A few weeks back I purchased a set of TPIS LT's from another forum member (Thank you again MikeC5Vert). They arrived in decent shape as advertised. I had also purchased the Random Tech FreeFlow/X-Pipe Package and finally got around to installing them today. It really wasn't that bad. OF course I could do it in half the time if I had to do it again, but that's part of the process.

A couple of things we had to do to get them in there.

Drivers side:

Besides removing the alternator, steering linkage, coil packs, and Air Tubing, we also pulled the valve cover and the oil filter. Once we did the above, that puppy slid right in there.

Passenger side:

The thing that was hanging us up was the tranny cooling lines at the base of the torque tube (A4). Once I undid the bracket holding the lines and pulled them down out of the way, with a little prying on the header, she came down and popped into place.

For the tabs that mount near the old cats, they were about 1/4 to 3/8" off from the holes, both sides. One quick whack with a 5lb hammer on the mounting bracket (it bent easily) and the holes lined right up. :smash: :smash:

The cats slide right into the TPISLT's so after using some sandaper to smooth the inside the cats slid in and then I just gave them each a few whacks with a piece of wood on the end and knocked them into place.

The Random Tec x-pipe also is a slip fit but it was a little looser then I wanted. I gave it one wrap around with some aluminum exhaust tape (it's very thin) and then pushed the x-pipe into place. It toook a little pulling on the driver side cat to get them to line up as the header did not exit perfectly straight out the back. But it wasn't much of a pull to get it into place.

The x-pipe then bolted right up to the Corsa's that were already installed. I did have to use 7/16" bolts with nuts and lock washers as the Corsa's only needed a bolt to the stock x-pipe, but that was easy enough.

So, after slappin' it back together, she rocks and sounds great. It was funny because on the commute to work the other day I was reading the new Corvette Fever and they did the same install and did before and after Dyno's showing an increase of 40rwhp with the complete same setup. I'll believe that when I see it. I took mine to the Dyno a few weeks ago for a baseline. I have a little more work to do and then I'll be back to see (and hope for) what the overall gains are.

:auto: :auto: :auto:




[Modified by 78Vette-SA, 7:30 PM 6/22/2003]

 

How is the aluminum exhaust tape doing?? Any leaks???
I have a leak where my RandomTech cats slide into the collectors of my Stainless Works LTs.

WHERE did you get this "aluminum exhaust tape"???

thanks
:cheers:


[Modified by SideStep, 3:07 PM 6/23/2003]

 

We just did an install last week with the SW headers and RT cats. If you use some high temp RTV sealant around the slip-fit joint, that should take care of any small leaks you have. Actually, over time, the small leaks will probably seal by themselves as the carbon deposits build up and seal those small areas.

What I really would like to see is flanges welded on the ends of the headers and on the inlet of the RT cats. This would practically eliminate any leaks and make a much simpler and easier install.

 

>The thing that was hanging us up was the tranny cooling lines at the base of >the torque tube (A4).

Joe, this weekend, I had the Vette up on the lift and noticed on my TPIS headers (I did not install them) that one of the cooler lines runs right up next to the header pipe, almost looks like it touches it. This cannot be good over the long run. Is this the way yours ended up? I sure would like more room there.

 

Thanks for the info....
:cheers:

 

My passenger side header is about 1/2-3/4" away from the tranny cooling lines. Maybe I should be but I am not really concerned with it. I'll keep an eye on the temp but I figure it's only running through there and past that point for a few seconds. It has a long way before and after to go.

 

So far no leaks. Got tEh aluminim tape as part of a muffler repair kit at Advance Auto Parts. Cost a couple of bucks.