I will installing Pacesetter LTs and a Y pipe soon from Herron Perf. and i was wondering what things do i need. I will be installing them in my AutoTech shop in about 1 month. What kind of tools do i need, what new parts and how hard and long would it take. My class is 3 hours long so i hope that would be long enough. Thanks

 

If you have a few people helping you, you might have them installed in 3 hours, but that is hard to say. Basic hand tools will get the job done, but swivel sockets, wobble extensions, and stubby wrenches help out alot. Before even putting a wrench to your existing manifold bolts, spray them very well with PB Blaster and let it sit. I sprayed all of my bolts for close to a week before I began disassembly, and as a result, all of the bolts broke free with almost no effort. The headers should come with bolts, gaskets, and wiring components to cut/splice your 02 harnesses. Frankly, I would go a better route and buy actual 02 harness extensions and use those. They usually run a little under twenty dollars a piece. It wouldn't be a bad idea to also consider doing an over-the-valve cover spark plug wire setup to avoid wires catching on the headers and burning. Fresh plugs and 02 sensors wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

When I did mine, I ordered Percy gaskets, O2 extensions, and ARP 1" header bolts. I also did the OTVC wires. Since you're doing headers, you might as well do your spark plugs at the same time. Get some NGKs.

The install is going to take you more than 3 hours. It took me about 14 hours by myself, but I ran into a few problems. I put them all here:

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...thinking+kooks

I also used lots of PB Blaster and didn't break a single bolt. The y-pipe nuts are on there tight.

 

Agreed above, I did mine in about 14 hours and I dont see how it could be done in 3. Another vote for the Percys gaskets, my flanges looked wore and I have no leaks. You need two flat style O2 extensions for the headers and leave the rears unplugged. I was told I only need one flat and one square and ended up having to splice one to get the car going.

 

Where can i get some o2 sensors and o2 wire extensions from that will fit? Also what type of spark plugs should i get. I looked on summit but they didnt have any. And also, what tools do i need to cut the existing y pipe off? thanks alot

 

I would try to stick with a Delco 02 sensor, it seems there have been bad results posted by many who have used other brands. As for the plugs, Delco plugs will work once again, or the NGK plugs are a popular choice, TR55s. I used an electric reciprocating saw to cut off the old exhaust.

 

I ordered the Flat o2 extensions through Thunder Racing. I like them cause everything I order gets here quick.

 

Alright, so two o2 sensors, gaskets, tools and do i really need o2 extensions? And what do you mean by leaving the rear unplugged? How did you guys get the headers through the top of the engine? theres so many wires i dont think it will fit. Also, does the headers come with installation info or what. Thanks

 

You have a total of 4 02 sensors, two precat and two postcat. The postcat sensors just monitor the catalytic converters. Seeing that there is no provisions for them in the y-pipe, people do not use them. They either have them tuned out of the PCM so there is no SES light, or they use 02 simulators which plug into the rear 02 sensor harness connectors and provide a dummy signal to the PCM. I believe my Pacesetters came with some instructions, but they were pretty well worthless. Do a search on here, you should come up with some tutorials. I ended up installing the drivers side from the bottom and the passenger side from the top.

 

cool. couple last questions, when you cut the existing y pipe off, you use an electric saw or a regular saw, correct? And do you have to weld on the y pipe or bolt it in? and do i have drain the coolant or something, how can i do that?

 

The y-pipe should have clamps, no welding required. To get the stocker off, you really don't have to cut it, I didn't. But you can use a reciprocating saw to cut through it like butter.

The driver side header easily fits from underneath. The passenger side will fit through the top if they are race headers (no smog fittings). If they have smog fittings, you have to unbolt the passenger side motor mount and jack up the engine, then slide the passenger side header into place from underneath.

Are you buying an offroad y-pipe or one with cats in it? I got my O2 extensions from MarylandSpeed.com.

Read my thread. I practically documented the whole install there:

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...nking+of+kooks

 

I used an electric saw, I had the y-pipe, i-pipe, and catback off in ten minutes. The Pacesetter exhaust is a "slip-fit" style, no welding required. As for the coolant, it is a good idea to remove the coolant temp. sensor from the drivers side head so you don't snag and damage it when installing the header. When you take out that sensor, you are going to lose some coolant so put a catch pan under there. You won't get a tremendous amount of coolant and it is not necessary to drain the whole block.

 

Wait so im confused, i cant use my magnaflow catback with my pacesetters? And what i pipe are you talking about? the one before my y pipe or after my y pipe? sorry for the all the questions

 

You can use the Magnaflow with the Pacesetter y-pipe, they will actually slip right together and you can use a clamp. The i-pipe is a portion of the catback, it is the stretch of pipe that runs after the y-pipe and connects to the muffler.

 

thanks for your help man, appreciated