05' Sti steering rack in 97 Legacy. Issue!

[bmwpride]

So i have a 97 legacy gt that had a leaking steering rack. So i opted to swap cross members, and steering rack from an 05'sti. It was wonderful improvement. Now here is the issue. My N/A Borla headers hit the return line on the steering rack, bending it to the point that it leaks and now needs to be replaced. No i know i can replace the line itself but, how do i keep it from happening again, and or is there anything i can do so that i can fix the problem

[chuckthefuk]

Options:
1) Custom lines that do not interfere with the manifold.
2) Take the manifold to a shop and have them notch/bend/modify the runner that is hitting the line.
3) Install a turbo motor with a turbo manifold
4) Install a turbo manifold and customize the piping.

Options 3/4 are ridiculous but i've seen #4 done and its weird...

-Chuck

[rougeben83]

No it's not, option 3 all the way! :twisted:

Depending on how much clearance you need, you can try double stacking the gaskets to the heads to get the header to be lower...if you need more than a couple of mm of space though, you may need to have some spacers machined (or stock flanges, google ebay) and use 2 gaskets (I've seen this done on a TWE header that was giving a guy trouble).

[bmwpride]

i was actually thinking of the 4th option or the 2nd.... CAni see pics of the 4th

[bmwpride]

any one

[chuckthefuk]

i cant find it . give me time.

-Chuck

[chuckthefuk]

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=15046&hilit=+manifold (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=15046&hilit=+manifold)

But I would go with Bens method shim / double the gaskets and be done with it.
-Chuck

[Grafton]

the shim method seems to be the most logical, It involves the least number of parts and nothing requiring a ton of custom work

[bmwpride]

how would i do, this shimming because i would much rather do that?

[chuckthefuk]

No it's not, option 3 all the way! :twisted:

Depending on how much clearance you need, you can try double stacking the gaskets to the heads to get the header to be lower...if you need more than a couple of mm of space though, you may need to have some spacers machined (or stock flanges, google ebay) and use 2 gaskets (I've seen this done on a TWE header that was giving a guy trouble).

[bmwpride]

Do you think 3 or 4 exhaust gaskets will space my header down enough. Or should i find some metal exhaust flanges.

[Huffer]

My N/A Borla headers hit the return line on the steering rack, bending it to the point that it leaks and now needs to be replaced. No i know i can replace the line itself but, how do i keep it from happening again, and or is there anything i can do so that i can fix the problem

I'd just have the line replaced with a custom line. I'd rather not lower the header because you could run out of ground clearance.

[bmwpride]

Very true, but thats what i can do for the moment. I already have the replacement. Just now thinking of what you said because, that would make more sense.