LT Headers

[perfectduck]

Hello everyone, I recently joined the 5th gens by purchasing a 2010 Camaro SS. I was wondering what have been your experiences with installing LT headers, I'm not too mechanically inclined and I have heard stories about how hard it is to install these without proper clearance. I've also read that tuning the car will prevent CEL along with running lean. I promised my wife this Camaro would be modestly modded since it's my daily driver, so it's going to be hard to convince her how I need to take it to the dyno to keep this thing modest.

I've also never tuned a car, my previous 4th gens got ST headers so no tuning was ever needed. I was curious as to how much this could run.

Thanks

[gtstorey]

The headers are fairly easy to install but occasionally there will be slight clearance issues that can be handled by dimpling the tube.

You will want to get it tuned but you can get a pretty good remote tune by some of the vendors on the forum.

[KJZ28]

Make sure to test fit them first. Some of the affordable Chinese headers will need little dents put in them for clearance.

[Greenhornet2]

I used speed engineering, some need to have one of the tubes dented in on the passenger side some don't. The install is quite easy, there is plenty of room (though not much room under the car, easier done on a lift). Probably the hardest part is reinstalling the oil dipstick tube. once you get it angled and in the correct spot it falls right in though. The more expensive ones don't seem to have that issue. You don't need to dynotune it, you will need to tune it but someone like dynosteve or Jannetty racing on here can hook you up with a remote tune, you'll just need to buy the tuner. If you are an auto a tune is always recommended they make the trans must better but don't let any fool tune it they can blow up transmissions or make them drive terribly if not done right.

[pyroguy]

First off, welcome to the forums and congrats on your new to you ride!

When I bought and installed my long tube headers I had never installed headers on a car before. I did a boat load of research on price, brands, quality, where they were made, warranty, etc. before deciding on Kooks long tube headers with high flow cats. Here's a brief summary of what I've discovered with long tube headers:

Brands
Higher priced: Kooks, ARH, Stainless Works
Mid priced: OBX, Texas Speed, Stainless Power
Budget: Speed Engineering

Pros:
Higher priced: Lifetime warranty, American made, great tech support, excellent fitment, high flow cat option
Mid priced: Typically 2 year warranty, good tech support, small chance of fitment issues, high flow cat option
Budget: Inexpensive, decent header, Speed Engineering is a forum sponsor

Cons:
Higher priced: Expensive
Mid priced: Occasionally need to "massage to fit"
Budget: Often times need to "massage to fit", no high flow cat option as a package, not much tech support

Also something to note if you do opt for long tube headers, while it may be an extra cost, ceramic coating your headers is a great way to keep engine bay temps down as well as keep your headers looking like new.

As for the dyno tune part, you could either do a tune by mail with someone like DynoSteve (forum member here) or talk her into the fact that you're excited and just want to put it on a dyno to see how it performs. Yes you'll need a tune to prevent a CEL, but you'll also gain performance as well as ensure the engine is running optimally with your new found air flow.

I hope this helps some. Happy modding!

[Modernmusclecar]

Based on the huge number of members running cheaper headers with no issues I wouldn't worry about fitment issues being a certainty. There's been a ton of threads over the years debunking the whole cheaper headers have fitment issue posts. There are a few good remote tuners on here but if you have a good shop in your area a good dyno will work well. If the install intimidates you and you have a good shop hit them up for a price for the headers . .install and tune as a package. LSX Tuning and Performance is one I found. They are in Concord NC.

[perfectduck]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

First off, welcome to the forums and congrats on your new to you ride!

When I bought and installed my long tube headers I had never installed headers on a car before. I did a boat load of research on price, brands, quality, where they were made, warranty, etc. before deciding on Kooks long tube headers with high flow cats. Here's a brief summary of what I've discovered with long tube headers:

Brands
Higher priced: Kooks, ARH, Stainless Works
Mid priced: OBX, Texas Speed, Stainless Power
Budget: Speed Engineering

Pros:
Higher priced: Lifetime warranty, American made, great tech support, excellent fitment, high flow cat option
Mid priced: Typically 2 year warranty, good tech support, small chance of fitment issues, high flow cat option
Budget: Inexpensive, decent header, Speed Engineering is a forum sponsor

Cons:
Higher priced: Expensive
Mid priced: Occasionally need to "massage to fit"
Budget: Often times need to "massage to fit", no high flow cat option as a package, not much tech support

Also something to note if you do opt for long tube headers, while it may be an extra cost, ceramic coating your headers is a great way to keep engine bay temps down as well as keep your headers looking like new.

