New headers have arrived, pictures inside (56k users might want to think twice)

[LT1*FUN]

NOTICE: (The thread has been updated on page two with a few pictures of the old manifolds that have been removed. Tomorrow I'll begin work on the header install and update again with some new pictures for anyone who's interested)

Thought I'd post up a few pic's I just took of the new headers and extensions I ordered from Exotic Muscle a few weeks back.

For those who aren't too sure on spec's, EM's headers are ceramic coated inside and out and have 1 3/4" primaries. As you can see from the pic's they're full length headers as opposed to the shorties that come standard on LT1 Vette's. I ordered them along with EM's header extensions as well, (also ceramic coated) which should allow me to bolt everything right up to my Corsa exhaust without the need for any cutting/welding.

Since I had no plans on retaining neither the A.I.R. or EGR system's on my LT1, the headers were ordered without the emissions provisions. By going this route, I also had to purchase a set of A.I.R. & EGR block off plates from TPIS. I made the decision to ditch the A.I.R & EGR not because I thought I'd make any more power by doing so, (I know I wont) but simply to reduce a lot of clutter under the hood and make for a cleaner engine compartment (not to mention an easier to work on engine)

Finally, I ordered a custom prom from PCMforless which eliminates the EGR and A.I.R. functions entirely so there won't be any chance of getting any error codes thrown after the install. Hopefully the custom tune will add a few hp as well...

Felpro gaskets, Split-lock header bolts and a pair of Bosch O2 sensors round off the parts list.

As soon as the weather gets warm enough outside, I plan on doing the installation myself though in all honesty, I'm a bit nervous as this is my first Vette and I've never done a header install on these cars before. I'm a bit nervous since the C4's engine compartment looks so cramped and some of the header bolts (especially the one closest to the firewall on the passenger side) look to be a real nightmare to reach. I hope I'm not getting in over my head with this install...

Anyway, from what I've seen so far, I'm happy to say I'm glad I chose to go with the EM's. They appear to be a very well constructed product. The ceramic coating on both the headers and extensions is very well done and the headers themselves have nice thick flanges and clean welds throughout. Definitely a top-notch product EM's putting out so they definitely get a thumbs up from me :clap:

There are a lot of header threads out there but very few pictures of headers themselves. Hopefully these pic's might help some people decide on which headers to go with for those who own a C4 Vette. The EM's are a bit pricey, but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for...

I'll periodically update this thread with pictures of the install, along with some video when the car's up and running. I can't wait to hear what it will sound like.

:drool:

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These headers will being going into my C4:

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/2/web/3134000-3134999/3134049_4_full.jpg

[Tarheel'Z']

i cant see any of them

[Blubird]

me either, and does anyone still use 56k lol

[Tarheel'Z']

ahhhhh there they are ,, sweeeeeet

[LT1*FUN]

Sorry guy's. Looks as if there's a delay between the time I upload photo's onto photobucket to the time they're actually made visible to the general public. They should all be visible by now (I hope) :embarassed:

[Blubird]

looks great man, cant wait to see them on the car!

i wish i got a sticker with my pcmforless chip :(

[96lt1m6]

Goodlookin set up, sure you cant' wait till they are all installed!
i would convert to heated O2s though

[LT1*FUN]

Goodlookin set up, sure you cant' wait till they are all installed!
i would convert to heated O2s though


I debated that myself but decided I'd take the chance with the single wire set-up. I've never run heated O2's in either my LT1 Formula Firebirdn or L98 Iroc-Z with my headers and never ran into any problems with the cars falling in and out of closed-loop operation. Seems to be pretty hit or miss as to who has problems with the single wire O2's after a header install but I've been lucky so far...

If I run into any problems, I know there's a member on here, "Fastbird" who sells 4 wire 02 sensor "retro-fit" kits at a great price. I'll just order them from him should I run into any problems. They appear to be a real high quality product. Hopefully though, everything will be fine with the single wire set-up. :D

[Fastbird]

Look like a decent set of headers! Do yo plan on getting some numbers for a before/after comparison?

[LT1*FUN]

Look like a decent set of headers!

They'd better be for the amount of money I paid for them !! :laugh:


Do yo plan on getting some numbers for a before/after comparison?

That was my idea originally but two of the local dyno's have already gone under in the past few month's due to the rough times we've been having up here with the economy. :face_shocked:

If I can find another place reasonably close to where I live, I'll drive up there and get some base-line numbers on what the car's putting out right now basically stock (other than the Corsa exhaust) and then run the car again after the header install/cat delete/custom prom...

If I can't find another dyno in time though, I won't be too upset. There have been a number of dyno's posted throughout the years on various Corvette forums and the later model LT1 6 speed cars generally tend to pick up around 30-35RWHP with full length headers, exhaust, no cats and a good tune.

If I get the similar results, I'd expect to make somewhere in the neighborhood of about 290hp (give or take) to the rear wheels. A 1.6 roller rocker swap and some new valve springs and I should push the car up to or maybe even beyond the 300rwhp mark. :D

That should keep me satisfied for at least another couple weeks until the "speed-bug" bites me again... :laugh:

[captainofiron]

You have a sweet vette dude.

hope those headers arent too much of a pain to install

[LT1*FUN]

Thought I'd update this thread for anyone who's been interested in the topic. Today, I began the process of removing the original exhaust manifolds and emissions systems on my '92 C4. The weather's only about 2 degrees outside but I just couldn't wait any longer and figured I'd get started on the install.

Fortunately, most everything has gone pretty smoothly so far. My biggest concern originally, was having a seized header bolts snap off inside the cylinder head. It's happened before on some installs I've done in the past and believe me, it's not fun at all getting them out.

All but two of the bolts came out surprisingly easily. One on the drivers side which held the alternator brace in place and one on the passenger side which held the dipstick tube in place were the only ones to give me trouble. After repeatedly soaking them with penetrating oil and heating them up with a torch, they finally broke loose.

Interestingly, the bolt closest to the firewall on the drivers side wasn't even there !! I guess it must have slowly loosened itself over the years and eventually just fell right out. On the bright side, this just meant there was one less bolt I had to take out. :heart:

I also removed both the EGR and A.I.R. systems components since I'll no longer be running them after the header install. I switched the position of the bolt in the engine mount on the passenger side as per EM's instructions (I'm guessing this is done due to clearance issues) and took some the time to clean up as much of the frame as I could, since I now had much more clearance after taking off the manifolds.

It's amazing just how much dirt grease and grime builds up over time. I must have gone through 7-8 rags and a whole can of WD-40 but at least now it's a lot cleaner than before :claps:

The only set-back I have was that I accidentally broke a sensor located on the passenger side cylinder head when I was removing the old manifold. I believe it's a coolant temperature sensor of some sort so I'll have to get that replaced Monday.

Tomorrow I'll begin the installation of the headers themselves. Hopefully everything will go well and everything bolts up and lines up they way it should. The car should be ready to go by Monday evening after I pick up the coolant sensor after work and put it in.

Anyways, here's a few pic's of the old manifolds and a shot or two of the engine as it sits right now. Notice in the third photo down how all the emissions equipment has been eliminated. All the lines, fittings, vacuum hoses and valves have all been removed. This will make for a much cleaner engine compartment.

Tomorrow I'll post some pics of the headers when there on the car as well as some side-by side shots of the headers and factory manifolds to better illustrate the difference between the two designs.

Stay tuned. ;)

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