I want to get headers for my 2001 Firebird! Please Help!?

[phenom]

I have a couple questions about the process of changing to headers. I have a 2001 Firebird Trans Am. What else would I need to buy besides just the headers? Also, how much do you think I would cost the average mechanic to install them? Do they effect gas mileage at all? What about horsepower? Thanks ALL!!

 

[Mad Jack]

They won't make enough difference in fuel mileage to justify the expense.

You won't see any real improvement on a stock engine. Maybe 15 horse power or less. Fuel mileage difference will only be about 1 MPG improvement.

You just about need to pull the engine to install them on this car. And this is no picnic as this engine comes out through the bottom along with the complete front sub-frame. Expect to pay big bucks to pay someone to install them for you.

The headers have adapters to connect them to your stock exhaust so this is the easy part. You may need to have the local muffler shop fabricate a pipe to connect the collector to the stock exhaust.

The headers will cost you between $250 - $500. You may have to pay at least twice that to have them installed.

I would figure on at least $1000 or more for the job.

If you are looking for better fuel economy and a little bit of power, why not try a programmer instead.

Hypertech has a new series called Max Energy E-Con.

Search the Summit Racing website for item # hyp-33002 for an example. These cost about $330. This will give you more noticeable improvement than headers.

 

[Violator]

First. Anything made by Hypercrap for an LS1 F-Body is a waste of money.

With use of a lift or just getting the car up high enough you MAY, and I stress MAY, have to remove the drivers side motor mount bolt to install the headers. I installed my Long Tube Jet-Hots without unbolting the motor mounts. The biggest problem is moving the engine up a hair the get the left side header to clear the sub frame at one little spot. I was able to do this with use of a long prybar. This covers most of the brands out there in the 300 - 600 dollar range. Jet - Hots are a replica of the Hooker Super Comps, just heavier tubing. Pacesetter are the same design. The worst are SLP. They hang low and fit is tighter. The top line would be Kooks followed by QTP's which are both stainless with Kooks showing the best power gains.

15hp is about correct for the basic longtubes and that will be at the WHEELS which is a big difference. LS1's benefit decently from headers and a decent flowing exhaust. Changing the air lid will help even more. Try Texas Speed & Performance for a nice aftermarket air lid. Your 01 already has the LS6 intake which is a huge plus for you.

Other needed parts for a complete install would be a new Y-Pipe. You can go with an off road or get a catted Y depending on your local emission laws. With the off road you will need to eliminate the rear O2 sensors by way of having them deleted through PCM programming or O2 simulators which are hard to find now. Jet-Hot makes a catted Y that will fit their headers and Hooker Super Comps with no mods and your existing exhaust will attach right to it. Pacesetter and the others also offer catted Y's for their headers.

You will also need O2 sensor wire extensions found almost anywhere on the net.

The easiest way to install is from the bottom then bolting up from up top. Remove the 5 10mm bolts from the coil pack brackets and remove the entire coil pack assembly from the valve covers to give room.

If you get charged 500 to install them, you were robbed unless they charge 100 an hour. A decent mechanic that know his way around cars and has use of a lift should have no more than 3 - 4 hours to install them. But that is not how garages work. They see something they fear and jack the price through the roof.