Hi, I just received a set of the SSAC longtube headers with x-pipe. I got a great deal thanks to tstar, I recommend contacting him if you are going to order a set. I just have the initial pics to post, I'll follow up with pics of the install soon. On first inspection the quality looks to be good, I don't have anything to compare them to but first impressions are good:



I plan on purchasing (according to tstars recommendation:

Exhaust manifold gaskets G.M. PN 12558573(old) New is 12600530
AIR tube gaskets
3" high flow cats’ 3" Thunderbolt cats from Performance-Curve.com. They're $36.95 each for ceramic cores, $60 for metal cores.
6 x 3" stepped band clamps Summit P/N WLK-33272
2 x 2.5" stepped band clamps Summit P/N WLK-33226
2 x 3"-2.5" cone reducers Summit P/N FLO-R3025
2 x 10” (approximate) 3” Pipe
Optional – Ball and Socket Flange Summit P/N FLO-15925

Which I hope will finish off the system, it's going to be a weekend install with a friend and neither of us have done this before.

Now for some questions...

I currently have a set of B&B Bullets, should I be using reducers? I was under the impression that the bullets were 3" so I could go 3" all the way back?

I'm not sure which cats to get, I don't know if the metal cores are better or the ceramics are the way to go?

I will also be installing a new tunnel plate, can anyone recommend a good inexpensive plate? I don't care about reducing heat, just stiffening the car.

 

1st in line to hear how this goes...Please take plenty of pictures and let us know if you have to buy anything not mention. This is a great place to start to verify how hard this is.

 

I'll try to take pics of each stage. I am hoping to get to this in early January, just need to order the other parts and get through Christmas. Up close the quality looks to be very good, I doubt you could tell these from any other set of headers if they were sitting next to each other.

 

I bought a set of used TPIS headers with x-pipe / stock pipes from a local Forum member. For the install, I used the old header gaskets (128k miles) and the old manifold bolts (added a flat washer on each bolt). I didn't use any clamps (joints were welded except where header slides into pipes), and haven't had any leaks after 9k miles. My total investment was $500 for this used system:



Here is the stock system that I replaced (you loose ~ 30 lbs going with headers and no cats):


Typical installation can be completed in a day. Take the coil packs off the valve covers, drop the starter out of the way, and jack the driver's side of the engine up a few inches. Good luck.

 

I installed mine about a year ago ( the older version they had before they came with the x-pipe) I just love them !! I had the typical fitment issues with those 1st ones but all were easy fixes--my only recommendations would be to 1st scrap the funky "H" connector and don't bother with it--2nd--Buy the metal cats--They last much longer and are far better-3rd -I tried clamping all my connections with hi-dollar SS clamps and they all leaked--horribly--I eventually had them all removed and took it in and had everything welded in for $40--
4th--I used 3" pipe all the way from the collectors to out the back - Up and over the half shafts--Including 3" cats---3"pipes are a real tight fit up and over the shafts & around the trans pan-- it took a long time on the bender to get them so they wouldn't hit anything--They aren't pretty either as there were some tight bends--In hindsite i would use 2 1/2" just past the cats or if you can get it 2 3/4" to make it easier--

 

Nice system, thats a great price. I just put on new gaskets because of the h/c install that I did, I'm hoping they can be reused.

 

I already have a B&B bullet catback system, do I need to install anything over the halfshafts? I think I might skip the clamps and just weld everything, It's going to be an all or nothing system (darn CA laws). Do you have any dyno numbers with the new system?

 

I got those ssac headers and xpipe on my car now...i installed them a few weeks ago and im very happy with the results. Its a straight forward install as you may or may not have heard from a lot of members on this board who have them. Heres a few quick pointers..

-Remove the alternator
-Remove both sets of coils off both valve covers.
-Remove the dipstick
-Remove the groundstrap underneath the drivers side manifold
-Remove the passenger side valve cover only

The drivers side header slips in through the bottom and the passenger side goes in through the top. (car only needs to be about 1 1/2 ft off the ground)

You will have to message the a/c line on the passenger side (you will see this when you get to the point and understand what im talking about)

Thats about it for all the tricks, anything else u need to know feel free to pm me or the many others that have completed this install....good luck, its not that hard

 

I have em as well and love them, im not running cats though, good luck with the install!

 

This is alot of really good info! I've got everything lying around, waiting to be installed right now(Headers, X-Pipe, Tunnel Plate, Mid-Pipe)

Now I just need to wait for better weather to install them!

 

mdchaser: can you PM me a price list of all the parts you got? I'll be doing the same installation after Xmas and i'm tryign to get all my ducks in a row.

....just curious, are you a lawyer?

 

So far all I have ordered are the headers. I'll PM/post the final list of parts as soon as I order them. I'm expecting a total price of less than six hundred. I'm not a lawyer, why do you ask?

 

your SN just gave me that wierd idea

I have an aftermarket X pipe I want to keep. Other than that, it will be the same setup: Headers, 97 with AIR system, and 3" metallic cats. I will be doing a rear O2 delete.

 

Haha, that makes sense. That name was chosen almost randomly when I was much younger, I haven't seen it anywhere so I stuck with it. I think I might go with the ceramics for the O2 sensors, I don't put many miles on the thing so I'm not too worried about it falling apart. I'm almost as excited about the way it's going to sound than by any power increase I get.

 

same here.... that gurgling sound is awesome. I really want that low end power too.

 

I already have a B&B bullet catback system, do I need to install anything over the halfshafts? I think I might skip the clamps and just weld everything, It's going to be an all or nothing system (darn CA laws). Do you have any dyno numbers with the new system?

I gained 20 RWHP after tuninig--I believe your cat-back system already comes over the half shafts--so you're all set-

 

When I put headers on my mostly stock '99, the seat of the pants power increase I noticed was that in first gear (MN6) from a roll I could hit the gas and break traction. That wasn't the case with the stock manifolds. But then after I swapped camshafts.... at any rpm in first gear I can blow the tires away, and get squirrely in second too. Time for some better tires now Good luck with your installation. It will be very rewarding.

 

i ordered my pair of the SSAC headers... thanks to tstar... my question is this... i am going to install the headers and im also going to bolt up the x pipe myself as well... should i just take the rest to an exhaust shop and have them do up a mid section for the exhaust? i am not fooling with buying 150 freaking dollars worth of clamps.

the only things i would like to be clamped are from the header collector to the 3 inch pipe that comes off that that turns into the 2.5" pipe, and then clap from the x pipe to the new 2.5" pipe...

anyone that has installed, them, do you have pics or can shed some light on what you did?

 

I highly discourage clamps coming off of the header collector, ive tried every clamp known to mankind and the truth is, eventually they all leak to some extent, any leak that close to the 02 sensors is bad juju. If you want it to be removable get someflanges and have them welded on

 

i like this idea... how many flanges would i need? i am having a cam done, and do not want the entire exhaust one big welded piece... plus its hard to get to the top of the exhaust.

so 2 3" flanges for the headers, 2 more for the connecting pipes and then just clamp the x pipe?