on my 96, i went underneath it with my mechanic, and he said headers would be tough because of the dual cats, looking at the drivers side cat thats tucked up just underneath the exhaust manifold i've never seen a cat like that before. What did some fo you guys do, and prices and stuff, because i don't want to start modding and never be able to put headers on.


Also, what should i do first for mods, its completly stock 96 SS ??

 

I installed a set of SLP headers. I removed the starter and the passenger side header slid into place from under the car. On the driver side, I removed the oil filter, steering shaft, valve cover and again slid the header in from underneath. I know the catalytic converter placement sucks on your car, but you can unbolt the Y-pipe that has the cats on it and set it off to the side while you install the headers. That's what I did on mine.

For your first mod I would get a catback exhaust system. Get something nice that's stainless steel so it will last. I was looking into getting rid of my Flowmaster and getting a Magnaflow or Hooker exhaust to replace it. If you have a real excess of money you can get a Borla. You could also look at the supporting advertisers on this site and have your computer tuned. It will get you a decent power gain for the price. Basically if I were you I wouldn't attempt a header install until you get some more experience with this sort of thing, and if you get a quote from someone else to install it, I garauntee you won't like the price. Installing headers on these cars are not easy, but can be done with a little experience and patience.

 

doing headers aren't all that difficult, more time consuming than anything.(long tubes are a bit more of a pain than shorties/mids)if you get headers, IMO...i'd go w/ the mac headers w/ y pipe, either w/ cats or off-road pipe, i don't know what you'd prefer, or if you have to deal with emissions(where i live there's no real emissions testing)but i went with off-road. here's a site that'll give you pretty good install notes, coming from a pretty good source....http://www.fastblackcar.com/camaro/mac_headers.html

as for other mods, i agree, a good cat-back would be a great first mod, it'll sound sweet, and it'll add a bit of power. the hooker cat-back is cheap, and sounds awesome.

 

thats the thing i don't know if i can get a Y pipe because the cat on the drivers side is slid right up against the exhaust manifold. ??

 

No problem. Throw away the cats & get a Off Road [OR] pipe.

 

i agree. i say get the mac headers & offroad y pipe, i bought the 94-95 headers & offroad pipe for my '96, and they worked awesome, huge difference, doesn't hurt the back pocket too much either, i think the only thing w/ the mac 94-95 headers is you'll need to get a custom s-pipe made at a muffler shop to connet it to your cat-back system. the 94-95 system is quite a bit cheaper than the 96-97. but just check the prices and you'll find a pretty good price for them somewhere, anyway, that's what i would do, IMO.

 

I have emissions here, and what about my 02 sensors?

 

for emissions....i really can't help you out there, i live in winnipeg,canada, and here, we really don't have any emissions, but i know there's alot of people on the board here who have off-road pipes and still get by emissions, you'll have to find out from someone else, sorry. but for the o2's, you could get o2 simulators, which you just plug in to replace the o2 sensors, and it tricks the computer to make it think that they're there and working. or you could get a computer tune from Ion at www.madz28.com i'm pretty sure he can clear that off your computer, as well, you can add quite a bit of hp. i think he guarantees 12-15rwhp(on a stock Z) that's the route i'd go IMO.

 

I went with the SLP dual-cat headers. They are Stainless and 1 3/4 primaries. I ordered them uncoated and had a coating outfit do the ceramic coating (just to make sure I got a good job done.

I also did not order the kit, but instead bought stuff separately, e.g. ARp 1" 12pt bolts, single piece fel-pro gaskets, etc.

The headers come with instructions (you can print the instructions off the SLP site before you buy the headers if you want to see what they say.

I had mine installed so I can't say how much trouble they are.

I'm sure there are other alternatives. E.g. you might be able to pick up a set off this site. And if they are not coated, be sure to have them coated. JMHO

 

I have a quick question:

I just started my install, and have the driver's side manifold removed. Most of the stock manifold bolts had some sort of large spacer on them, over the threads. I wouldn't transfer these over to my new locking bolts, right?

Also, should I apply any RTV or anything anywhere? If so, which gaskest need it?

 

IF you want Mac headers with off road y-pipe for a 94/95 then go here http://www.neweraperformanceparts.co...15&NID=1947668

if that doesn't work just try www.neweraperformanceparts.com

They have 94/95 headers with offroad pipe for 399.99 best price i've found. Also if you decide to get some Mac headers i recommend some better gaskets i heard the copper one's they come with don't always seal good.

 

Snorkel -

If you are using stage 8's, I would guess that the spacers would leave you with very little of the threads actually going into the head. I re-used some of mine where I used the bolts that came with my MAC's, as some of the bolts were getting really tough to tighten as they went farther into the head. I used some stage 8's as well, but only to have the ability to tighten with an allen wrench, I did not bother with the locking stuff.

 

I actually got some of the BRESLIN locking bolts. These things are NICE!

I'll ditch the spacers then. I just want to be sure.

How about the RTV?

 

are those headers coated? and how much of a diff between them and longtubes ?

 

Those are not coated. Except for HTS coating which for most people doesn't do much. Some people's are fine but some aren't. You can get them jet-hot coated. I was told (i'm about to do the same thing) you can buy them directly from Jet-Hot ceramic coated with Offroad y-pipe for around 550-560. I think's there's been dyno's of mid-length's doing just as well as long tubes. Plus you have better ground clearance for lowering your car.