noise/vibration and minimize header cracking. Basically, its a T304 stainless steel flexible joint with corrugated inner tubing that is encased in a T304 braided cover. These flex joint pipes are found in different inlet diameters (2 1/4, 2.5, 3.0 inch, etc).

This is just my 2 cents based on my experiences but there may be other solutions.



Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 ECU,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS,TB spacer,
MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 104 spark plugs,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials