header install

[nineball481]

I just bought a set of headers for my truck. (00' 4.8L ext cab, short bed) I will be installing them myself. I am looking for some tips on installing them, they are quoted to bolt up to stock exhaust. Can they be installed with the truck on the ground or should I use a lift. I can get access to a lift, if it will be easier to do the work....I did a search for headers in this forum and could not find the answers to these questions, so any help, tips, or suggestions will be appreciated.

On a separate topic I am also installing a K&N cold air intake and have a functional cowl induction hood

P.S. I have never dyno-ed my truck. If you have a similar truck and have similar mods could you tell me what kind of increase in HP Torque and mileage you received....

Again thanks for the help.

[chuck16]

If it was me I'd want to do it on a lift. The more room you have to work under your truck; the less swearing that occurs.
Nice Truck, sweet colour. Looks good.

[nineball481]

thanks, less swearing is good, means fewer bloody knuckles.

[jeverett]

Originally Posted by chuck16

If it was me I'd want to do it on a lift. The more room you have to work under your truck; the less swearing that occurs.
Nice Truck, sweet colour. Looks good.

Yeah, I like the color too!! lol

[vnotaro]

Just put a set of headers on my '01 5.3l. Jacked it up on stands in the driveway to get to the y-pipe bolts and dropped it back down to get to the manifolds. The whole job took about 2.5 hours. Would have been faster with a lift or a pit, but you make due with what you got. Depending on what brand you got, the instructions should be pretty straight forward.

On your other note, I've put in a K&N FIPK, removed the maf screen, Gibson catback dual and Gibson headers. I haven't dynoed the truck, but hp and torque gains were very noticable (especially after the FIPK). One thing I know for sure is that mpg is up just over 4 above stock. It sounds a helluva lot better too!

Good luck.

[nineball481]

vnotaro- Thats what I like to hear. I am gonna wait on the rest of the exhaust for now. The headers I got were from pacesetter...I've heard that they are OK, but for the money I don't think I can complain.

jeverette- I bought this truck used from the dealer, and this was the color they happened to have with the package I wanted. It is personally my favorite Chevy color.

All- Thanks for the tips and suggestions. These and any more are appreciated.

[Red001010]

After you install the headers take it for a drive to let the hedders heat up and tighten the bolt before they cool down this will keep you from having to tighten them all the time in the future

[Cadillakin'98]

Although you can bolt all the exhaust stuff up to the stock system, isn't it better to have exhaust stuff welded on instead? I've always had new exhaust components welded on and have even taken my own stuff. Although the muffler shops weren't making very much, (less than $20) they were still happy to do the welding.