1990 Header selection and install...looking for advice.
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1990 Header selection and install...looking for advice.
Hi,
I want to install headers on my 1990 auto. Basically a stock engine at this point. I am planning on doing the install myself. Couple of questions for you...
1. Which header kits would be the easiest install? In otherwords, I do not want to make a lot of modifications, other than installing the headers themselves. Also, I do not want to eliminate any emissions components. Needs to be street legal in CT (must pass emissions).
2. How much will I need to jack the car? I am a big guy. Anyone have any tips on this?
Any insight you can provide will be helpful. Thanks!
I want to install headers on my 1990 auto. Basically a stock engine at this point. I am planning on doing the install myself. Couple of questions for you...
1. Which header kits would be the easiest install? In otherwords, I do not want to make a lot of modifications, other than installing the headers themselves. Also, I do not want to eliminate any emissions components. Needs to be street legal in CT (must pass emissions).
2. How much will I need to jack the car? I am a big guy. Anyone have any tips on this?
Any insight you can provide will be helpful. Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
1. Which header kits would be the easiest install? In otherwords, I do not want to make a lot of modifications, other than installing the headers themselves. Also, I do not want to eliminate any emissions components. Needs to be street legal in CT (must pass emissions).
If the car is stock, I would use Hedmans, they are 1 5/8in primaries. Get a pair of bullet cats and you can use your stock exhaust from the cats back(did this w/my lt1, think you can w/l98).
2. How much will I need to jack the car? I am a big guy. Anyone have any tips on this?
I used a floor jack and jack stands, I am a pretty big guy also. It is going to be tight; but is not to tight. I lifted the car as high as the floor jack would go, about 14" and then put the stands in, the only trick was getting the headers underneath and up into the bay. Take off the valve covers, it will make getting to the back bolts easier.
Good luck!!
If the car is stock, I would use Hedmans, they are 1 5/8in primaries. Get a pair of bullet cats and you can use your stock exhaust from the cats back(did this w/my lt1, think you can w/l98).
2. How much will I need to jack the car? I am a big guy. Anyone have any tips on this?
I used a floor jack and jack stands, I am a pretty big guy also. It is going to be tight; but is not to tight. I lifted the car as high as the floor jack would go, about 14" and then put the stands in, the only trick was getting the headers underneath and up into the bay. Take off the valve covers, it will make getting to the back bolts easier.
Good luck!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
From the HEDMAN site (scroll down to the Corvette listings), it appears the 68487 is the best choice for the 1990. If you click on the part number, among other things it says, "4. Includes parts necessary to retain emission devices. (50 State)". It surprises me that this might not include an O2 bung. Since the question has been raised, I'd check with Hedman to confirm.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 400
From: Lakeville MI
I'll be surprised if you will see much gain on a near stock car, if retaining the main cat and the rest of the stock L98 exhaust. Maybe 5-10 HP. TPIS sound to me like the easiest to install and you can re-use the stock bolts which is nice.
Note: The Pre-cats are typically eliminated with a header installation, so you won't be retaining all emissions devices.
You may want to consider a dual/x-pipe/bullet cat arrangement from someone like melrose or stainless works. Of course, this increases the cost considerably.
Note: The Pre-cats are typically eliminated with a header installation, so you won't be retaining all emissions devices.
You may want to consider a dual/x-pipe/bullet cat arrangement from someone like melrose or stainless works. Of course, this increases the cost considerably.
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Emissions "legal" headers means they have the air tube fittings on them. If you're going to do that, rip out all the air crap.
Exotic Muscle made up a set for me with no air crap and O2 bungs already in.
Pricey, $700, but nice.
Not having that air crap all over the place makes things a lot easier to work on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
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From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
From the HEDMAN site (scroll down to the Corvette listings), it appears the 68487 is the best choice for the 1990. If you click on the part number, among other things it says, "4. Includes parts necessary to retain emission devices. (50 State)". It surprises me that this might not include an O2 bung. Since the question has been raised, I'd check with Hedman to confirm.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
From the HEDMAN site (scroll down to the Corvette listings), it appears the 68487 is the best choice for the 1990. If you click on the part number, among other things it says, "4. Includes parts necessary to retain emission devices. (50 State)". It surprises me that this might not include an O2 bung. Since the question has been raised, I'd check with Hedman to confirm.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
But for $300 shipped and $40 to put in the o2's, I am not complaining.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
I put TPIS headers on my 86'. Here is the photo doc:
http://members.***.net/effergyvette/...r_Install.html
http://members.***.net/effergyvette/...r_Install.html
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Caboboy
You got me all hot 'n bothered with that 50 state thing.........until I opened the link & saw they disclaimed California
Originally Posted by Randy93
That is the headers I have and trust me, I spent $40 putting o2 sensors in them. They have air fittings and that is it,
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Sorry about that. All I did was cut and paste the footnote. I didn't go hunting for details. If they don't consider their home state as one the the "50", I wonder what they think number 50, is?
What about the EGR tube for the L98? They have a part number that claims DOESN'T have it. Since it says "Includes parts necessary to retain emission devices." it ought to be there. Not having an O2 bung is like not fitting with power steering, since ALL C4s have both as standard equipment. I think whether you call it smog equipment or a sensor, the headers ought to accommodate it. That's just MY opinion.
RACE ON!!!
What about the EGR tube for the L98? They have a part number that claims DOESN'T have it. Since it says "Includes parts necessary to retain emission devices." it ought to be there. Not having an O2 bung is like not fitting with power steering, since ALL C4s have both as standard equipment. I think whether you call it smog equipment or a sensor, the headers ought to accommodate it. That's just MY opinion.
RACE ON!!!