Cheap Headers (Pace Setter, Autochrome, etc.)

Metal exhaust gaskets should be dry IMO.

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'98 Buick Riviera; Gen V 3.25 pulley, N*, VS Cam, 180 stat, Custom PCM (Powrtuner), headers & HF cat , 42.5 lb inj.

Grant-built/PRJ/Thrasher trans 3.29 gears, 7/8 chain, zzp hardened IS

Use the metal gaskets dry, no RTV required, put them on dry.

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98 Riv, 102K Miles, EBC, LS1 Ft.Calipers, STB, Addco Rr Sway Bar, 180* stat., SSAC Headers, HF Cat, 1.9's,
105# springs, MPS 3.4, DHP tuned by the Deekster.

Well I'm planning on getting some SSAC's in the future, and I'm rounding up some parts I will need. Anyway I have the chance to acquire a 99 GTP dipstick tube which is apparently necessary to give clearance with the headers. My only question is if it will work with the '96 Riv's 4T60 trans vs the 4T65 for the GTP. Anyone know?

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1996 Riviera, 1.9s, 3" DP, FWI, 180, AL104s, 3.6", DHP PowrTuning...
Soon: SSACs, Stage 1 TB, and a 3.4

Has anyone purchased SSAC's recently? I was looking on the website and now it says theyre constructed from mild steel. I seem to remember everyone else mentioning that they were made from 409 stainless. Is this a recent change, or does anyone remember it saying that when they purchased them?
http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1886

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1996 Riviera, 1.9s, 3" DP, FWI, 180, AL104s, 3.6", DHP PowrTuning...
Soon: SSACs, Stage 1 TB, and a 3.4

It has always said that but only the flanges are steel the rest is stainless.

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98 Riv, 102K Miles, EBC, LS1 Ft.Calipers, STB, Addco Rr Sway Bar, 180* stat., SSAC Headers, HF Cat, 1.9's,
105# springs, MPS 3.4, DHP tuned by the Deekster.

Rickw wrote:

It has always said that but only the flanges are steel the rest is stainless.

Thanks.

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1996 Riviera, 1.9s, 3" DP, FWI, 180, AL104s, 3.6", DHP PowrTuning...
Soon: SSACs, Stage 1 TB, and a 3.4

If you do buy a set, throw away their gaskets and get a good set. preferably some that are sealed around the exhaust hole opening with crimped steel or just get some OEM gaskets that are all steel.
If you use the ones supplied you will be removing the headers soon to replace them due to leaks.

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98 Riv, 102K Miles, EBC, LS1 Ft.Calipers, STB, Addco Rr Sway Bar, 180* stat., SSAC Headers, HF Cat, 1.9's,
105# springs, MPS 3.4, DHP tuned by the Deekster.

Rickw wrote:

If you do buy a set, throw away their gaskets and get a good set. preferably some that are sealed around the exhaust hole opening with crimped steel or just get some OEM gaskets that are all steel.
If you use the ones supplied you will be removing the headers soon to replace them due to leaks.

Alright will do, did you wrap your flex?

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1996 Riviera, 1.9s, 3" DP, FWI, 180, AL104s, 3.6", DHP PowrTuning...
Soon: SSACs, Stage 1 TB, and a 3.4

Last edited by Rickw on Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:39 am; edited 1 time in total

L67 wrote:

Rickw wrote:

If you do buy a set, throw away their gaskets and get a good set. preferably some that are sealed around the exhaust hole opening with crimped steel or just get some OEM gaskets that are all steel.
If you use the ones supplied you will be removing the headers soon to replace them due to leaks.

Alright will do, did you wrap your flex?

I wrapped everything. I got an EBay deal on 100 ft of header wrap with stainless ties and silicone header paint for $50.00 and wrapped all of it.
If you decide to wrap them complete or even just the crossover and flex pipe (recommended minimum), soak the header wrap in a bucket of water and wrap them with it wet and clamp with the stainless tie type clamps and you can use regular hose clamps temporarily until it all dries. Allow to dry for a day or two and the wrap with be very tight and last a lot longer. After every thing dry's spray with the silicone paint in light coats to protect the wrap from oil, moisture and deterioration. it will last a lot longer.
I have done several set's of headers this way over the years with good success.
By wrapping the complete header assy you will not have any noise or tinking like sound you normally get from non-wrapped headers.
They are absolutely quiet. You will not know you have headers on it except for the increase in overall power.

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98 Riv, 102K Miles, EBC, LS1 Ft.Calipers, STB, Addco Rr Sway Bar, 180* stat., SSAC Headers, HF Cat, 1.9's,
105# springs, MPS 3.4, DHP tuned by the Deekster.

Last edited by Jason on Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:57 pm; edited 1 time in total

they are made of 321 stainless with a mild steel flange.

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Jason
1998 Buick Riviera: 4" FWI, 3.4" pulley, VS cam, "SLP" headers, 3" exhaust, ported s/c, Addco swaybars, STB
1987 Regal Turbo T

Jason wrote:

hey are made of 321 stainless with a mild steel flange.

Ok just wanted to make sure since it says "Mandrel-bent, mild steel tubing".

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1996 Riviera, 1.9s, 3" DP, FWI, 180, AL104s, 3.6", DHP PowrTuning...
Soon: SSACs, Stage 1 TB, and a 3.4

yeah their website is probably as well built as their headers

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Jason
1998 Buick Riviera: 4" FWI, 3.4" pulley, VS cam, "SLP" headers, 3" exhaust, ported s/c, Addco swaybars, STB
1987 Regal Turbo T

Jason wrote:

yeah their website is probably as well built as their headers

Lol ouch, I've heard people say quite good things about them, especially how well the stainless holds up.

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1996 Riviera, 1.9s, 3" DP, FWI, 180, AL104s, 3.6", DHP PowrTuning...
Soon: SSACs, Stage 1 TB, and a 3.4

Maybe early on they were sloppy with welds and bends but i can say that the pair of headers I got from them were built well and went on relatively easy.
Everyone has trouble fitting the crossover pipe, no matter what brand header you use, but other than that the product was good, welds were good and fit was good.

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98 Riv, 102K Miles, EBC, LS1 Ft.Calipers, STB, Addco Rr Sway Bar, 180* stat., SSAC Headers, HF Cat, 1.9's,
105# springs, MPS 3.4, DHP tuned by the Deekster.

for 222$ shipped, I can't complain, but the welds on mine were terrible.

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Jason
1998 Buick Riviera: 4" FWI, 3.4" pulley, VS cam, "SLP" headers, 3" exhaust, ported s/c, Addco swaybars, STB
1987 Regal Turbo T