Affordable Headers

[Iowan]

Sense Pacesetters are the same as Summit, I will say this. I have been very happy with mine. My flanges are 3/8 thick that bolt to the heads. I have no leaks, and they have been on my truck for a long time. Maybe 3 years or so, IDK. I did fight with mine at first, but some good header bolts, and I used Felpro header gaskets, just FYI.

Do you have to use shorty spark plugs? I'm planning on buying Fel pro and some ARP bolts.

A word of warning about Pacesetter...

The V6 models aren't cut properly on the flanges. I found out the hard way that they wouldn't clear the CTS. Called Pacesetter, even sent them pictures. They wouldn't acknowledge that there was a problem at all. Terrible customer service. My mechanic cut a small notch to clearance the flanges and they went on fine after that. Not real thrilled about having to hack on a brand new set of headers after the company refused to help me, though.

The V8 models are probably fine as I haven't seen anyone complain about them.

Good to know, Thank you for the warning.

 

[kennythewelder]

I'm running regular ACDelco plugs. It is harder to access them though. I have to crawl under the truck to reach some of them. As for the bolts, well like I said, they need to be header bolts. the heads on header bolts are smaller than on regular bolts. I also torqued my header bolts. There was only one that I had to use a boxed end wrench on. I bent the little 7/16 wrench I used for that bolt. I had a cheater on it about the second length as my torque wrench. At first, I did fight some leaks, but torturing the bolts was the trick. Well that and some good Felpro header gaskets

 

[Iowan]

I'm running regular ACDelco plugs. It is harder to access them though. I have to crawl under the truck to reach some of them. As for the bolts, well like I said, they need to be header bolts. the heads on header bolts are smaller than on regular bolts. I also torqued my header bolts. There was only one that I had to use a boxed end wrench on. I bent the little 7/16 wrench I used for that bolt. I had a cheater on it about the second length as my torque wrench. At first, I did fight some leaks, but torturing the bolts was the trick. Well that and some good Felpro header gaskets

I'm going to try a technique I saw on Roadkill or Finnegans Garage, where you take a socket and some brass and put it right where the plug goes and you make a dent in the side of that tube.

 

[kennythewelder]

I'm going to try a technique I saw on Roadkill or Finnegans Garage, where you take a socket and some brass and put it right where the plug goes and you make a dent in the side of that tube.

Clearance has not been an issue for me at all. Its just that to change the plugs, you can reach around the header tube on a few plugs. I run platinum plugs, so I'm not changing them very often. There is plenty of space between the header tube, and plug wire. Keep in mind that I have shortys. Once you install your headers, you will know what needs to be tweaked. I did have to move my oil dipstick.

 

[big_mike]

Clearance has not been an issue for me at all. Its just that to change the plugs, you can reach around the header tube on a few plugs. I run platinum plugs, so I'm not changing them very often. There is plenty of space between the header tube, and plug wire. Keep in mind that I have shortys. Once you install your headers, you will know what needs to be tweaked. I did have to move my oil dipstick.

What did you do with the dipstick by chance? I know I'll have to address this when I stab mine in. I already bought the Felpro gaskets as rule of thumb is supplied aftermarket gaskets usually suck ass no matter the brand header you buy, lol.

I think I'm also gonna run a set of R&M wire looms to help keep the wires up and tight. I already bought a set of Titanium heat sleeves for the wires too.

 

[kennythewelder]

What did you do with the dipstick by chance? I know I'll have to address this when I stab mine in. I already bought the Felpro gaskets as rule of thumb is supplied aftermarket gaskets usually suck ass no matter the brand header you buy, lol.

I think I'm also gonna run a set of R&M wire looms to help keep the wires up and tight. I already bought a set of Titanium heat sleeves for the wires too.

I had to move it to behind the throttle body supply tube. I welded the prong that holds it, to the rear spark plug wire holder bracket. I just bent the dipstick tube to make it do what I wanted it to. I'll try to get you a pic after work.

 

[kennythewelder]

I know it's hard to tell what is what in the pic, but the dipstick tube, is the one closest to the valve cover. It is welded to the bracket that the plug wires are tied to.

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[Chilledspode]

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I'll jump in late to this, and my input is for a bb vortec - l ended up with JBA ceramic shorties and I am happy with them, though they discolor quickly. No leaks after 2 years and my tuner said they flowed just fine at least upto 870cfm where the intake hit its limit.

 

[Iowan]

What did you do with the dipstick by chance? I know I'll have to address this when I stab mine in. I already bought the Felpro gaskets as rule of thumb is supplied aftermarket gaskets usually suck ass no matter the brand header you buy, lol.

I think I'm also gonna run a set of R&M wire looms to help keep the wires up and tight. I already bought a set of Titanium heat sleeves for the wires too.

This video shows how to make your own from zipties.

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[Iowan]

@kennythewelder, How often do you change out the platinum plugs?