Pulling the starter didn't give me enough room to make the passenger side secondary connection so I ended up pulling that header and added an extra 30 minutes. What did take some time was routing the cables so there was plenty of room around the pipes, I took a lot of time because I didn't want any problems down the road. PFADT sent the longer cables overnight delivery so everything worked out well. OH and the new headers have made a significant seat of the pants difference. I think I'll keep the stock mufflers for now as I have noticed a difference in their tone. Now on to the next project changing out the lower box on my MGW shifter, and guess what, the damn sun finally made an appearance in Nh.

 

Oh man! I was hoping to install my headers today, but after reading this, I think I'm going to contact Pfadt first and see whether my kit has the longer primary 02 sensor extensions, because it must be a real PITA to have to uninstall the headers just to plug the extension in. Any idea on what length the original too-short extensions are? Just so I can measure mine to see what I've got? Thx.

 

The first set of extensions were about 12 inches long, the replacements were about 24 inches or a bit longer, they told me all units were being shipped with the longer cables but some did get through with the shorter ones. The shorter cables are for the Z06 not the LS2 which I have. If I recall the instructions actually tell you to plug the cables in first, but the install was going so smooth I ignored them, which I later paid for by having to remove one. On my car the passenger side is the worst plug to get to it is attached to the firewall up above the starter the drivers side was fine. Make sure to torque all the components according to specs which are provided. Its also a good idea towipe all oils / grease off the pipes prior to running
I went for a early morning drive before the traffic started to build and worked the car pretty good, I am very impressed with the end results and as I said in an earlier post I
may forgo new mufflers due to the cost versus actual hp gained.
Good luck with your install its not bad at all.

 

I just had my headers/ Akrapovic Z06 slip on just installed at local speed shop and tuned 436hp at the wheels.
Yes the engine noise increase in the cabin is much greater for sure. You really have to love the sound of race LS motor similar to C6R to appreciate the sound. I notice its louder in the cockpit than standing outside near my exhaust at idle.

 

Thanks. I checked the extensions that came with my headers and all 4 are the same length, about 24", so it's looks like my kit has the updated wires.
I am going to tackle these next weekend.

 

Wow, after reading this whole "article" on Pfadt headers, I'm now convinced of getting these on my next Corvette (I sold my '07)! Good pics of the install and descriptions. The only thing I would probably do before the install is get them Jet-Hot coated....just my opinion. Thanks guys!!!

 

So I completed my header install yesterday and it went as smoothly as I could expect. The headers are an amazing fit and they sound awesome, although I haven't taken it down off the jacks stands yet to try it out because the mufflers are now banging on the rear sway bar. I tried everything to get some clearance but no matter what I do, one of the mufflers still ends up hanging about 1/4" away from the sway bar and will rattle at idle. I have loosened the clamps, jacked on the tailpipes, retightened them, etc, to no avail. It looks like the Pfadt xpipe is very slightly wider than the stock 2013 xpipe and one of the mufflers is cocked slightly to the side, causing the muffler to sit a little closer to the sway bar. I had to leave it yesterday as I ran out of time, but I'm going to try to sort it this evening. Any suggestions on what to do would be greatly appreciated. I'll try to take some decent photos and post them up later.

 

It'll clear the sway bar when you set it on the ground. The droop of the suspension causes it to hit.

 

Whew! Never thought of that! I have it on stands with the wheels hanging, so yeah, that makes sense. Thanks Joe G! I'll drop her down and try it this afternoon!

 

You're good to go.

Send us a sound clip.

 

Well, I dropped the car down off the ramps last night and cranked her up. no rattles whatsoever and no leaks either!
At idle you can only hear a slight ticking, more like a light crackling noise from the headers, but its only slightly louder breathing through the stock mufflers. When it starts with the NPP exhaust open, you can hear a significant difference in noise level.
But then I took her out for a blast. Man oh man, when you go WOT, this SOB shrieks like nothing I've heard before! It's hard to describe what it's sounds like, but it's MUCH louder than blowing through the stock 4 cat exhaust. My system is catted, so I can only imagine what it would sound like if I had ordered the non-catted x pipe. If you want to be able to run a Vette at WOT without scaring the **** out of everyone within a 1/4 mile radius, then don't buy this system! It may be the added volume of the headers and the 3" x pipe blowing through the smaller 2 1/2" open pipe, but you have got to hear this sound to understand what I'm saying. I'll try to record a sound clip and put it up.
I can feel a difference in acceleration too and the car feels stronger even off. Not a huge difference mind you, but definitely quicker to 100mph. So far no codes or warning lights. I'm going to drive it around a bit over the next week and then do a data log on the Intune and send it to Diablew to get him to tweak it a bit. I have an innovate LM2 that I think I will install as well to monitor the AFR.
So far, this Vette is FUN! Next comes the Supercharger... Then a Yank ...then maybe a smallish cam...
Thanks to Pfadt for the best exhaust system I've ever seen. And many thanks to the OP for this thread, which convinced me to buy these headers.

