Headers and a tune. Need some help please!

[zl1diavolo]

Ok guys. I got the green light to put a new exhaust and header on my beast.

Now I need a little help from you all. I love the sound of the Stainless headers and cat back systems but I worry about some past stories of fitment issues. Seems like the majority are using Kooks. Problem is that I want a deep throaty exhaust and have yet to find a video of the Kooks with the right sound.

The other issue is I know nothing about tuning my car. Would purchasing a Diablo Sport be a wise investment and make it easy to put tunes in it when I add performance upgrades?

And last but not least, my local Chevy dealer quoted me $825 to install the headers and cat back system. I am confident in my mechanical skills and have a set of 8" race ramps but will that be enough lift for me to install the system?

Thank you all for your any help you can give me!

[Detroit Muscle]

Installed mine myself with a friend, Stainless Power Headers and HF Cats, save yourself the 825 bucks and do it yourself or with a buddy, itll take about 3-5 hours if u take your time and do everything right, fitment issue was no problem for me but I have an SS, not sure with the ZL1

[Tampa Tuning]

Those handheld systems really don't do much.

I haven't seen a install issue with the stainless product line

[Ryanbabz71]

Install yourself save $825 and buy more car parts
My stainless power for fine

I used race ramps and my LP jack




Ryan

[1ZL4FUN]

+1 on doing it yourself. The stealership would be my last choice.

[hognutz]

The job is really easy depending on the size of your hands. I did have a bit of an issue getting the looking tab out for the passenger side o2 sensor connector for some reason. proabably my stupid fat fingers.

headers wise I know 100% that that stainless power/works, AFR, kooks fit fine. the only real difference I see between the three is the kooks have ball and socket connection and stainless power/works and afr are slip fit.


now cat backs themselves sound is subjective. if you like the stainless works buy it and if you have a slight tip fitment issue just pay and exhaust shop $50 to tweak it if you don't have all the right tools.


at $825 you could buy ramps, air compressor, air tools, floorjack so there is no way I would not just do it myself.

My advice as a trophy husband is just put the $825 towards a bendpak for the job. I am not sure I would make a good financial advisory though.

[Racer Ed]

Originally Posted by hognutz

The job is really easy depending on the size of your hands. I did have a bit of an issue getting the looking tab out for the passenger side o2 sensor connector for some reason. proabably my stupid fat fingers.

headers wise I know 100% that that stainless power/works, AFR, kooks fit fine. the only real difference I see between the three is the kooks have ball and socket connection and stainless power/works and afr are slip fit.


now cat backs themselves sound is subjective. if you like the stainless works buy it and if you have a slight tip fitment issue just pay and exhaust shop $50 to tweak it if you don't have all the right tools.


at $825 you could buy ramps, air compressor, air tools, floorjack so there is no way I would not just do it myself.

My advice as a trophy husband is just put the $825 towards a bendpak for the job. I am not sure I would make a good financial advisory though.

-

Do them yourself ! I did them on my SS,same fitment,I think I will put them on my ZL1, I bought Stanless Works, great Headers.

[Nor Cal ZL1]

Originally Posted by 1ZL4FUN

+1 on doing it yourself. The stealership would be my last choice.

If you need a good dealer with a performance driven service department at some point., Abel is the best in Nor Cal. See your location is norcal.

[Stephen12ZL1]

As Hognutz stated...the O2 connections on the back of the cylinder heads are difficult to reach as they have a green locking tab through them that has to be removed before the weatherpack can be unplugged. It isn't a difficult job and can be easily done on ramps. It gets easier as many things can be reached that seem impossible. Take off the cross brace, remove the spark plugs, dipstick, spark plug wires, connection pipes/cats, and then remove the manifolds and replace.

[misterhappy]

I definetly would not go to a dealership for a install, if your going to go that route, find a reputable performance shop in your area. Same goes for the tune/tuner, take the money you would spend on the diablo and use that on a pro-tune. You will yeilds more gains and have a tune for your specific car.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Tampa Tuning

Those handheld systems really don't do much.

I haven't seen a install issue with the stainless product line

With a good tuner and some data logging they most certainly do.

[Nor Cal ZL1]

Originally Posted by misterhappy

I definetly would not go to a dealership for a install, if your going to go that route, find a reputable performance shop in your area. Same goes for the tune/tuner, take the money you would spend on the diablo and use that on a pro-tune. You will yeilds more gains and have a tune for your specific car.

That will depend on the dealer. The one I use is constantly filled with GM performance, and race cars. Svc manager races a Zo6. The more work they do, the better the relationship. There are some good ones out there.

[zl1diavolo]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I went with the Stainless Works 1 7/8 headers and Stainless Works 3" exhaust. Got a very good deal to have them installed by our local dealer and they did a great job. This is not the same car....it is AMAZING!

[winterboy8]

Originally Posted by Tampa Tuning

Those handheld systems really don't do much.

I haven't seen a install issue with the stainless product line

Is there a COTS system out there that will suffice until someone like you could tune it? How long/far can you drive without a tune with mods like this?