I got the 2.8 pacesetters on my 3.1. I can definilty notice the increase in power. The headers said they didn't have a high heat finish so I used aircraft paint remover to take the finish off and then I painted them with Duplicolor high heat paint(the 1200 degree) and the paint is started to chip off already. I used a few coats of paint and baked them in the oven like the directions said too. I kinda pissed its already chipping. I should be at the track next week to really test out the headers. I want to run 15s. Last time I ran a 16.4 so i might make it.

 

the temps will get as high as 1600*... so of course 1200 won't do jack...

I would personally use 2000*, you have to look around for it though.

 

or get them powdercoated.

 

1600!! I didn't think it was that high. Duplicolors's 1200 is the most heat resistance paint I found

 

is the left header clearing the oil filter with no problem?

If you have a camera, please post a picture of this area.

 

headers alone arent gonna get you from a 16.4 to 15s. they dont add that much hp. i just barely broke into the 15s w/ my mods, but i have some traction issues that should clear up w/ some much better tires. the coopers arent cutting it anymore, lol. what other mods do you have done?

 

Dale beat me to my question!! Congrats on the header install! Also, which filter are you using? The old "short" PF47 or the better "long" PF52?? Thanks!!

 

I don't care what you use, spraycan hightemp heat paint never lasts on headers. Best to get them professionally coated or they go to crap in about 8 years and you will be buying a new set.
Thats the reason I went to stainless steel and then also had them ceramic coated. I am old enough I have been this route too many times already.

 

When I ran the 16.4 I had glasspacks, tb bypass, kn filter with hacked airbox. I also run Royal Purple Oil and automatic trans fluid. When I switched to synetic I did notice an increase in power. The ATF made my car shift firmer.

I haven't raced in a while but I added a MSD Blaster coil, Accel 8.8 plug wires, Royal Purple synthetic rear end fluid, and of course the headers. I am hoping that will get me to 15s.

As for the header fitment, they fit quite nicely. When I first put then on I thought they never would fit but you have to be patience and try to find the angles to make everything clear. I had to remove the back braces going to the alternator to make them fit. Also I carefully had to bend the dipstick or else they wouldn't of fitted.

I'll post pics up in a few days.
Anybody know about how much it would cost to powdercoat the headers? I loved the black look they had. Now they are covered in crispy flaking paint.

 

i ran a 16.1 last year, i removed a decent amount of weight, added headers, a posi, and a centerforce dual friction clutch, that dropped me to a 15.9. it would have been lower because of the posi, but i need better tires to hook up off the line. you may see a tenth or two difference, but not .5. oil, wires, and a coil pack really dont add hp, they just allow the engine to perform at its max potential at higher rpms. i wanna say headers add about 15-20hp, but it depends on the rest of the exhaust, have you put a catback and a highflow cat or removed the cat? if not, the airflow is just gonna get bottle necked through the rest of the exhaust.

oh i used the black high temp paint on my headers too, its getting kind of a dull look to it, but they havent started flaking yet and the paint has been on since march. im not too concerned about the paint coming off, as long as they dont rust out.

 

dusty, please look closely around the oil filter. I have the very first set and it hit here.

But otherwise, it does sound like the fixed the problem. Order away folks!!

 

Yes, Duasty if you could please post this info for anyone else looking to buy them. This has been a curious question to most people wanting to buy them if Pacesetter has fixed the clearance problem.

And Header are not good for 15-20 HP, they are AT MOST an 8 hp gain unless you have a larger bore 3.4 they may be 10-11HP gain.

This is a progressive increase the more you build the internals of the motor to produce more flow the better the gains will render with headers as opposed to stock exhaust manifolds. But for a relitively stock 2.8 or 3.1 you are gaining from about 6-9 HP with headers. The stock exhaust manifolds do not restrict very much because these motors are tiny. The biggest restriction by far is the stock "T-pipe" we'll call it. That juction merge will give you 5 of those HP alone by just putting a true "Y-merge" instead of the restrictive stock "T-merge".

