Write-Up: Installing SLP Exhaust Headers

You will usually not see a 3800 performance vendor say any of their products will work with Rivieras, because they may not have any experience working with our cars. The demand just isn't there, so it's understandable,

Technically, there are no Riviera specific headers. The GTP/GS headers are close enough, but they do not "bolt-on" to Rivieras as they do with those vehicles. See the header write-up at the above link for more info.

AA wrote:

Technically, there are no Riviera specific headers. The GTP/GS headers are close enough, but they do not "bolt-on" to Rivieras as they do with those vehicles. See the header write-up at the above link for more info.

The headers don't just 'bolt on' to GTPs either - they have to modify the transmission dipstick as we do, and most likely will require some customizing at the cat end of the headers too. Some have flanges that should be an exact bolt-in to the cat for a GTP, those will not work on a Riv and that's the only end that needs customization, any exhaust shop should be able to finish that end for you easily.

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The headers don't just 'bolt on' to GTPs either - they have to modify the transmission dipstick as we do,

Huh? I used a stock GTP dipstick to make my SLP headers fit.

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Some have flanges that should be an exact bolt-in to the cat for a GTP,

Doesn't this flange indicate it would "bolt-on" to a stock GTP exhaust?

AA wrote:

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The headers don't just 'bolt on' to GTPs either - they have to modify the transmission dipstick as we do,

Huh? I used a stock GTP dipstick to make my SLP headers fit.

really? Hmm. But you do have to do something, they won't clear around our stock dipstick. I have a piece of heater hose in there. I'll have to reexamine the GTP dipstick idea.

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Some have flanges that should be an exact bolt-in to the cat for a GTP,

Doesn't this flange indicate it would "bolt-on" to a stock GTP exhaust?

well yes but in my experiences, those flanges never come apart without cutting and welding anyway.

The SLP headers are made to fit the GTP's engine bay without modification as I understand it. That's why I used the GTP transmission filler tube - it's the part that gets in the way of the crossover. Otherwise, both front & rear headers + crossover fit the Riviera perfectly. Installation was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.

I understand about the exhaust flanges being rusted, but that's not the header manufacturer's fault. On a Riviera, there is no possibility of mating the flanges. You just cut the pipes and weld together - or add a custom exhaust.

Thanks Aaron, I just read the link

Mr.Riviera wrote:

togs, slp, zzp knock off's, headers are pretty much the same.

o rly?

yea, how are they so different? bolt vs weld at the crossover to collector?
tog:


vs

zzp:

To me, it would appear that TOGs handle the joining of crossover with rear primaries a bit better than ZZPs. They seem to converge a little further upstream of the mounting flange.

AA wrote:

To me, it would appear that TOGs handle the joining of crossover with rear primaries a bit better than ZZPs. They seem to converge a little further upstream of the mounting flange.

they are totally different animals..

Tog's and SLPS are totally diff.. IMO.. bolt in Crossover makes things SO EASY which is good

Cool....thx guys. Just wanted to get everything together so I can be sure to get it done on a Saturday morning at work without having to leave and go to the store.

As far as wrapping the entire header....Rick, I know you did this. AA, you said you didn't. How much louder are they opposed to the stock manifolds? I happen to like the quiet inside the car (aside from the blower and the obnoxious exhaust I have) and really don't want it to get any louder. At WOT I could care less if they're loud...it's more cruising and idle noise I'm concerned with....

Headers are louder than manifolds, period. They make a bit of higher pitched noise under any throttle amount, but seem quieter at cruising speed because the exhaust is masked by wind and tire noise. They also produce resonances through the firewall into the cabin under heavy throttle, so you'll feel and hear a difference. It does take away from the lux car feel, imo. Wrapping probably helps a little bit. If you are concerned about noise, maybe it's a good idea, but it's not going to make it sound like stock manis. Wrapping is more intended to keep heat in the exhaust, helping it to move gasses out faster. The reason I didn't wrap was mostly for the looks.

I did heavily wrap the flex tube, because it is a source of 'ticking' that gets annoying after a while, and it did help, but I wrapped 50 ft of it around a 6" length of flex tube.

