ARH Header Install done - pics

[BlackSS1]

Got em in this weekend: ARH long tubes with catted Y pipe, new NGK iridium plugs, wires, new front O2 sensors too. Hooked it to a Magnaflow catback

Install was a PITA but I suck at mechanical work. :D Took 14 hours with a buddy helping for most of that time. You may do it much faster.

Total $1700

Worth the trouble and money - sounds incredible and nice bump in power.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/blackss1/HeaderInstallPics014.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/blackss1/HeaderInstallPics008.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/blackss1/HeaderInstallPics005.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/blackss1/HeaderInstallPics011.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/blackss1/HeaderInstallPics013.jpg

[Johns00Z28]

Nice looking setup...congratulations.

[emotionalpiracy]

excellent, thats what i plan on putting on my new engine whenever i get everything together.

[0rion]

looks good...congrats.

[hoss 2000 z-28]

Congrats on a job well done. The satisfaction of doing it yourself makes it much more enjoyable. Try and post a sound clip soon!

[rc74racer]

Did you use a lift or just jack stands? When money permits this is the set up I would like to go with looks very nice.

[BlackSS1]

Thanks for all the comments. I'll post up a video/sound clip soon.

I used a floor jack, blocks of wood, and some monster 24" truck jack stands. I had it up 20" from the floor and the headers went in pretty easily.

[KCC455]

Hello,

This is exactly what I want to buy for my 02 SS LE. Can you please elaborate on what was such a PITA? How do the headers and catted y-pipe fit? How is the ground clearance? Were there any modifications that you had to do? Thank you very much.

[BlackSS1]

Hey KCC, sure:

Here is the PITA part:

plug wires seized onto the plugs, 2 hours yanking, yelling, finally ripping the old wires into shreds to get on with it. Definately get the dielectric grease for $1 to prevent this when you change plugs/wires!

Engine compartment is really tight. You have to be really creative and use extensions, Universal ratchet joints, and lots of patience to get to everything. BUY THE 10MM GEAR WRENCH EVERYONE MENTIONS.

Screw-ups like putting the gasket on wrong, then having to remove the header bolts and reinstall it again

The good stuff - header quality is just about perfect, and fit great. No metal work or sawsall necessary for my install. The pipes fit together just like you want. Clearance was very good for a catted pipe. I have not measured, but it does not appear to hang much lower than the stock Y pipe. I took it over a speed bump that usually required caution with stock pipes, and it did not scrape. I had to pitch the stock transmission tunnel brace - probably getting a Spohn aftermarket one with more clearance.

I highly recommend these headers. You could not ask for better quality or fit.

[KCC455]

Thank you very much for the info. Do you have a source that you recommend purchasing them from? Is the 10MM GEAR WRENCH a short or long wrench and what is this used for? From the pics it looks like you may have had some kids helping you with the install, which makes it more memorable if not faster. Thanks again.

[BlackSS1]

MPH Motorsports is where I bought them. The gear wrench is a small one to reach the back header bolts, coil pack bolts and other stuff. Very handy to turn bolts that you cannot see in tight spaces.

My kids did not help, they just leave toys and junk all over the garage all the time. After a few years, kid junk has become invisible to me

[NvyBluMtlc02WS6]

LMAO @ kid junk! Very nice setup btw.

[BlackSS1]

Thanks no garage is complete w/o some kid junk

[Frost]

After a few years, kid junk has become invisible to me


:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Nice work, and man, those are some nice looking headers.

[BlackSS1]

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Nice work, and man, those are some nice looking headers.

Thanks. They are pretty nice for the price, and less $$$ than Kooks

[GatorSS]

Nice job! As far as the 14 hours go, would you do it all over again?

[mcflysz28]

Looks good, I have the same setup sitting on my office floor waiting for me to get off my lazy butt.

[BlackSS1]

Nice job! As far as the 14 hours go, would you do it all over again?

Thanks! Yes definately. It is satisfying to do stuff on your car yourself, and you know 100% that is done right. Plus it is an excuse to buy nice tools you would not otherwise buy.:nana:

[BlackSS1]

Looks good, I have the same setup sitting on my office floor waiting for me to get off my lazy butt.

