I installed ARH long tube headers in 96 Grand Sport this weekend and it was way more difficult than I antisipated. Let me start by saying I am very happy with the overall fitment but there were some problems.

1- from doing research on the forum I read I needed a passenger side O2 sensor extension. When I picked up the headers I mentioned it to them, while they were not aware I would need one they gladly gave one to me. Turns out you will definitely need it.

2- I was supplied with 12 point head bolts all the same size. My fault for not looking close enough but you need 3 stud bolts for accessories that bolt to the exhaust manifold. I bought longer bolts and fabricated sleeves as spacers.

3- the header bolt at the #8 cylinder is a bitch to remove and reinstall.

4- Make sure you remove the temp sensor that's threaded in the block on the passenger side (shown in 3rd picture) before you install the new headers. I broke mine and was lucky enough to find a corvette parts store near me that was open on Saturday at 4pm. And had what I needed.

5- Now for the big problem. There was no provision for splicing the 3" header tubes to the existing 2 1/2" corsa mufflers. I had to go the pep boys to find a piece to jury rig it. I will be calling ARH tomorrow. I'm hoping since I live near them I can bring the car to them and they'll fabricate and install the piece I need. They have been very accommodating so far. I'll also show them the problems I encountered so others won't.

By the way the car sounds Awsome!!!

 

Good tips! Nice pics....and nice garage!

 

Thanks for the awesome post, my next big future mod will be these headers.

 

Wfd1739 been there done that! I did a write up about my issues and it looks like nothing has changed with ARH headers in two years.
I did mention the spacer SS I bought from McMaster Carr in my old post as well as the O2 sensor extension.
But what ARH leaves out in their kit they make up for in the quality of the header.

 

those look great! I ordered a set last week, ARH said they would come with an extension for the passenger 02, hopefully they do! still havnt ordered mufflers yet, was hoping id find something that connected directly to the ARH but looks like im gonna have to order those $300 magnaflows an have some welded up to fit to the ARH. iv got the car up on stands and all the old stuff out, just waiting on the new stuff to get here!

what are those heat blankets on the cats? where did you order them and how much $? iv seen people recommend them with the ARH due to how close the cats are to the underbody

 

that's exactly why I ordered them. better safe than sorry. I got them from Summitt racing.

 

thanks im gonna look into them! I went ahead and ordered magnaflows stainless steel axle back system, and ill just go somewhere and see if I can have an elbow welded in there

 

I also encountered some of the same problems. Here are my thoughts, thanks for sharing yours. Hopefully this will help people in the future.

- You can use the stock header bolts for the dipstick tube and alternator bracket. However, as you mentioned spacers are needed. Lowes sells these spacers in their nut and bolt area.

- ARH will accommodate your muffler connection you just need to let them know. If connecting to a 2.5" exhaust, they will make a slip fit flange on the xpipe extension pipes to slide over the corsa system.

- For underbody protection from the cats I bought this from Summit, it adheres nicely

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/the-13575/overview/

Finally, here's what they look like coated

 

Just spoke to Nick the owner of ARH. I'm going to drop the car off this week and they are going to mate the headers to the mufflers for me.

These guys are the best and I'd recommend them and their product to anyone looking to install headers.

 

 

It sounds very mean Congrats man, I can't wait until I can buy a set.

 

I've had tpis long tubes 1 3/4" and Arh 1 7/8" .

The tpis are the better fitting headers period.

Arh aren't bad, but my complaints are:
1. Doesn't fit (without spacers) with a canton road race oil pan. Note the tpis fit fine
2. Heavier weight. Folks this is stainless steel. I'm not sure why Arh thinks the thick flanges is an asset. I am competing with lighter weight LSx motors. I hate adding a perf part that adds weight.

3. Burned plug wires seems to be more of an issue (vs. tpis)

4. Harder to get to the bolts . I e had to make tools to access the bolts

Now, to be fAir...these are 1 7/8" stepped headers so of course things are going to be tighter.

Some real assets are that Arh made a matching 3" exhaust to work with them.

Also Arh gives you options of cat and without cats/ emissions provisions.

Lastly they even put a special extra wideband O2 bung in for me custom, no extra charge. That was amazing service!


Overall I am happy and the car performs beautifully

 

Took the car to ARH and without hesitation they put it on a lift and fabricated new pipes to match to the corsa. Cudo's today Nick and his crew.

 

I won't run ARH because of the Canton issue, but I will say that thicker flanges ARE DEFINITELY a positive. It provides a better clamping surface with less chance of warp, i.e. less chance of blowing a gasket.

As for the burned plug wires, I fail to see how that's their fault unless the tube is actually touching the plug terminal but I would think you would have returned them if that were the case.

I'm running the Hooker 2151s and have had them for about 15 years. I'll probably run Melrose this next time around as long as they clear the canton pan.

WFD - your car looks and sounds great

 

finally got to install my arh headers. headers went in great, but the xpipe didn't line up with the headers. its about 3/4" too wide and the pipes are angled out. also the cat pushes hard against the floorboard, so im thinking something wasn't welded together right. I fought to get it on an even loosened the headers back up for some wiggle room but no success. gonna have to call them an see if I can get a new one made or something. kinda disappointing considering the high price and over a month waiting for them to get here

 

You can easily close the width between the flanges with a couple of 2x4s and a 5 lb sledge hammer. Been there done that. These are great headers and .15 seconds quicker in the quarter than Hooker 13/4" super comps

 

I thnk mine were like that too.

I also needed 1/8" spacers (off the heads) to clear the swingouts of my canton road race pan.

Seems that after the spacers things liner up better.

All that said. My tpis 1 3/4" headers were the better header in terms of fit.

The arh headers were heavy as he11 compared to thr tpis.
Not sure what the point of making such a thick , useless weigt adding mounting flange does. Thats part of what added the weight.

That said these are the 1 7/8" stepped design so the 1 7/8 prob adds some weight too.

I really liked how arh added a custom extra o2 bung for my wideband


I had my swain tech coated.

Overall im happy. These were really hyped up so perhaps my expectations were a little off.

 

Nice write up and pics. What type of material are the wraps you have clamped?