Write-Up: Installing SLP Exhaust Headers

so Pat, I see the down pipe comes down and the cat clamps to it. easy. the part i'm foggy on is what happens at the junction of the rear end of the cat and your pipe? Do you have your original pipe there?

did you use the O2 sensor extension? I'm not too sure if it is for the front or rear 02 sensor

turtleman wrote:

so Pat, I see the down pipe comes down and the cat clamps to it. easy. the part i'm foggy on is what happens at the junction of the rear end of the cat and your pipe? Do you have your original pipe there?

The downpipe goes right to the cat. There is no stock pipe there.

Jason wrote:

did you use the O2 sensor extension? I'm not too sure if it is for the front or rear 02 sensor

I'm pretty sure its for the front. I didn't do the install but I think I remember seeing it on the front. I'll check it tomorrow for you though. Unless Aaron chimes in before then.

I used mine. It's for the front sensor. The rear one isn't used if you delete the cat.

Congrats, Patrick. Did you get the ARP bolts? Have fun wrapping that flex pipe!

AA wrote:

I used mine. It's for the front sensor. The rear one isn't used if you delete the cat.

Congrats, Patrick. Did you get the ARP bolts? Have fun wrapping that flex pipe!

Thanks! Yeah I got the APR bolts. How did you get the wrap to stay on? I was looking at High Temp silicone spray that is supposed to keep it to stay on.

I used SS hose clamps at start and finish. Wrap from front to rear. The pipe already hangs low, so keep the closures to the sides or else could scrape. Be prepared to rewrap next year. Winter takes it's toll!

Have nothing against silicone, but I didn't use it. Thought it might get messy I guess. Maybe brushing it on would be better, just apply it after wrapping. You don't want that stuff getting in the braided flex.

AA wrote:

I used SS hose clamps at start and finish. Wrap from front to rear. The pipe already hangs low, so keep the closures to the sides or else could scrape. Be prepared to rewrap next year. Winter takes it's toll!

Have nothing against silicone, but I didn't use it. Thought it might get messy I guess. Maybe brushing it on would be better, just apply it after wrapping. You don't want that stuff getting in the braided flex.

How much did you use? I got a roll of 2" x 50 ft.

I used exactly one roll of 1" x 50'. It wraps much easier than 2", imo.

AA wrote:

I used exactly one roll of 1" x 50'. It wraps much easier than 2", imo.

That was the only thing I could find around here. 2" x 50' for $44.99 or I could have ordered a 1" x 10' for $39.99 and it would be here by the end of the week. I opted for the 50' for $5 more.

Best way to go, it's in my write-up:

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_744845_-1_10261

Ive got a set of TOG extremes and so far, theyve been pretty good at keeping heat down, except I do want to wrap under the throttle body or get a heat shield. The only thing is that the 02 sensor is right up against the power steering shaft. Thats just poor R&D on their part.

i would like to purchase some headers like yours where can i get some. thanks

dezorro wrote:

i would like to purchase some headers like yours where can i get some. thanks

http://www.intense-racing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?screen=CTGY&Store_Code=IR&Category_Code=EX

They aren't cheap. If you want something cheaper someone on here just recently purchased some on ebay for around $300 I believe.

i was going to get the knock off headers cus i have noooooooo money what so ever........ BUT......... when i look under my car at the rear manifold it llooks IMPOSSIBLE to get that rear mani out??????? idk......... how hard was it to get it out????

It's not hard. Once you cut the pipe and loosen the bolts, it just slides out the bottom. It's more difficult to install the new bolts, as getting in with a torque wrench is near impossible. I jut turned them "good and tight".

Aaron, your pics sure seem to show a lot more manuevering room on the front side than I seem to have.... I want to install my front PEM at the same time I do my DP/Cat install. You didn't sneak the radiator out, did you?

Nah, only thing I removed on the front side was the heat shield. After the write-up, I had the front side off again to seal it at the clamp. It only took about 45 mins.

I'm sure it won't be so bad once I actually start the work. Was just sizing it up the other day, and figuring out how I was going to get my long arms/big hands in there.

can you reach the rear mani bolts with a long (12" or longer) extension on the ratchet? you would need to use one of those swivel pieces too.

I am on my third day now of installing the SLP (not working straight through). Mostly due to my lack of having the proper tools and my fear of me being under the can just on jack stands. I have already had the car fall off one stand in a previous instance and I had an old Pontiac do the same (only with me under the car in which I was pinned). Now the car is on ramps and four stands in the front. makes me feel a little more comfortable. I did learn that if you pull the tranny tube while the car's front is in the air, 2 1/2 quarts of fluid will come out. If I had to put headers in all over again... yeh, I'd do it... but it is the biggest pain In the a I have delt with!!!

I have never had the car fall off a jack stand, but it is a fear of mine as well. Usually, I keep a stack of 1 ft long 2x6" boards stacked up under the control arms or somewhere nearby as a failsafe. Sometimes, I will transfer the car's weight into the stack of boards because I trust them more than stands. Never hurts to be too careful working under a car.

I'm not real comfortable working under a car on jackstands, but have done it countless times. My biggest issue these days is my new garage, which has a significant slope to the floor. Makes me much less comfortable under a car. It's part of the reason I'm letting a shop do my DP/cat install this week.

I'm never comfortable under the car. ;(

I am having a hard time with the tranny dip stick tube. The only local junk yard broke the bracket off theirs and welding shops said they can't tack it back together. I called Pontiac direct and they said they have three different part numbers for the '97 GTP Series II SC. What part number is it so I can order this and be done?!!

email ed morad (gtped@msn.com). It cost more to get one shipped to me than the actual part cost! Also, he's sure to get you the right one.

I'm tackling this this weekend with the slp knock-offs I spent a few hours grinding away the crappy welds inside, but am finally ready to go.