ZL1 #140 starting mods - Page 14 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1st Gen Forever · 09-08-2012, 05:15 PM

Today I discovered an exhaust leak between the header and the head on Cyl #1 at about the 1 O'clock position of the port.

The Stainless works headers came with the sealant rated at 600* in the picture below but I didn't use it.

I used a new set of the factory steel exhaust gaskets installed dry with no sealant.

Anyone have experience with the best way to seal headers on the LS? Is the sealant that came with the headers the best way to do it?

Sack Rat 2SS · 09-08-2012, 05:35 PM

No need for sealent. Just reuse the factory metal gaskets and be sure the header flanges are perfectly flat. This is what almost all the top tuner/builders do as well.

OldScoolCamaro · 09-08-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD Innovations

Very nice. That's the cam bump that we wanted I'd say!

....yes...indeed, sounds wicked awesome....love that cam overlap....

Great job OP!

1st Gen Forever · 09-08-2012, 11:53 PM

Thanks OldSchool!

For some reason I'm having a hard time taking clear pictures tonight but it looks like it was leaking between the gasket and the header flange, not the head and gasket. I replaced the gasket with the original that I removed with the iron manifolds then re-torqued the bolts. I'm hoping the issue occurred because I didn't re-torque the flanges after heat cycling the engine initially and I probably should have with the ceramic coating under the bolts.

The passenger side wasn't leaking but the bolts took a re-torque and did move a 1/8-1/4 turn or so. I do have a sneaky fear that the flange surface on the headers is not smooth. Maybe from the the factory weld? We'll see...

If it leaks again I guess I'll need to completely pull the header and check the flange for irregularities.

1st Gen Forever · 09-14-2012, 12:33 AM

Got my Nitto NT05R Drag radials yesterday, 305/45R18. I debated the Mickey Thompsons but the Nittos were 80 bucks a piece cheaper. Hopefully I don't regret going cheap!

Now I just need to score some Corvette wheels to mount them on. Should have dyno numbers and some 1/4 mile runs by early October!

1st Gen Forever · 09-15-2012, 03:32 PM

Finally got around to trimming the belly pan today around the headers. It takes a jig saw. Plastic is a little too strong for a razor blade or tin snips.

I was going to swap my fuel pump today but after looking at everything that has to be dropped, I think I'm going to have that done by the dyno shop. We're right on the edge of the stock pump and I might find some more more airflow in this thing in the months to come so I'm going to upgrade the pump.

KD Innovations · 09-15-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Gen Forever

Finally got around to trimming the belly pan today around the headers. It takes a jig saw. Plastic is a little too strong for a razor blade or tin snips.

I finally did mine too. I used and air tool with a 2" wheel.

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KD Innovations · 09-15-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Gen Forever

Got my Nitto NT05R Drag radials yesterday, 305/45R18. I debated the Mickey Thompsons but the Nittos were 80 bucks a piece cheaper. Hopefully I don't regret going cheap!

Now I just need to score some Corvette wheels to mount them on. Should have dyno numbers and some 1/4 mile runs by early October!

That may be just over the limits with your cars output. Add in the manual and I think you will be traction challenged.

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Guard dog · 09-16-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD Innovations

I finally did mine too. I used and air tool with a 2" wheel.

FYI, an oscillating Dremel with a drywall blade cuts through the plastic like a hot knife through butter.

2012ZL1 · 09-16-2012, 03:20 PM

?..I have long tubes and didn't need to trim anything off my belly pan ..why the trimming? there seems to be plenty of clearance and air space..just curious.

KD Innovations · 09-16-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012ZL1

?..I have long tubes and didn't need to trim anything off my belly pan ..why the trimming? there seems to be plenty of clearance and air space..just curious.

Which headers?

1st Gen Forever · 09-16-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012ZL1

?..I have long tubes and didn't need to trim anything off my belly pan ..why the trimming? there seems to be plenty of clearance and air space..just curious.

I went with Stainless Works Longtubes. 1 7/8 primaries to 3" collector. The belly pan had thermal foil in that area and my headers are ceramic coated but they made direct contact with each other and I wasn't comfortable with that so i trimmed it to get at least a finger's width airgap all the way around the headers.

