Ordered some Pacesetter LT's today...what to expect?
Ordered some Pacesetter LT's today...what to expect? Hello all..Im excited about my soon coming Pacesetter Long tubes and ORY pipe! Ive never had headers on any car, even though I bought some for an older Camaro and never put them on, but I am ready for the extra power and sound. What should I expect out of the install and what tools and materials will I need? Will I need the O2 extensions or can I extend the wire myself by splicing/heat shrinking? Re use the stock bolts or get new ones? What gasket should I use? I was thinking copper dead soft...Rear 02s will be tuned out-- Please help and thank you!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Pacesetters come with some "splice in" extensions you can use, or get the plug in kind. Reusing the stock bolts and gaskets is really the way to go if you don't like paying for what you don't need. Installing a set with a friend, we had to grind off the casting tab and remove the oil filter to get the ds header in place. Other than that it was cake.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
Best gaskets you can get are Percy's seal-4-good multi-layer aluminum gaskets. They're cheap insurance. That's what I went with and I don't regret it. Aluminum's the best because it's the same material as your heads but a different material than the headers and it bends very, very well.
http://www.ls1speed.com/cont.cfm?cid=C0000425
The worst material to use for header gaskets is actually steel, which are GM OEM's. A lot of people have good luck with them, but ideally, you don't want it doesn't bend worth a damn.
http://www.ls1speed.com/cont.cfm?cid=C0000425
The worst material to use for header gaskets is actually steel, which are GM OEM's. A lot of people have good luck with them, but ideally, you don't want it doesn't bend worth a damn.
Get some new GM gaskets, O2 extensions, LS1 Stage 8 Locking Header Bolts, some band clamps. and a 11mm ratchet wrench for the stage 8 bolts. Whens the last time you changed your plugs and wires this would be a good time to do so.
Every thing you need comes w/the headers you just have to unbolt the drivers motor mount and jack the motor up to get the drivers side in the pass.side goes right in.Get new plugs & wires while your in there.
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For like 22 bucks you can get the brand new GM gaskets, get 'em. I didn't use the bolts that came with the headers because they didn't seem as durable as my stockers, so I reused them. I would also go with the plug in o2 extensions, a lot less work that way and a much cleaner appearance.
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They installed pretty easy. I had to take a saws-all to an ear that comes off the driver side of the block. Change the MOTOR MOUNTS while your there and have the exhaust out. It a lot easier to do it now instead of later. I wish I had listen to a friend and done it.
I used GM aluminum gaskets
o2 extentions from speedinc.com they are a sponsor (cleaner & safer)
MAKE sure you use the "front" o2's on the NEW headers and separate the rear o2's
I reused the stock bolts
I went to sears and bought a 10mm ratchet WRENCH it will work miracles trust me.
JACK that bitch up as high and as safely as possible!!
Buy your NEW wires and plugs.
Make sure all your plugs are on good, your wires are all ON.
Make sure you dont damage the sensor just behind the power steering pump, on the passenger side cylinder head(for arguements sake).
GOOD LUCK!!
o2 extentions from speedinc.com they are a sponsor (cleaner & safer)
MAKE sure you use the "front" o2's on the NEW headers and separate the rear o2's
I reused the stock bolts
I went to sears and bought a 10mm ratchet WRENCH it will work miracles trust me.
JACK that bitch up as high and as safely as possible!!
Buy your NEW wires and plugs.
Make sure all your plugs are on good, your wires are all ON.
Make sure you dont damage the sensor just behind the power steering pump, on the passenger side cylinder head(for arguements sake).
GOOD LUCK!!
just changed the TR6s couple months ago..but hell they're so cheap I might as well do it again for good measure..GM gaskets available through dealer or what? Are they aluminum? Did PS fix the notching Kmember ordeal or what? Does anyone what kind of clamps come with them? Thanks to all! Oh...and I have a ratcheting swivel head wrench set..they come in handy more than any tool Ive ever used!
just changed the TR6s couple months ago..but hell they're so cheap I might as well do it again for good measure..GM gaskets available through dealer or what? Are they aluminum? Did PS fix the notching Kmember ordeal or what? Does anyone what kind of clamps come with them? Thanks to all! Oh...and I have a ratcheting swivel head wrench set..they come in handy more than any tool Ive ever used!
I also used fel pro gaskets that worked great. They have slits in the front and the back so you can put those two bolts in then put the gaskets in.
yeah I bought my gaskets from GM, went to their parts store... i put the stock 02 with extensions, had an insuffiecient reading with them so i bought the corvette bosch 13111 o2 good length and work very well a ltl bit more exspensive but their worth it, the install is kinda easy, just make sure u get the car up high safely like others said..idk what ur emissions are like where u live, but i took out the egr and air system , well i have a 98 and no (real) emssion laws in fl...
have fun and good luck
have fun and good luck
I have installed two sets of Pace LTs. One set went in with NO hassle (99WS6) and the other on an 01 SS went in with only a small grind on the tab on the driver side. You will love the power, and in my opinion Pacestter are hands down the best bang for buck.
no emissions here... 
I just put a set on a buddys car a few months ago. We didnt have to jack the motor up, cut the casting tab off, remove the oil filter, or any of that jazz. They were the best fitting headers i have seen to date. Maybe he just got a good pair, but I highly doubt it. Didnt have to touch the k member either. The easiest thing to do on the drivers side is COMPLETELLY remove the steering shaft from the car, gives you all sorts of room in there with that out. You wont be disappointed.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta, CA
everyone here that is telling you that you need to grind off that little ear on the block didn't undo the steering shaft, people say its hard but i did it pretty easily and i would much rather undo a hard to get to bolt than grind on my block. just my .02. other than that they went in very easily and fit great. And good idea not reinstalling the air, that ended up being the hardest part of the whole install.