New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech - Texas Speed Headers on a 2002 z28

I want to start things out by mentioning this is my first ls1 f body. The car is an '02 with 87K original miles. It's back home in VA and I'm in FL with the Navy so I can't even drive it yet (one more month though thank God) So, I was thinking about buying the texas speed headers, offroad y pipe and o2 extensions. First, does anyone have any reviews? The price seems like it's a great deal for polished SS. I just need to know about bypassing the AIR (is it true these cars don't have EGR?). Will these headers hurt my mpg? How much hp should I expect to gain? Will I be able to drive it for a while without the tune? Any and all help would greatly be appreciated. :usa:

many many many reviews !!! did i say many?

What about the AIR, etc?

They are great headers - your car has no egr, so go with the race style headers. Also, you should be able to gain 20rwhp I would think - don't quote me, but it depends on your supporting mods and tune. So they outcome will vary some. You won't hurt the car by driving without a tune but you won't get the best you can out of that bolt on without it. Anything else?

Oh, and for air I just disconnected the air hoses (rubber) and the pump (driver side under the air dam is easiest to remove)

so you would just disconnect the air hoses for now? After I put the headers on can I send the pcm and get the AIR tuned out and put a tune in for the headers as well? I'm still kinda new to all of this, thanks for your help. I'm used to my Vette haha no emissions whatsoever lol.

how long do you think for the header install? I'm pretty mechanically inclined and how long for the pump removal? does getting rid of the pump hurt my mpgs?

i did my headers install in a day all by my self no one to help what so ever no power tools no lifts or anything

i was even a lil stoned

how long do you think for the header install? I'm pretty mechanically inclined and how long for the pump removal? does getting rid of the pump hurt my mpgs?

if first time doing headers i would give your self a good day this includes removing the air, the air is only for the cats for initial cold start since your using off road pipe dont have to worry about it youll need to plug your lid and plug vacuum line no it wont hurt gas milage

Hah allright! I'm definitely gonna order those headers then :D

:D Well I'm gonna order the headers and install them once I get back home. Do you think it will hurt the car if I drive it like 3 miles down the road to have the y pipe welded up?

long as you don't WOT you'll be fine i DD mines with OH for about 2 weeks i just drove like my grandmother

You'll be fine - and yes, you can get a tune after or while your doing the mods. Air is simple to remove just follow the lines and pull em off. Some cheap vacuum caps and something to block lid hole where air hose was - some use tape - I used a plastic cap grommet - fit perfect.

Thanks guys for all your help. Do you know where I can send my PCM to to get it tuned? is it worth buying the DIY tuning kit?

I highly recommend FROST on this site. Check him out - http://www.tunedbyfrost.com/ Either him or a dyno - although he does both. lol

is it really worth the 450?

With your mods - I would do a mail order tune for 150. - that is worth it PLUS he gives you 90 days if you wanna tune again for free (you just pay shipping) so if you wanted to add anything else like ported throttle body, gears, etc. Great deal man!

Awesome! how long does it usually take to get the pcm back?

His turn around time is fast. Last time I sent mine it was only 3 days - well worth it.

Matter of fact mine is going out tomorrow to him for another tune - lol

if i had to do it all over again i would have gotten some KOOKS headers.......food for thought

OP are you stationed at mayport in jax fl?

Well, my next question is where is the PCM and how do you remove it? I couldn't find a sticky with that info... Help anyone?

I'm stationed in Pensacola Florida for "Parachute Rigger" A School.

@ op take it to XXX in pcola to have it tuned i am at hurlburt field down the rd

Well, my next question is where is the PCM and how do you remove it? I couldn't find a sticky with that info... Help anyone?

If you go to the website from the link (someone else posted earlier) it shows you exactly how to do it.

Make sure you change you motor mount in the process...it's a must do when changing your headers. I'm in the process now and it's a pain the ass with the headers on.

i've ordered the 1 7/8 headers they are just sitting around here, going to install them by 5/1/2012 mm/dd/yy along with monster stage 3.

will let you know what happens with me.
02 Ws6 M6

@AmDWs6 can you pm me some pics when you do the install? How hard is it to change out the motor mount? Change it with poly bushings? Does it really make a lot of difference?

