Lets Talk Headers...

[Deconstruction]

I had the thought of when I put a new exhaust on my truck to get a set of headers as well. I have found some direct replacements for my truck with its L76 engine. My problem is I am very uninformed about what the pro's and cons are.

 

I realize there will be a difference in sound with a header but I dont know if it going to be loud and annoying.

Is there any fuel economy increase by installing a header? yes I realize its a truck and it has alot to do with how I drive but under normal driving conditions any change?

Should anything be done with my Catalytic converters? I am planning on a cat-back system just trying to find somewhere in Canada that sells Corsa.

 

I am also planning on a Blackbear custom tune I just want to get everything done prior to getting the tune.

[hockeypro1411]

There's a lot of different opinions on headers. For everyday driving, I'm not sure what kind of power return you'd get from them. But if you're just looking for a little bit of a different sound and trying to free up some power, headers would do the trick. Personally, I wouldn't bother with anything except longtubes.

[rzauner]

Are you talking long tube, short or mid? Dont waste your money on short. Mid's give some gains, but the longs are the way to go. You probably wont see that much difference besides louder until the tune. IMO use Corsa touring if you get Long tube headers. Awfully loud if you use corsa sport.

 

The cats, you can either use your stock y pipe or get the high flow cats with Y pipe.

[Jennabear]

Like mentioned above, don't mess with the shorties, go with the LTs. I have a Corsa Touring, and it was super loud with the headers at WOT.

[Deconstruction]

are the long tubes a direct replacement or will I be cutting and modding alot to get them installed?

[doverarjim]

Long tubes are the only way to go with an automatic. If you install headers then you will need to cut the exhaust pipe and weld in the collector flange. You can go to true duals by adding another cat and muffler (or not).

[rzauner]

You dont necessarily need to cut anything...If you get the headers and use either the stock Y or high flow cat with Y, you can bolt your catback right up. Of course it depends on who's headers you are getting.

[music]

So what do you gain (and lose) with LT headers on these trucks. I've read more than once that the stock system is very good... so what's the benefit for the cost? I have no clue myself, just curious.

[Jennabear]

You dont necessarily need to cut anything...If you get the headers and use either the stock Y or high flow cat with Y, you can bolt your catback right up. Of course it depends on who's headers you are getting.

 

Only shorties will bolt up, LTs by definition will not bolt up. On my LTs, we modified the stock Y to fit.

[rzauner]

I bought the ARH headers w/ high flow cats with Y, and it bolted right up to my catback. No cutting was necessary.

[tomasg921]

I live in CA and am only allowed to use Shorties if I ever want to pass smog

I should get something out of them, just not that much in comparrison to some good LT's or MT's right? besides being louder.

[Z'06]

I live in CA and am only allowed to use Shorties if I ever want to pass smog

I should get something out of them, just not that much in comparrison to some good LT's or MT's right? besides being louder.

 

Shorties will flow better than the rusty brick manifolds, period, and they will deepen your exhaust note compared to stock. Another benefit is the ceramic coating (make sure you only order yours with it) - not only does the coating reduce underhood engine compartment temps, prolonging the life of underhood electrical components such as your starter, but the coating improves exhaust scavenging, which moves that hot exhaust out faster.

[red00lght]

Has anyone tried LT's with a sport Corsa catback on the 6.2? In the past, I bought an 05SS and the guy had headers and got the sport Corsa, then turned it back in for the touring Corsa saying the sport was just too loud with the headers. I personally can't imagine it being that big of a difference in the Denali....I have the sport and it is nearly whisper quiet unless you really hammer it!?

 

Does anyone have headers and the sport systems that can provide feedback? Are the AMH 1 7/8ths the best ones to go with?

 

Does the 6.2 lose low-end torque with the headers (w or w/o tune?). Don't mean to hijack the thread, but these questions have been nagging me for a while!

[Jennabear]

I bought the ARH headers w/ high flow cats with Y, and it bolted right up to my catback. No cutting was necessary.

 

Right, but you got a Y pipe, thought we were talking about bolting up to the stock Y pipe and cats.

[05silvycrew]

here's a good "how to" article installing pacesetter long-tube headers (including pics). he bought the painted ones, stripped them, and repainted them. save yourself the hassle and just buy ceramic coated headers.

 

if you have the ability to delete the rear o2 sensors through a custom tune, you can weld the LTs right up to the factory Y-pipe. if not, you need to weld in your cats after the LTs, weld in a o2 bung after the cats, and possibly might need an o2 extension harness.

 

http://www.silveradoss.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=59108