SLP 1 3/4 stainless headers FINALLY arrived.... - Exhaust - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

LT1FUN · 06-09-2006, 05:23 PM

EDIT (Further down into this thread, I posted some additional photo's of the SLP's once they were installed)

After waiting nearly 6 weeks, they've finally arrived. SLP's 1 3/4 stainless headers/ypipe. I kept getting conflicting stories from both LM performace and SLP as to why it was taking so long, but they're finally here so I'm happy the ordeal is finally over.

This will be my first major mod on my '88 L98 Iroc-Z. I tried to promis myself I would leave this car stock and just use it as a daily driver but the "performance bug" has bit me yet again.

The Firebird won't be finished until next summer, so in the mean time, I'll mess around with the Z. I decided to go with the SLP's mainly because of the fact that they're stainless steel and with this city's tendancy to dump 100's of tonnes of salt onto the roads every winter, I wanted a set of headers and ypipe that would not rust out. This was the biggest deciding factor as this is a year-round car and I do drive it during the winter. No rust = No worries

Opening up the box, everything was packaged really nice with everthing seperated by giant polyeurthane foam "pillows" which makes it virtually impossible for these to get damaged during shipment. Nice.

After inspecting evething up close, I'm happy to say that I'm impressed with the quality of these headers. Both in the ceramic coating itself, aswell as the craftsmanship of the header's construction. All the welds are absolutely perfect. Looking inside the collectors, you can see just how smooth and clean everything is.
Some of the cheaper headers I've seen, usually have pretty sloppy welds. "Sloppy", meaning if you look on the inside of the collector for example or where the Air/tubes are placed, you can see all the excess material from the welding process, "getting in the way" as I like to say.

Not so with these SLP's.

I ordered them without pervisions for air, as I wanted to clean up the engine compartment as much as possible. Getting rid of all the air hook-ups will definetely clean things up a lot. The ypipe, is also a great piece though unlike the headers, it's not ceramic coated. All is well though, as I like the "natural" finish stainless steal.

A lot of people might complain that the ypipe isn't a full 3", and claim that you're leaving hp on the table by not going to a full 3". Whether or not this is the case, I wouldn't know as I've yet to see a single dyno which shows, for example, a 3" hooker ypipe, making more hp/torque than SLP's. I'm not too worried though, as I take comfort in knowing that SLP has been around a long time and probably knows more about 3rd gen's than any other company out there. The way I see it, they didn't design the ypipe to be a full 3" for a reason.....

Anyways, the ypipe has a 3" collector and that's good enough for me.

I'll probably put these on some time next week if I have the time. May as well buy new O2 sensors while I'm at it. Hopefully, the install goes well and I won't have too many problems with the ypipe's fitment, as the SLP's ypipe seem to have reputation for fitment issues. I'll update again when I have them installed.

Here are some pic's of the ypipe....

Enjoy.

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LT1FUN · 06-09-2006, 05:24 PM

and here are the headers...

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superGMman · 06-09-2006, 05:31 PM

Wow, your right, the welds do look really nice in that bottom-left pic in your last comment. I'm glad that your happy with your purchase(I'm sure everyone knows that feeling of paying for something and feeling like it's a waste).

G-Ride14 · 06-10-2006, 03:07 PM

Those look good. Can't wait to get a set for my gta.

jim91gta · 06-12-2006, 10:27 AM

Quick fitment question. do the Headers line up with Stock exhaust. I have the same Headers(love them) but am looking to get Magnaflow dual cat setup and was wondering how far off the connections would be.

CraZ-28 · 06-12-2006, 01:10 PM

Son of a........ That really pisses me off. I didn't get a sticker with mine!

LT1FUN · 06-12-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraZ-28

Son of a........ That really pisses me off. I didn't get a sticker with mine!

That's because SLP reserves their High Performace stickers only for their most valuble and important cliental.

People like me.

You're just not important enough. Sorry buddy. Better luck next time.

J/K

On a serious not, rumour has it these stickers are worrth between 10-15hp at the wheels. We'll see.....

Willie · 06-12-2006, 07:42 PM

I didn't get a sticker either but then again, I got them about four years ago. Maybe SLP doesn't like Tucsonans......?? Whatever the reason, I think I'm going to take mine off and not credit them any longer...... wait..... I just did this. I couldn't use their headers for my new setup

!!!

mw66nova · 06-12-2006, 09:41 PM

willie, have you got any new track numbers with that combo yet?

AC · 06-13-2006, 06:15 AM

Willie!!!! When did you go twin?? Absolute sickness...only way to cure that sickness is with bigger C.I.D.