 

im shocked no one has asked u this, HOW DOES IT SOUND??????. Better or worse, i want headers but i really want the car to sound better, i drove the car for the first time yesterday, first day out driving with my license. BTW sounds great cruising down 301.

 

Um, their are sound clips of my car around. As well as dave88 has posted his comments about his set.

 

ill snap a pic of the headers on my 2.8 when i get home today. they do make a sound difference.

 

also....has anyone has a problem with the length of the O2 sensor wire being too short and touching the pipe?

 

I had to add some length to my o2 sensor. I cut it and crimped on some more wire .

 

Greenbird, I do not have Pacesetter, but I have pretty much its equivilent- the PF&E headers. I'll send you a video clip on my car on an Autox course. You can somewhat hear it at the start of the run when its heading away from you. I have a Flowmaster 80 on the rear that is coming off real soon due to being too loud now with the headers. Flowmaster was fine with just the stock exhaust manifolds, but too loud and raspy now.

Hopefully you have a fast download speed.

 

i didnt have a problem, dale had to lengthen his wire as well. mine is a bit tighter than it was before, but still some slack left in it.

 

thanks for the email dean, i cant load the damn thing caz i have dial up. Dave/ bluebird/ dusty what does your car sound like better or worse?

 

i noticed a bit of difference, but not much, better though. i got them for performance though, not so much the sound. but you should be happy w/ the setup.

 

Any pics of the oil filter?

Or.. better yet... which filter do you use? The short PF47 or the long PF52?

 

I have the long filter and I checked and I have no clearance issues. I couldn't get a good one of the filter to show you but I tried. Notice the paint chipping off too. I already see rust spots and it hasn't been a week. Anybody know about how much it will cost to have them powdercoated?

I hope the pics work. I am using webshots to host them.

 

everything is working now

 

I recomend ceramic coating over powder coating on headers because it lasts longer and better. but, powdercoating these headers would cost about $125 "here"...PM me for details

 

Awesome! Thanks Dusty!! I'm so glad to see the long PF52 filter fits!! Did you get the headers from Summit?

 

"1600!! I didn't think it was that high. Duplicolors's 1200 is the most heat resistance paint I found"

i found 2000 degree paint at walmart

later and


GB

rick

 

how much did those cost and do you have to replace the whole exhaust or can i use most of the existing system.

 

The headers cost about 220 with shipping from summit. You should be able to use your existing setup.

 

one last question....do the exhaust manifold have the EGR valve on it, because I live in california and I would like to keep it smog legel????

 

yes, they do but techincally they are not smog legal on 3.1s. if they run the E.O. number...it will not work for ya.

 

im realy only interested cause my stock manifolds are cracked and why put on crapy stock ones if ive got to replace them? i dont see the logic in that so im gonna try to get a set of those shesh i cant wait till tax returns. just a thought where can you buy new complete engine wiring harness for our cars?

 

try www.car-part.com

oh new, good luck for a new one, hard to find. i doubt GM makes one anymore, and i dont think Painless makes one either. try Year-One maybe. but i think youre gonna have to result to a junkyard if you need a whole engine harness (see above link)

 

From the looks of the headers you are probably running lean.

 

Pick your Parts have these GOOD CONDITION EXHAUST MANIFOLDS lying on the ground & they go for $10 each. Maybe now more, but still, I've found mine lying on the ground!
Write a short email to Mr. Fred Gerle letting him know your desire to buy the headers for your car.
They would love the help to show strong market share for the purchase of their products.
How ya think I convinced them to make this produt for us & to shoulder the R & D & testing costs?
fgerle@pacesetterexhaust.com
MAKE SURE you include a link to this thread in the email to him, please.
I can't wait to get my pipes real soon! I want to see how those pipes will wake up my 3.4 powered ride!
Which pipe application will help prevent rust from road salts?

 

stainless.. but you guys are too frugal to pay for stainless