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

Those look exactly like the SSAC kit, right down to the clamps....even the gaskets look exact. The gaskets and clamps are junk, and you will need to buy better ones to do it right. You will also have to wrap them with header wrap to keep them quiet (ticking), and keep the heat in.

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

Check out this thread about it all. Last few pages have pics of how to wrap/paint them.

I assure you, the listing from Ebay you posted ARE NOT CERAMIC ANYTHING.

Price is amazing. I spoke with a few Bonne guys and they said these were the perfect SLP knockoffs (in terms of fitting really well). Is there anything different between car platforms that would make these not match up to the Riv's catback?

Here's a link to them:

Link

I promised myself I wouldn't go down the modding path with the Riv but I like having a car run as optimally as possible. Already put in Yella Terra RRs yesterday and after the headers I will throw on a 3.5" SC pulley. lol

That's a hella good deal if they fit right..

Hmmm....

Vinny, you gonna wait to see how they fit on Rick's car before you pull the trigger.

I would

Better yet, you both live in CT. Why don't you guys get together and try the install together on the same day.

If they were available when i did mine, i would have bought them at that price and tried em. What have you got to lose.
Just do a bit of wrapping, at least on the cross-over pipe and the flex joint at minimum.

I'm on it... Gonna talk with Bill and his guys to see if they have any insight. If this works out we will be in business.

i got the headers installed and they had to cut my transmission dipstick because it got in the way where can i find a flexible dipstick?

no idea, but who did the install?

a exhaust shop in berlin nj bargin brakes..

No need for a flexible tube. Go here www.moradpartscompany.com Email them and tell 'em you need a Trans Dipstick Tube for a 2004 ish Grand Prix GTP. I got mine, tube and dipstick, for $15 shipped. It fits perfect with the same mounting location.

ok thanks

How did the headers fit, that's the more important question considering the cost.

Al the Riv's require the 2004 GTP Trans tube and dipstick (it is written in the thread on cheap header install0

But, once again, for short money how did the install go.
If you didn't do it yourself, did they say or probably a better way to figure this out is, how many man-hours of labor did they charge to do the header install only.

ohh man! they fit good but not worth the install and drama. they went from $300 to $800 total install price and they claimed like 14 hours labor and had to install a new cat and weld it in. i got jerked around and riped off. i had no choice but to let them finish the job so i got screwed.my headers are ticking like an old truck. i wrapped the flex-pipe and i still hear it somewhere toward the back of the engine. i am so angry.

You got ripped off bad,more like 4 hours tops, Let us know the name of that bitch,so no one goes there...

Yeah, you got had. Took me about 5 hours by myself, and I even had to make an O2 harness!

I can see how a shop could take 14 hrs if they've never installed headers on a Riv before (of course, they haven't). In 2006 I took my car to INTENSE and they wouldn't even touch it - they weren't familiar enough with Rivieras and had no idea if the SLPs would fit!

The shop did what you asked, using what they know. I'm surprised they even took on the job. We have a huge advantage because we know from others' experience what it takes to make the job easier. Took me and a friend 6 hours to do mine. That didn't include the time it took another shop to weld up the bottom parts to the cat-back pipes.

Headers tend to tick like that. It's normal. It helps to wrap all of the pipes before install, but you're beyond that now.

jonnyb411 wrote:

ohh man! they fit good but not worth the install and drama. they went from $300 to $800 total install price and they claimed like 14 hours labor and had to install a new cat and weld it in. i got jerked around and riped off. i had no choice but to let them finish the job so i got screwed.my headers are ticking like an old truck. i wrapped the flex-pipe and i still hear it somewhere toward the back of the engine. i am so angry.

I had a tick as well when I finished the install. Hopefully you didn't use the header gaskets that came with the kit, they suck. They are going to leak within 6 months. The clamps are junk too. My particular tick was coming from the EGR tube right where it went into the rear header. A little red exhaust RTV cured the problem.....

ohh well i will stick my arms up their and wrap them pipes anyway, will be hard but i will have to do it. i will not pay 800 for my car to just sound like shit.. thanks for all your help everyone!

]Abaddon worte :i had a tick as well when I finished the install. Hopefully you didn't use the header gaskets that came with the kit, they suck. They are going to leak within 6 months. The clamps are junk too. My particular tick was coming from the EGR tube right where it went into the rear header. A little red exhaust RTV cured the problem....
[
no i bought the SLP installation kit... soo the pipe that connects the front headers to the back on the side is where the ticking is coming from?

That's where mine was coming from. Just pointing out a possibility.

I buy the obx one on ebay i'm still waiting
It will be there in a few days

I'll give news

OBX stainless headers arrived yesterday nice welding and good quality product for 365$ (stainless)

Would there be any benefit to painting or wrapping the stock exhaust manifolds? I'm not sure if this would put too much stress on them from the heat.

I wrapped my headers from beginning to end and along the crossover pipe.The exhaust tubes cracked twice on the front side and once at the rear. each time the manifolds had to be removed and welded.
now I just have the crossover pipe wrapped.so far no problem.

So i assume they cracked from the heat? Has it benefited you at all having the crossover pipe wrapped?

Probably, yes. True headers also last a shorter life when wrapped (one reason I didn't wrap mine, going on 6 years installed). It's a racing mod that makes sense for race cars because the exhaust components get changed more frequently. Unless you want to replace your manifold in a year or two, I wouldn't do it. There are LOTS of other things you can do to more effectively improve performance.