When installing headers, what else should you do?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
I bought these for the wires and they're fantastic. Far cheaper than I could find anywhere else, and they stood up fine to repeated track use.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-LS1-LS2-LS4-LS6-LS7-Spark-Plug-Wire-Boots-Black-8Cyl-Made-In-USA-/231391022160?hash=item35dffacc50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-LS1-LS2-LS4-LS6-LS7-Spark-Plug-Wire-Boots-Black-8Cyl-Made-In-USA-/231391022160?hash=item35dffacc50
Mickeyrx70: went searching this morning and found the 36" sleeving, just not the part number you referenced. Had two options 0.5" and 1.5". What size needed and is this necessary if the headers are coated?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I used the 1" version. The correct part # is DEI 010405 & it's available via Amazon Prime for about $30 shipped for the 36" lengths. I bought two. Sorry for giving you the wrong part number.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
I'm honestly not sure re: 6" vs 8". My main concern was covering the wires themselves next to the primaries since they're the most vulnerable. I reused the metal covers for the boots on the GM red wires, and combined with these socks, I can't see the wire at all when installed. I track my car and have had no issues, so these seem to be adequate protection, especially for the price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
a few other things you may want to consider:
-motor mounts
-remove the AIR system
-tune out rear o2 sensors, and block off
-replace front o2 sensors
-motor mounts
-remove the AIR system
-tune out rear o2 sensors, and block off
-replace front o2 sensors
Last edited by SaberD; Mar 1, 2016 at 10:35 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 54
From: Raleigh NC
For anyone wanting the 8" ones and 2 day shipping. Just ordered a set of these.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Amazon.com: Spark Plug Wire Boot Heat Shield Protective Sleeve 8 Cylinder -Black: Automotive
For anyone wanting the 8" ones and 2 day shipping. Just ordered a set of these.
For anyone wanting the 8" ones and 2 day shipping. Just ordered a set of these.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 295
From: Buffalo NY
OP, Since you're running an 04 your existing AIR system should bolt up and your dipstick should be fine too. If you do decide to take out the AIR, make sure to remove it in the tune as well.
O2 sensors would be very easy to change but with only 24K i think you're fine.
plugs, wires without a doubt. If your car still has them, reuse the metal shields around the bottoms of the boots. GMPP Red wires will be fine for your application
if you disconnect the ground wires bolted to the driver's side of the block make sure to remember to bolt them back up! many members on here have forgotten, then comes the "Help my car isn't running right after header install!"
Definitely space out your rear O2s with anti foulers otherwise you'll get a CEL. Or, you can get them tuned out. If you're tuning the car after the install, make sure your tuner does that for you at the same time.
Remember to antiseize all hardware and retorque your header bolts after a few days!
Also, be sure to secure all wiring (starter, oil level sensor, and especially O2 sensor) up and away from those collectors to avoid them burning through.
Good luck and have fun! It's not a bad install at all.
Last edited by nsogiba; Mar 1, 2016 at 04:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Good advice here
OP, Since you're running an 04 your existing AIR system should bolt up and your dipstick should be fine too. If you do decide to take out the AIR, make sure to remove it in the tune as well.
O2 sensors would be very easy to change but with only 24K i think you're fine.
plugs, wires without a doubt. If your car still has them, reuse the metal shields around the bottoms of the boots. GMPP Red wires will be fine for your application
if you disconnect the ground wires bolted to the driver's side of the block make sure to remember to bolt them back up! many members on here have forgotten, then comes the "Help my car isn't running right after header install!"
Definitely space out your rear O2s with anti foulers otherwise you'll get a CEL. Or, you can get them tuned out. If you're tuning the car after the install, make sure your tuner does that for you at the same time.
Remember to antiseize all hardware and retorque your header bolts after a few days!
Also, be sure to secure all wiring (starter, oil level sensor, and especially O2 sensor) up and away from those collectors to avoid them burning through.
Good luck and have fun! It's not a bad install at all.
OP, Since you're running an 04 your existing AIR system should bolt up and your dipstick should be fine too. If you do decide to take out the AIR, make sure to remove it in the tune as well.
