Which headers to use on LT1?

Big_Swede

Big_Swede

Forum Member
Hey

I'm going to replace the stock headers on my Firebird 1996 when i put it away for winter storage. But im not really sure on what to buy.
The headers got to have fittings for OE EGR since we have emission restrictions in Sweden. And i want it to be a good fit without to much fabrication. What kinda short- or mid tube headers should i choose?

Another question, do i gain any hp/tourqe if i replace the intake manifold to a LT4-spec? Is it worth the money?

PS. The car is stock appart from a 3" cat back system, a reprogramming with a Hypertech and a 4.10 rear axle gear.
 
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Ok, i've looked on Pacesetter headers, they seem affordable. By the way, since we are talking LT4, has anybody tested the conversion kit that Summit and GM sell? I tried to get som answers back home but nobody had any clear views on it..
 
I have pacesetters they are very good for the money.

however if you want to spend a little bit more there is a brand new company making a stainless set for a little less than twice the price and they are very nice peices, i just helped a buddy install a set. I dont remember the name, might have been Stainless Works. There was a group purchase on LS1tech.
 
Ceramic coated Pacesetters with the matching y-pipe...excellent bang for you buck, they look good and fit great.....

just my .02.
 
Sounds nice. Who carries Pacesetters at the best price? Summit? Since im wearing my spending pants, any other after market part i should buy? It's not every day i place an order from the states. I've been looking at

- 1:6 roller rockers
- Summit throttlebody 2X58mm
- Edelbrock LT4 intake

Is it worth the bucks? Any other tips?
 
Big_Swede said:
Sounds nice. Who carries Pacesetters at the best price? Summit? Since im wearing my spending pants, any other after market part i should buy? It's not every day i place an order from the states. I've been looking at

- 1:6 roller rockers
- Summit throttlebody 2X58mm
- Edelbrock LT4 intake

Is it worth the bucks? Any other tips?
Click to expand...

Summit carries the headers and the y=pipe you'll need...

I'd personally go with a set of Harland Sharp 1:7 roller rockers (best bang/buck)

Yu cant really go wrong with an upgraded throttle body, so get that too, as for the lt4 intake, the cost to performance gain isnt very good, its expensive, and pain in the ass to change, and if you dont have aftermarket/ported cyl. heads, you wont get much gain out of it at all....id just use your stock intake, they flow decent.
 
Money is better spent on a set of AFR or TFS heads or porting the stock heads and running a vastly different camshaft. You will want a twin 58mm TB and get the intake welded up and have it ported.

the lt4 heads are not a big improvement over the lt1 heads unless we are talking unported and even then the difference is not substantial enough to justify the investment when the money could be better spent.


Big_Swede said:
Ok, i've looked on Pacesetter headers, they seem affordable. By the way, since we are talking LT4, has anybody tested the conversion kit that Summit and GM sell? I tried to get som answers back home but nobody had any clear views on it..
Click to expand...
 
I personally dont think its worth your time to even touch the intake and throttle body until you have a good 450 rwhp. aftermarket throttle body's are the biggest waste of money ever. Its the simplest peice of engineering ever and they change $250 bucks for it... for all of 3 hp gain. yaaaaNo.

The best budget build (IMO) is a good set of headers and a cam swap. Pretty much nothing else. You can easily pick up 100 horse at the wheels with just that and get it done for ~2K.
 
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Interesting, so the stock intake and TB can be used for hp up to 400? If that's the case, what cam should i use? I dont want to, well i cant go to wild due to emission restrictions.

By the way, do i just change the cam? Will my stock springs, pushrods and rocker arms keep up with the power gain? Do i need to change the timing chain also?
 
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A cam swap entails changing pretty much everything.

youll need rockers, springs, pushrods, timing chain... the whole works. It is usually at least $1000 in parts.
 
My '96 Formula has the GM hot cam kit, 1.6 rockers, Edelbrock shorties, Magnaflow catback (with stock cats), electric water pump, CAI, 6 speed, 4.10s, and runs easy 13.30s at 106 on street tires. I would like to run it harder, but I do not want to break the puny rear end :shake:

Good luck on your mods!
 
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