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LTX and LSXPutting LT1s, LS1s, and their variants into Third Gens is becoming more popular. This board is for those who are doing and have done the swaps so they can discuss all of their technical aspects including repairs, swap info, and performance upgrades.
Currently have Hawks Stainless Works 1 3/4" - 2.5" collector headers. I feel these are going to choke out a 403 LS2 I'm building up for the car.
I've already blew the budget on the build and don't have another $1000 to drop on a bigger set of headers.
Came across some 1 7/8" 3" collector headers from Speed Engineering. I know they won't have the same quality as the Stainless Works ones but the price is right ($300).
Does anyone have real world experience with these headers? How was the fit and finish...
You are probably correct that 1-3/4" primaries will choke a 403. I believe that's what's happening to me in my '57 with 403, L92 heads, healthy cam, and 1-3/4" primaries - even with dual 3" with X-pipe behind them.
I would trust the Holley-Hooker BlackHeart headers to be best quality, but like you say, they're $1k.
I hope the fitment would be better than the Racing Innovation headers. I bought a set of these and talk about bad fitment, the collectors are touching on the right frame rail and 3/8" on the left rail, so no room at all for wiggling around for clearance. Anyone use the Speed Engineering headers in a build yet?
What size cam/what kind of power are you putting down?
I will be running stock LSA heads and going with the BTR stage 3 stroker cam.
I have the BlackHeart exhaust that I modified to fit the 2.5" collectors.
.. I'd be concerned the Hooker BlackHeart headers wouldn't work with the Spohn engine mounts and my custom trans member. Too expensive for me to take the risk. haha
I'd say the price is almost right for me to get the Speed Engineering headers to see if they'll work. Definitely worth my time and effort if they work.
Originally Posted by five7kid
Interesting. First I recall seeing them.
You are probably correct that 1-3/4" primaries will choke a 403. I believe that's what's happening to me in my '57 with 403, L92 heads, healthy cam, and 1-3/4" primaries - even with dual 3" with X-pipe behind them.
I would trust the Holley-Hooker BlackHeart headers to be best quality, but like you say, they're $1k.
I too am interested. I am about to pull the trigger on the Racing Innovation longtubes for my Ls1. I read that the Hawks y-pipe will fit them as well. I wonder if the same y-pipe would fit these...
I too am interested. I am about to pull the trigger on the Racing Innovation longtubes for my Ls1. I read that the Hawks y-pipe will fit them as well. I wonder if the same y-pipe would fit these...
Re-read my post 3. You can buy my RI headers to try if you want PM me.
I emailed Speed Engineering about the headers. I inquired about pictures and asked about what transmission they were designed around. This was the reply:
Thank you for your interest in our products. Unfortunately we don’t have any install pictures, there might be some on the forums.
I just bought a set of these... I plan to buy a set of Racing Innovation ones as well and I'll post up a comparison. I should be reinstalling my engine in 3 weeks and I already have the Hawks Y-Pipe, so I will post an update.
I got them in and my first impression is they look REALLY good. Came with header bolts, thick crunch type gaskets, and thin metal header gaskets. Welds look really well done and the inner collector looks to have a flap wheel in it to smooth out the welds. The cone welded into the collector looks really well done as well. I should be installing the motor in 3 weeks, so I will update with fitment.
I'll try to post pictures of them soon. Just really busy with work full time, 2 classes, working on the car, preparing to go to school full time in a few months...
I have the racing innovation long tubes.. absolute garbage. The hit the frame rail on the passenger side in two places and vibrate. The drivers side is practically touching my fuel and brake lines, which are wrapped btw. If they brought the collectors in another 1/2 inch they would be great. I'm hoping the Speed Engineering set is better, if so then I'm going to order a set. Tired of hearing my headers vibrate against the frame rail. This big cam doesn't help matters either. I've tried bending these with no luck. Stainless seems to be hard to work with, even when warmed up.
I just finished installing a pair of speed engineering headers on my 87 iroc and was very happy with the fitment. I put the pass. side header on first and noticed it was very tight to the k member so I went ahead and bought new poly motor mounts to replace the old stock mounts and now the clearance is much better plus less movement while running. (using hawks mount brackets) There was plenty of space between the frame rails. the drivers side o2 sensor is a little close to the transmission but once screwed in was not an issue. I was very impressed for only $300. There is another thread that someone has posted pictures of their install of these. Install was pretty straight forward, I had to remove the pass. side valve cover and on the driver side I undid the mount and raised the engine for clearance. (both went in from the top)
Does anyone have pictures of the Speed Engineering headers installed? My Racing Innovation headers fit, but barely. I've had them out twice now trying to reroute the fuel and brake lines on the driver's side as the header touches. I'm going to have to make them work, but if the Speed Engineering headers fit, I'll be replacing the RI headers.
I was unable to get the Y pipe to fit well enough to use either. It hits the passenger subframe, a bolt on the tailshaft, trans pan on 4L60E, and runs into the floor near the front of the driveshaft. That is with Hawk mounts and the Hawk double hump trans crossmember. I used RI headers though.
If I was doing the exhaust system again, I'd go with Hooker cast manifolds and make my own Y pipe.
id like to know as well on fitment. ive seen videos on one install but would like to see how fitment is with the transmission mounte with the oduble hump tran member. im assuming there is more clearance near the tunnel/ frame rail on pass side but this most likely just moves the header collector more inward towards the tranmsission. ive have used racing innovations on about 5 swaps, each car varies, but on a 4l60e set up the racing innovation headers are already way too close to the transmission (imo) . pics would be great for future reference
This is how mine ended up with the RI headers and Hawk's Y pipe. The RI header fit is really disappointing. I have plenty of room between them and the 4L60E, but they are so close to the subframe they rub the fuel and brake lines when the Y pipe is installed. I have about 1/8" clearance between the subframe on the passenger side. You can see where the Y pipe hits the trans pan. Clearance is decent with the Hawk's trans crossmember, but overall, just about nothing clears. I'm going to gamble on the Speed Engineering headers and see if it helps the Hawk's Y pipe fit better.
i didnt have any issues with my RI headers on my 5.3 swap with supercharger. I cleared both subframes. I did have leaks when I ran the MR gasket ultra header gaskets (didnt want to uset he graphite that came with them) and I was told the Mrgaskets would be better. Got leaks so i went with the remflex... $25 ish a pop but those things are beasts at sealing. They crush like 50% and never have to be retq'd. No leaks now
I also got my RI headers ceramic coated when I put them back in... no complaints from me. The speed engineering look nicer in the collector area for sure. But if it works it works and the speed engineering wasn't available 2 years ago when I purchased the RI's.
fitted speed engineering LS3 headers to my 89 gta with LS3/4L85e gearbox and could not fault quality and fit, hard part is making up y pipe etc. but header fit and clearance is good
03-23-2017, 07:40 AM
