Headers or downpipe?

what's the brand?

show me some pictures please!

sealk wrote:

what's the brand?

SS auto chromes/XS headers..

I do have the EGR blocked off on them. I'm not sure if your plannin on retaining emissions or not?

I only want a bolt on kit and keep the other stuff stock

W-body's and h-body's headers are bolt on for G-platform riviera?

sealk wrote:

W-body's and h-body's headers are bolt on for G-platform riviera?

yes they are

98riviera98 wrote:

sealk wrote:

W-body's and h-body's headers are bolt on for G-platform riviera?

yes they are

No they are NOT on 95/96 rivs. our cat is welded to the DP factory. w-body and apparently 97+ rivs have a flange there.

Installing anything except a front PLOG on a 96 will require welding.

Mr.Riviera wrote:

98riviera98 wrote:

sealk wrote:

W-body's and h-body's headers are bolt on for G-platform riviera?

yes they are

No they are NOT on 95/96 rivs. our cat is welded to the DP factory. w-body and apparently 97+ rivs have a flange there.

Installing anything except a front PLOG on a 96 will require welding.

lol.. sorry.. Mr. Riviera is right.. infact they do not bolt up to 97-99's either.. the flange that comes with the headers cannot be used because its different from W body's so it almost ALWAYS is welded!

The W-body flange is different, so some welding will be required to make the downpipe attach to our cat, but otherwise it's an easy fit.

ok and I'm looking for headers can someone tell me what I have to check before i'll buy or what brand should I choose for the best price/quality

Ive been going back and forth about putting headers on my 97 supercharged Riviera. i have done some homework on the pros and cons of having them, a lot thanks to you guys in this form, i live in California and i need help in deciding if i should do it or not, with all these smog regulations i don't think i want to go thru all the trouble. and also is the HP gain worth the money.....if i do get some headers i would be looking at the cheaper e-bay ones........the SLP, THE OTHER GUYS, and ZZP ones are to expensive...i know you get what you pay for RandD....but i dont have the cash.
CURRENT ENGINE MODS (if i do get them....i would wrap the headers to lower under hood temp.)

180* STAT
7mm wires with Iridium plugs
3.5" SLP pulley
Custom 3" short intake
Custom cat back exhaust

what do you guys think....
would it be worth getting headers?
would it pass smog?
would i NOTICE a gain in HP?...(i know headers decrease pressure...losing some launch power)

For the money, based on the mods you have already, I don't think headers will give you the most HP per dollar. I think roller rockers + downpipe would yield more gain AND keep you legal, for about the same $$ or maybe slightly more. The sound of your exhaust would remain almost unchanged.

If you want headers just because, the ones modeled after SLP design are EGR friendly, and should pass emissions test if you keep the cat converter. They are however considered off-road equipment, so not sure what the CA DOT would think about you having them, period.

Noticeable gain? Probably, but not when launching. Headers improve mid and upper power band, and SC boost makes up for any loss of torque. If you feel the bottom end is weak, just drop down to a 3.4" pulley and you'll get it right back. Keep in mind - headers are noisy (wrapping helps), so it won't feel like the same lux Riviera you're used to.

IMO, go w/ rockers + DPipe and enjoy safe upper RPM gains for a while, then move to headers later on.

THANKS AA.......
i just feel my car is healthy....its not the fastest riv out there...but its strong on the launch....that's what i care about mostly.....i just want a nice setup where its healthy and feels good.

any suggestions on a down pipe?
are roller rockers hard to install?

Do they look under the hood anymore? The smog police are only looking for your EGR and such,I doubt a set of headers would cause alarm. if you have a cat,you should be fine.

Quote :

any suggestions on a down pipe?
are roller rockers hard to install?

Hogan Makes a nice down pipe for our cars: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t1142-hogan-downpipe

Rockers themselves are easier than headers to install on our cars. If you replace the valve springs and pushrods, it's a bit more involved, but still easier than headers in my opinion. More on rocker installation:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t9-write-up-installing-rockers-valve-springs-push-rods

You're the one who knows the CA smog rules. None of the currently available headers are smog legal in CA. It doesn't mean you couldn't pass the emissions portion, but none of them have a CARB E.O.

In your case, I would forgo headers for now. If you decide later that you really want to boost your top end power, get them under the pretense of accompanying other mods that will really let you benefit from the headers. As mentioned, the Hogan bolt-in down pipe would be a virtually risk-free and uncompromising upgrade to have on any riviera.

THANKS....it good getting help from people that know. when i go into my local GM dealer....most of the time the people there either don't about rivieras or don't have items in stock.

Hey guys sorry for the Newbie Question, but is it worth it to just do the front header on my Rivi? I just did the Cat and resonator delete and I'm hooked

Yes, on a series II SC engine, it is. It is known the front bank is more restricted, due to manifold design and extra plumbing of the crossover. A header or power log for the fronts will be an improvement!

powerlog or a set of headers? opinions?

Powerlog or a single front header.

A full set is great, but won't get you a lot until you do a bit more to the car. But if you just want them for the sake of it, and you have the money, headers can pave the way for lots more modding.

You could look into the speed daddy headers that are on ebay for 217 bucks i've read they are nicer than pacesetters. The only problems seem to be with the clamps and the flex pipe. so for about another 50 or 60 bucks you could get nicer clamps and a flex pipe from zzp or somewhere else. Just an idea!

hey everyone i just got my first riv 97 75,000 miles . iam new to the riv world and need a question or 2 answered . ok i need to replace the cat i my car because of exhaust leaks . so i bought a magna flow 94000 series 3" cat i need a shorty down pipe .where do i get one of these shorty pipes . i do remember reading on here and seeing pics of somebodies installation story . zzp doesnt make one shorty that is . i know i do know he said he paid 89.00 for it every one i see is twice that much . so i need to know what is the difference between all the 3800 series 2 down pipes besides how and where the cat hooks up can i buy a w body down pipe and cut the cat flange off then weld mine on . i hate to spend 180.00 on a bonneville offroad dp and cut it in half and throw the back part away thanks guys if anyone can help

ZZP used to make a shorty pipe just a few months ago, but it seems they don't now. The hogan 3 in bonneville down pipe also fits, but it has a flange at the end to connect to the cat as well. i'll dig around and see what i can find out. There has to be another shorty pipe out there.