O2 sensors would be very easy to change but with only 24K i think you're fine.
plugs, wires without a doubt. If your car still has them, reuse the metal shields around the bottoms of the boots. GMPP Red wires will be fine for your application
if you disconnect the ground wires bolted to the driver's side of the block make sure to remember to bolt them back up! many members on here have forgotten, then comes the "Help my car isn't running right after header install!"
Definitely space out your rear O2s with anti foulers otherwise you'll get a CEL. Or, you can get them tuned out. If you're tuning the car after the install, make sure your tuner does that for you at the same time.
Remember to antiseize all hardware and retorque your header bolts after a few days!
Also, be sure to secure all wiring (starter, oil level sensor, and especially O2 sensor) up and away from those collectors to avoid them burning through.
Good luck and have fun! It's not a bad install at all.
I plan to keep the AIR system in place.
Good advice to keep the metal wire shields, and gmpp red wires are on my Amazon wish list as soon as I am ready to purchase.
One thing I am a bit unsure of is the comment of spacing out the rear O2s with anti foulers. What does that mean? Do I need to purchase something to do this?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 191
From: Wilmington DE
I need to do motor mounts on mine soon as I hear my shorties starting to shake against the frame. Will be waiting until I upgrade to long tubes to do it all in one shot. And will be adding a tunnel brace like shown above
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,706
Likes: 1,210
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
I like the tunnel insulation idea. One of the few things I dislike about the car is how warm the tunnel gets.
Once home this spring I'm doing the sound deadening, should help a little with the heat.
Once home this spring I'm doing the sound deadening, should help a little with the heat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 54
From: Raleigh NC
This is an Old school way of keeping the Computer from Throwing a code because it doesn't see that the Rear O2 sensor reading is cleaner then the fronts. If you are getting a tune, or are still gonna be running cats before the rear O2's you wont have to worry about this. If not then an easier way is to just get O2 sensor Simulators and remove the Rear o2's altogether.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
This is an Old school way of keeping the Computer from Throwing a code because it doesn't see that the Rear O2 sensor reading is cleaner then the fronts. If you are getting a tune, or are still gonna be running cats before the rear O2's you wont have to worry about this. If not then an easier way is to just get O2 sensor Simulators and remove the Rear o2's altogether.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 295
From: Buffalo NY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
on my catted X-Pipe, 25 ft per side.
I used hose clamps on both ends and at both sides of the cats instead of the ties.
Made a real difference in console temps.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Titanium-Lav...pWC4W7&vxp=mtr
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; Mar 3, 2016 at 04:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Just a quick update for all.
My catted XS Power headers are currently getting Ceramic Coated. Hope to pick up within the next week. These are Version III brand new from Huron Speed.
I also ordered GMPP red wires, AC Delco plugs 41-110, and the Black 8" wire boots previous mentioned in this thread. Got all of these from Amazon. I also have anti-seize and dielectric grease at home ready to go.
I'm going to skip the tunnel plate for now. I don't put anything in the console except an emergency evacuation tool, and my commute is 5 miles one way, so I think I can live without it.
I forgot to order the AC line insulator, so we'll see how close the headers come to that and I can pick it up later if need be. And I'm crossing my fingers that the motor mounts will be good.
Lastly, I'm planning to get in touch with Chuck CoW for the tune after install.
If all goes to plan, I'm hoping to have the install wrapped up by the end of April. Weekends are starting to get scarce with kid's soccer and baseball ramping up.
My catted XS Power headers are currently getting Ceramic Coated. Hope to pick up within the next week. These are Version III brand new from Huron Speed.
I also ordered GMPP red wires, AC Delco plugs 41-110, and the Black 8" wire boots previous mentioned in this thread. Got all of these from Amazon. I also have anti-seize and dielectric grease at home ready to go.
I'm going to skip the tunnel plate for now. I don't put anything in the console except an emergency evacuation tool, and my commute is 5 miles one way, so I think I can live without it.
I forgot to order the AC line insulator, so we'll see how close the headers come to that and I can pick it up later if need be. And I'm crossing my fingers that the motor mounts will be good.
Lastly, I'm planning to get in touch with Chuck CoW for the tune after install.
If all goes to plan, I'm hoping to have the install wrapped up by the end of April. Weekends are starting to get scarce with kid's soccer and baseball ramping up.
