I just ordered a set of hooker super comp shorty headers (p/n 2055) yesterday for my '88 gta. They're the smog legal headers (AIR tubes) of course because i live in the people's republic of california. I know this is going to be a hassle but i'm wondering how much of hassle its going to be (how long??). I have A/C and all the accessories to deal with. Any tricks or particular problems i'm going to run into here? It comes with a y-pipe but i'm just gonna install the headers and have an exhaust shop weld it up (can't raise the car high enough).

 

This is what I had to do to install my SLP's:

I removed both valve covers.
Driver's side required me to loosen the steering column. With the column moved, the header dropped right in. To clear the column, though (1 3/4" primaries), I ground the column down a little bit and I elongated the holes for the column bracket, moving the column towards the driver's side. I elongated both the holes in the firewall (a little bit) and in the bracket itself. The bracket is very easy to file.

The passenger side required me to move the AIR hoses to the side (no need to disconnect anything). I didn't have to mess with the A/C housing or anything. That kind of sucks because I read that I may have to so I removed all of the screws that hold the two halves of the housing together, as well as the screws that hold the housing to the firewall--the headers hadn't arrived yet, and I wanted to get them in as quickly as possible when they did arrive.

I have had the headers in and out several times to change gaskets (put paper on at first but then didn't even bother with it--I changed them out for Percy's Alumimun) and there is nothing to it. I could put headers on another car in an afternoon I think. (Assuming that the exhaust manifold bolts will actually come off and not require liquid wrench every night for a week before you can finally get the farthest back bolt on the passenger side manifold off .) Oh, if stock LT1 exhaust manifold gaskets are cheaper than the Percy's or whatever you decide on, use them--they are aluminum and 3 sheets thick.

 

If you have a temper, tell the neighbor to tape you installing the headers and you'll have an excellent 8 hour roll of footage to give your shrink. I'm getting sick of mine just trying to replace the gaskets today! Hello prybar.

 

Took my brother and I about 6hrs to install mine, the AC was already off, but the longest part was clearing room and removing the manifolds.

 

I have the hedman shorties. Access to the manifold bolts from above or below is a major PITA!!!

If that's not bad enough, I can only get a socket on about 1/2 of the Stage 8 bolts I have used. How am I supposed to torque the others?

 

I hate to ask (i know its been asked before), but how much of a real gain did any of you get from headers? Some people say they pick up 4 tenths, others say hardly anything at all. I already have a full 3" exhaust....

 

o u'll hear and feel a difference a big one...... it will b louder and that pull you have in the low end will extend further in the rpm band. i mean my friend has a 97 s-10 and put an intake on it and the whole car sounded different..... and that was just an intake... trust me it's hard not to hear and feel a difference with a mod like headers

 

It took me a grand total of 2, yes TWO hours to install my headers. I took the stock manifolds off (came off really easy), cut off the y-pipe (stripped the bolts), took out the steering column on driver's side header dropped right in, took off the starter on the passenger side and the header wiggled its way in.

It sure is nice having no AC and the heater box removed.

 

mine took about 5 hours total to install. SLP 1-3/4" primaries. got the manifolds off with a little work. on the driver side, undid the motor mount and lifted the engine up a couple inches. goes on easy. passenger side i took out the starter and my dad dropped it in from the top. tah-dah.

mike

 

Even if it doesn't knock a whole lot off, you still need headers for any other mod you throw at the car for it to benefit the most.