WS6 Headers/intake

**WS SIX** · 04-04-2014, 10:07 AM

So i have a 2000 WS6 I'm looking to get some headers either Kooks or American racing haven't decided which just yet. Im wondering whether it would be best to get the 1 3/4 or 1 7/8 headers also whether the ORY would be a smart choice over the catted Y. Im looking to put on my ls6 intake and was wondering is it a direct fitment or would have to do some modifications? Also is it better to purchase the off road headers or the ones that have the egr and air fittings (not really sure what they are or mean). Thanks

***SMWS6TA*** · 04-04-2014, 10:40 AM

bigger is better. Regarding the cat y that depends on your states emmissions. I've deleted my cats because no inspection here

***SMWS6TA*** · 04-04-2014, 10:48 AM

off road headers just mean the egr tubes are left off. you don't need them and you don't have it if IIRC. If you still have the egr delete it.

The LS6 Intake will fit but some slight mod. The intake is deeper then the LS1, the issue is the coolant crossover tubes under the intake. You have 2 options in dealing with them.

Opt 1 - get a LS6 (or 3 now) coolant crossover kit. It plugs the back inlets on the heads and changes the front tube. Goes for $60.

Opt 2 - You can keep the LS1 crossover tubes but you'll need to CAREFULLY knock off the plastic fins on the bottom of the intake with a dremil.

**kingls1** · 04-05-2014, 06:22 PM

If you have a true LS6 intake there should be NO EGR so the headers without the EGR set up is what you need

**WS SIX** · 04-09-2014, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

off road headers just mean the egr tubes are left off. you don't need them and you don't have it if IIRC. If you still have the egr delete it.

The LS6 Intake will fit but some slight mod. The intake is deeper then the LS1, the issue is the coolant crossover tubes under the intake. You have 2 options in dealing with them.

Opt 1 - get a LS6 (or 3 now) coolant crossover kit. It plugs the back inlets on the heads and changes the front tube. Goes for $60.

Opt 2 - You can keep the LS1 crossover tubes but you'll need to CAREFULLY knock off the plastic fins on the bottom of the intake with a dremil.

Im in california, would i be able to pass smog with off road headers and ory ? Is the sound preferably better over a catted y pipe. And Im quoted about $1300 to install the intake headers and tune would this be a reasonable price thanks.

**pajeff02** · 04-09-2014, 05:23 PM

I run the Kooks 1-7/8" headers and catted Y on our car. You'll be very happy with the look and fitment. The whole job can be completed in just a couple of hours with basic hand tools - so that price seems a bit steep to me.

**!!!FAST!!!** · 04-10-2014, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by WS SIX

Im in california, would i be able to pass smog with off road headers and ory ? Is the sound preferably better over a catted y pipe. And Im quoted about $1300 to install the intake headers and tune would this be a reasonable price thanks.

You won't even pass the visual inspection. You can't do freaky sH!t to your emissions in Cali. ORY's illegal in Cali. It has to be catted and have EGR and AIR. I believe the only thing you can get in Cali are the "shorties". There's a reason you see 49 state legal on some of the parts you buy...it's because the 50th state (Cali) doesn't allow them.

**kingls1** · 04-11-2014, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by WS SIX

Im in california, would i be able to pass smog with off road headers and ory ? Is the sound preferably better over a catted y pipe. And Im quoted about $1300 to install the intake headers and tune would this be a reasonable price thanks.

I did see in another post that SLP sells a Ls6 intake with the EGR for Cali guys

**WS SIX** · 04-16-2014, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

I run the Kooks 1-7/8" headers and catted Y on our car. You'll be very happy with the look and fitment. The whole job can be completed in just a couple of hours with basic hand tools - so that price seems a bit steep to me.

Yea your right Ill research a bit and see if I can take the task on, would you say its easier to install the intake first or the headers with the intake off and then install the intake? do you think the tune is necessary right away after the install? Appreciate it

**pajeff02** · 04-16-2014, 10:52 AM

Without a tune the engine will be running rich and things will not be optimal. There is really no interrelationship between the intake and exhaust from an installation standpoint so it does not matter which one you tackle first. Just be sure to pop up the plastic pins that attach the rubber seal to the cowl when you start as they will shred your hands.

