running just headers?!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Los angeles
running just headers?! just bought lt headers today for my 2000 z28! Wonder if I could just run headers no y pipe or exhaust . any vids or sound clips of that . and any body have an easy step by step for header install? thank you
Can you run your car with just headers? Sure. Will you make it across town or longer than a day? Probably not. The car will be deafening loud. But if you are just planning on getting it running to take it to an exhaust shop near by, go for it. The car will run fine. Just one thing, don't plug in any o2 sensors until you have the rest of the exhaust on or until you atleast get some straight pipe extensions on the headers. Open air hitting the o2's will make it run like ***. Header installs are simple. Get the car up as high as you can, the higher, the easier the LT's are to slip in from the bottom. On the driver side you have to remove the steering knuckle. For the passenger side, some remove the starter to make things easier, I've never had to. You might as well install some new plugs while you are at it. I always recommend installing poly motor mounts whenever long tube headers are installed. Helps with ground and k-member clearance.
If you stick on city streets you will be pulled over real quick. It will also run rough. If you are going to drive it to an exhaust shop quick it would be alright. I went from a couple bolt ons to heads/cam/fast92/longtubes all in one shot, I drove it from my house in Riverside to CMS in Elsinore taking back roads to the 15fwy. I was lucky.
when i was waiting for my new exhaust come in, i took my car for spin with open headers.
-it is WAY too loud
-the car feels like it's going to shake apart
-the loss of low end torque makes it feel like you are running a 4 banger lol
but it does sound pretty bad ***! why don't you get some electric cut outs, you can put them right after the headers?
-it is WAY too loud
-the car feels like it's going to shake apart
-the loss of low end torque makes it feel like you are running a 4 banger lol
but it does sound pretty bad ***! why don't you get some electric cut outs, you can put them right after the headers?
when i put my LTs on i drove around town for a month open header. Sat at stop lights next to, in front of, and behind cops and didn't get looked at...not guarunteeing you won't, but that's my experience. Towards the end of the month i was tired of the noise, after i put the TDs on, i missed the noise. Here's a video:
i had another but cant find it now
Power wise, you'll be down on low end torque and somewhere around 3-4k it starts building power quickly iirc..for me at least. this was in 2005..honestly, do a full exhaust system and just get cut outs if you want the loudness
i had another but cant find it now
Power wise, you'll be down on low end torque and somewhere around 3-4k it starts building power quickly iirc..for me at least. this was in 2005..honestly, do a full exhaust system and just get cut outs if you want the loudness
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On my Pacesetters, they came out and went back in without removing anything but the oil dipstick tube on the passenger side. i also pulled the plugs/wires before i pulled them out, since i was going to be doing plugs anyway.
I ran mine open header for about 300 miles.... my doctor says I have permanent hearing loss beause of this....
haha but seriously, once you put an exhaust on it, you will definitely miss the start up rumble. although your neighbors definitely won't.
haha but seriously, once you put an exhaust on it, you will definitely miss the start up rumble. although your neighbors definitely won't. 
What header exhaust combination will just bolt up with a y-pipe? i have been looking at pacesetter headers but with what ORY pipe will bolt right up without serious modification?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Los angeles
Thanks for all the info . i appreciate it. I think im just going to get this all done in a week or so. Any good places in La to get it all done and for a good price ? I live in Hawthorne
I ran my car for about 300 miles with open headers, no Y pipe or cats. It was loud as hell. Had to keep it under 2k RPM otherwise every cop within 1 mile would hear me. Also had to keep the O2 sensors unplugged to prevent from fouling them out. I don't recommend it.
Bodywerks Mufflers
(818) 786-2337
7750 Sepulveda Blvd Ste 8
Van Nuys, CA 91405
I think that's the correct address/phone for them. If it's not then I can get it from a friend. I don't think this is against the rules since we don't have any Exhaust Only shops that are site sponsors.
(818) 786-2337
7750 Sepulveda Blvd Ste 8
Van Nuys, CA 91405
I think that's the correct address/phone for them. If it's not then I can get it from a friend. I don't think this is against the rules since we don't have any Exhaust Only shops that are site sponsors.
Last edited by ZexGX; Mar 22, 2010 at 05:19 PM.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I ran mine with pacesetters and a ORY for about 3 months and got pulled over 3 times for noise, not worth it and the low end power loss is HUGE, now im running the pacesetters with an ORY and a resinator and its still LOUD but u still get your low end power and less attn from the police least thats here in vegas
