Header Questions

[tkoforpresident]

Car is a 93 3.4, gonna get some pacesetter headers (232$ speedycarparts.com) to finish off my exhaust system, had a few Q's and couldn't find the answers in the search mode.

1. Do you need to buy a new Y pipe to fit the headers on or can you use the stock one, does it need to be modified?

2. I know some gaskets that come with headers are crap, how are the ones that come with pace setters? Should i just buy good gaskets anyhow? and if so where can you find them?

thanx

[Sean_99_3.8]

Re: Header Questions

Make sure you get Ceramic coated headers.
Im not sure about the Y pipe but i would just get a new Y pipe.
and save yourself the problems just get some abbot header gaskets and stage 8 bolts.
http://www.abbottracingheads.com/
you have to call and order them.
and speedycarparts.com listings seem scewey to me

[RadRacer]

Re: Header Questions

Ceramic coated is not necessary. They just look better and keep engine temps down more. Pacesetters come with their own y-pipe. On the 3.8, the gaskets seem to leak. I went ahead and bought the ones from Abbot as well when I installed mine. However, you have a 3.4, which there have been almost no complaints about the gaskets. I don't think Abbot has gaskets for the 3.4, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Header Questions

the gaskets that come with the pacesetters are decent. I bought ceramic coated because they look nicer and, as noted, they help keep engine bay temps down.

Some things to keep in mind:

1. you'll have to tighten the header bolts a handful of times over the next few thousand miles. It's a nature of the beast and a real PIA. Get some ball headed allen wrenches.
2. Oil changes become more difficult (and you thought it wasn't possible to get more difficult on a 3.4!)
3. I had minor clearance issues with my subframe and had to reshape the subframe. Other's have had minor clearance issues in other places. I think that's the nature of older cars and everything not being as straight as it used to be.

With all that said - WELL worth it! :D

[97iastatecamaro]

Re: Header Questions

Yeah check the bolts after a week or so i know mine moved a bit and i need to check them again since its been about a week now. I went ahead and waited to get abbott gaskets which was worth the wait, the stage 8 bolts are like $50 so i said **** it and im just going to tighten the ones that come with the headers every once in a while, its not that hard you can get to most of the drivers side bolts from the top although the passenger side is a bit more tricky

[Jaysan]

Re: Header Questions

Where can I buy the stage 8 bolts?? If i get the headers installed professionally would I still have to worry bout them getting loose??

[97iastatecamaro]

Re: Header Questions

Yeah i paid to get mine installed 380 bucks but no matter who does it you still need to check them after a while to tighten them unless you go with the stage 8 bolts but i think the ones that come with the headers are just fine

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Header Questions

this is what i've learned so far.

i will NOT get ceramic headers.

I WILL buy an abbott gasket or at least call and see if they have them for the 3.4.

I WILL buy the stage 8 bolts as well. But where can you buy them?

I figure better bolts and gaskets will make for less trouble in the end.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Header Questions

i will NOT get ceramic headers.

but the ceramics look so nice! :D

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Header Questions

but the ceramics look so nice! :D

i think i'll need the extra $ for the rape of labor =)

[RKB3D]

Re: Header Questions

I also have a 3.4 and am going to get the Pacesetters but I'm going to go ahead and spend the extra $ for the ceramics.

I also have come across many threads here that say copper gaskets and stage 8 locking bolts are the best way to go if you don’t want leaks or have to keep tightening the bolts.

I actually contacted abbotracing to check and they don’t offer gaskets for the 3.4’s but with more searching I found another company that sells custom copper gaskets. When I contacted him he said he didn’t have ours but if I sent him the gasket I get with the pacesetters, he could make a template and ship me a new pair of copper ones.

Would any other 3.4 guys be interested in these? If so he said they’d only cost about $30. He also said there would be a setup fee for making the template which would be about 20 bucks, but once he has the template he’d be able to make these for any of you 3.4 guys wanting them. The link for his site is http://www.coppergaskets.us/

If anyone has any other useful information about these headers or has had work done with this company it could be really helpful.

[97iastatecamaro]

Re: Header Questions

Dude the ceramic coated ones arent just for looks, they keep the engine bay temp down a lot, i think its worth the extra money

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Header Questions

I also have a 3.4 and am going to get the Pacesetters but I'm going to go ahead and spend the extra $ for the ceramics.

I also have come across many threads here that say copper gaskets and stage 8 locking bolts are the best way to go if you don’t want leaks or have to keep tightening the bolts.

I actually contacted abbotracing to check and they don’t offer gaskets for the 3.4’s but with more searching I found another company that sells custom copper gaskets. When I contacted him he said he didn’t have ours but if I sent him the gasket I get with the pacesetters, he could make a template and ship me a new pair of copper ones.

Would any other 3.4 guys be interested in these? If so he said they’d only cost about $30. He also said there would be a setup fee for making the template which would be about 20 bucks, but once he has the template he’d be able to make these for any of you 3.4 guys wanting them. The link for his site is http://www.coppergaskets.us/

If anyone has any other useful information about these headers or has had work done with this company it could be really helpful.

could you get me a pair??

where are you gettting the stage 8 bolts from?

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Header Questions

Dude the ceramic coated ones arent just for looks, they keep the engine bay temp down a lot, i think its worth the extra money

does that in turn create a little more power? Are they less likely to leak because of ceramic?

[RKB3D]

Re: Header Questions

could you get me a pair??

where are you gettting the stage 8 bolts from?

I was hoping there would be enough of us 3.4 guys that would want them that maybe he could either lower or eliminate the $20 setup fee since there would be a lot of us wanting them. The guys name that I talked to about the copper gaskets is Lani and his email is gasketman@cox.net if you wanted to contact him. As for the locking bolts, I plan on getting the ones from ftpp.net. The full link is http://www.ftpp.net/V6/Exhaust/V6%20Locking%20Header%20Bolts.htm