header maintenance
header maintenance well i just sold my truck tonight so that means it time for my LT/H-pipe set up 
i told my bro about it and he said i'd get tired of the headers because he had a set of edelbrock shorties on his truck and always had to replace the header gaskets and they kept coming loose. has anybody had any trouble with that? either way, i've got my heart set on long tubes, now all i gotta do is decide whether or not to spend $250 more on QTP's, or to settle with jet-hots, and what mufflers to go with, i'm thinking magnaflow ovals. any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!
i told my bro about it and he said i'd get tired of the headers because he had a set of edelbrock shorties on his truck and always had to replace the header gaskets and they kept coming loose. has anybody had any trouble with that? either way, i've got my heart set on long tubes, now all i gotta do is decide whether or not to spend $250 more on QTP's, or to settle with jet-hots, and what mufflers to go with, i'm thinking magnaflow ovals. any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks! 
I used to have a set of pacesetter mid-lengths on and I never noticed them coming loose. I put about 30,000 miles on them and when I pulled them to put long tubes on I saw black in the gasket around the #7. It was the paper one included with the headers and I honestly didn't torque it properly since a torque wrench wouldn't fit back there. But I didn't hear anything and the black wasn't all the way through or even that black, just had signs of a slight leak. So far the AR Long tubes are doing great!
yea, i'm rele considering going with the stainless headers.
and also, anybody with magnapacks. would they be too loud when used with lt's and an 3'' off road h-pipe? i want something kind of loud, but not raspy and annoying
and also, anybody with magnapacks. would they be too loud when used with lt's and an 3'' off road h-pipe? i want something kind of loud, but not raspy and annoying
consider the xs for stainless, no problems with mine...
and all the H-pipes that ive heard are for the most part less raspy than other setups, i think the one-chamber flows are the best availible but if i remeber correctly, them magnapacks are pretty good for what you want as well
and all the H-pipes that ive heard are for the most part less raspy than other setups, i think the one-chamber flows are the best availible but if i remeber correctly, them magnapacks are pretty good for what you want as well
the QTP race headers have the front O2 fitting, right? i'm pretty sure they would, i just want to be sure before ordering them
and also, what header gaskets, bolts, etc. do i need to order to go with it. thanks
and also, what header gaskets, bolts, etc. do i need to order to go with it. thanks
LS1's are TOTALLY different then GEN I or II SBC motors, for example, due to LT1's
E I I E E I I E
Header primary arrangement, the # 3 and # 5 exhaust have no bolt between them and often have the most leaks regardless of matience, or gasket quality.
LS1's have a equal arrangement, E I E I E I E I (or reverse it, but still the same) they are spread equally so there is equal clamping load on each port + the MLS gaskets work awesome and never needs an upgrade.
E I I E E I I E
Header primary arrangement, the # 3 and # 5 exhaust have no bolt between them and often have the most leaks regardless of matience, or gasket quality.
LS1's have a equal arrangement, E I E I E I E I (or reverse it, but still the same) they are spread equally so there is equal clamping load on each port + the MLS gaskets work awesome and never needs an upgrade.
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Its a requirement to have a clean the surface of the head and header. Use WD-40 and a scotch brite pad, or wirrly bird. Clean final prep with brake cleen.
Buy a quality Multi Layer Gasket, Flowtech makes a great dead soft aluminum gasket
Bolt up the header and gasket.
Use Anti Seaze.
Tighten from the inside bolts to the outside.
Once torqued and bolted to the surface, its honestly good to wait a day. Re check in the morning. I have had bolts "settle"
Start the engine, let it get up to temp, i.e. Heat cycle.
Re-tighten bolts, inside to outside.
Let cool, go drive, and for the 1st week or so many cycles. Re-check.
Then the interval can be extended to once every week, or even month depending on the use. (Weekend Warrior, or Daily Driver)
This is the best way I have done it over the years from 72 454 BB vette, 66 327 vette, a 68 327 camaro, 70 Chevelle 350, and my 94 z28 and buds 93 and 94 trans am.
In the end you still will see some blow by on the gasket but it is less then "normal"
well, the only version i have seen or looked at (i use regular old bolts which work great and were free), have the "c-clip" and the teardrop shaped wedge. those are the ones i am speaking of.