Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

The time has come, my friends...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 10:00 AM
  #1  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default The time has come, my friends...

The headers are going on Saturday. I've done some searching on here, and I've found answers to a lot of questions, but I want to be absolutely sure, so I'm going to make a post of my own. Here is a checklist of things that I'm going to do/get/need/have... I have questions on some.

Things to have
- kickass QTP 1-3/4" headers
- kickass QTP catted Y
- new GM header gaskets
- anti-sieze
- the usual tools (torque wrench, socket set, etc.)
- band clamps (where to get? what size? how many? how expensive?)
- spark plugs (still working on which ones to get)
- O2 extensions
- beer

Things to do
- use anti-sieze on header bolts
- torque header bolts from inside out to 18ft-lbs, heat up engine, cool off, retorque
- remove AIR system
- tighten band clamps from headers back to catback
- tune out AIR and rear O2s next week
- change spark plugs when stock manifolds are off
- use anti-sieze on spark plug threads
- celebrate with beer

Questions
- See questions next to "band clamps" under "Things to have"
- Anyone have a link to a howto on !AIR mod?
- Any recommendations on plugs, gapping, and where to get them? (I have a general understanding on how hot/cold plugs and large/small gaps affect performance, but I don't know what a stock LS1 calls for)
- Any other recommendations? Did I miss anything?


Thanks in advance.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 10:07 AM
  #2  
777's Avatar
777
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 2
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

got a question what does anti-seize actually do...make the plugs come out easier?
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 10:12 AM
  #3  
99Hawk262's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: Little Rock
Default

What length 02 extensions did you get? I am getting ready to install some Pacesetter's and I'm not sure if I need 12" or 24". I am deleting my rear 02's, so just need to extend the frobt ones.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 11:09 AM
  #4  
1999T/A's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Fuquay Varina , NC
Default

Never had to use anti-seize on the header bolts before ,I guess thats just personal preference . I use it on my spark plugs tho . I removed my manifolds after 155K miles of use and the bolts came out no problem and didnt have antiseize on them . Just my .0000000002 cents
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 11:34 AM
  #5  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default

Originally Posted by 777
got a question what does anti-seize actually do...make the plugs come out easier?
I've been told that you should use anti-seize on any bolts that go into aluminium because it can bind up like PVC (in which case you use tephlon tape).


Originally Posted by 99Hawk262
What length 02 extensions did you get? I am getting ready to install some Pacesetter's and I'm not sure if I need 12" or 24". I am deleting my rear 02's, so just need to extend the frobt ones.
I ordered them with the headers, so I'm assuming they're going to be sharp enough to give me what I need. I hear good things, so I'm taking it on faith. So, to answer your question, I don't know what length I got. :\


Originally Posted by 1999T/A
Never had to use anti-seize on the header bolts before ,I guess thats just personal preference . I use it on my spark plugs tho . I removed my manifolds after 155K miles of use and the bolts came out no problem and didnt have antiseize on them . Just my .0000000002 cents
I hear ya... can't hurt, though!
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 01:12 PM
  #6  
1999T/A's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Fuquay Varina , NC
Default

Originally Posted by Gauge
I hear ya... can't hurt, though!

Thats right ! Go for it man !
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 05:32 PM
  #7  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default

My father (who is more mechanically savy than I) wanted to know if the heat from headers becomes an issue with the starter on LS1s. He had an old '69 COPO Camaro, and he said that when he put headers on his car the heat burned up a starter, so he had to add some heat shielding around it.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 05:44 PM
  #8  
leeluther252's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Kingwood, tx
Default

Heat will not be a problem with headers.. Get some NGK tr55's. Headers should come with band clamps. Also I have taken my headers off many times and have never had a problem with bolts at all and i have never used anti-seize.. I would put it on the plugs though. Dont put the plugs in untill after the headers are back it.. so you dont crack a plug. You may have to lower the tranny tail shaft and pull the tranny from side to side. Im not sure about QTP but i had to lift the engine up for the driver side Kooks headers. SLP you just have to pry on the Tranny
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 06:13 PM
  #9  
slyws6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 0
From: "Tr"Asheville
Default

Anti-seize on the header bolts is not necessary. Good luck.

-Sly
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 06:42 PM
  #10  
davered00ss's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,520
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield, CT
Default

Plugs NGK TR55, Gap to .060
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2005 | 07:22 PM
  #11  
rawlitogut's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Default

You forgot a tune
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2005 | 12:25 PM
  #12  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default

Originally Posted by rawlitogut
You forgot a tune
I'm going to wait until I've got an air lid, pulleys, and maybe even h/c before I tune. I don't want to waste the money on a tune and then immediately change the setup again.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2005 | 01:55 PM
  #13  
GuitsBoy's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,249
Likes: 3
From: Long Island, NY
Default

Congrats gauge. What band clamps you need depends on how your headers and Y pipe mate up. Infact, your Y pipe probably even comes with band clamps. Might want to check to make sure. I used high temp loc-tite on the header bolts. I used antisieze on the spark plugs. Get TR55IX if you can afford them, or TR55 if you can not. Youll have to change the latter ones out every 25K or so. As for the !AIR mod, just remove all the hoses. Thats it. Leave the pump in until you can get a tune and diable the codes so the SES dosnt show up. As for which beer to get, Im partial to killians, bass or guiness. Ive always had good results using those. Good luck dude.

-Tony
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2005 | 01:58 PM
  #14  
LoudmouthLT1's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Default

Originally Posted by 777
got a question what does anti-seize actually do...make the plugs come out easier?
Keeps the threads from locking up to eachother, its good for things going into aluminum...prevents the plugs from snapping since they won't be stuck
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2005 | 02:54 PM
  #15  
kpowr82's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MI
Default

Get yourself a 10mm gear wrench and a set of swivel sockets, or a swivel extension. If you can't get the car high enough in the air, you may need to raise the engine a bit. To get the car high enough, I nailed some 2 x 4 together and put it between the jack and k-member. Maybe not the safest thing to do, but I only had it that way for about 5 minutes. Once you get everything out of the way, they slide in easily. I have Kook's BTW which are supposedly the same design.

It will also help to pull the oil drain plug and filter. You shouldn't have to grind anything down.

Do yourself a huge favor and get rid of the AIR system first.

The last header bolt on the passanger side is a pain in the *** unless you remove the coilpacks. You can remove the front four bolts that hold the coilpack rack to the valve covers, then just slide it upward about an inch and half. Just to get it out of the way a bit.

Good luck, if you need any help at the time, post up.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:18 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE