getting ready to install headers few last minute questions
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
getting ready to install headers few last minute questions Ive got my header install coming up as soon as they get here. And I need a few quick questions answere. ( ia have searched and can not find any clear answers). 1. when removing the headersshould i take the old plugs out first.
2.When installing the headers should i put the new plugs in before i install the headers, or wait till the header is in before installing the plugs. 3. what is the procedure for disconnecting the battery i read so many different ways i think i confused myself. Those are basically all i need to know but if anyone has any first hand experience with 2002 lt's from pacesetter with emmissions id like ot hear from you. any tips or tricks to make the install go easier would really help.
thanks Joe
2.When installing the headers should i put the new plugs in before i install the headers, or wait till the header is in before installing the plugs. 3. what is the procedure for disconnecting the battery i read so many different ways i think i confused myself. Those are basically all i need to know but if anyone has any first hand experience with 2002 lt's from pacesetter with emmissions id like ot hear from you. any tips or tricks to make the install go easier would really help.
thanks Joe
I agree with firehawk. It is a good idea to leave the old plugs in while removing manifolds to keep stuff out of the chamber.
For my car I could not get the headers in with plugs in, so you should probably just put the plugs in after the headers are bolted up.
For disconnecting the batter just take the cable off the NEGATIVE terminal. It takes a 5/16 wrench.
For my car I could not get the headers in with plugs in, so you should probably just put the plugs in after the headers are bolted up.
For disconnecting the batter just take the cable off the NEGATIVE terminal. It takes a 5/16 wrench.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
You need more help. I would take the plugs out before removing the old headers. Remove the ground (black) cable to the battery first.
When installing the new plugs, use anti-seeze compund and don't over tighten them. Sometimes it is easier to get #8 by removing the starter.
Headers are tricky. Do you have additional 02 cables for your front set? What are you doing about the rear 02s? Are you using 02 simulators?
Your car will run very rich after the install because the front 02s are much further down in the exhaust stream Vs. stock. Do you plan to get it tuned to lean it out after the LT install?
Before you tighten any header bolts make sure you have started ALL the bolts into the heads. This is easeist if someone helps you by supporting the header while you start each bolt. Don't screw this up or you will be removing the heads.
What year car? Do you have reducer plates made with the holes drilled for the AIR system? Your AIR check valves will flutter and burn out without them. Make them from tin or copper sheets that you can buy at Depo. I think it is a 5/16 hole.
Your PVC system will now suck a bunch more oil into the TB intake manifold. DO you have a large catch can ready for installation to stop this?
I would buy new plugs and a GOOD set of wires too. You need a new set of exhaust gaskets; right?
When installing the new plugs, use anti-seeze compund and don't over tighten them. Sometimes it is easier to get #8 by removing the starter.
Headers are tricky. Do you have additional 02 cables for your front set? What are you doing about the rear 02s? Are you using 02 simulators?
Your car will run very rich after the install because the front 02s are much further down in the exhaust stream Vs. stock. Do you plan to get it tuned to lean it out after the LT install?
Before you tighten any header bolts make sure you have started ALL the bolts into the heads. This is easeist if someone helps you by supporting the header while you start each bolt. Don't screw this up or you will be removing the heads.
What year car? Do you have reducer plates made with the holes drilled for the AIR system? Your AIR check valves will flutter and burn out without them. Make them from tin or copper sheets that you can buy at Depo. I think it is a 5/16 hole.
Your PVC system will now suck a bunch more oil into the TB intake manifold. DO you have a large catch can ready for installation to stop this?
I would buy new plugs and a GOOD set of wires too. You need a new set of exhaust gaskets; right?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
i will have a friend help me, but seeing as this is my first ls1 car maybe i should have someone install them for me? i just dont want to mess anything up . as it is now there are zero things wrong with it. I posted this in another forum but if anyone is in tampa and wants to make 150 bucks by helping me with the install let me know.
Nah you and your friend should be able to do it no problem. Just take your time and do it right, if you get pissed/frustrated, take a break. It's not like building a whole engine, in fact aside from the obstructions it's a pretty much a straightforward remove and replace.
Leave the plugs in when you take the manifolds off, prevents dirt/crap getting in, leave them in while installing the headers, unless the get in the way, you can use rags or paper towels to plug the holes if it concerns you
Make sure you have the car is pretty high to install them, good jack, and stands, and maybe some wood (4x4s) if you need extra height
Leave the plugs in when you take the manifolds off, prevents dirt/crap getting in, leave them in while installing the headers, unless the get in the way, you can use rags or paper towels to plug the holes if it concerns you
Make sure you have the car is pretty high to install them, good jack, and stands, and maybe some wood (4x4s) if you need extra height
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TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Headers change a bunch of stuff that throws computers and othe systems crazy....
There is a PVC vacume hose connected to your throttle body. It sucks air from the valve covers into the intake.... when you get headers the pressures change and oil is usually sucked out of your valve covers too... Install a BIG oil catch can and or ls6 valley cover to stop the oil.