**kingls1** · 04-16-2014, 11:15 AM

So that what was shredding my forearms when I did my Headers!!!!

**WS SIX** · 04-16-2014, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Without a tune the engine will be running rich and things will not be optimal. There is really no interrelationship between the intake and exhaust from an installation standpoint so it does not matter which one you tackle first. Just be sure to pop up the plastic pins that attach the rubber seal to the cowl when you start as they will shred your hands.

Alright sounds good! I plan on installing the headers and y pipe and seeing how it sounds with my flow master exhaust, If i don't like the sound I will change to borla or magna flow. Would you say It would be wise to decide that first then tune it or is the catback change not relevant to the tune.

**pajeff02** · 04-16-2014, 05:22 PM

Just a catback isn't really a worry. Add the LT's and then you'll want a tune.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 04-16-2014, 06:02 PM

Agree with Jeff and as he mentioned earlier, a tune will net you the most power increase after the header install. It isn't an absolute necessity to get a tune, but it is highly recommended to get the most out of the setup. Several have went w/o and the car will run fine, just a little rich. I think most who opted not to get a tune were probably tight on cash as a tune isn't exactly cheap...unless you are able to go the Frost online route.

**WS SIX** · 05-05-2014, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

I run the Kooks 1-7/8" headers and catted Y on our car. You'll be very happy with the look and fitment. The whole job can be completed in just a couple of hours with basic hand tools - so that price seems a bit steep to me.

How's the clearance with your catted Y? I'm lowered with the pro
Kit 2 inches and was wondering how your clearance is? Also would 4.10 gears be a worthy
Install as well or
Is it better only if car has heads/cam package? Thanks

***SMWS6TA*** · 05-05-2014, 12:28 PM

4.10's in a 10 bolt is asking for it to blow up. Unless I miss you have a 12bolt or 9".

**pajeff02** · 05-05-2014, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by WS SIX

How's the clearance with your catted Y? I'm lowered with the pro
Kit 2 inches and was wondering how your clearance is? Also would 4.10 gears be a worthy
Install as well or
Is it better only if car has heads/cam package? Thanks

No clearance issues at all. The system tucks up nicely against the underbody. 4.10's are definitely the recommended upgrade for manual transmission cars.

**WS SIX** · 05-07-2014, 10:38 PM

Alright guys looks like I'm going to go with the Kooks 1 7/8 headers (non stepped don't really see the reason to go with stepped) and a catted y. I think I'm going to do it right and get rid of the flowmaster catback (even though it sounds good people say it's very restrictive). I have narrowed down to either the GMMG catback or the Kooks True Duals. What would you guys say since the cost differnce between the two is about $500. I've watched countless sound videos and am stuck between these two. All the help is much appreciated thanks again!

**Too Fast** · 05-08-2014, 02:41 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Agree with Jeff and as he mentioned earlier, a tune will net you the most power increase after the header install. It isn't an absolute necessity to get a tune, but it is highly recommended to get the most out of the setup. Several have went w/o and the car will run fine, just a little rich. I think most who opted not to get a tune were probably tight on cash as a tune isn't exactly cheap...unless you are able to go the Frost online route.

I agree a tune is always necessary to get the most out of any vehicle setup, whether stock, or with any type of mods. I must have a freak car, since everyone seems to think a tune is really helpful for headers. I ran my car for years without a tune after my LT/ORY, and I got 1.5 MPG better highway (this means I wasn't running very rich), and I was trapping 2-3 MPH faster. I had Frost do a mail order tune for me probably 4 years after my LT/ORY. I did have to see the SES light for all that time, so maybe that's why people say you must have a tune. MAF equipped cars are somewhat self-tuning, since the MAF will report the higher airflow that a good intake/exhaust set-up enables and the PCM adusts accordingly. I do get maybe .5 MPG better on the highway now since the Frost tune.

OP, how are you getting around Cali's visual emissions inspection? Some people there change their stuff out to stock for the emission inspection, then the put the headers etc. back on the next weekend.