JBA headers installed

remberto · July 3, 2003

so i installed JBA's headers on my 6.0L (part no. 1850-1) this past weekend and here's a couple points for any DIYers out there:

1.) these cost approx. $270 - $350 to install in the places i checked with. you're welcome to tip on any cheaper places - but i'd question installation quality. the place that quoted 270 had done 5 other silverado headers.

2.) before you start and during cool-off, you can remove the inner plastic wheel wells (if you have a late model silverado). it takes about 15 minutes/side (i saw this on truck week), but it's worth it so you can get to the headers easier.

3.) though the bolt at the rear of the headers are difficult to get to, make sure you completely remove them off the header. if you leave them in the manifold hole while you take them out, they can drop into the exhaust tube that receives the collector end - if you're an idiot like me.

4.) the passenger side JBA header has a slight mis-alignment on the collector plate - or at least i thought so at 1st. if you install the bolt (3 total) at the rear (closest to the engine) 1st it will come together (aligned) better. i welcome tips on keeping the donut (collector gasket) aligned during this bolting processes. i ended up doing this over about 3 times due to lack of experience but came out with good results in the end.

5.) spark plugs: the lower header flanges (nearest to the spark plug holes) leave little room. in my case, the DirectHits capacitors i had would not fit in the spaces given without some machining cut-out. also in some areas (passenger-side) i had to remove the heat shield of my stock ignition wires or it wouldn't clear.

6.) i'm still evaluating the worth of this install since the butt-dyno was not impressed but i think things will become more apparent as i work out the restrictions in the muffler (and considering high-flow cats). the BBK TBI and high-flow MAF are going on this weekend so the 6.0 should appreciate less restriction on the exhaust end.

at any rate these are my actual experiences and hoped you might get a heads-up on these minor problems. i guess overall i'm happy with the product. i wished i spent the cash on the ceramic coated though. it gets hot under there now without the stock heat shields...

cheers..

bigtruck21 · July 3, 2003

do you still have the stock muffler on?

remberto · July 3, 2003

yup, still stock. i'm considering either a magnaflow or flowmaster at this point. i'm looking to make this thing somewhat quiet unless you really get on it.

MyBigToy · July 3, 2003

Try a Gibson Dual Xtreme. I put one on my '02 Avalanche and really like it. You don't lose too much low end and it's pretty quiet until you get on it hard.

remberto · July 4, 2003

thx for the tips on the mufflers. it looks like i'm leaning towards making a "sleeper" so i'm gonna keep an eye out for a good performance (and if possible fairly quiet) muffler.

an addendum to the tips from the installation experience:

7). Make sure you tighten the header bolts no more than 15-20lbs. remember these are aluminum heads! Oh and.. anti-seize those bolts!

cheers and a merry but safe 4th!

-remberto