2000 WS6 - Long Tube Header Advice

[Smokin2000]

I have a 2000 WS6 6-speed and I am looking to modify it this summer. Car has 94K miles on it but the last 50K were traveling across Iowa and Nebraska on I80. I currently have done the following:

K&N Filter
SLP Loudmouth CB exhaust
Adjustable shocks and slotted rotors (wish I would not have done the rotors they make a lot of noise driving down the road.

I am trying to build a good car for an open road race and a 1/2 mile shootout that I do each year along with making it a fun driving car around town.

This is what I would like to do, please let me know if it makes sense of if you have any suggestions on parts:

-Long-tube Headers and Y-pipe (can I loose the cats on this setup) looking at the SLP's to go with the exhaust
-Either 3.73 or 4.10's in the rear
-LS6 Intake (probably need to get it tuned after this)

Not sure if I want to tackle the following upgrades or not:

-Looking at the GM Hotcam
-Possibly new lifters, push rods and rocker arms (one of these parts is makes noise when the engine is cold)

Any tips and advice would be helpful, especially if you can give advice on manufactures to go with. Thanks,

Chad

[basballny2]

it all depends on how much money you want to spend, when you do long tubes, they dont hold the cats, the y-pipe does so if you choose to get ride of the cats you'd get an ORY (off-road y-pipe)....the tune is going to come after the headers also, gears in these rear ends esp. if yours is stock is a ticking time bomb, welcome to the site also

[Smokin2000]

Thanks for the information. Yeah I imagine at some point I will have to redo this engine, however the car still runs strong and that is why I am avoiding any real engine modifications just trying to get the most out of it that I can.

Appreciate the info on the Y-pipe, will make sure I get an off road design, any suggestions? This is my next upgrade on the car.

[basballny2]

all depends on what your looking to spend, if your on a budget go with pacesetters, if not, get some kooks or ARH's....

[Smokin2000]

No real budget, I was looking at the SLP system which included Y pipe and cats and that was $1200, however in looking around on various post they were saying you can get just as good if not better for half the price. Do not know what truth there is to that I have had good luck and service from SLP. Also would like to dump Cats if possible (your previous post helped answer that question)

I am building this TA Johnny Cash Style...One Piece at a Time. But budget is not an issue just time and justification for parts.

Thanks

[tatertot91]

advice:
no to slp headers

[basballny2]

the best advice your going to get is stay as far away from SLP headers and y-pipe you can.....they dont tuck up nice and are a PITA to install.....95% of members on this site will tell you the same. Once you get long tubes and a catless y-pipe that SLP is exhaust is going to be way to loud and drony also. I have Kooks long tubes, kooks ORY, SLP exhaust, however, i took the SLP resonator out and replaced it with a magnaflow bullet muffler ($70) direct replacement, just have to take i beilieve an inch off each side and the car sounds great

[c5z28]

The ebay stainless headers are a nice option as well, and plenty of cam swaps done after the 100k mark w/ no problems. As for cats if you don't have smog don't get them unless you can't stand the gas smell. Same goes for the cam if you don't have smog or can get around it there are bigger cams that will net you more hp and retain highway mpg

[Smokin2000]

Thanks for the tips, I'll take them into consideration. This site is awesome!!

[INMY01TA]

There are much better cams out there than the Hotcam. Also like the other guy said, once you put the headers/off road Y pipe on that SLP loudmouth will be way loud.

[67CamaroRSSS]

94K? Please! My 98 has 180,xxx on it, is still stock and can outrun most cars on the road.

More advice: No to SLP anything except lid. Overpriced....

If road racing then I assume 6-speed? Auto will be kind of a bitch in the corners. 4.10's at least, maybe deeper (depending on course). Stock is 3.42 so this isn't that big of a jump.

You can loose the cats. I did. That is provided you don't have to pass a visual inspection.

[RyanJM]

I have 85k on my TA. I have an auto with 3.73's so I would go 4.10's on a 6spd my friend has them in his and it launches hard and with 6th gear still get decent mileage. I have QTP lt's with a ory and the SLP Power Flo exhaust with corsa clone tips, there kinda mid pack headers, polished stainless not as expesive as kooks(why I ended up not getting them) but I liked them better than the pacesetter coated headers. I have a LS6 intake, ASP pulleys, ported TB, Granatelli MAF, and a Volant intake with a modified ram air hood and a aggressive street tune on the motor and the tranny. I have no problem keeping up with new camaro ss's I took a 6spd Ss from 50 to 130 by 3/4 car and was pulling on it the hole time.
For suspension I went with UMI lca, strut,and panhard bar set(nice product for a good price), BMR springs, Spohn sway bar set, and KYB AGX struts. Car handles good and rides as comfortable as stock. Have UMI subframe cons. in my garage waiting for me to have the time to install them. Busy painting a GTO and a Mitsu Evo.
I have slotted/drilled rotors, stainless lines, and EBC Red stuff pads. Quiet while driving but a little noise on slow stops

[RyanJM]

Forgot also have a 3200 stall going in soon as I can drop the car off and check out Texas Speed they have much better options that the hot cam, overpriced for the small gain. I plan on gettin a Cam from them next month, need the stall 1st. Also stay away from Thunder Racing unless you wanna wait forever and end up with the wrong parts. They screwed me 2 times, that's enough.

[Smokin2000]

Thanks for the info Ryan, sounds like you have done a lot of what I want to do. I will check out Texas Speed.

[INMY01TA]

I've ordered from Thunder Racing many times, never had a problem. Texas Speed does have most of the popular new cams tho.

[RyanJM]

I've built almost all my car with parts from WS6store.com and always got my parts in 3 to 4 days tops.Got the billet knobs from WS6store then decided to I order some MBA billet plates from them and now I'm stuck with a brand new headlight and cd overlay and no a/c to finish it, sent me on for a LT1 Camaro twice, if they didn't have the package I would have not ordered any of them, Funny thing is thier still for sale last I checked too bad they don't have any just and excuse their on backorder been on b/o for over a year. The second time I gave them a chance since they had my money for the overlay I returned so I told them to give me credit for it and used it to order the read diff, install kit, and cover package. Got the gears one day, the came oil and the install kit. Almost 3 weeks later the cover showed up, was supposed to be their 3 days after the gears. by the time the cover came I have already installed the gears.

hope that place goes outta buisness.

[danziger]

All the major brands of LTs are essentially the same. I had MAC mids, then Hooker LTs...both were very good. If you lose the cats, replacing the resonator in the LM with a Borla XR1 will eliminate a lot of drone and rasp, while still sounding mean. You should get a tune after the LTs/intake to realize the full potential. Good luck!

[Smokin2000]

Ryan, are you saying that you are now having trouble with WS6store.com. I have ordered from them before and receive great service and delivery time. Please confirm whether you are endorsing WS6 store or if you have had troubles with them. My experience has been great.

[Cutlass]

I'll second that opinion on SLP headers and y pipe. Stay far away!! Also the SLP LM catback will sound terrible after headers and ORY. Sounds like basballny2 has a good solution for that for you. Catted Y pipes are good for sound control as well. They really eliminate or tone down the raspy sounds.
Search this site for LM and rasp. You'll see what we're talking about.

[Cutlass]

Also if you really love this website, considering supporting our sponsors when looking for parts. KYSpeed has been great to me and I'd feel guilty shopping anywhere else. Mark from KYSpeed is the guy to talk to. His screen name here is marksls1ta