hey yall im looking for a detailed writeup on the longtube install....i used the search button and nothing came up.....im about to buy the longtubes and would like to read and understand the project before i even start doing it..thanks alot...im not a newbie with the Fbody and i can turn a wrench.....my father (mechanic/gearhead) and my buddy are going to be helping me out.....we have just about every tool we would ever need..thanks alot fellas

 

Make sure that you get a 10mm gear wrench. It will make a huge difference, especially on the header bolt closest to the firewall on the passenger side. Getting the old manifolds/exhaust off is the hardest part. Be sure to set aside a full weekend for the install in case you run in to problems. Also you will need O2 sensor extensions so be sure you have them. You could try www.installuniversity.com or www.ls1howto.com for installation instructions.

 

Also read the sticky at the top of this section: https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/520845-mod-guide-induction-exhaust-please-read-before-posting.html. It has a detailed write-up towards the bottom.

 

hey thanks man...i apprieciate the responses..i will definatly read those stickys ....sounds like a pretty easy job

 

Watch for the passenger side header as it will not come out unless you got the cat off and or the car very, very high (think lift high). Also you may need to remove the steering shaft to get it in but first try to raise the block if you have clearance issues at first. Gives about 1 1/2 inches more room to play with.

 

i did a write up on this once, search my name and maybe you can find it....

 

page 11 of my cardomain site in the signature...used several online ones and then added my own stuff.

 

I just did LT's this past weekend. Took about 5 hours start to finish with my dad and myself. Its all about having the right tools!!

The actual removal and install is pretty straight forward and you can see what has to be removed/ put back in. We didn't have a 10mm gear wrench, but we got the rear passenger header bolt with a reg wrench 1/8th turn at a time. Didn't have to cut tabs or jack motor either. One thing that did help was putting the jack stands under the control arms in the front instead of on the subframe. It made for alot more room to move around.

If you have any questions PM me. Its still real fresh in my mind.

 

^what he said, except i removed the steering linkage..sounded easier than jacking up the motor and it was just two bolts and the drivers side went right in

 

Oh yea, and a rubber mallet made the ORY install take like 5 mins!!

 

You are talking about extensions for the front o2 sensors right?? I plan on splicing my own wires in there to extend them over spending the $30 for extensions can I do that?? Dont my to jack thread

 

You could also solder up some extensions yourself, but the O2 extensions are a failsafe way to be sure nothing goes wrong. They are just plug and go. After 8-10 hours on the long tube install I didn't want to be screwing around and throw a code for the front O2's .

 

I wouldn't bother with extensions, just get some vette o2's. They'll last longer and you won't have to extend anything.

 

if you where looking for durability not so much performance which headers would you go with also can you get close to the same power with shorties and high flows

 

shorties will yield about 1/2 the power...even more on high output applications (h/c).

not worth the hastle....stick with LTs or mids (for clearance if you're lowered).

 

Vette O2's are freaking expensive though !

 

I've got the little box with the wires and connectors and stuff that came with the Pacesetters I ordered that you can have. I bought the Bosch O2's and have no need for the wire kit. Just pay for shipping and its yours.

 

check sig for misc bullshit you might/will need. Good luck, it's fun.

-J

 

I didn't use my stock bolts, I used my stage 8's... something they don't tell you is that the stage 8's are 11mm not 10mm ... therefore my deep socket set and my gear wrench set did not have said 11mm sizes... they skip right over that one... so I went and bought me both 11mm deep socket and gear wrench... worth it as I've used them more than anything else on other projects not car related as well...

my header install was a breeze... it was the rest of the install that pissed me off getting my Y pipe lined up with the Intermediate from my GMMG was more than enough hassle than I wanted to have... and lacking a rubber mallet, I was left to beating the **** out of the pipes with my hands ... under a car on jackstands... not exactly simple...



my next install will be shocks/struts and swaybars... a breeze I assume compared to the header install by yourself