abadv8

Stainless can, in fact, be magnetized.

From the BSSA:

It is commonly stated that “stainless steel is non-magnetic”. This is not strictly true and the real situation is rather more complicated. The degree of magnetic response or magnetic permeability is derived from the microstructure of the steel. A totally non-magnetic material has a relative magnetic permeability of 1. Austenitic structures are totally non-magnetic and so a 100% austenitic stainless steel would have a permeability of 1. In practice this is not achieved. There is always a small amount of ferrite and/or martensite in the steel and so permeability values are always above 1. Typical values for standard austenitic stainless steels can be in the order of 1.05 – 1.1. See Composition effects on the magnetic permeability of austenitic stainless steels

It is possible for the magnetic permeability of austenitic steels to be changed during processing. For example, cold work and welding are liable to increase the amount of martensite and ferrite respectively in the steel. A familiar example is in a stainless steel sink where the flat drainer has little magnetic response whereas the pressed bowl has a higher response due to the formation of martensite particularly in the corners.

In practical terms, austenitic stainless steels are used for “non-magnetic” applications, for example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In these cases, it is often necessary to agree a maximum magnetic permeability between customer and supplier. It can be as low as 1.004.

So, a stainless steel that has been cold worked (i.e. tube bending), would be more likely to have magnetic characteristics.

I used to manage a product line that was almost exclusively sanitary stainless steel fabrication, and we dealt with a lot of cold working processes. We bought 304 stainless with material certs from reputable suppliers, and would occasionally see some magnetism in the finished goods.

Just wanted to throw that out there...

cypris09

iTrader: (1)

Good to know, I know when I was in my high school we were always told to use a magnet to find the stainless since people always mixed thr bar stock together. Thanks for the info!

WTR388

What are you guys doing for O2 sensor bungs? Are you marking locations and then having someone else TIG them on or are you just grabbing your MIG and going at it?

cypris09

iTrader: (1)

I just got my o2 sensors the other day. Not sure if they will fit. But the headers have them.

92BLKL98

Well I'm still waiting on UPS to un-screw up their error in my order shipment, they said they delivered them to the wrong address.

abadv8

I used the graphite gaskets that came with headers. I think I have somewhere around 3,000 miles on them with no leaks.

My headers also came with O2 bungs already welded in.

Alice89

iTrader: (6)

Mine came with them welded on already, You just cant see them in the pictures. My O2 sensors threaded in with no problems. If you want pics of the O2 bungs just tell me, and I can post some up.

Good to know!

plum92_camaro

Mine also have the 02 sensor bungs in them.

Thanks for the gasket info!

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

For $300 you cant beat them. When they're out of stock, the page has an option to email you when they resupply. Hoping to pick up a couple sets this summer myself

utfan01ss

iTrader: (1)

Got mine ordered, UPS shows they will be here Monday. Excited to see how they look, for the price they seem hard to beat. I've always used the stock MLS exhaust gaskets with my headers... not one leak ever.

92BLKL98

Finally got mine after going round and round with UPS. They delivered them to an address 20 minutes from me similar to my street address. Since I couldn’t convince them to go back and look I went and SHO-NUFF they were there. I did call them and gave them a piece of my mind.

plum92_camaro

What bolts are you guys using for your LT headers? I've seen those bolts with locks so they don't back out but not sure what to use. How much room is there with the LS? Could I tighten them if I had too? or would it be a PITA like with the SBC?

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

I use the stock LS exh bolts. Never had one back out. The MLS gaskets are excellent and reusable as long as they arent falling apart or get grit/sand in between the layers

Not sure why the LS exh bolts dont back out, maybe its the extra stub on the tip, maybe its the alum heads or gasket constantly keeping a slight amount of tension on them. I do not miss the monthly retorque from SBC days

plum92_camaro

What are you guys using for a y-pipe? Anyone match a Hawks Y with these RI LT's?

cobb

Anyone?

cypris09

iTrader: (1)

I'm actually just planning on making my own. The last few builds I have seen using that y pipe was pretty bad. Alot of tweaking and beating to make it fit. Imo 250 to do that is just plain crazy. But I'm cheap

92BLKL98

I plan to make my own, not that I nor you are cheap but we have all heard stories about fitment issues. I think a custom fit works best. I'm not a great welder but I can tack it together and have it completed by a good welder.

punkmaster98

iTrader: (5)

Currently have 15k miles on my racing innovation headers. Holding up great. Only a little discoloring from blowing a trans line and cracking my oil pan.

abadv8

Making your own Y-pipe is fairly easy if you go the mitered pieces route. I think mine took around 4 hours to build, and the fit on that piece is near perfect (well, as near perfect as I could get it).

92BLKL98

Any pics???

abadv8

Toward the bottom of the page:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post5599709

(They didn't photograph well, the welds are a lot more uniform than they appear)

92BLKL98

OK then I remember seeing your thread, nice job. I re-read your entire thread again very good job. I'm working on mine now with a 6.0/4L60E. I did not see what you did for cruise control what cruise control module did you use.

abadv8

I used the OE cruise box from the 2000. If I remember correctly, I mounted it under the electrical center in the driver's side battery tray of the '89.

punkmaster98

iTrader: (5)

Just bought another set of racing innovation headers today they are available from their site as well as fleabay