I have a 2002 Z28, and I have just started modding it. I have a SLP CAI and pcm tuning, and now I'm looking at LT headers. Is there a major difference between the headers different companies are making? Or our they all pretty much the same performancewise? I was looking at getting a SLP package, advertised at adding 40+HP, but then I saw that Pacesetter was way cheaper! I have never worked on a car till I got this one so this is all very new to me any input would be appreciated!!

 

They are all basically the same. I would NOT buy the SLP headers, you will have ground clearance issues and you won't see that much power. I gained 40rwhp, with headers, a lid, and a ported/polished throttle body.
If I had to recommend a brand I would suggest QTP or Kooks because you can get them in stainless.

 

yeah you won't see 40 hp with just headers!! real world is about 20 at the wheels.

if you want to stick with stainless steel, then you'll be spending the $$. Kooks or QTP are good brands.

i say save the money and go with some coated headers. i LOVE my flowtechs and i've been hearing good things about the pacesetters.

i have a pretty detailed install page for the headers on my website in the signature...check it out

 

SLP headers are a quality brand, both stainless steel AND ceramic coated, but these guys are right, you won't see 40+ hp and 50+ torque. They DO hang a little lower than most, but I rarely scrape with them-- definitely a big fat no on lowered cars.

 

I too am looking into buying the SLP headers. Yes they're more expensive, but the reason I chose them is because: they are stainless steel AND have the same coating on them that JetHot uses.

No other header that I've seen so far is both stainless and coated... usually they're either one or the other. They do seem to hang lower than the other headers, but where I live now (and where I'm moving to in the near future) is pretty much all flat terrain, so bottoming out or scraping is not one of my top concerns. I also don't ever plan on lowering my car either.

Also, the SLP headers come with the Y-pipe, which also could explain why they're a little bit more. The other headers you have to either buy the Y-pipe seperately or have one fabricated. So in actuality, it kind of balances out.


The question I have is: on the 2002 LS1, SLP has 2 versions of the same header: with AIR & EGR, and without.

Where I'm moving to (New Mexico) doesn't have any emissions laws that I know of, so I was thinking of just using an ORY to avoid buying cats and save some $$$ in the process.

Which one would be the best to use on an 02 LS1?

Here are the SLP part numbers:
Without EGR & With EGR

 

you have a 2002 car, you don't need EGR provisions because your car doesn't have EGR. If you do end up with a set of EGR/AIR headers, just buy the block off plates, they're cheap.

 

Ok, cool... thanks!

I'll proably get the headers without EGR or AIR then... save some hassle.

This is kind of related to headers, so I'll just post it in here:

How restrictive are the high-flow cats, typically? If I do decide to play it legally safe and have cats installed, how much power are we looking at losing versus going without cats?

I also hear exhaust tone will change depending if you have cats or not. How drastic is the change?

 

the difference between cats and no-cats is VERY noticable.

alot louder, and raspier on the upper rpms.

i would say that high flow cats would rob less than 5hp...

 

This is not an SLP sucks post so please don't take it that way, I have their air lid and they make good stuff, BUT I would really hesitate to buy their headers. I would instead go with Kook's or QTP's, both brands are Stainless also, for two reasons. Ground clearance has been mentioned, but the other issue is difficulty of install. SLP has a slightly different primary routing than most other companies(who base their designs off the old Grotyohann Headers) and they have more internal clearance issues with important wiring and such. Kook's and QTP's will pretty much slide right up into place without much trouble on install and I here the SLP's can be a real pain. Although I haven't seen an SLP install in person, I have heard this repeatedly from a good friend of mine who works for one of the sponsors here and also on this board from many members. I will be installing my headers hopefully this weekend if they get back from Calico for coating, looking forward to that.

 

dont forget FLP same price range as SLP, dont sit as low, and flow just as good...

look into it....


cory

 

realize that the only advantage of coating....assuming it's ceramic coating...on top of stainless is a slight decrease in temps. which can help prevent burned wires...

but other than that...bare stainless won't rust (discolor a little). that is the main advantage.

coating on most headers is to prevent rust and corrosion....which is not a factor on stainless headers

 

ceramic coating also helps to keep the headers from cracking open during extreme temps, as well as looking badass. LOL the FLP set is also a good set, a little more than the SLP's, but you also get offroad pipe, catalytic pipe, headers, etc... everything is ceramic coated, including the cats, so it's a hell of a system-- hard to find these days, though.

 

Thanks for the all the info guys!