Knock-Off Headers (Pace Setter, Autochrome, Chinese, eBay, etc.)

O.K. Now go to your profile and try to add a signature, so we don't have to keep bothering you with "What Year IS Your Car"
Just add the basics for now and you can always change it later.
Yoy can go to the FAQ on top of this page and look up "How To"
Thanks,
Rick
And by the way, Welcome to the Board.
Post some pic's of your car sometime as well, we would all be interested.

Oh and one other thing I'm not sure if you have already picked up on it yet, is that the stock Trans dipstick and tube needs to be replaced with one from a Pontiac GTP.
Somewhere on here is the OEM Part Numbers.
You don't need to search out used parts cause the new stuff from the dealer is about $15.00 and from www.monsterpartonline.com was about $10.00 + shipping.
I bought it from monster only because I had other things I was going to buy.
If you can't find the GM P/N's somewhere in the header thread let me know, I have them recorded somewhere, I can dig them up.

Very detailed explanation.I like that.My car is a 1998 w/96,000 mi.
It has a black exterior and the tan leather interior(pretty loaded out with options.I just got home and will try to fix my profile.

Rickw wrote:

O.K. Now go to your profile and try to add a signature, so we don't have to keep bothering you with "What Year IS Your Car"
Just add the basics for now and you can always change it later.
Yoy can go to the FAQ on top of this page and look up "How To"
Thanks,
Rick
And by the way, Welcome to the Board.
Post some pic's of your car sometime as well, we would all be interested.

Oh and one other thing I'm not sure if you have already picked up on it yet, is that the stock Trans dipstick and tube needs to be replaced with one from a Pontiac GTP.
Somewhere on here is the OEM Part Numbers.
You don't need to search out used parts cause the new stuff from the dealer is about $15.00 and from www.monsterpartonline.com was about $10.00 + shipping.
I bought it from monster only because I had other things I was going to buy.
If you can't find the GM P/N's somewhere in the header thread let me know, I have them recorded somewhere, I can dig them up.

You can't get the dipstick tube from the dealer anymore.... FYI

I'm trying to fix my profile now.
Oh and by the way I have a 1968 camaro 396/4 speed trans all original.So now you should know a little about how much I like my new riviera!! All I want to do is work on the rivi!

Well add that to your Sig and post some Pic's also.
Many folk's on here have "Other Cars" that they are proud of and collectible.
Me, I have motorcycles, so this isn't the forum for that.

98riviera98 wrote:

You can't get the dipstick tube from the dealer anymore.... FYI

I didn't know that, thanks for the update.
Geez, that sucks. They were so inexpensive and so much nicer using New parts instead of used. Shit.

For what it's worth I found the GM part numbers for the dipstick and tube in case your local dealer has one in stock.
#12556460 = Indicator (dipstick)
#12562853 = Tube assy

Can always try www.monsterpartsonline.com as well.
Patrick who handles the internet sales can be quite resourceful when it comes to finding obsolete parts for the Riviera.
I was wrong before, they cost me $17.25 when I got them last year (Jan, 09, 2009)

Rickw wrote:

For what it's worth I found the GM part numbers for the dipstick and tube in case your local dealer has one in stock.
#12556460 = Indicator (dipstick)
#12562853 = Tube assy

No dealer in the continental US has the tube assy in stock man.. I was lukcy and got one from Jason..

Oh well, I guess you can modify it like Derek did or keep looking for used.

Rickw wrote:

Oh well, I guess you can modify it like Derek did or keep looking for used.

This is true.. my first one is modified.. alllll ghetto like

I'm ordering SSAC headers. Aside from wrapping them, anything else I should order to help with the install?
Anything I need to watch out for?

I will be installing them on a hoist, and am thinking that I will do the rear first from the bottom of the car....it appears it would make the crossover easier to install with the rear already in place......

I know I'll have to head to the exhaust shop after so they can mate the DP to the center pipe.

Thanks in advance

No need to wrap the primaries, but you can if you want to. I use Thermo Tec 1" wide wrap from JEGS. The 50 ft length is perfect for wrapping the flex tube below the down pipe, which is the only part I bother to wrap. Here's a link (it also comes in black):

http://www.jegs.com/i/Thermo-Tec/893/11031/10002/-1?parentProductId=

Pick up a tube of high temp RTV silicone, the stuff with copper added. Use this to seal the clamp joints when assembling your headers. Also can coat your thermo wrap to extend its life. Here's what I use:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Permatex/775/81878/10002/-1

For more tips on header installation, see this link:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/series-ii-engine-transmission-f4/write-up-installing-slp-exhaust-headers-t291.htm

One other thing, Throw Away the Gaskets that come with the SSAC's and get some good quality header gaskets. Or reuse the OEM Steel ones that are on your car if your car still has the steel ones.
Don't try and use the stuff they send you as they will leak shortly after putting them on and it's tough enough job doing the headers once, you don't want have to pull it apart again to replace the gaskets.

Which ones did you end up ordering??

Ordered the SSAC kit. Money IS an issue, but I just got my tax refund. After thinking about everything I could buy, headers were the most beneficial thing for the price. For $349.01 shipped, I can't complain. The SLP's are almost $800?....insane.

I don't know if I'd go that far. SLPs once sold for over $1000. $800 is a fair deal. There are cheap Chinese copies out there for ~$250 shipped. You went with what you could afford. Are the SSACs ceramic coated inside and out?

You can also do what I did and shop around. I waited and found new condition SLP's on craigslist w/installation kit and rear o2 sensor simulator for $400. Right now there is a brand new set out there for $605 with the install kit so the deals are out there if you are patient and keep looking!

AA wrote:

I don't know if I'd go that far. SLPs once sold for over $1000. $800 is a fair deal. There are cheap Chinese copies out there for ~$250 shipped. You went with what you could afford. Are the SSACs ceramic coated inside and out?

It doesn't say on the SSAC website that they are ceramic coated. Just says 304 stainless, mandrel, 3/8" flanges, blah blah blah. Don't matter. I just wanted headers without draining my entire tax return.....

I did look on ebay and what-not for other header brands. Every other brand was $550 or better.

It's an extra $200 minimum service. Add shipping and taxes in, the Autochromes would be $600+ headers with a good ceramic coating. With the SSACs, you're getting a decent header without the extras.

Sweet. I did alot of "research" on em (the "other" forums) and nobody really had any complaints except for the discoloring from the heat. I could care less about that, you can barely see em anyway.

I'm thinking of going the SSAC route also.

Scott, keep us (or me )updated on the install and such. I'm interested to hear your feedback on these and if I should get a set instead of a PLOG and downpipe.

VJD2 wrote:

I'm thinking of going the SSAC route also.

Scott, keep us (or me )updated on the install and such. I'm interested to hear your feedback on these and if I should get a set instead of a PLOG and downpipe.

Will do

so where did you buy the headers??? do you have a link?

Abaddon wrote:

VJD2 wrote:

I'm thinking of going the SSAC route also.

Scott, keep us (or me )updated on the install and such. I'm interested to hear your feedback on these and if I should get a set instead of a PLOG and downpipe.

Will do

Cool, thank you. I look forward to it!

jonnyb411 wrote:

so where did you buy the headers??? do you have a link?

Here ya go:

http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1886

is this a legit site? asked a question no response?