As for the dyno tune part, you could either do a tune by mail with someone like DynoSteve (forum member here) or talk her into the fact that you're excited and just want to put it on a dyno to see how it performs. Yes you'll need a tune to prevent a CEL, but you'll also gain performance as well as ensure the engine is running optimally with your new found air flow.

I hope this helps some. Happy modding!

Thank you for the info! I completely forgot about ceramic coating. I definitely would want to do that. I was looking at the Texas Speed brand since they're in the middle like you mentioned, I'm still uncertain if I want to do it myself or if I should take it to a shop.

[pyroguy]

Originally Posted by perfectduck

Thank you for the info! I completely forgot about ceramic coating. I definitely would want to do that. I was looking at the Texas Speed brand since they're in the middle like you mentioned, I'm still uncertain if I want to do it myself or if I should take it to a shop.

You're welcome. It's really not a bad install. Bribe a buddy with pizza and beer and knock it out in an afternoon. Just remember to take note of where the dip stick tube goes and tighten the bolts from the middle out alternating sides staring at 10 ft/lbs then going to 18 and rechecking after a full heat cycle.

[Camaro__ss]

I did cheap headers from amazon, about $180 as I recall, they still look and work great after 2 years. I had to massage one side a little to make it fit. I got a tune from Dyno Steve. No regrets. They don’t have cats though.

[Panda1LE]

I would definitely go with a decent header. I personally have the Stainless Power (w/hi flo cats) for no other reason than finding a GREAT deal on some local used ones. I originally was going to buy Kooks (new) but I decided to save about $800 by buying used. The good headers you wont need to modify to fit. Mine went right on. I was new to installing headers on this motor and its really not that bad. The very last bolt on the passenger side near the firewall broke on me though which made it a huge pain. The stud was stuck in the block and I had to get help from a friend and his welding machine in order to get it out. It really is nothing more than taking some bolts and clamps off and re installing on the new headers. As long as you take your time, have everything you need before you start and have patience and maybe help from one other person, you should be golden. Here are some tips that I did: I used new ARP manifold bolts, oem gaskets, I didn't have extenders for the O2's (need these) so I bought some off Amazon, torque wrench, new spark plugs (and wires if you want), zip ties, PB blaster (spray the night before install). You also may want to plan/budget to get the headers ceramic coated. Lastly, you will need a tune. Most of us on here use DynoSteve and get the SCT X4 (budget for this also). This tune is easy and comes with instructions on how to load onto the car. All you will need is a PC laptop to get that completed. Hope this helps

[Age]

Texas Speed is a great option! I recently installed these on my camaro and it was pretty easy, but I did use a lift to make it easier. I went for highflow cats too and got it tuned by Jannetty Racing and now my car is really alive!

[FasNuf]

Do you have to pass emissions where you are?

[pyroguy]

Originally Posted by FasNuf

Do you have to pass emissions where you are?

I've had to pass emissions every year since I installed long tube headers. First in Pennsylvania, which has very similar regulations to California in heavily populated areas, and now in Missouri in the St. Louis area, which also is pretty lame on emissions standards. Both areas I passed without issue. I was sweating bullets this year when I had to redo my emissions after having installed a cam and I passed with flying colors again.

[Greenhornet2]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

I've had to pass emissions every year since I installed long tube headers. First in Pennsylvania, which has very similar regulations to California in heavily populated areas, and now in Missouri in the St. Louis area, which also is pretty lame on emissions standards. Both areas I passed without issue. I was sweating bullets this year when I had to redo my emissions after having installed a cam and I passed with flying colors again.

Yea they don't actually sniff the exhaust, its OBDII they just plug it in and the computer tells them it's all good. Tune takes care of that.