Exhaust Headers on Bike Hauler

[area51racer]

Tax return time is nearing and I have been eyeing up an accessory for the bike hauler. It is a 2000 Chevy Silverado regular cab/step side bed with the z71 package. It has the 5.3 v-8. Last year I installed a Gibson super truck cat-back exhaust system. It exits before the rear wheels on the right side. I did this to keep the noise from bouncing off the enclosed trailer on my journeys to the track.

Well now I have been thinking about completing the package with some direct-fit headers. I can easily do the work myself and am just looking for something cheap and new to do. Has anyone with a similar set-up done this? Would you recommend it? I seek feedback from members of the speedzilla community because I value your opinions the most.

I am not about to go dyno the truck but this is the ballpark of power with mods:
Stock peak hp = 285
Current mods are k&n OEM fitment air filter and Gibson exhaust/hp approx 300
Current mods plus the headers = over 300 hp which is good enough for me.

Lend me your thoughts

[eye-p]

I have a 2004 Silverado ECSB with all the bolt on mods. Its a 5.3 auto.

First, you will be lucky to get 240hp at the wheels stock. With a Cat back and air filter you might get an additional 15-20.

That leaves a tune, headers, and electric fans.

Ive got a set of ceramic coated Edelbrock shorties. I got them really cheap, but if they were more money I wouldnt have done it. They made an additional 7hp on the dyno. TOG makes some really nice mid length headers, but they are $700. The stock manifolds on 99-05 trucks flow really well, especially for the stock cam in the 5.3.

That leaves a tune and electric fans. This will be the 2 best mods you will do.

You can PM me for info, and I will send you links to my truck album. I also know a guy who does custom tunes which will give you 30+RWHP.

Electric fans from a 97-02 F-Body bolt in really easy. Have them turned on with the computer, and youve got another 10-15hp.
Get in touch.

[RP Racing]

Should had got the one that exits behind the rear wheel. I've seen enough trucks with that (97 F150's especally) where the rim gets covered in exhaust soot which can destroy the clear coat finish.


As for teh headers. If they are direct fit, they arent that hard to do. Biggest issue is how rusted the original bolts are. Generally its just a remove and replace with some wiggling to get the headers in on teh drivers side. It will take a few hours though.

IMO, its not really worth the $$$ with how well they set up the OEM manifold to replace it with a direct fit header. Better to spend the $$ on a computer reprogrammer for it.

[eye-p]

Dont bother with an off the shelf "Superchips" type programmer. If you want to tune your truck yourself look at either HPTuners, or EFILive.

www.efilive.com
www.hptuners.com

I have both and I use efilive almost exclusively.

[area51racer]

Good feedback. Sounds like there are many other areas where money would be better spent. That electric fan setup has got my attention. I was wondering about caking the carbon deposits and general exhaust crap on the rear wheels but after a year with the Gibson system I am yet to have any issues with that. I have lower miles and keep it ahead on the spark plug changes so it is probably burning efficiently enough to not cover my right rear with exhaust debris.

I will have to do some research on the electric fan as that might be my next option.

[RP Racing]

Originally Posted by area51racer

I was wondering about caking the carbon deposits and general exhaust crap on the rear wheels but after a year with the Gibson system I am yet to have any issues with that.

Coul dhave been a Ford thing also. Maybe Gibsons ehaust exits farther out than a 97 F150's. Could be what you do to your truck helps not getting the rim sooted.

BTW just got the exhaust on mine fixed. No more HD sounding Dakota.