LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Best/cheapest LT1 LT headers, where to get them

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Old Oct 20, 2011 | 11:08 PM
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Default Best/cheapest LT1 LT headers, where to get them

I'm going to buy a set of LT headers for the 93 z28 before winter and did a lot of searching around... the best deal I found was the Pacesetter LT's for 289.99 shipped, but they are just painted and I know that paint peels off right away.

What are some other options for a good price? I'd like either stainless or coated, but I might just do the pacesetters if anyone has had a good experience with the painted version. I never drive the car in bad weather, it's a summer car and I keep it mint.
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Old Oct 20, 2011 | 11:13 PM
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The Pacesetter LTs are what I had on my last Fbody. They were great quality for the price, BUT that paint will come off in 30 minutes of driving. And it smells awful while its burning off. Pacesetter will typically be the cheapest. Try WS6store.com. They have good prices and quick shipping. I try and buy everthing I can from them because customer service is great, shipping is on time, and the prices are usually cheaper or on par with everyone else.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 12:37 AM
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Get some Pacesetter LT's, paint stripper, and high temp paint.
Avoid VHT Flameproof. Apparently Eastwood makes good header paint and barbeque paint should work too.

Don't bother getting coated Pacesetters, they rust in about a year.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 12:44 AM
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I found a site running a special where I'll get the painted LT Pacesetters for about $250 shipped... I don't think I'll be able to beat that.

What about getting them ceramic coated at a powder coater? You guys think painting them would work?
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 12:45 AM
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If they do it right the coating should last forever.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 05:47 AM
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The ceramic coating will not last forever if your car sees any type of wet weather or if you live in a maritime climate. A few years perhaps, but under that ceramic coating is still plain jane mild steel.

The cost of a QUALITY ceramic coating will almost be as much as the headers themselves, so consider that. If I were you I'd go with the eBay stainless headers if you don't mind the minor technical challenges associated with installing them. Not to mention stainless headers means they will last twice as long if not longer than their mild steel cousins.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 06:04 AM
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I got my pacesetter lts 4 years ago, I ordered painted but they were the color of ceramic coated, car never saw garage and saw salty northeast roads with no wash. The collectors look like **** now, but from the top of the engine bay almost no rust is visible. Every other surface is rusty. They have a 2 1/2 year warranty IIRC, definitely the best bang for the buck in the lt1 header market. The premium would be jet-hot coated kooks, but that's $1500 but ceramic coated stainless steel will last forever.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 07:42 AM
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What Joe said (RamAir95TA). There used to be 2 vendors on ebay selling stainless headers for LT1s. Speeddaddy and ap1ap2. I checked a few months ago and neither had them, but that may have changed. I bought some for $300 shipped about a year ago with a y-pipe. Only problem is fitment, but you can't beat the price.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 08:46 AM
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Keep your eye out in the classifieds here. Have to check frequently but I got coated hooker lt's for only 400. Hope someone blows up there car before winter
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 08:51 AM
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I wish LPP was still making the headers, did he ever post up why he stopped? Bummed out, he was local too, the used Pacesetters that came with the motor when I bought it from the_merv years ago are starting to get really rough, especially on the passenger side collector area, where the A/C seems fit to dump its condensation.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 09:15 AM
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Wrap the painted headers with Dei exhaust wrap and be done with it.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by 96TransAmboosted
Wrap the painted headers with Dei exhaust wrap and be done with it.
Eeeeewwwww.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 10:06 AM
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^^^^^ lmao everyone that sees my headers love the wrap. I love the fact it keeps the engine compartment way cooler. Its just a preference and I prefer to wrap all my headers
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 11:48 AM
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What kind of paint stripper/paint would you guys recomend? Just engine enamel? I just got my pacesetters in the mail.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 11:59 AM
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Klean Strip Premium Stripped. You can get it at a parts store or Walmart I think. We use it on aircraft parts at work. I've used it on my mud truck. You can spray it on and wipe paint right off. Or let it sit for a minute or so and the paint will just fall off. It's bad **** so DON'T GET IT ON YOU. It will burn like a ************. But it is definitely the best stuff I've ever seen.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 03:00 PM
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I talked to LPP and they said they aren't making any more LT1 headers until January of 2012. Bummer. I ordered the Pacesetter LT's painted, got them for $247 shipped.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 03:10 PM
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Hmm well I'm glad to hear they are thinking of bringing some more out, I want a stainless header this next time I think.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 04:02 PM
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Just checked and I couldn't find any of the cheap lt1 stainless headers on ebay... Must have scored mine just in time =)
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 04:30 PM
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Stainless steel ebay headers.. Can be had for less than 300 shipped w/ the ory. Ap1ap2 is an LPP knockoff with a little lower grade metal, from what i know. The install sucks but you'll be happy with them when it's done.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 05:49 PM
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Yeah I would have gotten the stainless ebays but they won't be making any until January of 2012. That's LPP and Ap1Ap2. They are made on the same jig, they are the same header. The only thing different is the welds.
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