shakenfake

5300 5.3L Vortec
1999 2WD
212k miles

I am looking to install some headers onto my truck to increase performance as well as sound. Not sure what I should be looking for. I am told that I need headers that come with a y pipe and also that I should maybe stay in the 1 3/4" range and not go to the 1 7/8".
I have very little knowledge on this subject and would love some feedback as to what you are thinking. I know that when I do my headers I will need an O2 sensor extension or something like that and I will not have cats anymore. Any help/advice is much appreciated thank you

Risingson05

Well ,what’s your budget allow you to afford is the first question I’d ask my self . You pretty much get what you paid for when it comes to long tube headers .. the cheaper you go the more modification your gonna need it seems (well when I researched it ,it seemed that way to me ) You have the names out there like American racing , kooks, speed engineering , pace setters etc ..

yes you will need a tune for your long tube headers ,to tune out cel light and optimize performance out of them ..

Since your going without cats your gonna be loud and raspy with **** loads of drone .. so your gonna have find a muffler / resonator combo or if you like being that loud then idk ..

arthursc2

iTrader: (5)

This group like the Speed Engineering for the fit and price. I run the TSP 1 7/8 on my 4x4. Since you're 2wd, you shouldn't have any fit issues at all

dont need the extensions. Do need new gaskets and a trip to the tuner tho

install tips: pull the plugs out to get all that extra room. Loosen the motor mounts, be prepared to have to rock the motor left or right by removing the adjoining bolt.

Be prepared to: remove your upper fan shroud, buy new plugs and wires and have a second hand, it will be way easier. Put the truck on ramps too

Risingson05

I myself went with 17/8 American racing headers without cats with corsa muffler and a resonator .for good measure I went ahead and bought the ceramic boot accel high temp spark plug wires ..

I researched somewhere that 1 3/4 provide better torque where 17/8 gave it more on top end but I think that has been debunked .. idk for sure lol

terravast4

iTrader: (25)

I second TSP headers every bit as good as my previous Stainless works which were double the price or more.

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

i installed the $275 eGay kit back in Jan 2011... still going strong.
the 1 3/4" will be plenty big enough unless you're boosting it. i'd advise shooting some PB Blaster on your manifold bolts once a day for a week before removing them. that's what i did & not one broke.

dantheman1540

And then replacing the OEM bolts with some ARP replacement bolts and a quality gasket.


Heres a cool pic I took when I replaced the cheapo leaking gaskets I originally used during my header install.

shakenfake

Thanks for the replies lads, I have been looking at these headers https://www.protuninglab.com/hds-cc99-yp.html

I know about the cats and O2 sensor trying to work out how I want to solve that problem. I may have an O2 sensor extension lined up for free. I may know someone who can hook me up with passing inspection too so I may just say f$&k it and do it.

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

another trick is using C5 corvette rear O2s as your fronts (for longer cables & more sensitive readings). all you have to do is de-pin your old connector & put it on the new sensor (flat vs square) - no cutting or crimping since the pins themselves are the same.

Drspencer

iTrader: (1)

Tell us more about this wizardry. What part number?