I just picked up a set of used SLP Headers with AIR (PN 3000) and saw the installation kit on SLP's website was $90 (ouch)

They also sell parts of the kit seperately - I figured I would need the gaskets, but what else do I need?

Should I get the gaskets from SLP or are header gaskets generic? If not from SLP, what's a good brand/source?

How about the header bolts?

What other parts? I have NEVER installed headers before but I really want to make sure I had all the parts before installation.

I do appologize if this is a searchable question, but I am on a dial up service so the searches take forever......

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

George

 

If you don't mind running around trying to find cheaper installation parts go for it. If you need the A/C bracket you may have to fab a new one. But to save time just order the kit. That Kit really went up in price since I installed my SLP headers a few years back.

 

I bought the kit when I installed my SLPs. It was my first header install. It was worth it to me for that "first time". I didn't want any surprises.

Now that I'm comfortable with the job, I would just piece together what I need and forget about the kit.

 

i just ordered the kit from their website and it was $70 for mine. i think the "percy's" gaskets are one of the best out there, as far as staying sealed good. haven't ordered mine yet, but just what i heard. you can get them off the shelf at autozone, too.

KAM

 

Ok, the SLP parts kit includes...

header bolts
gaskets
donuts
fire sleeves
AIR hoses, clamps

They also sell a special spark plug socket, a/c compressor bracket, and cat adapters.

Header bolts, $8 at the local parts store.

Gaskets, don't use them. Clean up the header flanges and the heads and the headers should seal better without them. Ultra Copper RTV could be used if they don't seal bare. Even if you insist on using the gaskets, they're generic, FelPro... $0-6

Donut gaskets, they're a generic 2.5" donut, Walker and Felpro both are sold over the counter at the auto parts store. I think I paid less than $10 for both of them.

Fire sleeves, you don't need them. Use plug wires with all 90* boots and you're fine. The straight boots on OEM plugs won't clear the tubes anyway.

AIR hoses/clamps... The AIR tubes got in the way of everything on my car anyway, so I cut the tubes off and had them welded closed. Now I can actually get the valve covers off in less than 10 minutes. $30 for the welds.

How about the bracket and socket... well the bracket is the stock bracket that's had the opening for the manifold tube opened up. Use a cut off wheel and cut the rear ear off, done. The socket is a Craftsman socket, with the 3/8 square hole bored out so it'll slip over the plug, and the rubber insert removed and about 1" cut off the length. Use the same cut off wheel, lop off 1". Use a die grinder with a carbide bit to hog out the square end. Buy your socket at a pawn shop or a flea market, and it's less than a few dollars and some time invested.

Also, SLP's cat adapter for a 3" single cat, is simply a 3" 45* bend, once again available at any parts store.

 

i just got my kit the other day, and it's a joke. $70 for almost nothing of value... i'm sending it back and buying what i need at the parts store.

KAM

 

For the bolts to the heads, get a set of Breslin header bolts. They WILL stay in there. They go in like a normal header bolt, then you torque them down, but inside the bolt is a little allen key thing. After the bolt is tightened, you tighten up the allen key part and it expands the end of the threads and makes it grab really tight to the heads.

For collector bolts, use stainless nuts and bolts. You'll love it later when you have to take them off.