I will be installing a set of Long tube headers very soon in my 99 FRC w/M6. The 2 that I have my eyes on are the FLP's and The LGM's. I will be doing this from under the car with it up on jackstands. I can go to about 20" floor clearance. I don't mind taking the spark plugs out and replacing them, they are the originals. Does anyone have experience with these headers. I saw the review on this forum by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE on the FLP install and saw that he had some issues with the alignment not being correct. I also read the review by movinup on the LG's and that raised my eybrow. I will have some help on this and I'm pretty good on cars, etc. But I won't have a lot of time since I'm not doing it in my garage. i.e. I've got to get the car in and out in 1 day so my concern is that it be a true 'bolt-on'. I don't want to have to make a bracket for the dipstick, or bend this and weld that. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :confused:

 

Just did the FLP install on my 1999 coupe this last weekend. I know that in the past there has been a lot of discussion about the fit of the FLP system. In my case I did the install with the car on jackstands and had no problem. Everything lined up correctly and fit perfectly. Very pleased with their product so far.

 

ArKay99,
Had my FLP's on since Feb. Did the install in my garage, on stands with the car about 16" off the floor. There are a couple of posts where you will see that the steering shaft was disconnected, the plugs removed and the starter dropped. The instructions that come with the FLPs are pretty good. Did this by myself and it took 11 hours. Had a few problems (tried not to drop the steering, forgot to rebolt the starter BEFORE I bolted up the header). But on the good side, everything fit and bolted together pretty well. Suggest you go to http://www.stl-vettes.com/Headers/Header_Install.asp and look over Black Magic's install, documented very well. On a shorter note, just had a buddy do a set (on a lift) and it only took 4 hours from start to finish.

good luck
later,

 

Both are true bolt ons and the alignment is all dependant on the jig that was used by the OEM during welding.
Just look at the welds really close prior to install for complete penetration and smooth blending and test fit the sections together the night before.
This should give you a really good idea if you will have no issues or some minor ones.
IMHO, you can't go wrong with either set if the price is right ;)
I had an unbeatable price on the FLPs shipped......prior to Lou's lower price.
p.s., I am looking at FLPs for my 99' GMC Sierrra 4.8.....its jealous :cheers:

 

Save a little money and go with the FLP kit. I installed them using JMX's instructions as a helper. Me and my best bud had them unpacked, bolted up, cleaned up the shop in just under 6 hours. No alignment problems. Good investment. Call Paul at Thunder Racing. He'll get them to you fast. Good luck with your choice.
Travis :chevy

 

Everything you need to know about installing FLPs http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=17

 

We send very good instructions with our headers, and with the new $1595 pricing, they can't be beat. the install can be done from the bottom. there were a few guys from Atlanta who did the LG Pro Long tube install in their garage. The drivers side goes in from the bottom, without taking the steering off, and the passenger side can go in from the top or bottom. We also supply the correct air tube for the passenger side at no charge with the headers so it is a direct bolt up.

Don't forget the Stainless steel construction, and full 3" X pipe and 3 " mid pipes also compared to 2 1/2 of the other brands. these are very important features that cannot be overlooked when considering your purchase. and if you go with the new Random Metal Matrix cats, they too are a full 3" rather than the 2 1/2" of the others.

Give me a call if we can help you.

Thanks

Lou Gigliotti LGM

972-272-7753

 

Heat shield material isn't supplied with the packages is it? :cool:

 

One other option you may consider are the Stainless Works Long tube Headers. We offer these and an installation kit (the headers are $1099 and the install kit is either 399 w/o cats or 749 with random tech high flow cats). The headers are 1 3/4" primary tubes, 3/8" thick cnc laser cut flanges, and can be installed in your garage. The install kit, or center section, as we call it, has a 3" x pipe and includes all hangers, clamps, etc.

You an purchase these through most of the supporting vendors on the forum-Corvette Garage, Xtreme, LAPD, Quarter Mile Performance, MTI, etc. (Sorry if I missed any vendors). We are the only manufacturer that backs our products with a lifetime warranty, and our products are all 304 s/s so they will never rust or corrode.

