ChocoTaco369

Alright, so I got my QTP headers in May or something, I don't even remember anymore. Maybe it was even earlier than that, they've been sitting in my garage for so long I don't even want to think about it. Well, finally, after a COMBINED 8 WEEKS OF BACKORDER FOR VARIOUS PARTS, FINALLY all systems are GO for the header install. They should be installed by the end of next week if all things go well. I finally got my last parts on Thursday.

Now, I know a lot of guys are going to come in waving the banner, so I didn't disappoint:




Items for header install. Picture includes QTP longtube headers, MSD spark plug wires, NGK TR-55 plugs, Percy's Seal-For-Good ML Aluminum header gaskets, Stage 8 locking header bolts, 2 24" O2 extensions and AIR block-off plates and gaskets.


Close-up on the little accessories.

Onto the custom y-pipe components:


Includes Flowmaster 3" -> 3.5" y-merge, a Flowmaster 3.5" -> 3" reducer and 2 Magnaflow 59559 catalytic converters.


Inside of the Flowmaster y-merge. It's a very nice piece.

I find not enough people post information on the Magnaflow 59959 catalytic converters, so I took a shot of the outside with respect to my hand (I have small hands) and the inside of the honeycomb.



Very, very nice.

Finally, at the last minute, I decided to spring for a set of Richmond 3.42's for my 2-series carrier. They shipped with a Motive install kit. I would have rather had a Richmond, but this is the one that came with it, so I guess they'll be no problems. It's the standard $100 master install kit.



Then, after all this is installed, I'll just need a ported and polished throttle body and a dyno tune. That'll hold me over for a long time, long enough for me to get out of college, save up some real money and go further.

All-in-all, it's been a long, drawn out process, but I'm happy with everything I have. I don't believe in half-assing things, and if I'm doing something, I'm doing it right, even if it costs a few hundred more. But honestly, what's a few hundred dollars in the long run? Am I going to miss $400 next year? No way, and the better parts are far worth the additional cost IMO.

I'd like to give a special thanks to Thunder Racing, Speed Inc. and EAD performance. Those are the three vendors that all the parts came from. There may have been backorder issues, but that can all be blamed on the manufacturer, and I would do repeat business with all three vendors again. I have nothing but good things to say about all the vendors, all the parts and all the people that helped me along the way.

Fifedogg

iTrader: (15)

You love the power that LT's give you. Have fun with your new setup

TXws6

iTrader: (10)

sweet deal, it always sucks playing the waiting game though! GL with the installs

GTOSE

iTrader: (1)

nioce!

The Professor

iTrader: (3)

congrats on the purchase. i have pretty much the same mods you do. trust me, we're still slow

venom ws7

iTrader: (13)

Congrats man those QTP Headers look awesome.

Post some pics when you install them.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Great stuff, Choco ... all the best.

I have a similar set-up, but I did a 2.5" Y with the FM 2.5/3" merge. I also used the older Magnaflow/Carsound cats b/c I bought them before the new style came out. Yours look really good - very free flowing.

I don't know if you plan on doing it all at once, but you may want to do the gears before the LT's just to experience that difference alone ... it is night and day and you will love it.

Soul TKR

iTrader: (4)

Congrats! those headers look really really nice!

ChocoTaco369

lol yea...but it won't be horribly slow. I'll be almost fast, or modestly quick. You don't need to run 9's to be fast. I consider 11's fast and 12's quick.
That's the plan

ChocoTaco369

I'm trying to minimize downtime so I'm gonna do it all at once. I have 3 weeks until I go back to school, so I won't really even be able to drive the car with the mods. The first 500 miles will be breaking in the gears, I'll be untuned so they'll be lots of power left on the table...it kinda sucks, but it'll give me something to look forward to on the weekends I come home.

Thanks to all for the kind words.

Numba1Stunna

iTrader: (4)

the headers look great man, i wouldnt use the stage8 locking bolts they caused me some trouble(they were too long) and you will need a 5/16 12point socket even though the box says its a 8mm 12 point, lol. congrats and good luck

ssgunny

iTrader: (6)

Setup looks great. No weld in the middle of one of the primary's so that is good.

Grifter

iTrader: (12)

Who's doing the exhaust work?

lastcall190

iTrader: (36)

I'm sure I speak for plenty of people when I say "finally"

Good luck on the install dude, it's easy and to me is quite a bit of fun. LTs + Cats + Corsa =

-J

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Choco: Love to see someone that really put time into researching, thumps up to you. What people always manage to overlook is the horrible Y pipe designs these companies (yes even mine) put out. they slam them into each other, no merge at all and turbulance. It makes me happy to see you got a real y pipe merge, you will definatly get some power and sound from that mod.

85firebird

sweet get a vid up of that corsa exhaust when those LTs go on

ChocoTaco369

Meh, I think they should work. If they don't, I'll go from there. They look like a nice part that'll never rust, so I figured they'd look good with the stainless headers. I REALLY don't want to reuse the OEM bolts
I bought these headers a few months ago before these issues arose. I'm glad I did because if I knew QTP was going to start welding the primaries and skimp on badges, I may have gone elsewhere for my headers.

Thanks again to all. I'll get some pics and a video up when I get them installed and my y-pipe made, but it's gonna be awhile because I need to break in the gears. No WOT runs

Giddswat

iTrader: (13)

After you break in your gears and do your first couple WOT pulls post up and let us know what you think. I think you will be really happy with the results, at least for a few months.

68chevypu

iTrader: (18)

why did you get headers with air fittings and then buy air block off plates? just wondering

ChocoTaco369

I wasn't originally planning to remove the AIR system. However, one of my AIR check valves went bad a month or two after my header purchase, and I'd rather remove the system completely than buy another stupid valve. Besides, they are totally stuck to the metal tube that connects to the manifolds. I've tried liquid wrench, I've used a clamp, I've had multiple people have a go at it. The check valves are stuck to the metal tube, and I am NOT buying the tube and a check valve. I've decided the entire system is coming off, and I already have a handheld tuner coming my way from VinceTrifecta that'll recalibrate my rear gears and delete the AIR and Rear O2 codes.

I've been driving around for 2+ months with this stupid SES light because of this one AIR valve, and I can't stand it. I already got Caplugs to send me a free cap to cap my lid

In short, I REALLY wish I would have gotten the race version. I woulda saved ~$65 on the headers alone not to mention the additional cost of the blockoff plates, and I wouldn't have to worry about blowing the emissions fittings off