I agree with that especially if guys are gonna run the ssac's.They have the polished 304 ss which looks better but doesn't hold the heat in as well as the coated SLP's.Also the flex pipe section does make that annoying ticking sound and it is very bothersome.Other than that noise they're great! Imo.

Eh, was just curious. Never had headers on an engine or car like this before. I'm used to V8's that are too noisy to notice anyway......thx

Headers sound better on V8s because... V8s sound better to begin with!

AA wrote:

Headers sound better on V8s because... V8s sound better to begin with!

We all know they sound better on V8's. I just meant the overall loudness that a built V8 emanates in comparison to our engines. Anywho, just ordered the headers. They're gettin shipped to me here at work. Hopefully next Saturday I'll be able to get em installed!

Thx again for the info!

Your V6 is going to emanate a loudness of a different sort. It's not terrible, but it takes some getting used to. It's worth the extra midband/topend power, imo. And, you'll have headers under your hood!

AA or Rick, can (should) I use new manifold gaskets or get actual header gaskets?

Edit: 4 days....Headers are here! I can't wait.....

Get new OEM manifold gaskets if you can find them. They are steel and work very good.
THROW AWAY The gaskets that come with the headers or you WILL be pulling them off again soon due to exhaust leaks.
You need either the all steel gasket or an aftermarket gasket that has steel crimped around each exhaust port, in circular manner. Do you know what I mean.?
You need to seal the exhaust port on the cylinder head to the header with a firm steel type gasket. They call them FireRings in the hotrod market. But that is what's available in the aftermarket.
Also, if you have time and the extra money get a kit that was available on Ebay, when I bought my headers, that consisted of 100ft of 2" header wrap, shitload of stainless clamps and a can of header spray made to soak into the fabric and seal it for a long time for a total of $50.00 shipped.
Again I wish I had pic's of my exhaust as it is now, all wrapped and painted. Totally quiet, no normal header noise at all. No tinkling noise and no noise from the flex coupling at all.
The deekster has driven mine to help tune it and couldn't believe I had headers on it.
Very quiet which is the I want it. If I want to make noise I want it to come from the mufflers in the form of a growl not the tin can sound of a header.
Any questions regarding what I'm trying to say please ask and I'll try to explain it differently.
Wish I had A picture.
BUT DO NOT USE THE JUNK THEY SEND WITH THE HEADERS. If they are still supplying gaskets with the headers. They did when I bought them and knew right awy to throw them away. They will leak, from experience.

RIck, do you think he'd be okay using the original stock manifold gaskets again with the new headers?

Yes, that's what I ended up doing because they were in good condition and nobody could seem to come up with a GM P/N.
I had stopped at the local HotRod shop and they could get me what i wanted but I was waiting to take mine apart and see what I had.
I was lucky and had some steel GM gaskets, other people I've talked to didn't have any gaskets at all from the factory.
IDK, but with the header you want a good "fire ring" seal around each exhaust port.

Rick, thx. I know exactly what your saying. Yes, the gaskets they sent look like "foam" crap! I'm not going to use the U-bolt clamps they sent either. I'm going to get stainless band clamps to match....CarQuest has em.

100ft of 2" wrap for $50? That's cheap.....50' rolls of 1" are like $30......
I'll look it up. I'm planning on installing them Saturday, so if the Ebay route can ship it to me before then I'll order it. If not, off the the speed shop I go!

Yeah, I forgot to mention the band clamps. I forget what sizes I needed but you can look through the previous posts on here and i remember telling someone the exact diameters needed for the job.

Good Luck.

I would recommend getting the 1" wrap, as it's easier to stretch around the tight bends in the primaries - will make the job a lot neater. The 2" is better for bigger stuff, secondaries and side pipes. The stuff isn't very elastic, so narrower is easier to work with.

To make the install easy you should have bought a SLP installation kit. You get the good gaskets along with the torco style clamps that work great imo.also you have to get a grand prix dipstick tube to clear the crossover or do you have all those things don? I personaly don't mind the ssac's just think that install kit makes the job easier.