I'm thinking about buying
Hooker Headers 2469-1 Hooker Headers LS1 Camaro/Firebird Competition Long Tube Headers

But I have a few questions ;

1. Do these eliminate the cats?
2. If not, would switching to aftermarket cats pick up more hp
3.. What can expect to pay for install,
4.. I know I loose 2-3 mpg , but will I also bottom out these things on speed bumps?
5. Do I really need a NEW Y/X pipe or can I just use the one I have on there now (slp aftermarket y)

And finally, with a good 'tune' of everything after the install, could I go from 350 to 400 NA?

Thanks for your opinions guys!

 

You will also need to purchase a y pipe; even the aftermarket SLP is only made to bolt up to stock manifolds and cats. Headers will remove your stock cats and you will have to use an ORY (in most cases, though catted y's are available). You can also add in high flow cats if you wish, but you won't gain power over an ORY. X pipes are not used on fbodies unless except for a couple of brands such as TSP, which just dumps the exhaust before the rear axle.

You shouldn't have issues bottoming out if you are stock height.

I reccommend doing the install yourself. It is not a difficult job, especially with an extra set of hands. There are tons of guides on LS1tech that you can peruse through. Paying for an install would cost more than the headers themselves I bet.

Your title states RWHP, which is rear wheel power. Stock LS1 put down between 300-320 which equates to about 350 bhp. Headers will not add 50hp unfortunately. Full boltons can get close to 400 bhp, but it is unlikely. For 400 rwhp you would need a decent cam and heads.

 

ditto to failed devices, need big cam to get 400rwhp on stock heads, but will be a peak power car. Good heads and cam combo will net you 400 rwhp and decent power under the curve, not just high peak numbers. If you do the headers just make sure you get the car up nice and high.

 

I'm not big a LS1's but I think it's closer to 290-300 Hp to the wheels. The reason I say this is:

Steven Mashburn was featured in Hot Rod magazine for Jan. 2012. He owns a '99 SS that put down 317 Hp and did a best of mid 11s on N/A. Mods were:

Mickey Thompson tires
CAI
American Racing headers
3in Dynatech exhaust
LS6 intake
LS6 valve springs
S60 rearend with 4.56 gears
Faceplated T56, Quicktime bell housing, Monster Stage III, Monster billet flywheel
Suspension upgrades
ABS, AC/Heater, bumper supports, back seat delete, lightweight rear glass
3100lbs (no driver, quarter tank of gas)
battery relocated to rear
Tune

All internals stock, heads stock, no power adders

Not trying to be mean or anything. Just figured I'd share that.

But like they said, you're gonna need all the above and then some to reach 400rwhp.

 

Every car is different, I see more LS1's dynoing close to the 310 at the wheels. I mainly see all this from the dyno reports on ls1tech. Generally though LS1 Fbodies will dyno better than LS1 C5 vettes (SRA vs IRS), and C5's were rated at 350 bhp or so which seems to be closer to what LS1 fbodies actually have stock.

Did you mean 417 MK? I'd just find it hard to believe that after those mods he'd only be at 317 rwhp, when some LS1's will put that down stock.

and no worries man, it all good

 

According to the magazine, "The engine makes 317 hp and 350 lb-ft at the wheels at Revline Motors in Kansas City, Missouri."

To be honest, I kinda found it hard to believe too, especially since the guy destroyed a 12 bolt. But the guy isn't going to for the most power, just the quickest times on the 1/4 before he has to do anything drastic. Which, sounds odd because obviously, more power = quicker times, but I don't know. I'm gonna research it a little more and see if maybe Hot Rod made a typo, which is pretty uncommon with them.

 

Okay, did a little digging around. At the time the issue was being made and they were doing the article and everything, the car did make 317 to the wheels. Now, it's making around 350 to the wheels, which sounds a lot better.

So greycon88, if you copied this setup and got a tune similar you could make somewhere close to 350 to the wheels. Do a little more work and you could probably pull 400. Expect to pay a good amount. This setup was $22,000 including the car ($11k).

 

It doesn't matter now. I traded my SS for a WS6 with 650 rwhp and every mod imaginable . My thrust for power has finally been quenched.

 

Please do share pics and info on this!

 

The incomplete list of mods is

FULL BMR AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION..
TUNNEL MOUNT TORQUE ARM
Subframe connector
Panhard bar, LCAs
QA1Springs/shocks

HKE 402CI 11.2.1 COMPRESSION
Callies crank
LUNATI PRO BILLIT RODS
Ross pistons
TRIckflow 225CNC HEADS WITH EXTRA WORK
FAST 92MM INSTRAKE/TB
42LB INJECTORS
FAST TOYS 85MM LID
85MM MAF
SLP UNDERDRIVE PULLEY
KOOKS LONG TUBE HEADERS..

4L60E TRANNY WITH FUDDLE 4000STALL

MOSSER 9IN REAR WITH LOCKER/ 4.11 GEARS

HP tuner,
Aftermarket rockers, 225 spray nitrous

It's a sexy 2000 black Ws6 with the 6.6 liter. Will try to take some pics tomorrow