Header install questions and a few more things

[Cobra_>_all]

Sup guys, sorry for my dumb questions lately but I need some advice. Im just about to get some money from the Army so Im really close to buying me a GT, so of course Im already lookin into the mods. Im really interested in the SLP performance pac, which comes with headers. You guys know if its harder or easier to install headers on a Ford or on a GM LS1 car? Is it worth getting headers? Im not looking for a car thatll run 11's, mostly just a nice street car but that would still be able to teach a few cars some manners. Is there anything I should install while Im doing the exhaust/intake work? I was gonna go ahead and add a short throw, BBK throttle body with plenum, an aluminum flywheel, and a Ford racing clutch. Sorry for a lengthy post, all help is appreciated

heres what comes with the SLP package
Pulley Set (M10001)
160º Thermostat (M10160)
High-Flow Air Filter (M21000)
Hand Held Programmer (M27001)
Long Tube Ceramic Coated Headers (M30000)
Modular PowerFlo-X™ Crossover Short Assembly w/High-Flow Cats (M31034)
Modular Loud Mouth™ Exhaust System w/3.5" Tips (M31007)
330HP PerformancePac Badges (pair) 10 more horses!!

 

[helty]

fyi, that powerpac dyno claim is very misleading. 5.0 Magazine dyno'd an 02 GT @ 253hp, 281ft/lbs after installing that package. Dont get me wrong, SLP makes very high quality stuff and you will definitely gain some power, but 330 is misleading to say the least.

And LT header install is a PITA on these cars, about an 8 hour job. I'd still get LT's, just so you know its not a quick job.

EDIT: to elaborate, SLP's 330 claim is flywheel horsepower done on a Superflow roller dyno, while the 5.0 test was done on a Dynopack direct-to-hub unit. Besides, most 2Vs with full bolt-ons AND cams are dynoing right around 300hp. Without cams it will be very difficult to reach those numbers.

 

[Cobra_>_all]

Im only getting it cause it comes with everything I need, I just dont know if its worth getting the headers. How much would a shop charge me to install all of the exhaust work? I can do everything else. Also, what company is 100% honest with HP gains? High numbers sell more, but I come from a long line of Fbodies and SLP gets nothing but praise from the F crowd. I was originally gonna go with a SLP x pipe and a borla catback and the mods from various companies but it turned out to be to much money to spend at once, when I could just get the SLP and get it done in one day hopefully. Im thinking I should prolly get spark plug wires and some NGK's while Im at it.

 

[DocG]

I'm guessing you'd spend at least 1k getting that stuff installed. LT headers are worth it. I don't have them, but I will!

 

[helty]

Im only getting it cause it comes with everything I need, I just dont know if its worth getting the headers. How much would a shop charge me to install all of the exhaust work? I can do everything else. Also, what company is 100% honest with HP gains? High numbers sell more, but I come from a long line of Fbodies and SLP gets nothing but praise from the F crowd. I was originally gonna go with a SLP x pipe and a borla catback and the mods from various companies but it turned out to be to much money to spend at once, when I could just get the SLP and get it done in one day hopefully. Im thinking I should prolly get spark plug wires and some NGK's while Im at it.

dont get me wrong, SLP makes high quality ****, thats why I have/had a few of their exhaust products. You cant go wrong with SLP in terms of quality (just stay away from their LMI's with an O/R X).

As far as honest hp claims, no one really. SLPs claims arent "lies", but when 99% of us talk about "how much power are you putting down", we're thinking wheel-hp on a Dynojet or Mustang dyno. Thats why I said their claims are misleading.

You can do the LT's yourself, it just takes time, patience, a few buddies and brewskies

 

[DocG]

+1 Helty for SLP spokeswoman

 

[tomustang]

don't see why you would need the 160º Thermostat...

 

[mity2]

Installing LT is great deal harder and time consuming then that on LT-1/LS1 car. On those cars, at least you can get most bolts from top. On 4.6, you can not get to any bolt from top at all.
People I deal with for Z28/T/A complain and whinne about how hard it is to install LT on their cars. I lough at'em...

Here is how to on LT install. It was very fun to say at least when I did mine!
http://www.fnsweet.com/garage/lt_install/index.shtml

 

[Cobra_>_all]

hookers

Yeah I was hoping the 4.6 would be easier since everyone says Mustangs are easier to live with then the Fcars. Oh well, what Im mostly concerned about is installing a clutch after I put the headers in I hear you have to take the headers off, is that true on all headers? Do you have to do it with the stock headers? Someone here said that you dont have to do it on certain makes of headers. I spoke to an SLP tech advisor and he said you gotta take the x pipe off and loosen the headers. Not as bad but cutting and rewelding the x pipe sounds like a pain in the ass. I wouldnt mind payin a bit extra for headers that I dont need to remove to get into the trans.

 

[mity2]

Not all LT require you to drop LT for clutch. I don't know which one let you do it without dropping one tho. I know BBK won't let you otherwise(don't ask me how I know).
Just be sure to replace clutch while your installing LT.

 

[damacman]

Since I have no first hand experience with SLP, I can't really comment on the performance of their products. I can tell you this though, having installed headers on mine:

1. Loosening the bolts on a header is nearly as painful as removing it entirely. This is very little clearance as others have already mentioned.
2. You can remove the tranny with the Bassani mid-lengths. One simply has to remove the collectors on both headers (easy with rental of a slide hammer) and there is plenty of room to pop the tranny down. No, it ain't easy because the clearance on the passenger side is still quite tight . . . but certainly doable.

I've had great luck with the all Bassani stuff on my car. This was one of the first things I did after the 4.10s and I gained 4 tenths from just the exhaust.

 

[JOHNS01GT]

Took the shop 10 hours to install my slp lt's!! They had to drop the k-member and tilt the motor to get em in. At least that's what they said. Quality is top-notch with SLP, and the sound is awesome. I paid $720 for the ceramic coated tubes, and another $500-600 for install. Pretty pricey but worth it imo.

 

[SilverBullet00]

I have installed headers on both an LS1 and my GT. They are both difficult - there was a lot more disassembling on the GT, but then the headers where really easy to fit in. On the LS1 you dont have to take a bunch off, but you constantly have stuff in your way. Either way if you have the tools to do it, it can be done with time and patience.

 

[mustang90]

With the hooker long tube headers there's no need for removal when installing a clutch and as theory has it they flow very well and are of great quality!

 

[02FastblackGT]

My buddy installed shorties on his '03 GT, and he said it was a nightmare. took him at least 6 hours. I would assume that LT's are probably even more difficult, and time consuming. But, IMO, I would rather spend the money on tools, and spend a whole day installing them, than pay $500 + to have someone else do it. Plus, you know it's done right if you do it yourself. Just out of curiousity, how much is that SLP perfomance pack anyways?? (just curious because it seems like it comes w/ things that would be unnecessary to most). Hope this helps, let us know what you decide.