 

Awesome! I love hearing stories like this. Don't forget, if you do a sound clip and a quick review, post it on youtube and tag me on facebook, you have a 1:30 chance of winning some big prizes including coilovers!

Enjoy the excitement of your GS!

 

Cool! I can do you tube, but I don't do Facebook. I'm really old school :-)

BUT, one of the things that I want to do as well is the JOC Stage 1 Suspension package, so tell me what I have to sign up to for one of those!

When I get a decent sound clip, I'll post a link to it on here.

 

AWESOME HEADERS! I installed my Pfadt headers this last weekend and they are simply awesome. I have a Z51 w/ NPP exhaust. With the exhaust turned on, they are almost no different than stock...which makes my wife very happy. With the exhaust turned off they have a fantastic rumble and when you go WOT, HOLY COW....simply amazing sound and acceleration. I absolutely can't wait to get a dyno tune now and see what I've got.

From an install standpoint, I did it all in my garage on jackstands. Unfortunately I could only get the car about 15" off the ground so I had some calisthenics to do but got it done. With only limited space, I did have to raise the engine to get the passenger side installed but only about an inch....certainly don't let that scare you because it was easy easy easy.

While I had the parts out and the mid-pipe removed I installed the ceramic coated Elite Engineering Tunnel Plate with Thermal-ABS, MSD plug wires, 160 degree thermostat, and new iridium plugs. Figured, might as well while I'm at it.

Soooo, it took me about 8 hours from start to finish (two evenings) so not so bad. I have to admit, Mr. Bonehead here knocked the top off my master cylinder and the cap found its way into a crevice behind my window washer reservoir. I lost an hour disassembling my wheel well and searching to find the darn thing. I did think to cap off the cylinder with cling wrap to keep moisture out (I just replaced the fluid with Motul so I didn't want to ruin that while I searched). It was just a reason to step away for a little while to compose myself (and enjoy a Corona or three).

BTW, I did send my headers off to Nitroplate in Nashville, TN to have them coated prior to installation. I figure with the investment in the headers, might as well go all in. They look absolutely beautiful and my heat should stay well down in the engine bay as well as in the car itself.

If you're on the fence about headers, I can say I love my Pfadts. The install wasn't bad and the instructions are quite good. The biggest problem is actually reaching the connectors for the 02 sensors and now with the longer Pfadt cables (I'm assuming because the length of mine were virtually perfect) reconnecting them is a breeze. The ONLY modification I made to the install was I wrapped all the wiring in DEI Aluminized sleeving for overkill. Why not...it's cheap and easy while you're at it.

Cheers!

 

Glad to see this thread regaining some momentum--awesome product! I second the suggestion to use the DEI thermal insulation. While I didn't cover 100% of the wiring, I used it liberally in any areas of concern. A combination of the foil tape and firesleeve seemed to work quite well.

 

It's really hard to say. No tune yet but that's next on my list...I think. I can't decide whether to tune it now or do a FAST upgrade then get it all at once. The closest vette tuner is about 150 miles away so I want to get the most out of my tune.

I suppose it 'feels' more intense but with those pipes wailing, it just may be my adrenaline. But dang...it's FUN!

 

For sure you got about 25/25 rwhp/rwtq at least. Your Butt-o-meter will feel that.

If this is an LS2 car, the FAST will change your tune for sure. So if you don't want to tune twice, put the FAST on. My FAST caused my tune to be quite lean, I added quite a bit of fuel to match the add'l airflow. LS3 I think is less critical.

While the factory tunes them pretty rich, most are ok running headers w/o a tune, I wouldn't run headers and FAST on a factory tune...you never want to run our cars lean, that #7 ring land does not like that...

 

Does anyone have any sound clips they can post? I'm on the fence 25/25 with no tune sounds nice, but I don't want it to sound like crappy fart can

 

I've got a bunch I can post!






I'll most some more on Friday!

 

We've decided to run a little 4th of July sale. From today, until Monday, all of our Tri-Y Headers will ship free!


We've decided to run a little 4th of July sale. From today, until Monday, all of our Tri-Y Headers will ship free! More Power. More Torque. Pfeel the Difference!


Click Here For Pictures/Dynos and Pricing!