pacesetter headers and gaskets

[BlackBird00]

I'm about to buy some pacesetter headers for my 00 firebird. Where i'm buying them from they don't say gaskets are included. So i'm a dummy... should i use my own or... i've read a couple threads and seen you guys talked about abbott gaskets? Where can i find these? Can you link me to the website? Oh, and what kinda hp gains am i looking with these headers? I already have flowmaster exhaust and a lid that i just ordered. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[IDoVoodoo]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

You'll have to call them.

http://www.abbottracingheads.com/gm3800.htm

[BlackBird00]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

anywhere else i can order gaskets?

[greasemonkey]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Jegs, get some Fel-Pros. AFAIK you can reuse the stock bolts or go to the hardware store and get some grade 8's with washers. Locking header bolts are nice, but not necessary.

[Gatt9]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Since I just did all of the ordering, and am going through the same thing...

(Info gathered from about 2 dozen threads, and a sick number of hours pursuing the subject here.)

First, you'll need to call abbot racing and order the header gaskets. IIRC they're about $35, and he'll give you a Paypal addy to drop the money into. Shipping is very quick, about 3 days to PA. There are gaskets with the headers, you don't want to use them, apparently they cook pretty quickly.

Second, you'll probably want to get Super 8 locking bolts. Apparently the headers tend to loosen up a bit over time, getting the locking bolts will save you some time/energy down the road. They're about $50 and I think it's ftpp that has them. Shipping is kinda slow, so allow at least a week if you decide to go with them.

Third, I don't see you mentioning anything about a Cat. Not sure if you've got one yet or not. You'll need a new Cat, Hi-flow, you can find them on E-bay for about $50 + shipping. BigBrian suggested to me when I asked some questions a couple weeks ago, the Pacesetter's are 3" where they connect to the Cat, So you'll need at least 3" in. I took his suggestion and bought a 3" out too, your call what you do, but I chose to go with an adaptor to a 2.5" catback that way if I decide to upgrade to 3" catback down the road it's one less piece to replace.

Fourth, the EGR is a problem with these headers. Tends to leak where it connects. You'll either need to block it off and get a simulator, or get JB Weld and try to plug it up. I'm going to try the JB Weld.

Fifth, and I don't know about this one yet, there may be a problem with the O2 sensor near the Cat. You may need to drill to get it in, dunno yet. I'm not clear on it and I'm paying a shop to do it, so I figure it's a problem they can handle.

Sixth, you may need an S-pipe to go from the Cat to the catback, especially if you're replacing the Cat. There's a kit that has one in it I believe for $100, can't remember the name but a search will turn it up. Or you can do what's in the sticky about making one yourself.

Good luck with the install and everything, hope I've helped. God knows I put the time in researching this subject!

[BlackBird00]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Gatt, you helped quite a bit, thanks! If I order gaskets from jegs, can someone tell me exactly which ones to buy? I don't wanna buy the wrong ones. Also, whats the EGR? So far i've got the headers picked out, I got the grade 8 locking bolts, I don't know what size my cat is..I just went to the muffler shop and had them put a new one on. Does any welding need to be done or is it all bolt on? The grade 8 bolts im ordering.. will it come with the right amount to do everything? Umm... i've just about lost myself in where I was going. Too many questions i've got lol Thanks for all and any more help you guys can give me. The noob aka me really appreciates it!!

[Gatt9]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Gatt, you helped quite a bit, thanks! If I order gaskets from jegs, can someone tell me exactly which ones to buy? I don't wanna buy the wrong ones. Also, whats the EGR? So far i've got the headers picked out, I got the grade 8 locking bolts, I don't know what size my cat is..I just went to the muffler shop and had them put a new one on. Does any welding need to be done or is it all bolt on? The grade 8 bolts im ordering.. will it come with the right amount to do everything? Umm... i've just about lost myself in where I was going. Too many questions i've got lol Thanks for all and any more help you guys can give me. The noob aka me really appreciates it!!

Can't remember what EGR stands for, I'm almost as new at this as you, but it's a sensor that's currently plugged into the manifolds. Pacesetters have a tendency to leak around it. You can block it off, but if you do you'll have to get a simulator or your computer will throw codes and possibly run rich/lean.

You *really* need to know what size/kind of cat you've got on there. If it's stock, it's probably 2.25" or 2.5". If it's 2.5", you'll have to get an adaptor to go the other way from your headers into it. If it's 2.25" it's going to create a restriction and limit the effect of the headers. Depending on what kind it is, if it's not a high-flow cat, it may also limit the boost you get from the headers.

Not sure about Grade 8, but if they're super 8 header bolts you'll be fine.

There may be a need for some welding. 97rs4life has a good breakdown of everything in the link in his signature

http://forum.camarov6.com/member.php...poster&t=44752

Read that, should help you get a better handle on what's going on.

[Christopherrr]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

EGR - Emission Gas Recircluation

[greasemonkey]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Its not mandatory to get locking header bolts. As long as you check the torque after the first few heat/cooling cycles you'll be fine with standard grade 8s and washers. Save about 40 bucks too.

[Gatt9]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Its not mandatory to get locking header bolts. As long as you check the torque after the first few heat/cooling cycles you'll be fine with standard grade 8s and washers. Save about 40 bucks too.

I ended up paying 50+ shipping.

I opted for the locking bolts simply because I'm having a shop put them on and it'll run me 60 an hour to get them to tighten them again, so for me it was a better buy.

Greasemonkey is, of course, right though, if you can/are doing the work yourself better off saving the cash and putting it towards another mod!

[BlackBird00]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

The header install doesn't seem to be too hard. It's everything else that i'm going to need. probably a bigger cat, gotta get grade 8 bolts and washers, some gaskets, and or course the headers. I hope a bolt doesn't break off while im taking the old ones off!

[bigbrian442]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

It's harder to get the old stuff off then it is to put the headers on. For my EGR I put a bead of UTRA COPPER silicone around the TUBE before I put it in the header and I have no leaks.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

EGR - Emission Gas Recircluation

Exhaust Gas Recircluation

[Abaddon]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Second, you'll probably want to get Super 8 locking bolts. Apparently the headers tend to loosen up a bit over time, getting the locking bolts will save you some time/energy down the road. They're about $50 and I think it's ftpp that has them. Shipping is kinda slow, so allow at least a week if you decide to go with them.

Yes, FTPP has them but they don't respond unless you harass them for a week. They did that to me TWICE. Both times I placed orders online and never received a receipt in email or had them let me know they did anything except take my money up front. After demanding they respond, he had to refund my money on the first purchase. I had to email him 3 times over the course of a week to get him to ship the header bolts. I won't be ordering from them again. Just too much trouble. I'd say find them somewhere else.

[Abaddon]

Re: pacesetter headers and gaskets

Not trying to change the subject but how did you guys get the manifolds out of the #### car? I've heard the are supposed to come out from underneath the car but I don't see how. There isn't much room to work with there.