ARH Header Install
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 29
From: Wichita Falls Texas
ARH Header Install
Received my C8 Z51 Headers from ARH and sent them to Jet-Hot for coating.
Took me and a buddy 2.5 Hrs. to install. I did not lift the car up or take any wheels off.
First Disconnect the battery.
Then remove the strut tower braces. 4 T40 bolts and a push pin underneath holding the mag ride wiring. Pass side also has 2 clips for an EGR line I believe.
I used a fuel disconnect tool and undid the EGR line on the Pass side for more room.
Remove 4 heat shields on each manifold. 3 10mm bolts on 3 shields and two on the last one. 11 total 10mm bolts
Remove 3 15mm nuts holding the manifold to the cats. You will reuse them.
Also disconnect or remove O2 Sensor. You will need an O2 Socket as a wrench will not work.
Remove spark plug wires from plugs and 5 13mm bolts holding the manifold to the head and it will come right out.
Add clamp on pass side to keep coolant line away from headers
Install in reverse order.
Install Heat Shield on fuel line and EGR line.
Videos Coming Soon!
Took me and a buddy 2.5 Hrs. to install. I did not lift the car up or take any wheels off.
First Disconnect the battery.
Then remove the strut tower braces. 4 T40 bolts and a push pin underneath holding the mag ride wiring. Pass side also has 2 clips for an EGR line I believe.
I used a fuel disconnect tool and undid the EGR line on the Pass side for more room.
Remove 4 heat shields on each manifold. 3 10mm bolts on 3 shields and two on the last one. 11 total 10mm bolts
Remove 3 15mm nuts holding the manifold to the cats. You will reuse them.
Also disconnect or remove O2 Sensor. You will need an O2 Socket as a wrench will not work.
Remove spark plug wires from plugs and 5 13mm bolts holding the manifold to the head and it will come right out.
Add clamp on pass side to keep coolant line away from headers
Install in reverse order.
Install Heat Shield on fuel line and EGR line.
Videos Coming Soon!
Last edited by corvette8189; Feb 3, 2021 at 12:34 PM. Reason: pic size
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 29
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 29
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Cold Start
https://imgur.com/61LkrIQ
Rev Up
https://imgur.com/h5mp1NE
Drive By
https://imgur.com/BKLri7b
https://imgur.com/61LkrIQ
Rev Up
https://imgur.com/h5mp1NE
Drive By
https://imgur.com/BKLri7b
Last edited by corvette8189; Feb 8, 2021 at 09:49 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 1,167
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Like the sound clips, some extra deep tones but not a lot of over the top loud volume.
What I'm looking for since I already do get extra sound with my FabSpeed HJS high flow cats, say a 5 on a scale to 10.
What I'm looking for since I already do get extra sound with my FabSpeed HJS high flow cats, say a 5 on a scale to 10.
Last edited by ArizonaZ06; Feb 13, 2021 at 02:05 PM.
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From: Amityville ny 631-608-1986
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,100
From: Fulshear, TX
Appreciate the pictures and comments; I'll be installing my new coated AFE headers in the coming weeks so good to know it's really not that big of an undertaking. AFE did not include any heat shield wrap or a clamp for the coolant line so it'll be interesting to see if it's necessary with their design or not. I did buy some DEI velcro heat shroud just in case and I'm sure I can fab up something for the coolant line if necessary. I do appreciate AFE including 4 new GM Genuine gaskets though along with stainless steel hardware. Those generic Fel-Pro gaskets that ARH includes look like a leak/failure waiting to happen based on my experiences with gaskets that style. Seems like most installs don't go the route of removing the rear wheels and fender liners as both ARH & AFE recommend in their instructions. I do feel these are the two premiere C8 header choices available with both having CARB numbers guaranteeing 50-state emissions friendly. Conveniently, neither offer a high-flow cat option which was likely a criteria to get that CARB letter.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,228
Likes: 924
From: Carlsbad Ca
Appreciate the pictures and comments; I'll be installing my new coated AFE headers in the coming weeks so good to know it's really not that big of an undertaking. AFE did not include any heat shield wrap or a clamp for the coolant line so it'll be interesting to see if it's necessary with their design or not. I did buy some DEI velcro heat shroud just in case and I'm sure I can fab up something for the coolant line if necessary. I do appreciate AFE including 4 new GM Genuine gaskets though along with stainless steel hardware. Those generic Fel-Pro gaskets that ARH includes look like a leak/failure waiting to happen based on my experiences with gaskets that style. Seems like most installs don't go the route of removing the rear wheels and fender liners as both ARH & AFE recommend in their instructions. I do feel these are the two premiere C8 header choices available with both having CARB numbers guaranteeing 50-state emissions friendly. Conveniently, neither offer a high-flow cat option which was likely a criteria to get that CARB letter.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,100
From: Fulshear, TX
No headers on the market for the C8 relocate or replace the cats at this time, likely due to the EPA cracking down on the aftermarket. I could see the Chinese eBay brands doing this in the future though.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 377
Likes: 435
Honestly pretty disappointing. I forget what HP they are claiming, but it sure as hell doesnt show itself on track at all.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 377
Likes: 435
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,100
From: Fulshear, TX
Considering the premium price ARH commands that is disappointing to hear, but does explain why they include thicker aftermarket gaskets for both ends when other brands either include 4 new OEM gaskets or instruct you to reuse the OEM gaskets. I find it odd that they're not even including higher-end aftermarket gaskets with a fire ring; back in my turbo import days cheap gaskets without fire ring would typically blow out in short order.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,100
From: Fulshear, TX
I had my ARH installed... I can tell you with 95% certainty that they made zero difference. 3 weeks separating track days; temperatures 1 day vs the other nearly identical, data from both days, not 1 iota of difference in acceleration or top speed on track.
Honestly pretty disappointing. I forget what HP they are claiming, but it sure as hell doesnt show itself on track at all.
Honestly pretty disappointing. I forget what HP they are claiming, but it sure as hell doesnt show itself on track at all.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,100
From: Fulshear, TX
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 377
Likes: 435
From others i have talked to they had an issue with too much heat in the engine bay making the review camera cut in and cut out (i guess that would only impact 2LT and 3 LT owners),