Pacesetter Long Tubes Installed

Pete94Silverado · April 19, 2009

Ok...so maybe I made the wrong assumption that installing long tubes on my 04 Silverado would be a breeze. Having installed them on my 99 Camaro SS, I figured...surely they would fit easier simply because of the size of the engine compartment. Welll...this part was true. They went in like butter. However, my hang up was the dang y-pipe to manifold bolts.

On my SS, a few unbolted and the rest just sheered off. On the Silverado, I ended up getting all but two off and those two weren't budging. This was even after an overnight soaking with PB Blaster Penetrating oil. I gave up on trying to unbolt the last two and just bought a reciprocating saw and cut the y-pipe just ahead of the cats. After I did that, it was only about 3 hours and I was done (that includes new plugs). I wish I had done that before but...rest assured on my next installed (maybe the wifes Yukon), I'm not even messing with the bolts...I'll just cut the y in the same place.

Next up...a muffler shop. Trying to decide on true duals and an x-pipe or just go with the standard y setup and have a dual out muffler. Dunno on the mufflers or tips yet...probably go with a pair of Magnaflows or the like and a pair of SLP loudmouth tips I have sitting around here.

Two things I learned with this that I hadn't read anywhere on the board:

1) The dip stick holder needs to be trimmed a little at the bottom of the bolt hole. If you don't, it won't slide past the flange. I just used my dremmel and a cutoff wheel. Worked great.

2) The plug wires are touching the headers. I am trying the Summit Racing brand of LSx plug wires (8mm) and three wires are in direct contact with the headers. Looks like I'll be getting some heat resistant boots for them and then I may as well do all 8 because 3 would look silly.

Anyway, overall, I'm happy with the PaceSetters...after one start up of course. I'll drive it around some back roads tomorrow and see what it does. I do love the NASCAR open header sound but...somehow, I don't think the LEO's will stand for it unless I'm on my way to the muffler shop.

Sorry...no pics...but...I do plan on shooting some video tomorrow (provided the weather holds out).

-Pete

04Silverado

Zembonez · April 19, 2009

Very cool!

Pics are great but I want to know what the gains are. Let us know!

Wingnut · April 19, 2009

Cool!

A couple of things...You might want to try just pulling the plug wires that are on the headers and sticking the offending boot on the bench grinder and just rounding it off. That's what I did on my GTO after my header install and now they've got plenty of clearance. Also, I don't know about the trucks, but my car started tossing CEL's not long after the install, due to the increased flow and changed 02 readings. So you *may* need a tune. Not sure how LT's affect trucks though.

Pete94Silverado · April 19, 2009

Cool!

A couple of things...You might want to try just pulling the plug wires that are on the headers and sticking the offending boot on the bench grinder and just rounding it off. That's what I did on my GTO after my header install and now they've got plenty of clearance. Also, I don't know about the trucks, but my car started tossing CEL's not long after the install, due to the increased flow and changed 02 readings. So you *may* need a tune. Not sure how LT's affect trucks though.

I may have to try removing some of the boot. A tune is already being planned. If for nothing else, to delete the rear O2 sensors.

I actually took it for a shakedown run before it started raining here (didn't have time to get a video) and...I have to say...while it is loud, it wasn't unbearable. I'm not sure why...maybe the 5.3L is that different than the 5.7L. I remember in my Camaro, it was plum brutal...fun...but...brutal. And, it seemed that while the Camaro did lose some bottom end torque with the open headers the truck just fell on it's face. I assume the main reason for this is the smaller displacement engine. I didn't get on it too hard (nothing over 3k) because I was afraid that if something went wrong, I would have no way to know...my SES light is on now due to no rear O2 sensors.

-Pete

04Silverado