Headers: Pain in the butt to Install?
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 552
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From: Naperville, IL
Headers: Pain in the butt to Install? I am pretty solid and have a lot of tools in the garage, but am wondering how much of a bitch headers will be to put in? I am going to do the SLP with the Y-pipe and cats. About how many hours will it take? A shop wants $275 to install..Should I just pay, and save myself a lot of beer and swear words? 
2000 WS6 Trans Am, Midnight Metalic Blue, Auto
2000 WS6 Trans Am, Midnight Metalic Blue, Auto
I didn't have any problems installing my Hookers, save for having to grind/cut off a small part of the engine block.
That said, everyone else I've talked to has had some difficulty getting theirs to fit. It's rare that a set will slide right in. As long as you can get the car high enough off the ground and have a friend who's willing to lend a helping hand though, I think you'll be alright.
Josh
That said, everyone else I've talked to has had some difficulty getting theirs to fit. It's rare that a set will slide right in. As long as you can get the car high enough off the ground and have a friend who's willing to lend a helping hand though, I think you'll be alright.
Josh
I just installed a set of pacesetters this past weekend. from memory they went in much easier than the hookers i had on. probably the hardest part for me was the spark plugs. passenger side header slid in quite easily, driver side i took the steering shaft off and it slid in even easier than the passenger side. having a lift would have been much easier too. i would save the money for something else!
Installed my SLP LTs, and Y-pipe w/ high-flow cats with a mechanic friend of mine, using the lift in his garage. Took us 8+ hours. My first time, not his, but it was a bi***. But, they fit like a dream, and bolted in very solidily. I'm glad I bought the high quality LTs the first time, cause I wouldn't want to do it again. Very happy with results.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 81
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From: Atwater, CA
It took me about 12 hours to install my Pacesetter Longtubes. However I did it by myself and without air tools. I think I spent more time getting the stock manifolds and y-pipe off then anything. I had one the bolts that connect the stock cats to the manifolds cross threaded (stupid G.M. 
) that accounted for 2 hours all by itself. The bolt finally broke off in the manifold, thankfully!
The actual header install was very simple! It took me about 45 minutes to install both sides and bolt them up. The only problem I ran into was cutting the little 1"x1" chunk of metal on the driver's side of the motor. But it was nothing the Reciprocating Saw couldn't handle. I also changed the spark plugs and did the !air mod at the same time.
Overall I think I could've done the install in 8 or less. Even less with air tools. I really took my time with this install (read: long lunch/dinner and two trips to the store for more beer
) I may have got lucky I didn't run into any real problems.
-Alex
) that accounted for 2 hours all by itself. The bolt finally broke off in the manifold, thankfully!The actual header install was very simple! It took me about 45 minutes to install both sides and bolt them up. The only problem I ran into was cutting the little 1"x1" chunk of metal on the driver's side of the motor. But it was nothing the Reciprocating Saw couldn't handle. I also changed the spark plugs and did the !air mod at the same time.
Overall I think I could've done the install in 8 or less. Even less with air tools. I really took my time with this install (read: long lunch/dinner and two trips to the store for more beer
) I may have got lucky I didn't run into any real problems. -Alex
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Verdad Gallardo its not necessity in any install but you have to figure out how to get around it...personally it was easier to do that(2 minutes) than to jack up the engine on one side or take out the steering linkage but hey thats just me 
It took me about 9 hours to do the full exhaust on a lift. However I dropped the back axle to get the factory catback off in one piece. Probably spent about 5-6 hours on just the hookers. Mine went in without jacking the engine. I took off the coil packs to make it easier to reach down from the top side. Also removed plugs and steering shaft.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by VoodooWS6
Funny, my name is Alex too! lol....Well I really hate to cut anything off a block! Will I have to do that is I install SLP or FLP headers? Thanx again!
We installed a set of FLP longtubes on a lift in about 5 1/2 hours. They slid right in with no removal of the steering shaft or grinding of the block. they were the best fitting headers that I have seen.
Ps use new factory exhaust gaskets.
Alan
Originally Posted by Josh
I didn't have any problems installing my Hookers, save for having to grind/cut off a small part of the engine block.
Josh
Josh
I never heard of anyone who had to grind the block for Hookers. I followed the instructions and had zero problems. Fit perfect. Took about 5 hours on a lift taking my time. I could do it much faster the next time.
