Headers

Hubie151 · March 10, 2012

Hey guys, really wanting to add some headers to my daily driver. And because its my daily driver is why I decided to choose the simplicity of the shorts over the long tubes, and yes I am aware of the difference.

My question is, with my truck being 5 yrs old now, and 75000km on it, im affraid of all the bolts breaking when i go to take them out on the manifold. This being said, I am wondering if the headers will be worth all the potential trouble. Anyone added headers to their nbs sierra or silverado with similar millage to chime in?? thanks

Wires · March 10, 2012

I'd be concerned about snapping some manifold bolts. Do they look rusted, if so, just back away.

I put headers on my 5.3, and honestly, not really sure they did any difference (other than look cool). The stock exhaust manifold on the 5.3 is pretty good.

If I was in your shoes, I'd find something else to spend the $$$ on. If it was lower mileage, then what the heck.

Hubie151 · March 11, 2012

Whish I could find the post that i read, but it was a link to 4wheeler magazine, and they tested a 5.3 in a trailblazer i believe with short and long tubes. Shorts gained like 11hp or somewhere around there, and the longs were almost double. But the longs are obviously more exp, and heavier to hang, and you run into problems like replacing the cats, or no cats which isnt quite legal.

1990ss · March 11, 2012

Soak the bolts with PB Blaster overnight and then run the engine until you get the manifolds nice and hot. Bolts should come out fairly easy. Just be extremely careful since everything will be HOT!!

GMstrong · March 13, 2012

Longtubes.OBX has the whole kit.

Rons05z71 · March 13, 2012

He is asking for help, he knows the difference. If you soak everything really good overnight and have all new bolts it shouldnt be too much of an issue. I would also have the exact tap and drill bit just in case. Worst case scenario you do break a bolt, get the old manifold off and then you can extract the old bolt, it would add time to the job but if you prepare before hand you will minimize the headache. I would think an angle drill might be good to have laying around too. as I said prepare for the worst case scenario and then you are prepared to act if it does happen.

rdnkcpa · March 13, 2012

I second the PB Blaster advice. I pulled off my exhaust manifolds when the truck had 119k miles on it. I managed to do without breaking bolt. I got really really lucky. Soak with the PB Blaster and go REALLY slow.

oldschool327 · March 14, 2012

He is asking for help, he knows the difference. If you soak everything really good overnight and have all new bolts it shouldnt be too much of an issue. I would also have the exact tap and drill bit just in case. Worst case scenario you do break a bolt, get the old manifold off and then you can extract the old bolt, it would add time to the job but if you prepare before hand you will minimize the headache. I would think an angle drill might be good to have laying around too. as I said prepare for the worst case scenario and then you are prepared to act if it does happen.

If the OP knows the difference, then he would know that shorties do absolutely nothing for the truck...and most likely he will lost a bit of performance

Why do you say a loss is most likely?

Hubie151 · March 15, 2012

here is the article I spoke of, frogfish please read.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/engine/129_0910_gibson_short_vs_stainless_long_headers/index.html

Hubie151 · March 15, 2012

Also, alot of the headers for the nbs sierra have no egr, how hard is that to add? what would all be envolved?

oldschool327 · March 16, 2012

here is the article I spoke of, frogfish please read.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/engine/129_0910_gibson_short_vs_stainless_long_headers/index.html

I was waiting for frogfishs reply as there are many tests by various groups to backup the fact that shorty headers are an improvement. Yes long tubes are better but a pita. I have the JBA headers and they are a great improvement over the stocks. They worked even better once I put the Texas speed cam package in.

So a statement or guess that they are no good is not true. I know this from experience not guesses. You can always improve over stock because these trucks are made to please a mass audience that just want to turn the key and go with no worries.

Hubie151 · March 16, 2012

whats the texas speed cam package? is your truck a nbs sierra with 5.3?

oldschool327 · March 16, 2012

Look at my sig. 2007 5.3 GMT 900.

I put the Texas speed and performance 224R (112 lsa) with dual valve springs in about five months ago and love it.

"Just a plain old truck"...

Hubie151 · March 16, 2012

wow I bet she moves now! have you had her on the dyno? Do you have shorty's? Im having a hard time finding good ones for a good price with the egr valve hook up, not too sure what the downside is of going with out the egr hook up.

oldschool327 · March 16, 2012

I have JBA shorty's. They are a bit different and fair priced. They have a inverted cone collector that helps with scavenging. The pn is 1802s if you want to look them up. Yes it moves very nicely