Ok, my dilemma , I recently bought Pacesetter Long tubes for my 05 Sierra 5.3. My goal is to not break the bank on this but I have called every muffler shop in the phone book and none of them install headers! I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions? Should I install them myself to save $$? How hard is the install? Will I get SES lights on all the time as I have been warned? What happens after the install, i.e. what exhaust work from there is needed?

I am almost to the point of returning them and saying

 

You can install them yourself, tossed the y-pipe and catback into the back of the truck, drive it or tow it, and have the muffler shop do the rest. You will get a SES light unless you have the back cats turned off by tune already, but it should not effect anything. Driving the truck to the shop may cause unwanted attention.

Most will not do headers because of the bolts going into aluminum heads. If they break a header bolt, it will cost them more to repair it than the install itself. It is not worth the risk for most places.

 

do it all yourself, its easy as hell. Pacesetters and ORY hook right up to your catback

 

It took me 3 hours. It's easy if you can get your truck on a lift and get it high up so you can work on it. Just unplug all your spark plug wires and take your plugs out and I disconnected the intermediate steering shaft and they went in nicely from the top but I had a guy helping me under the truck too!

 

All i did was take the truck up on ramps and take off the spark plug wires. Headers went in and out from the bottom

 

Everything they said.

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...d.php?t=401206

 

I don't understand why everyone has so many problems with the header bolts. I have installed and removed mine so many times I can't remember anymore, and never once had a problem with the bolts. As long as you make sure they are not cross-threaded before you crank them down, and tighten them to spec (11lb-ft first pass, 18 lb-ft second pass) there should never be a problem.....

 

I was always thought the flange had to be welded on and the y pipe fabbed for Pacesetters. I guess not if everyone is doing them in their driveway.

 

Pacesetter LT's and ORY are slip-fit. No flange to weld.

 

If you plan to pull them off once or twice the ARP header studs are nice to have. I have re-used stock bolts without problems, use anti-seize.