85T/A · 06-13-2006, 08:13 AM

ive got a question
they woldnt fit an 84 chevy 350 would they???? and if they would would the lne up with my stock exhaust on an 85 T?A

mw66nova · 06-13-2006, 08:22 AM

gen I sbc from 55-99(?) all had the exhaust ports in the same layout.
0 00 0
so it will bolt up to the motor with no problems. the y-pipe on the slp's should bolt up to stock exhaust without too many issues...though i would definitely suggest upgrading to an aftermarket catback of sorts.

Dyno Don · 06-13-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Hopefully, the install goes well and I won't have too many problems with the ypipe's fitment, as the SLP's ypipe seem to have reputation for fitment issues.

Let's see how inpressed you are after you have to dent the left side to clear the steering.

1BADROC · 06-13-2006, 10:44 AM

[quote=Dyno Don]Let's see how inpressed you are after you have to dent the left side to clear the steering.

dont dent it there is no reason to just jack up your engine slightly. once you got just enough room to slide them in do it and lower it back down. once you get them between the steering and valve cover you got plenty of room. they flow really good i gained 9 tenths at the track with them and stealth ram.

CraZ-28 · 06-13-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie

I didn't get a sticker either but then again, I got them about four years ago. Maybe SLP doesn't like Tucsonans......?? !!!

I think your right Willie. Then again, I've had mine for 7 years now and they may just have not proven the sticker/hp rating thing yet when I got mine. Oh well.

LT1FUN · 06-13-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyno Don

Let's see how inpressed you are after you have to dent the left side to clear the steering.

I would never in a million years even consider denting headers to clear the steering shaft.

If I do end up having some minor clearance issues with the driver-side header and steering shaft (as some people have had) all it takes is 5 minutes and a dremal to grind out what little material of the shaft is in the way.

That's the smart way of doing it. It will not have any ill-effects on your steering or reduce the intergity of the shaft to be of anyconcern.

I too have read stories of guy's hammering the crap out of their brand new SLP's for more clearance.

I can't comprehend what on earth, these guy's are thinking. I guess they just get so frusrated, when things go wrong, they stop thinking, and resort to ham-fisted half-*** solutions like using a big hammer

5 minutes and a dremal. It really is that easy. I've seen it done a dozen times by now. So much more efficient then destroying an expensive set of headers...

Nah, my concern isn't with the headers. but with the ypipe. I'm almost certain it won't bolt up properly. All the ypipes I've ever installed, were the same....

mpayne · 06-13-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT1FUN

I would never in a million years even consider denting headers to clear the steering shaft.

If I do end up having some minor clearance issues with the driver-side header and steering shaft (as some people have had) all it takes is 5 minutes and a dremal to grind out what little material of the shaft is in the way.

That's the smart way of doing it. It will not have any ill-effects on your steering or reduce the intergity of the shaft to be of anyconcern.

I too have read stories of guy's hammering the crap out of their brand new SLP's for more clearance.

I can't comprehend what on earth, these guy's are thinking. I guess they just get so frusrated, when things go wrong, they stop thinking, and resort to ham-fisted half-*** solutions like using a big hammer

5 minutes and a dremal. It really is that easy. I've seen it done a dozen times by now. So much more efficient then destroying an expensive set of headers...

Nah, my concern isn't with the headers. but with the ypipe. I'm almost certain it won't bolt up properly. All the ypipes I've ever installed, were the same....

Well, you probably haven't installed them yet to say this. I've had the slp's on my car for about 3 years, rubbing the steering shaft the whole time. The only solution now is to dent them. I have put washers under the driver's side motor mount to move the header up and over, didn't work. I have moved the steering shaft over as far as it will go, didn't work. I don't want to grind on the firewall to move it further because in case of an accident I don't want to get speared with it. Grinding the steering shaft is a bad idea. How do you know that grinding it down will not reduce integrity? You would gamble on losing steering instead of putting a small dent in a header primary that probably wouldn't even reduce flow, I guess that's Darwin's Theory at work.

LT1FUN · 06-13-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpayne

I've had the slp's on my car for about 3 years, rubbing the steering shaft the whole time. Grinding the steering shaft is a bad idea. How do you know that grinding it down will not reduce integrity?

If you've been driving your car for three years with the header touching the steering shaft, that must mean that the header is only barely touching the shaft (most likely, only "rubbing"), otherwise, steering your car would be VERY difficult, if not impossible.

So odds are, the header is just "rubbing" the shaft, so grinding down that tiny insignificant bit of material, to give you just enough room for clearance, won't be enough to cause any damage.

It's not as if I'm talking about grinding the steering down to half it's width

That probably wouldn't be a very good idea, but to just "skim off" a tiny bit of material (1/8" at most") there's absolutely no way in hell, that's ever going to cause the shaft to break, bend or be detremental to the life of the shaft. No chance.

