headers recomendations
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 429
Likes: 4
From: Nassau county Land of high taxes
headers recomendations
Hello all, I'm looking to purchase a set of long tube headers with high flow cats for my Grand Sport that would require no modifications. They will be mating up to a Corsa cat back. Any experiences good and bad would be appreciated along with approximate cost.
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 567
From: Conroe Texas
I ordered a set of stainless works headers a few months ago and they are still not on the car, completely. putting them on, had to use a box wrench to install numbers 1 and 2 spark plugs, wrench would not fit around arp small head bolt behind #2 cylinder, o2 sensor not in rear drivers side. got them on the car and tried to fit up the air tubes but the passenger side tube was pointing straight thru the valve cover so after phone calls everyday for over a week, they told me to send that side back to them so they could check it against their fixture. both sides air tubes are rotated 15 degrees clockwise. they called to say that the header fits their fixture so I say their fixture is incorrect. finally got summit racing involved: the air tube has been manually repositioned and on their way back to jet hot for re-coating and maybe I will get it back in another week or two. then I will have to get the o2 bung welded into the pipe after the cat on the drivers side.
I give them 5 thumbs DOWN!!!
I give them 5 thumbs DOWN!!!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Long Island NY
I would stay away from Exotic Muscle. I had some problems and their response was to ignore me. I would go Melrose or TPIS
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 7
From: FH AZ
American Racing makes fantastic headers. I've installed 3 sets on three completely different cars and every one of them fit perfectly. I just did a set on my 96 last month and they fell right into place. Job was done on jackstands and I didn't even have to pull the starter.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 291
From: MA
I have the 1 3/4" American Racing Headers on my GrandSport with cats and stock exhaust. I am very happy with them!
But if you do a search I had a write up of what was needed to make the install go smoothly.
ARH did not supply header bolts make sure you ask for them.
You really should install some heat barrier at the cats as they are too close to the floor. I used Thermo tech heat barriers at the cat areas and have had zero issues.
Also there is a bracket (small steel post) that comes off the alternator that ARH said you can eliminate, I did not want to so I cut and rewelded it to look factory-installed.
Also I got some stainless spacers for things like the dipstick and other areas that needed spacing from the headers.
You will also need an O2 sensor extension wire on the passenger side. ARH sent it to me no problems.
The headers themselves fit perfect and are built beautifully. The car has definitely gotten quicker and I never got a tune for it and I don't think I ever will. No service engine lights have ever come on and it runs perfectly.
So if you must have headers I recommend the ARH.
But if you do a search I had a write up of what was needed to make the install go smoothly.
ARH did not supply header bolts make sure you ask for them.
You really should install some heat barrier at the cats as they are too close to the floor. I used Thermo tech heat barriers at the cat areas and have had zero issues.
Also there is a bracket (small steel post) that comes off the alternator that ARH said you can eliminate, I did not want to so I cut and rewelded it to look factory-installed.
Also I got some stainless spacers for things like the dipstick and other areas that needed spacing from the headers.
You will also need an O2 sensor extension wire on the passenger side. ARH sent it to me no problems.
The headers themselves fit perfect and are built beautifully. The car has definitely gotten quicker and I never got a tune for it and I don't think I ever will. No service engine lights have ever come on and it runs perfectly.
So if you must have headers I recommend the ARH.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
The best performance to value option is OBX headers. Great value, excellent performance.
OK not "US" Stainless. But very good quality, they are dirrect bolt on. Or as i did I cut off the 2-1/2 reducer at the colloctor leaving a 3" collector. Sell the tiny toy OBX 6" cat replacements. pick up 12" X 3" OD stainless Resonators. A tune with headers will make a serious difference.
OK not "US" Stainless. But very good quality, they are dirrect bolt on. Or as i did I cut off the 2-1/2 reducer at the colloctor leaving a 3" collector. Sell the tiny toy OBX 6" cat replacements. pick up 12" X 3" OD stainless Resonators. A tune with headers will make a serious difference.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 291
From: MA
383 admiral I never went with a tune because I have a stock cammed LT4 engine, while I may be leaving at most about 10 hp on the table the mass airflow engines and wiggle room in the stock ecu calibration should allow and adjust for a performance increase without a tune. Not saying that it would not help (though I personally don't trust a mail order tune a dyno would be my choice) I am sure if the tune is done properly drivability will not be sacrificed and horsepower will increase slightly.
If I am off base please correct me.
If I am off base please correct me.
The best performance to value option is OBX headers. Great value, excellent performance.
OK not "US" Stainless. But very good quality, they are dirrect bolt on. Or as i did I cut off the 2-1/2 reducer at the colloctor leaving a 3" collector. Sell the tiny toy OBX 6" cat replacements. pick up 12" X 3" OD stainless Resonators. A tune with headers will make a serious difference.
OK not "US" Stainless. But very good quality, they are dirrect bolt on. Or as i did I cut off the 2-1/2 reducer at the colloctor leaving a 3" collector. Sell the tiny toy OBX 6" cat replacements. pick up 12" X 3" OD stainless Resonators. A tune with headers will make a serious difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
I'M positive you can pull more then 10HP I currently have a stock LT1 only mods LTCC coils, res delete, cheap stainless mufflers, SLP claw & my tune. Data master shows 343.7 HP. I ran against my buddy's LS fbody 60 - 137 - 410 gears, Headers, mufflers, LS6 intake he had the initial jump, my car was able to maintain side by side.
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; May 28, 2015 at 04:46 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 289
Likes: 12
From: New Port Richey Florida
I have the 1 3/4" American Racing Headers on my GrandSport with cats and stock exhaust. I am very happy with them!
But if you do a search I had a write up of what was needed to make the install go smoothly.
ARH did not supply header bolts make sure you ask for them.
You really should install some heat barrier at the cats as they are too close to the floor. I used Thermo tech heat barriers at the cat areas and have had zero issues.
Also there is a bracket (small steel post) that comes off the alternator that ARH said you can eliminate, I did not want to so I cut and rewelded it to look factory-installed.
Also I got some stainless spacers for things like the dipstick and other areas that needed spacing from the headers.
You will also need an O2 sensor extension wire on the passenger side. ARH sent it to me no problems.
The headers themselves fit perfect and are built beautifully. The car has definitely gotten quicker and I never got a tune for it and I don't think I ever will. No service engine lights have ever come on and it runs perfectly.
So if you must have headers I recommend the ARH.
But if you do a search I had a write up of what was needed to make the install go smoothly.
ARH did not supply header bolts make sure you ask for them.
You really should install some heat barrier at the cats as they are too close to the floor. I used Thermo tech heat barriers at the cat areas and have had zero issues.
Also there is a bracket (small steel post) that comes off the alternator that ARH said you can eliminate, I did not want to so I cut and rewelded it to look factory-installed.
Also I got some stainless spacers for things like the dipstick and other areas that needed spacing from the headers.
You will also need an O2 sensor extension wire on the passenger side. ARH sent it to me no problems.
The headers themselves fit perfect and are built beautifully. The car has definitely gotten quicker and I never got a tune for it and I don't think I ever will. No service engine lights have ever come on and it runs perfectly.
So if you must have headers I recommend the ARH.