john shea

hello
I have only enough money to do headers or convertor .which
one do I do first?
thanks
john

calongo_SS

iTrader: (7)

converter.

Blue2002SS

iTrader: (13)

yup, converter

heyitsTaJay

CONVERTER

Danny2tek

iTrader: (1)

Converter!!!

Stone0fFire

this shouldnt be a poll,
wtf is this, ls1.com?
instead, how about some info?

header pro- faster by .2-3, louder
header con- louder

verter pro- faster by ~.5
verter con- looser throttle feel depending on stall speed

now make your own opinion.

blkZ28spt

[QUOTE=Stone0fFire].......header con- louder....QUOTE]
That's not a con!! I'd say converter as well, I regret getting headers first, as long as you can at least a cutout or catback get a stall first.

BOWTIE

I would say T/C first as long as you can also afford some sticky tires to go along with it.

1BADFNZ

the torque converter will help you put the power down that you have, your stock t/c will not help out with headers

Tiger2o69

iTrader: (16)

How hard are the converters to install?

ironworker

Installing a converter really isnt that bad I just did one I had a few issues but only because of trying to hurry. Just do yourself a favor and go and buy a 13mm and a 15mm "swivel socket" and a couple really long extentions my only hang-ups were the dipstick bolt (15mm swivel-socket made that a snap) and I dropped the y-pipe and in doing so I broke off one of the studs on the flange. A local shop quoted me $350 for a converter install, no way, its no where near that hard. I say go for it theres plenty of info on this site (a4 section) and if you have a problem just post it someone will help ya out. Hope this helps good luck oh and I vote converter and dont be afraid to go big!!(3500+)

mako22

iTrader: (2)

everyone yelling verter - can you lay out the costs for us on:

Verter itself
tranny cooler
drag radials
installation

I come up with around $1500 easy right?

Tiger2o69

iTrader: (16)

Thanks a lot for the information ironworker.

blkZ28spt

For me:
Jet-Hot LT's $512, Speed Inc True Duals $550. (installed headers myself) Doing it this way if you already have a cat back you can sell it and no need for Y-pipe. Total cost: ~$1,100

TCI SSF 3500, TCI trans pan, tranny cooler, basic tune, Trans Go shift kit, installation of all parts by prof speed shop (ls1 speed) will be ~$1,380.

That is $280 more for converter than Headers/duals to axle. If I had paid for the header install that would have cost more than the conveter will. I won't count drag radials, I think those should be purchased anyway. (I got some before I got headers, even) They really arne't far apart, and depending which route you go, what you already have, etc, either one could cost more than the other.

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

With a stock converter and stock transmission
programming, you will spend an awful lot of the time
operating where headers don't help you.

I would skip the shift kit, and buy your own tuning
software. TCI3500, $500. HPTuners, $499. Trans
cooler, $49. Install (converter only, do the rest
yerself) $200-$300. About the same price, but
now you have the authoritah.

blkZ28spt

What I dno't like about that is that the shift kit will make up for the very loose shifts you would otherwise get with a converter and a larger transmission pan is just more insurance that you will not heat the tranny up too fast. Problem with getting them is that the trans pan is over $100 (for the TCI), and the shift kit is not an easy enough install for a lot of people to try. I still think it's worth the extra money for the pan and shift kit and installation, when I do something I want to do it RIGHT! (or pay someone to do it right if I don't trust myself )

'02 SLP#686

iTrader: (1)

Header cons:

Longtubes hang pretty low...
No Cats (unless you get a catted Y)
w/o Cats you'll need a tune or O2 sims.
Loud? Louder than you think!
Installation on Longtubes... Not fun.
Did I mention how low they hang? (my car is lowered 1")

And FYI: Programers suck - Pay someone to tune using LS1 Edit You can get major HP gains throughout the RPM's. Plus delete rear 02's, change fan settings, etc...

I have SLP Longtubes, probably the lowest hanging brand out there. The car is a little louder than I expected even through a mufflered catback (Magnaflow). Installation wasn't all that bad, but tightening the bolts... n:

Just my $.02, but what do I know???

WECIV

With some of the talk of DR's shouldn't somone mention that those can snap a 10 bolt with all this extra power we are talking. Or am I wrong?

'02 SLP#686

iTrader: (1)

I ran DR's and launched at 3000RPM all the way to 5000RPMs. I also must have made 30 passes last year like that. She's still in one piece. I think the combo of 4:10's and DR's is a time bomb, but the stock 10 bolt should be able to handle up to 350RWHP (or a little more) on stock gears. However, I do agree, the rear is the weakest link in our drivetrain. Damn S10 rears...!!!

02ws602wrx

imo i am saving up for headers myself probably the qtps with cats instead of the coverter b/c i plan on port/polishing my heads and getting a cam eventually and when you get a cam you need to match it with your converter so why get a coverter now if you plan on getting a cam? that is my reasoning why I am going with headers first. and btw a tranny cooler should be a must if you have an auto and plan on racing it because the autos in ls1s are not the best heat is the trannys worst enemy. I did the tranny cooler way early in my mod list. just my .02cents