Cascade Crew

dlp · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject: Installing SLP headers.....

I installed a set of these on my 87 IROC back in 1996 IIRC and still remember what a PITA they were to fit. My brother and I had one day to do it at a buddies house. It was the day after Thanksgiving, we had one floor jack, no jackstands and limited tools.

Fast forward to yesterday, I started installling the same headers on my wifes 1990 IROC convertible. I have about three hours into it and the stock exhaust is off, the Borla muffler and tips are mounted and drivers side header is installed along with all of the electrical wiring. It is funny how the memories come back as I went back through the same steps my bro and I did 13 years ago. When I pulled the bolt out of the drivers side motor mount I remembered losing that same bolt on my car and taking an hour to find it.

I dont really have any questions for you guys, this is just an update on the progress on the convertible.

Tommorow night I tackle the difficult side. I am remembering pulling the AC all the way off along with the valve cover and everything above and next to it to get the header in.

Good times, much easier when you are in your own garage and can close the door and go to bed.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:11 am Post subject:

Ya fun times. My SLPs were not that much trouble but definitely a bit of a puzzle to 'thread' them into place. Did it several times and never pulled the A/C stuff.

Good luck Dave!

-Schultzy

dlp · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:37 pm Post subject:

The passengers side header is in and now I remember what a PITA it is to install headers on these cars. I didnt have to break open an AC lines ( much easier on a non 87) but sona of a bitch, what a pain. I wish engineers actualy had to work on the stuff they signed off on.

Xophertony · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:29 am Post subject:

schultzys SLPs are on my car now, and i gotta say, the passanger side is a pain. Paul and i removed the AC at the same time we instsalled the headers. i think we still had to pull an engine mount on one side, but i think it was the drivers side... ? Smile

they sound MEAN. i do have to get under that hood and tighten the driver side rear bolts every couple hundred miles. one day i'll get those bolt locker deals.

dlp · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

The # 8 cylinder has the least amount of room to tighten the header bolts. The key to getting those bolts tight is putting the car on a lift. My 87 always seemed to leak there, finnaly put the car on a lift, and was amazed at how easy it was to tighten them. Hasnt leaked since.

So I have the headers, Y pipe, cat, muffler and tail pipes installed on the convertible. The Borla cat back did not include a peice of pipe that attaches to the cat and also has a 30 degree bend in it that attaches to the pipe that runs parallel the drive shaft. The only shop around here that I know of that can mandrel bend 3" stainless steel is Stans Headers. I am going to take a day off from work next week, put the car on a trailer and haul it to them to finish the exhaust.

I will never buy another Borla system, hangers in the wrong location, nothing fits correctly and is not worth the money. The wall thickness of the pipe is half of what SLP sells.