Don't need anything melting under the car after some high temp running!

thespymaster · 09-16-2012, 11:32 PM

I love your attention to detail..........

Subsribed!

AZ Charlie · 09-17-2012, 01:48 PM

1st Gen, I have the NT05's and love them! I am running 315's on the rear with BBS CHR wheels. You will still break them whenever you wish but they do stick WAY BETTER than PZERO tires...no comparison! I am running around 580 hp to the wheels so I am sure you will like them! If anyone has a better tire option for the HP we are running to the wheels let us know!

09-08-2012, 05:35 PM	#184
Sack Rat 2SS Drives: Silver SS/RS, Man 6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 884	No need for sealent. Just reuse the factory metal gaskets and be sure the header flanges are perfectly flat. This is what almost all the top tuner/builders do as well. __________________ Silver 2SS/RS Man/6 CTS-V front 6-Piston Calipers, GM 3.91 Rear Gears

09-14-2012, 12:33 AM	#187
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	Got my Nitto NT05R Drag radials yesterday, 305/45R18. I debated the Mickey Thompsons but the Nittos were 80 bucks a piece cheaper. Hopefully I don't regret going cheap! Now I just need to score some Corvette wheels to mount them on. Should have dyno numbers and some 1/4 mile runs by early October! Last edited by 1st Gen Forever; 09-15-2012 at 03:36 PM.

09-16-2012, 11:32 PM	#195
thespymaster Drives: C7 / ZL1 / SS / trucsk Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: G4 CLASSIFIED Posts: 4,528 View My Garage	I love your attention to detail.......... Subsribed! __________________ 2014 C7 Stingray 3LT/Z51 2013 Camaro SS 2012 Camaro ZL1 - 850 HP 2015 GMC Denali 3500HD 4x4 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4

09-08-2012, 05:15 PM	#183
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	Today I discovered an exhaust leak between the header and the head on Cyl #1 at about the 1 O'clock position of the port. The Stainless works headers came with the sealant rated at 600* in the picture below but I didn't use it. I used a new set of the factory steel exhaust gaskets installed dry with no sealant. Anyone have experience with the best way to seal headers on the LS? Is the sealant that came with the headers the best way to do it?

09-08-2012, 11:53 PM	#186
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	Thanks OldSchool! For some reason I'm having a hard time taking clear pictures tonight but it looks like it was leaking between the gasket and the header flange, not the head and gasket. I replaced the gasket with the original that I removed with the iron manifolds then re-torqued the bolts. I'm hoping the issue occurred because I didn't re-torque the flanges after heat cycling the engine initially and I probably should have with the ceramic coating under the bolts. The passenger side wasn't leaking but the bolts took a re-torque and did move a 1/8-1/4 turn or so. I do have a sneaky fear that the flange surface on the headers is not smooth. Maybe from the the factory weld? We'll see... If it leaks again I guess I'll need to completely pull the header and check the flange for irregularities.

09-15-2012, 03:32 PM	#188
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	Finally got around to trimming the belly pan today around the headers. It takes a jig saw. Plastic is a little too strong for a razor blade or tin snips. I was going to swap my fuel pump today but after looking at everything that has to be dropped, I think I'm going to have that done by the dyno shop. We're right on the edge of the stock pump and I might find some more more airflow in this thing in the months to come so I'm going to upgrade the pump.

09-16-2012, 03:20 PM	#192
2012ZL1 CaRaHoLiC Drives: '12 ZL1,67 Cam,68 Biscayne 427 4 sp Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,701	?..I have long tubes and didn't need to trim anything off my belly pan ..why the trimming? there seems to be plenty of clearance and air space..just curious.

09-17-2012, 01:48 PM	#196
AZ Charlie Drives: 2017 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 308 View My Garage	1st Gen, I have the NT05's and love them! I am running 315's on the rear with BBS CHR wheels. You will still break them whenever you wish but they do stick WAY BETTER than PZERO tires...no comparison! I am running around 580 hp to the wheels so I am sure you will like them! If anyone has a better tire option for the HP we are running to the wheels let us know!