[Z06] Header Install Must do's?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
Header Install Must do's?
2003 Z06, just ordered headers which I will put on over the winter. Occasional weekend driver and occaional 1/4 mile. Any other must do's while I am installing headers? Not looking to spend a bunch more money, just something that really makes sense from a time/labor standpoint. Was thinking a starter heat shield... or anything else really needed that requires the exhaust off!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
You might consider a heat shielded tunnel reinforcement plate with the installation of headers...long tube headers might produce more heat into the interior. The plate might also provide more structural rigidity.
If you don't want to buy a new thicker plate, you can add heat shielding to the thin oem plate.
If you don't want to buy a new thicker plate, you can add heat shielding to the thin oem plate.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
OK...probably not wires but I put in the Bosch Iridium Fusion spark plugs but at $10 a pop maybe not those either....I guess its really up to you.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 11
From: Alamogordo New Mexico
You can do the tunnel plate anytime, Just losen the collector bolts and then remove the rear section bolts, the mid pipes are now loose enought to drop down and slide the old tunnel plate out the rear, then side the new one in.
The new tunnel plate will lower the heat, we have 115 plus days on the hwys around here, now its comfortable, better than new. The frame becomes just a tad stiffer. Now I don't even notice it. At first
I think it was my brain.......
The new tunnel plate will lower the heat, we have 115 plus days on the hwys around here, now its comfortable, better than new. The frame becomes just a tad stiffer. Now I don't even notice it. At first
I think it was my brain.......
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
1. Don't tug on the plug wires, make sure to grip at the base and jiggle until they pop loose.
2. Don't tighten any connections until you have your entire exhaust bolted up loosely.
3. A tunnel plate w/ thermal barrier is a good mod to do at this time.
4. I've been running 4+ years and 5-6 HPDEs a year w/ no heat shield on the starter... no issues for me.
5. Get nice zip ties and make sure to get all wires away from the headers.
6. Get LS1 F-body exhaust gaskets... I'm sure they're the same for LS1 C5s. They have round ports and seal better than the D-shaped gasket made for the Z06.
That's all I can think of for now.
2. Don't tighten any connections until you have your entire exhaust bolted up loosely.
3. A tunnel plate w/ thermal barrier is a good mod to do at this time.
4. I've been running 4+ years and 5-6 HPDEs a year w/ no heat shield on the starter... no issues for me.
5. Get nice zip ties and make sure to get all wires away from the headers.
6. Get LS1 F-body exhaust gaskets... I'm sure they're the same for LS1 C5s. They have round ports and seal better than the D-shaped gasket made for the Z06.
That's all I can think of for now.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
Bought American Racing with 3" catted X pipe. I plan on using my stock Ti catback. Chose them for overall fit/finish and ease of installation. Will see how it goes after I receive them. The install will be over the winter and won't get to drive it until April! Thanks for all the input so far!
Last edited by vsocks1; Jan 4, 2008 at 05:12 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 27
From: Torrance Calif
ARP hardware (12 point nuts) they make a kit for our motors.
http://www.arp-bolts.com/Catalog/Catalog.html
About $80.
Check out PERCY"S gaskets, they make two types.
http://www.percyshp.com/index.php?op...id=5&Itemid=34
http://www.arp-bolts.com/Catalog/Catalog.html
About $80.
Check out PERCY"S gaskets, they make two types.
http://www.percyshp.com/index.php?op...id=5&Itemid=34
Last edited by heavymetals; Jan 4, 2008 at 05:40 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
I couldn't get a good grip on one and my hand slipped off the boot and grabbed the wire and pulled the wire out of the boot. and apparently you can' buy just one so I had to buy the whole set. They had 60+K miles on them anyway, so i was going to do it anyway soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
Recommendation for Elite Engineering tunnel plate...
I have an Elite Engineering tunnel plate and it works exactly as advertised (quarter inch with thermal abs),
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/E...ent_Plate.html
Let me add their customer service is absolutely outstanding. They are very quick to respond to email inquiries and in my experience, they even respond to emails on the weekend.
Here's a picture of mine but note, mine was accidently installed wrong side up... it was supposed to be flipped over. Even with this error, it really keeps the heat out.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/E...ent_Plate.html
Let me add their customer service is absolutely outstanding. They are very quick to respond to email inquiries and in my experience, they even respond to emails on the weekend.
Here's a picture of mine but note, mine was accidently installed wrong side up... it was supposed to be flipped over. Even with this error, it really keeps the heat out.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 54
From: W. Jefferson OH
Make sure that you install the front o2's correctly, right side to right side, left side to left side. They look like they should cross but they don't. If you switch them you will know right away. Make sure the wires are tucked up out of the way really good too.