I am ordering Pacesetter coated LT race version with off-road y-pipe. I have a couple of questions about the install. Are the gaskets that are included any good or should I order different ones. Are the o2 extensions good or should I order different ones. I did a search for Pacesetter install and some people were saying to install o2 simulators...what are these and why would I need them. I am getting rid of the emission stuff, do I need to do anything else beside install block off plates. I am going to install new o2 sensors, poly motor mounts and go with OTVC wires. Will the headers clear the stock style oil filter and stock style oil cooler set up. I plan on setting aside 5 days to do this, so hopefully I will have enough time. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

I just installed mine 4 days ago! Its really not that bad, took my brother in law and me 6 hours and alot of beer,lol. I used the gaskets and hardware that came with the headers but I did buy 12in. extensions for the O2s. The headers SHOULD clear everything, only thing on mine is that the drivers side header is rubbing on the steering shaft, but thats a common problem with the pacesetters.

Good luck on the install!

 

Where did you get your o2 extensions and how much did they cost?

 

Get different gaskets, you have to order extensions. I ordered my extensions from the same place I ordered my PS LT's, don't remember where I ordered them from tho it was a long time ago. O2 Simulators are only for OBD-II cars, for the rear sensors, you do not need them. Yes the headers will clear the stock oil filter and oil cooler.


My PaceSetter LT install took a grand total of 2 hours, max, and this was my first header install ever. The only thing you might have to do is unbolt the steering knuckle, at least I had to. Other than that it's pretty straight forward. Driver side goes in from the top rather painlessly, and the passenger side from underneath. Oh yeah, for the passenger side go a head and take off the starter, it's all of what three bolts I think, it'll make the process go a lot smoother.

 

I am probably going to order the headers from Speed Engineering and they have o2 extension. I was thinking about getting copper gaskets...are those any good? What gaskets did you use?

 

Felpro 1470's if I remember correctly.

 

Copper crush gaskets, like Percy's, are good too from what I hear. I have never used them but a friend of mine put some on his LT1 a long time ago and he said it was the best thing he had ever done for a header gasket. But I've never had a problem with my Felpro's.

 

Yeah, I've heard alot of guys saying they went with the Percys, so I will probably get those.

 

Yep I used the percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets been on for over 2 years have never had a leak I even used the crappy header bolts that came with my pacesetters. Also had a friend use them on his ls1 never had had a problem

 

Look no further than felpro gaskets... they were like 16 bucks at an expensive local autoparts place... 02 extentions are a good idea; if nothing else it's easier and neater than cutting and splicing the wires yourself...You do not need O2 simulators if you get the rear O2's tuned out (you should consider a tune as part of the install anyway)... poly motor mounts are great but don't forget a poly mount for the tranny too... To this day I still don't see the value of bothering with OTVC wires... pointless IMO. Five days is plenty if you don't break anything... Spend the prior several days spraying everything down with PB blaster before you start... and don't forget to remove the coolant temperature sending unit FIRST.

 

He doesn't have rear O2's. He has a '94 and they only have 2 O2 sensors, not 4.

 

percy's gaskets are the best. i had some mr gasket ones that weren't bad but i had to tighten them every trip i made to college. percy's have been on for a year with no leaks and i haven't had to tighten them for over 8 months.

 

Use the felpro gaskets, do yourself a favor and do what I did....before you install the gaskets soak them in warm water for 10 minutes...then install them...it will help seal them up....ALSO see if you can order some split locking header bolts...breslin used to make a 3/4" and 1" long version for our cars but I think they sold their company off....last I saw some company in Australia was selling them...i bought the 1" Breslin split lock header bolts when I did my 383 and i haven't had to tighten them since...i originally used the ARP's that came with my jet hot's and they backed out all the time....1.5 years and no issues, no blown out gaskets either....You can get the split locking bolts from here:

http://www.route66supply.com/store/page53.html

Seriously, don't do your install without them.

 

Yes he does. He has one after cat O2.

If you plan to run no cats, then you either have to have an O2 sim (to tell the PCM the cat is there, when it really isn't) or have the rear O2 tuned out. A mail order tune can do that.

I used both the Percy and Felpro 1470 gaskets. Both are good. I blew out my Percy gaskets because the bolts backed out, then went with the Felpros because of availability. As long as you stay on top of tightening the bolts, you should be fine.

 

2 hours max????

first header install??

i would have to c it?