i am looking for the next mod i do to my car.
i was looking into a cam or headers but i will go any way i get pushed the hardest. i am looking to get to the 300hp mark. the only thing that holds me back from doing headers is that no one i can find will install them and i know i am gonna break a stud if i do it myself

 

Studs? Hmmm When we put headers on my friends 96 Z there weren't any studs. Just regular bolts. Anyways, it's really not that hard to do headers, just takes time. Don't be afraid of it man, you can do it

 

I second the headers and you installing them. Its easy, just a long process. Make sure you get someone to help, thats all.

 

i agree....do the headers....they will compliment all the other mods you have.

soak the bolts in wd40 or similar for a few days before hand...


you could also do some small stuff to add up to hp

ls1 or 1le driveshaft...lighter frees some hp/tq
pullies
electric wp
bored throttle body

have you considered 1.6 roller rocker arms? they are good for a solid 15hp.

 

i was thinking about the 1.6 rr's but when i get my heads later on this ( i really think i am getting them) i might not want the 1.6 so i am gonna wait on them


really how hard is it to install headers, it looks like a complete mess under thier. i know no one who will install them on my car

 

It just looks intimidating. Its not THAT bad, There are some things that will **** you off and make you want to burn your car, but take a break have a smoke, drink a beer, do whatever it is you have to. Then go back and try again. It took me a whole weekend to change mine in my 97 T/A by myself. On my 99 Z28 it took me 5-6 hours mostly by myself. Just try it and ask questions on here if you run into trouble. Myself and a TON of others have experience with this.

 

Yea, do the headers man!! you will be VERY happy with the results. Once you get started, it will be alot of fun and when you get finished and drive it for the first time you will LOVE it.

 

Yea I am in the middle of taking the stock manifolds out and putting some headers in my car. I have no mechanical experience but so far it has been basic bolt here bolt there you just can't be afraid of scraping your knuckles a little bit. I say go for it. Anyways at my local exhaust shop they quoted me at $600 for installation, I figured I would try it myself for that price.

 

Someone mentioned putting on a LS1 driveshaft to increase performance? How is that really possible and what kind of gains do you see? What are the weight number differences and are they exactly the same bolt up?

 

I really hope you are already at the 300hp mark.

 

Headers.

 

Headers are definitely worth the money! Took me a week-end to install them and I cursed and swore, but love the results. Had to be an extra 25-30 horses. Used to be able to use part throttle to get the wheels moving without spinning then mash the pedal and the car would stick to the road. Now, first gear in the auto will fry the tires at any point in the RPM range. Even with all the spinning, my 1/4 mile times were the same. If I could just work on the traction thing...

 

ls1 or 1le driveshafts are aluminum, so they are lighter. that means it takes less energy to spin them. this isn't so much gained power, so much as "not as much lost power" in the drivetrain.

you'll probably not feel it (other than less vibration since they are balanced better) but its about 6-8# torque and maybe a couple hp

 

why would i be at the 300hp mark i have almost nothing done to my car.


well you have talked me into getting the headers and doing them myself now all i have to do is have everyone talk me through doing the headers.
can it really be done in a weekend with the right tools and a few friends for encouragement

 

check out this site.. there is a good writeup there with lots of pics... im sure it will help you out. http://www.zmydust.com/headers/index.htm