The car is back home in VA :( I'll hopefully be there soon :D Can those stainless steel texas speed headers be welded up to the stainless ory pipe? I heard that stainless can't be welded, is that true?

Stainless can be welded.

If you got the "offroad y" make sure to get your rear 02's deleted in the tune also.

I know there is an o2 sensor in each header, but there's another one in the stock y pipe? sorry I haven't been even able to look at my car, still in FL with the Navy :(

I know there is an o2 sensor in each header, but there's another one in the stock y pipe? sorry I haven't been even able to look at my car, still in FL with the Navy :(


Yes, you have a front set and rear set for before/after the cats. If you go with an offroad x-pipe, you will need to delete the rear 02's with the tune or you will have the dreaded "Check Engine" light on.

:judge:what if I just welded the headers up to the stock y? would you recommend that or just get the ory from texas speed and tune out the rear o2s?

Stock Y is complete garbage and will not fit the LT's without extensive modifications.

You have 2 options.
1) get a TSP offroad y, delete the cats and tune the rear 02's out.
2) get a catted y, retain cats and then you may still have to tune out the rear 02's (some people still report getting codes thrown, some don't).

FYI-you don't have to get a tune immed. as the codes thrown will not affect performance. You will just have the annoying idiot light on.

so the o2s throwing the code won't affect my mileage? lol I'm on a budget, I can only get one mod at a time and I guess I'm gonna get my headers and ory and get them welded and then get the rear o2s deleted and a tune :D how much hp do you think I'll be pushing to the wheels with only the exhaust mods and an slp lid and k&n filter + tune and plugs?

so the o2s throwing the code won't affect my mileage? lol I'm on a budget, I can only get one mod at a time and I guess I'm gonna get my headers and ory and get them welded and then get the rear o2s deleted and a tune :D how much hp do you think I'll be pushing to the wheels with only the exhaust mods and an slp lid and k&n filter + tune and plugs?

Your front 02's (the ones you will be using) monitor your air/fuel ratio, rear 02's only monitor the cats for efficiency.

Mileage will be affected slightly as the car will run a bit rich and you will want to hear the new sounds coming from your car...haha

LT Headers are usually (give or take) good for 15rwhp or so. You will not be disappointed. Headers will be optimized by a tune though.

What catback do you have?

To be honest rwhp ratings have so many variables involved that I wouldn't want to get started on a guessing game. Don't worry about the numbers as much as feeling the gains you do make and enjoying the car.

I do highly recommend that you research and educate yourself before getting into big mods without knowing what your realistic goal is going to be in the long run. Too many people (myself included) end up buying parts to only have to upgrade again later.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I would be glad to help.

Use clamps don't weld you headers to the y pipe

:judge:what if I just welded the headers up to the stock y? would you recommend that or just get the ory from texas speed and tune out the rear o2s?

This will absolutely not work, you need an aftermarket Y-pipe in order to fit headers. Easiest way to do it would be to just bolt the O/R Y up to the headers, then tune out the rear 02's because at that point you would be pretty much done with the process all together.

why wouldn't you weld it?

Well if you weld it for one you cant take it back off with out hacking it off. Second when they weld it it actually makes both ends that get welded smaller thus adding a small restiction in your exhaust.

Have Vbands welded onto the headers if you want a clean and easily removable option.

I just installed my 1 7/8" TSPs last week, and I couldn't be any happier. Very easy to install. I think the motor mounts were the hardest part lol.

what do you mean by vbands can you post a link of where I can buy them? and is there a sticky on here of how to change out that motor mount? and lastly, is there a sticky on here of how to weld up the subframe connectors?

what do you mean by vbands can you post a link of where I can buy them? and is there a sticky on here of how to change out that motor mount? and lastly, is there a sticky on here of how to weld up the subframe connectors?


Just do a quick search on VBands. They will come up. If your buying a Ypipe tho I wouldn't worry about it tho. I had a custom ypipe made so it made sense to add VBands.

Not sure if there is a sticky on doing motor mounts. Once you have the exhaust out of the car they are pretty straightforward on how to replace them.

Subframe connectors have a shop weld in for you.