Thanks
Al Noe
Stainless Works

 

Actually Al, Roger already has a set of your Long Tubes and Center Section on the way to him! :D

 

I did the FLP's in my driveway on jackstands in a few hours. Its pretty easy, especially if you use jmx's webiste. The only addditional comment is that its easier to drop them in without the 02 sensors and let them hang down, install the sensors, and then bolt them up instead of feeding them down with the sensor installed. Also, on early cars you can pull the valve covers with the coil packs on them.

 

Man, this site rocks! I'm learning so much from all the people here. I decided to go with the Stainless Works. The construction, 3" all the way out and, advice from MattG really helped my desicion. Price was not bad either! I also like the fact that I can switch the cats and offroad tubes in and out. I live in Joisey so in 05 I've got to pass emissions, but I think I want the off roads kicking me in pants until then. :thumbs: Also, I've got some time coming up at Cartek for a baseline before I do this, and then after I will tune. I'd like to see what I can do. Before the Vararam, Granatelli MAF, and highflow airbridge, I baselined @322 rwhp. I don't know what I am at with the current mods, (just those boltons), but I like to keep track of where I am at at each step. :cool:

 

Well, here goes. . . . currently running FLP Long Tube headers system with high flow CATs and X-Pipe on my 1999 C5 Coupe (6 Speed). The FLP install took 4.5 hours start to finish with two us us working on the job (no problems). Recomend you have a second pair of hands helping you as well (alot eaiser if you do). By the way I was using a lift not jaskstands !

OK, the install . . . first disconnect the (-) battary. Then you can remove the fuel rail covers, disconect the plug wires from the coil packs, then unbolt the coil pack mount from the valve covers (not each induvidual coil packs, but the mount) from the the valve cover. Then lay the coil packs on top of your intake. Next start the removal of the stock exhaust manafold and dip stick. (I'm assuming you're going with high flow CATs and X-Pipe also)

From the bottom you will have to disconned the exhaust support brackets and all four (4) 02 Sensors (22mm open end wrench for the sensors). Let them hang in place after removal from the exhaust pipes. Also, disconnect the engine ground strap and the 02 Sensor cables at the "quick disconnect" (on both sides of the engine).

Once the 02 Sensors disconnected and stock exhaust system and removed it's time to start the FLP header install. If you come in from the bottom you shouldn't have to disconect the steering shaft (like I did the first time).
(The first time I installed my FLP's I dropped them in from the top - more on that later).

Getting the headers to go up into the engine compartment takes a little jiggiling and twisting, but all in all it's pretty easy to get them into position (remember I was using a lift not jackstands). Also this is where a second set of hands come in handy. . . !

Once the headers are up into the engine compartment you can use one of two header bolts to hold them loosly in place. Now, go back under the car and start reinstalling your 02 Sensors. Then reconnect the ground strap and the 02 Sensor cable @ the "quick disconnects". If you forget to do that it will be very clear that something is worng when you try and start your Vette ! Once all that's done you can start to tighten down your headers and reinstall the dip stick (don't for get that).

After the headers are tighten down I wouuld recommend you install your new spark plugs before you put the coil packs back on. . . it's a whole lot easier on the hands if you do, plus it's a lot easier to getting those back 2 plugs (next to the fire wall) started and tightend.

Put the sparkplug wires on the plugs before you intall the coil packs as well (it's just easlier to do)! Then bolt the coil packs back in place, connect the plug wires to the coil packs and reinstall the fuel rail covers and reconnect your battary.

Now it's time to see if you got everything tightened and reconnected. . . start your engine ! Check the exhaust connections for leaks then check to see if you have any falt cods displayed on your little screen ! If not then you should be in business. . . . !

I hope this helps. . . . I've installed headers on my 1999 C5 4 times (not becasue I wanted to) and this is pretty much the process I've gone through and it seems to work. . . . ! Bottom line. . . you should try and get someone to else to help with the install. . . !

OK, I'm oput of here. . good luck and I hope you enjoy your headers.

Cecil
German American Corvette Club
of Baden-Wurttemberg
Heidelberg, Germany
:flag :flag :flag