I finally got the SLP shortys back from the ceramic coater. They look pretty
darn good for $140. So far the total investment is $390 for the headers. The
rest of the parts are Breslin SS bolts (600-101) and Percy's seal-4-good gaskets
and some heat wrap to protect the heater core hoses. I'll also install a new
set of NGK TR5s while I'm at it and have a set of new O2 sensors ready in the
event the coating toasts the old ones during burn off. The plug wires only have
about 3,000 miles on them.

Is there anything I'm missing?

 

Welcome to the installing headers soon club I'm a member too lol.

I'm Deleting AIR while im at it with two M22 plugs for each header. I'll also be dousing the old bolts in PB Blaster a day before doing the install.

I decided to go with the 600-101 breslins also, but am using some new stock GM Manifold gaskets instead. Just be careful with the wire routing and you should be good to go Let us know if you feel any SOTP gains!

 

Make sure you have some penetrator for any rust you encounter, some of the bolts are hard enough to remove. I'm assuming you still have the stock manifolds on? If not and you just sent them in for coating, then you seem to be set. Good luck

 

LOCKING BOLTS - in case ur using the ones from the install kit- they back out about every month till for first year.

also say goodbye to spark plug changes..lol these headers suck for it- goodluck and great prices -

 

For both toby and 95z, the stock manifolds were reinstalled when I did the
cam change about 3,000 miles ago and the bolts were installed with anti-
sieze. Hopefully I will not have any removal issues. The bolts came out just
fine from the factory install after 32,000 miles.

 

Breslins are locking bolts

 

wow - totally missed that-

 

no need for penetrating oil, just get bigger tools.

 

I have these on my 96Z28, so here's a word of warning. The header tube for #8 cylinder will touch your coolant hose. I think it goes to the heater. I tried tie-wrapping the hose back, but still not enough room. I put some thermal wrap on the header, but over time, it will burned thru and burned a small hole in my hose causing a leak.

I ended up taking out the entire hose section and splicing it where it touches the headers and replaced it with a thinner metal pipe. Now there's clearance.

Just something to think about when you're installing the passenger side.

 

^ +1

week after installing them... pulled into parking lot smelling coolant. got out and popped hood just as it burned through the coolant hose enough to dump it all on the parking lot.

had to cut it and barb it- and wrap in heat wrap - sucked ... i have fat hands

 

i just got mine in this last week...

i went w/ pace setter mid tubes w/ emissions and jet-hot coated....

pia to put in, none of the issues of above tho...

good clearance for plugs/wires too

 

Good luck with plug wire roughting, its can be a pain with those headers.

 

Looks like a nightmare. But if you need to pass emissions then what else can you do?

 

TPIS and Arizona speed and marine make much better mid lengths headers.

 

Thanks for all the replys, especially the additional feedback on the heater
core lines. Between heat wrap, a heat shield, or metal tube splice I will
definately take care of it.

The SLPs are my choice because of emmissions, they are a direct bolt-in
replacement for manifolds, and I don't want to alter my true dual exhaust
setup.

So is plug access actually worse than with the cast iron manifolds?