Your AIR system has flutter valves. Depending on the year of the car, some headers have a flange (opening) that connects to the flutter valves..... these go nuts after a LT install..... the only fix is to block 90% of the pressure off by installing metal gaskets over the flange. The gaskets have a single 5/16 hole drilled in them to reduce pressure and stop the flutter.
Most headers dont have bungs for the rear 02 sensors.... you need to buy 02 simulators (SIMMS) or have your car tuned and remove the rear 02 test.
Your car will run poorly after the LT install since it will be very rich, particularly at idle..... another issue casued by relocating the front 02s further back in the exhaust stream....
You better consider all these issues FIRST - before the install....
There is a PVC vacume hose connected to your throttle body. It sucks air from the valve covers into the intake.... when you get headers the pressures change and oil is usually sucked out of your valve covers too... Install a BIG oil catch can and or ls6 valley cover to stop the oil.
Your AIR system has flutter valves. Depending on the year of the car, some headers have a flange (opening) that connects to the flutter valves..... these go nuts after a LT install..... the only fix is to block 90% of the pressure off by installing metal gaskets over the flange. The gaskets have a single 5/16 hole drilled in them to reduce pressure and stop the flutter.
Most headers dont have bungs for the rear 02 sensors.... you need to buy 02 simulators (SIMMS) or have your car tuned and remove the rear 02 test.
Your car will run poorly after the LT install since it will be very rich, particularly at idle..... another issue casued by relocating the front 02s further back in the exhaust stream....
You better consider all these issues FIRST - before the install....
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TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Did I mention State emmissions testing?
If you plan to go "cat-less" you will fail if the inspector looks under the car... since it is much noisier now with LTs, this is usually assured. Have a few $20s ready for him if there is a CAT challenge...
If you plan to go "cat-less" you will fail if the inspector looks under the car... since it is much noisier now with LTs, this is usually assured. Have a few $20s ready for him if there is a CAT challenge...
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Headers ususally rust out much faster than a stock exhaust so save all the original parts - since you may reinstall the stock headers rather than deal with all the constant issues with LTs...
If you live in Commiefornia you will have to re-install the stock headers at least once a year at emmissions testing time...
They also drag on the pavement and get ripped off the car when you go over a speed bump....
If you live in Commiefornia you will have to re-install the stock headers at least once a year at emmissions testing time...
They also drag on the pavement and get ripped off the car when you go over a speed bump....
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
well good thing i live in florida. we have no emmisions here. thank you for all of your comments but i can dont determine if i know what the pvc looks like. the part that your saying is gonna flow out oil. how much extra are we talking? is it gonna get all over my engine. if you have any pics this would really help me
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
I installed Hooker LT's. I took the plugs out to get the manifolds out, and then had to install the plugs and then the headers. My experience, Remove the AIR pipes, and the EGR, Take the coil packs off of the passenger side, and remove the steering shaft and the oil diverter. After doing it for the first time it took a while, now, hindsight being 20/20, will make any future installs-removals, much easier.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Originally Posted by robertbartsch
Headers ususally rust out much faster than a stock exhaust so save all the original parts - since you may reinstall the stock headers rather than deal with all the constant issues with LTs...
If you live in Commiefornia you will have to re-install the stock headers at least once a year at emmissions testing time...
They also drag on the pavement and get ripped off the car when you go over a speed bump....
If you live in Commiefornia you will have to re-install the stock headers at least once a year at emmissions testing time...
They also drag on the pavement and get ripped off the car when you go over a speed bump....
I installed pacesetters, and it was easy. No modification necesary, the mst we did was take out the spark plugs and wires(you have to do that though, really). One part we noticed, on the drivers side where everyone shaves or cuts the block casting, just push harder dammit, the firewall easily gives in the 2-3 MMs it takes to slide the headers in, no cutting necessary for me alteast.
Originally Posted by robertbartsch
Headers ususally rust out much faster than a stock exhaust so save all the original parts - since you may reinstall the stock headers rather than deal with all the constant issues with LTs...
If you live in Commiefornia you will have to re-install the stock headers at least once a year at emmissions testing time...
They also drag on the pavement and get ripped off the car when you go over a speed bump....
If you live in Commiefornia you will have to re-install the stock headers at least once a year at emmissions testing time...
They also drag on the pavement and get ripped off the car when you go over a speed bump....
TECH Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: va baby!
spy2520 is right its not difficult at all. don't let robert baurtsch bother you man. i am sure you weighed out everything with owning headers or you wouldn't have bought them. also the new pacesetters are extremely easy to install, it took me and a friend about 6 hours of actual work to complete the job. we pulled the old plugs out before taking off the old manifolds and thats it. i wouldn't worry about getting stuff in the wholes cause your not gonna have the plugs out long enough to get dirt in them. just slide the headers on up in there and bolt them in. one guy up top and the other holding them by the collector. pacesetters have excellent ground clearance, its the y pipe thats the bitch. YOU CAN use the o2 ext kit that came with the headers just use common sense when splicing, measuring and weather proofing. you got the ones with emissions so you shouldn't have a ses light and that usually won't come on after some miles are put on the car, mine came on at about 75 miles give or take. yes it will idle fine and drive fine if everything was done right. trust me its not a nightmare. you will be happy when you start that bad boy up.
chris
chris