Speed Engineering Long Tubes and Parking Brakes

[NC_John]

Backstory - 6.0-ish LS, T-56. Dirty dingo sliders, engine mounted close to the firewall (set back). Using the speed engineering 1-7/8" long tubes.

Here's the issue - Went to the exhaust shop on friday and the headers wouldn't get along with the parking brake cables/rods. The passenger side rod especially was dead center where the header ended. We disconnected the parking brake and ran the exhaust so now I have to sort out a plan "c" (plan "b" is using 2 pieces of 2x4 as wheel chocks which is a little too ghetto for my liking).

Has anybody else come across this or am I just lucky as usual? How do the wilwood rear discs with parking brakes operate? Do they use the factory cables as well?

Thanks for any help.

[mongocanfly]

I had a similar issue with mine...nv4500 and headers...I simply moved the rods and fabbed a slide to clear the trans yoke....works great......

[sprint_9]

If you or anyone else gets this figured out post up some details. Ive had this in the back of my mind ever since I last worked on my exhaust but Im not far enough along to have messed with it yet.

Ive got more or less the same setup, LS set back close to the firewall, Speed Eng. headers, and Wilwood rear discs.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I had a similar issue with mine...nv4500 and headers...I simply moved the rods and fabbed a slide to clear the trans yoke....works great......

Yeah, I didn't think of doing a search until after I posted and saw for once, I have an issue that isn't exclusive to my truck. Ill have to get underneath this weekend and see what I can figure out. Maybe I just need to move the right side mount and can get everything under the exhaust.

Thanks for the help Greg.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

If you or anyone else gets this figured out post up some details. Ive had this in the back of my mind ever since I last worked on my exhaust but Im not far enough along to have messed with it yet.

Ive got more or less the same setup, LS set back close to the firewall, Speed Eng. headers, and Wilwood rear discs.

So I assume by your post that the wilwoods out back retain the factory cables for the parking brake? Nuts.... that could have been an excuse to do the upgrade now. Hmmmm... I still want them to also work as c-clip eliminators though. Just not sure if the wife will buy it.

[michael bustamante]

im going to have to watch this. I just installed my speed engineering as well and didn't even notice if my cables were in the way

[slowcpe]

Well I'll jump in on info as well. 6.0, T56, Wilwood rears, and wanting to do long-tubes. Only difference is I'm running a Porterbuilt Level 1 dropmember and rack and pinion steering.

[sprint_9]

Originally Posted by NC_John

So I assume by your post that the wilwoods out back retain the factory cables for the parking brake? Nuts.... that could have been an excuse to do the upgrade now. Hmmmm... I still want them to also work as c-clip eliminators though. Just not sure if the wife will buy it.

No I haven't messed with any of it other than look at how to maybe route things when I was working on my exhaust. My best guess is that it will need a modified stock setup or an aftermarket setup such as lokar.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Well I'll jump in on info as well. 6.0, T56, Wilwood rears, and wanting to do long-tubes. Only difference is I'm running a Porterbuilt Level 1 dropmember and rack and pinion steering.

well, I can say with total certainty that the rack and pinion won't affect the exhaust routing!

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by NC_John

well, I can say with total certainty that the rack and pinion won't affect the exhaust routing!

Actually its possible with the headers due to the steering shaft routing. It attaches to the R&P inside the frame.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Actually its possible with the headers due to the steering shaft routing. It attaches to the R&P inside the frame.

I have the no-limit r&p and there are no issues between it and the exhaust on my ‘70

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by NC_John

I have the no-limit r&p and there are no issues between it and the exhaust on my ‘70

That's promising to hear. Does it look like it would be an issue if you run the steering shaft from inside the frame rather than through the frame like the NL kit?

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

That's promising to hear. Does it look like it would be an issue if you run the steering shaft from inside the frame rather than through the frame like the NL kit?

I'll take a look next time I am under the hood.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

That's promising to hear. Does it look like it would be an issue if you run the steering shaft from inside the frame rather than through the frame like the NL kit?

It looks like the motor mounts would be more of a concern than the headers for what you are planning. The headers stay pretty close to the engine on the drivers side.

[NC_John]

I successfully rerouted the parking brake cable retaining/guide rods and cables to under the exhaust pipes and transmission crossmember. I put a small piece of foam around one of the cable retainers so it won't rattle and drive me insane when doing down the road. Not very fancy and I wouldn't be happy with it on a show pony but it'll do for me for now.

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by NC_John

It looks like the motor mounts would be more of a concern than the headers for what you are planning. The headers stay pretty close to the engine on the drivers side.

Cool. Thanks for the info. With Porterbuilt designing the motor mounts and providing the R&P I assume I’m good there.