I just got a buddy to help me, really helps to spread the work across two guys... best of luck with your install

You will be pleased with the set when you get them in

[nc2k2z28]

Definitely gorgeous headers and a good-looking job. But how's the buttometer reading? Pretty noticeable? Going to get/need a tune?

[BlackSS1]

Definitely gorgeous headers and a good-looking job. But how's the buttometer reading? Pretty noticeable? Going to get/need a tune?
Thanks! The buttometer says more power. My clutch is slipping more than ever when I try to burnout. From a roll it flies, noticeable difference. Most significant change is the sound honestly, much beefier and louder.

Yes, going for a tune on Thursday at PCMforless in Mooresville, NC. Very exciting, looking forward to hearing my car on the dyno.

[nc2k2z28]

Sweet. I'm really interested in how the PCMForLess tune goes. I thought they were mail order only. I live in Charlotte and Mooresville is only about 45 minutes from my house.

What's it going to cost for an on-sight tune?

[BlackSS1]

Sweet. I'm really interested in how the PCMForLess tune goes. I thought they were mail order only. I live in Charlotte and Mooresville is only about 45 minutes from my house.

What's it going to cost for an on-sight tune?

Not sure yet on cost, but yes Alvin does dyno tuning. They are housed in the same building as Tick Performance, both well-regarded in our area. Last time I was there they had a wide range of cars, from newly cammed, to blowers to turbocharger cars in the tuning shop, so I am sure he will do a good job on my bolt-on car. I'll post the results on here

[z16kalel]

Looks great

[BlackSS1]

Got the car dyno tuned today. Headers + tune netted 22HP and 23TQ at the wheels. Here is the dyno sheet

Baseline lid and catback HP 322 TQ 338
Headers pre-tune HP 339 TQ 356
Headers post-tune HP 344 TQ 361

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/blackss1/Dynosheet4_3_20082.jpg

[BlackSS1]

Sweet. I'm really interested in how the PCMForLess tune goes. I thought they were mail order only. I live in Charlotte and Mooresville is only about 45 minutes from my house.

What's it going to cost for an on-sight tune?

The tune and dyno was $300. I would definately recommend getting it done on the dyno in person vs. mail order.

[nc2k2z28]

Thanks for the dyno feedback. Nice. Reasonable price, too.

I was looking at the install pics again. Those headers look just right in the way they fit. OEM-like. Good stuff.

Everything working ok? No codes, y-pipe banging, etc?

[BlackSS1]

Thanks for the dyno feedback. Nice. Reasonable price, too.

I was looking at the install pics again. Those headers look just right in the way they fit. OEM-like. Good stuff.

Everything working ok? No codes, y-pipe banging, etc?

The headers and Y fit perfectly with no contact or banging. The only issues are I had to remove the crossmember under the Y pipe and driveshaft because the new pipe is larger than OEM. I also have a little rattle in my catback that I am fixing with a $10 exhaust hanger to hold the over-axle pipe up a little higher.

I had codes thrown for Catalyst insufficiency and O2 heater issues - just had the tuner delete these codes from the computer during the tune and no more SES light

[jujofields]

They look great! Beautifully done!

[champain]

hey thats a sweet looking set up i plan on doing these ones soon to, i was just wondering is your car lowerd? mine is and im just worried about clearence.. thanks bro!

[BlackSS1]

Thanks for the comments

My car is still at stock height. The cats are about 4.5 inches from the ground on this setup.

Best of luck with your install

[CJREX]

Looks great!

Many also report gas mileage improvements with LTs.

Let us know if yours improves your mpg.

Icing on the cake if you get 22hp and better mpg too! :woot2:

[BlackSS1]

Looks great!

Many also report gas mileage improvements with LTs.

Let us know if yours improves your mpg.

Icing on the cake if you get 22hp and better mpg too! :woot2:

Thanks

Actually yes I am getting 2-3 mpg more so far, about 40 miles more range on a tank, pretty sweet...

[Y2KHawk]

Thanks for sharing your feedback, I've been stewing around about different brands of LTs and I really like the ARH's....

Video clips of the sound??? :)

[Johns00Z28]

Thanks for sharing your feedback, I've been stewing around about different brands of LTs and I really like the ARH's....

Video clips of the sound??? :)

Go for it man, they're a piece of cake to install.