TImmy_Jones

iTrader: (4)

Doing a header install and want to do it once and do it right. My car is a 98 with 113K miles on it....

Headers and Catted Y pipe (with clamps and hardware)-600 Bucks
MSD wires and NGK plugs-75 bucks
Prothane Motor and Tranny mounts-99 Bucks
Exhaust manifold gaskets, GM replacements-24 Bucks
New GM manifold bolts, set of 12-18 bucks
O2 extensions for front O2s-30 bucks
New tune from Frost or other tuner here-80-125 bucks


So that right there, sets me back about 950 bucks, lets say $1,000 total with shipping...did I miss anything? Header have emissions on them, should I buy new EGR and AIR gaskets? They will be deleted from PCM with the tune coming in.

Also a dumb question....GM sells packs of 12 manifold bolts...is that all it take for Headers?

02Sweet

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like you got everything to me. Just double check the number of band clamps for the headers/ypipe and connecting to your catback.

Yes there are 12 bolts

TImmy_Jones

iTrader: (4)

Thank you, dumb question but I wanted to just triple check.

WIll do on the band clamps, I love the stainless band clamps from WS6 store, put them on my SLP catback and love them!

I could save 30 bucks and swap my pins or something on my PCM...but I need to be plugged in behind the cats to pass visual inspection.

1badWS6

iTrader: (32)

If you bought headers with the AIR/EGR provisions then why are you getting them tuned out?

X-ray

iTrader: (6)

Do you have to replace the spark plugs when you put LTs on? Or is it just a good idea for some reason... My car only has 30,000 miles so I never planned on changing spark plugs when I do LTs but now I see a lot of people change them.

Also, if the headers you buy come with gaskets, is it still a good idea to buy the GM manifold gaskets (as in they're better quality)?

By the way, I saw 1BAD_LS1 Tunes has tunes on sale for $50.

conor.davis

iTrader: (20)

I guess it just depends on the person.
NGK tr55 plugs are good plugs, cheap and your gonna have the plugs out anyway so why not replace them while your there?
Some people reuse the gm MLS gaskets, I bought new ones because they are real cheap and I wont have doubts.

Damian

iTrader: (89)

-Catted Ypipes are optional
-MSD wires are garbage and far inferior to a GM wire
-Poly motor mounts are also optional, and not necessary unless the stock ones are broken
-New bolts are unnecessary. The stock GM bolts that came on the car work just fine.
-In most cases, the manifold gaskets can be reused.

I've done several LT installs for less than $500 in parts.

zaaronz

iTrader: (13)

Your a man with a plan- execute it...

TImmy_Jones

iTrader: (4)

Bolts and gaskets are cheap and good insurance. Cats are a must for me. Motor mounts are old, might as well do them. Tune will be 50 so money saved there! Do the MSD wires need boots? Why are they crap?

wowsers

iTrader: (7)

i havent paid attention to header packages in the past year or two, so barring something i havent seen, im assuming the $600 is for mild steel LT's and catted Y. if thats the case then id say find some other stainless steel headers. unless your car is a weekend toy and doesnt see rain/winter weather, then your headers WILL rust. it doesnt matter if theyre coated or not.

ive had my hooker headers for 3 years and the are starting to rust bad. i just took my y pipe off so that i could repaint it. you said you want to do it once and do it right, so thats my advice if you want to do it right the first time.

edit: just saw that you already bought them, so guess you cant change that.

TImmy_Jones

iTrader: (4)

They are unnamed eBay headers.....all stainless. No worries!

wowsers

iTrader: (7)

well then no worries

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Lots of us run MSDs around here with no problems.

99monguse

Non-stainless steel headers will rust no matter what. MY SS is only driven in good weather and the Grottyohan headers are fully coated and they're very rusty.

ska4life07

iTrader: (2)

If you're going to have everything apart for the heads then why not go a little further to put a cam in too.

udienow

iTrader: (18)

The rust you see on non stainless steel headers is just surface rust. It will take years for it to actually rust through. I bought pacesetter headers that were already 2 years old, yes they had rust already then. I have been using them for 2 years now myself and they still have not rusted through... granted I do not drive in the winter but still. I think people are too quick to push off anything non-stainless steel.

Also good luck with no name ebay brand stuff.... its hit or miss with that garbage.

Marc 85Z28

iTrader: (8)

There is nothing wrong with the MSD wires. They're fine. Damian is either confusing them with the MSD coils (which are crap), or he's just plain misinformed.

01formula6

iTrader: (7)

-New gaskets are not needed
-New bolts are not needed
-MSD wires are not needed, GMPP wires are also red and cheaper
-New mounts are not needed and you may get unwanted vibration with prothane
-Why tune out emissions if you have EGR & AIR hooked up?
-The "right way" would include a full dyno tune

Skip the stuff that isn't needed and that will save you $200 as well as the time you will spend swapping motor mounts.

RedRocketZ28

iTrader: (19)

I agree on everything here.

MSD wires are junk. I have heard that from a # of people. I had MSD wires at one time but sold them to put the stockers back on after I heard about MSD wires being garbage.

Mumbles

iTrader: (5)

I know this isn't the topic of the thread, but this is the first I've heard of the MSD Wires being junk.

What examples can either of you give to support your statements.

I'm not trying to start an arguement, but I've used MSD's on three different cars without a problem.

I'd just like to know why you think they are an inferior product.