On the other hand, you can bet that putting dents in your header will effect it's performance, Not to mention it looks pretty ugly.....

Heck, you don't even need a dremal. A small file will do just as good (though it may take a bit longer)

I'd really suggest you do it this way, as I said, I've seen it done numerous times before.

I'll put 'em on this week and post my results.

mpayne · 06-13-2006, 05:45 PM

Well I know you wouldn't grind it down to half its size, that would be funny. My header has rubbed the steering shaft so much that it did take away about an 1/16" of the steering shaft but it seems to just move back toward the header. But, hopefully you don't have any clearance problems, that would be awesome.

1BADROC · 06-13-2006, 07:24 PM

my slp's have never rubbed since they have been on like i said i just jacked to engine up slightly to get past the steering if i grinded the steering it would be half gone. Once i got past the steering i have plenty of clearance but denting them is a retarded thing to do. I dont know why i have clearance and others dont maybe everyone else has a Lt1 thats been posting instead of L98.

mw66nova · 06-13-2006, 07:36 PM

what difference does that make? the bolt holes for the headers on the lt1 heads are in the same spot as the l98 heads.

85T/A · 06-13-2006, 11:48 PM

WOW Controversial topic ..... lo

iceman02 · 06-14-2006, 12:26 PM

LT1, can you check the diameter of the ypipe (before it joins into the 3") with a caliper, if you have one? SLP swears to me on the phone it is 2.5", but other's have shown it's only 2 1/4", maybe 2 3/8" max.

ThirdGenLS1 · 06-15-2006, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyno Don

Let's see how inpressed you are after you have to dent the left side to clear the steering.

Yep mine rubed pretty good when i put mine one, had to dent it a bit. Anyways, since when is it the worst thing you could possible do, what you gonna loose .5 hp with doing it LOL.

Justin

LT1FUN · 06-16-2006, 08:53 PM

Well, they're finally on

Finished the install yesterday and had the guy's at straight line racing weld up the ypipe to the cat.

So here's my review.

Probably the biggest pain, was removing the factory manifolt bolts as they were rusted so badly, that two of them were seized. That was a bit of a hastle, but they eventually came loose.
All the air fitting and hoses were removed and the factory ypipe was removed with a sawzall.
After getting all that out of the way, the install could begin.

The headers themselves, were a bit of a pain to install (as headers always are) due to the fact that there's very little clearance on either side of the engine to work with, but thankfully, both went in without too much trouble.
The driver's side header has about a half inch clearance between it and the steering shaft so that wasn't an issue at all in my case, as it has been with some other's who've bought these headers.

The brake lines had to be bent out of the way a bit, but I did that with my bare hands in 2 minutes so it was a non-issue.
The passeneger side though, was VERY cramped. As in, there was about 1/16 of an inch clearance between the header flange and and the frame.

It was pretty difficult to get those headers in there without scratching off any of that shiny coating but luckily, they're still in good shape..

Without all the emissions crap to deal with, the headers were installed in less time than it took to remove the old manifolds.
A new O2 sensor was also added since now would be the best time for it.

The ypipe on the other, not surprisingly, was a total right off

For some reason, SLP's ypipes are like, 6" shorter than everyone else's, so Andy at Straight Line, welded up an extention to mate the cat with the y and then welded everything into place.

I ended up keeping the cat since it's a high-flow 3" Dynamax unit so I knew it wouldn't be a restriction and would only smooth out the exhaust note and eliminate the popping and raspiness you normally get by running a straight pipe.

The first thing I noticed when I finally started the car, was that at idle, there was a very prominent vibration. It's only their at idle and dissapears under throttle which leads me to belive that the exhaust is making contact with the frame somewhere. My guess is that it's the passenger side header flange (I guess that 1/16 of an inch clearance wasn't enough after all

Anyways, it's nothing major, I can deal with that. The exhaust note while ideling, is virtually the same as when I was running the factory manifolds but under any type of acceleration, it sounds completely different then before. It's much deeper and aggressive but nothing crazy. It actually sounds pretty freakin awesome if I do say so myself.

But of coarse, the main reson why people get headers is for the performance improvment. These SLP's delivered on that big time.

At first, just strolling around town, I honestly didn't feel much difference. It wasn't until I got the car on the freeway that I come to realise just how much of an improvment they were over stock.

From 3500 and up, the car pulls so much harder now. I no longer get that "run out of breath feeling" I used to get when I'd hit the gas to overtake someone and change lanes out on the freeway.

For the first time, the car pulls all the way to red-line and it feels like a whole new animal. The sound and performance improvments really make this feel like an entirely different car.

I'm VERY satisfied with the final outcome.

The ypipe left a lot to be desired in terms of how it fit, but other than that, I'm more than happy.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

DRIVESHAFT CLEARANCE: