ARH Long Tube Headers
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
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From: London, UK
ARH Long Tube Headers Hi guys, I'm planning on placing an order soon for a set of ARH 1-3/4 long tube headers with catted y-pipe for my 2001 Z28. It's an A4 with 2.73 gears that is stock apart from an SLP lid and GMMG catback. I don't want to go crazy with the mods, but from what I gather this will give me the 'biggest bang for the bucks' performance increase, so seems like the obvious next step. Just got a couple of questions before I finally go for it...
Firstly, I'm in the UK (London) and the shipping cost is huge (about the same price again as the actual headers), so I really want to make sure that if there are any other parts I need to do the job that I order them at the same time (gaskets/o2 extenders?). So, anything else I should be including in the order?
Secondly, what kind of power gain would you expect I'll see? I've had the car on a dyno just the once, to get some baseline figures and it made 298.3 rwhp and 310.0 rwtq. That was on a Dyno Dynamics machine. Not that I really know what the AFR is all about, but as I see people quoting it, the reading was very close to the 12.0 mark throughout, dropping slightly past the 4.5k rpm mark. The guy operating the dyno thought that was probably about right for a stock motor.
Apart from answers to the above any other general advice or comments you may have would be much appreciated.
Firstly, I'm in the UK (London) and the shipping cost is huge (about the same price again as the actual headers), so I really want to make sure that if there are any other parts I need to do the job that I order them at the same time (gaskets/o2 extenders?). So, anything else I should be including in the order?
Secondly, what kind of power gain would you expect I'll see? I've had the car on a dyno just the once, to get some baseline figures and it made 298.3 rwhp and 310.0 rwtq. That was on a Dyno Dynamics machine. Not that I really know what the AFR is all about, but as I see people quoting it, the reading was very close to the 12.0 mark throughout, dropping slightly past the 4.5k rpm mark. The guy operating the dyno thought that was probably about right for a stock motor.
Apart from answers to the above any other general advice or comments you may have would be much appreciated.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
Was aiming for the 1-3/4 because I've got a fear of losing any low range torque and although I know there has been an ongoing debate on this I still don't think the situation is clear. Also, I don't plan on doing too much more so wouldn't think|I'd 'need' the 1-78 ones. having said that, I could stil be persuaded
Anything else I would need, though? I can't just pop out to a local parts store if I forget something - it would have to be another international shipment, i.e. more time and money. From what I can make out I might need O2 sensor cable extenders? Also, there seems to be a lot of mention about different types of gasket. For instance on the web page of one of the sponsors where I've located these headers they have the bit about 'what other people also buy' and I see GM Exhaust manifold gaskets is there, along with prothane engine mounts.
Anything else I would need, though? I can't just pop out to a local parts store if I forget something - it would have to be another international shipment, i.e. more time and money. From what I can make out I might need O2 sensor cable extenders? Also, there seems to be a lot of mention about different types of gasket. For instance on the web page of one of the sponsors where I've located these headers they have the bit about 'what other people also buy' and I see GM Exhaust manifold gaskets is there, along with prothane engine mounts.
i have bought most of my parts from Speed Inc. (just saying). get some GM MLS gaskets or the Percy's Seal-4-Good LS1 MLS Header Gaskets. Some Stage 8 header bolts are a good idea too. Contact ARH directly and see if there headers require the use of O2 extensions and make sure they come with all the band clamps required. Spark plugs and wires are a wise idea too.
I would also do the 1 7/8 headers, its a few more hp over the 1 3/4 while still semi-stock, but further down the road your car will love the larger headers. plus our cars can deal with losing a little low-end tq.
I would also do the 1 7/8 headers, its a few more hp over the 1 3/4 while still semi-stock, but further down the road your car will love the larger headers. plus our cars can deal with losing a little low-end tq.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
i have bought most of my parts from Speed Inc. (just saying). get some GM MLS gaskets or the Percy's Seal-4-Good LS1 MLS Header Gaskets. Some Stage 8 header bolts are a good idea too. Contact ARH directly and see if there headers require the use of O2 extensions and make sure they come with all the band clamps required. Spark plugs and wires are a wise idea too.
I would also do the 1 7/8 headers, its a few more hp over the 1 3/4 while still semi-stock, but further down the road your car will love the larger headers. plus our cars can deal with losing a little low-end tq.
I would also do the 1 7/8 headers, its a few more hp over the 1 3/4 while still semi-stock, but further down the road your car will love the larger headers. plus our cars can deal with losing a little low-end tq.
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The American Racing headers are some of the finest headers on the market today. I would definitely recommend getting the exhaust manifold gaskets and some Stage 8 locking header bolts. I would also recommend getting the o2 extensions as well. We have all of those parts on our website. I can definitely get you setup in a package for all of those parts for you. PM me or email me and I will get you set up.
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Thanks for that. I'll make sure I order one of the GM gaskets and I've emailed ARH about the other stuff, as you suggested. I can see the sense in doing plugs and wires at the same time, but I only did them about a year ago so hopefully they should be fine for a few more years yet.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
If you're looking for the "biggest bang for the buck" in performance, get a torque converter like a Yank SS3600. I'd add a set of 3.42-3.73 gears. The cost for both will be no more than the headers, shipping would probably be less, install might be a little more, but the gain in performance will outshine the LT's by far.
If you go with the headers, you can re-use the stock gaskets. Works perfect.
If you go with the headers, you can re-use the stock gaskets. Works perfect.
The American Racing headers are some of the finest headers on the market today. I would definitely recommend getting the exhaust manifold gaskets and some Stage 8 locking header bolts. I would also recommend getting the o2 extensions as well. We have all of those parts on our website. I can definitely get you setup in a package for all of those parts for you. PM me or email me and I will get you set up.
Here is a before and after graph. The after is ARH 1-3/4 longtubes with the catted y-pipe and a tune. Money well spent.
Also if you don't already have one I would look into an LS6 intake mani.
Also if you don't already have one I would look into an LS6 intake mani.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
Pretty sure my car already has the LS6 intake, as it's a 2001 model and I think most came with one, plus I remember checking somehow (can't recall how) when I first got it.
Okay, thanks for posting the graph....looks like a healthy gain, I'll just have to find someone who knows how to tune these engines to make sure I get the most out of all this. Did you notice any change in the real low end torque though? This is my daily driver and gets used in town traffic a lot so plenty of stopping and starting....I'd soon noticed any differences lower in the rpm range.
Pretty sure my car already has the LS6 intake, as it's a 2001 model and I think most came with one, plus I remember checking somehow (can't recall how) when I first got it.
Pretty sure my car already has the LS6 intake, as it's a 2001 model and I think most came with one, plus I remember checking somehow (can't recall how) when I first got it.
No easier time to get to them than when your exhaust is out of the way.
Also, each LT install I've been a part of, we reused the stock exhaust manifold bolts without an issue.
Good luck with your install, man and let us know how it turns out.
On The Tree
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Frisco/Plano, TX (formerly LUZ_2_A6)
Don't bother with the 1 7/8 if you aren't going to modify the car past basic bolt-on's. 1 7/8 are for big motors moving a lot of air, a bolt-on 346 really doesn't need them, torque is what you feel, hp is what you see on the graph...what is more important to you? Even if you are going to do heads and a cam, keep the 1 3/4's.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: London, UK