Install Notes

[misterp]

OK I just installed a set of these pipes and I love them but there were some issues so for those considering spending $$$ on this set of headers here is my feedback -

 

Welds and general design and quality are fantastic IMO. The fit between the headers & frame & engine is GREAT, FIRST RATE. Installation was very easy, except the driver's side required temporary lowering of the front driveline and steering shaft. Access to header bolts is very good. The plug-wire fit is also teriffic, except bendable boots are required, I used MSD straight boot spark plugs and I needed to bend each boot about 30-degrees to make the plug wires not touch the headers. I love the ball/socket collector fittings.

 

The passenger-side collector is pretty close to the floorboard/firewall, and the front-most inside floor stud holding the insulation will have to be cut-off at the nut or it rubs against the header. The passenger-side intermediate pipe fits fantastic, however the driver's crossover pipe is very close to the rear-right corner of the transmission pan (1/4"). The absolute biatch is the driver's intermediate pipe, it fit well but the hangers were not welded in the correct position and required lots of bending and hammering to move into a position where the transmission hanger/plate would fit. The transmission hanger/plate had to be modified (cut) to clear the larger pipes and getting that installed was a 2-hr arts & crafts project

 

A major pisser was discovering that O2 sensor extensions are required for both driver's-side O2 sensors - the front O2 needs a 2-ft extension, and the rear driver's O2 needs a 1-ft extension. This was an extra $30 expense, I felt this should have been included with the kit.

 

Now that the headers are completely on, I love them - very sweet product and if you are looking for a premium exhaust product I would recommend it as my favorite. I am calling ARH tomorrow to discuss these issues so they can be corrected.

 

Mr. P.

[black00chev]

Thanks for the great info on these!

 

 

Unfortunatly those few issues make me lean more towards the dynatechs for their better fit and i believe they come with the extensions as well (someone chim in if incorrect).

 

Maybe they will fix the issues after hearing about them.

[misterp]

Before you take a negative opinion, let me clarify a couple things about the ARH product -

 

These headers were designed on a 2008+ GM truck, not a 1999-2007 truck; the frame rails, engine cradle, radiator core, and motor mounts happen to be almost identical between the GMT-800 and GMT-900 trucks, so the *piping* fits wonderfully. Also consider, these are BIG tubes (1-7/8" and 3" collectors, not 1-3/4" or 1-5/8"). The ONLY places ARH fell down is (1) no instructions, (2) hangers on the intermediate pipes were off a tad for the GMT-800 truck, (3) no O2 extensions, and (4) no pattern to show you where to modify the transmission/exhaust hanger plate. These are EASILY fixed issues and after talking with them tomorrow I am expecting they will be very eager to correct this, ARH aims to make a first-rate product.

 

I am an absolute critic about headers, and I'm telling you these are GREAT pipes; the design and workmanship out of the truck is just *wow*, the header tubing fit is so perfect that there is an equal 3/4" distance around the headers, whoever mocked-up and fabbed the originals was a master, it's evident. All the bends are perfect, there are no 'cheated' bends. The material is top-notch, these tubes will last forever. IMO the ARH pipes are a work of art, I am very proud to have them on my truck.

 

And they sound amazing, I hammered-down in traffic this morning and the truck sounds like an absolute animal. There is definitely more power in the midrange too, I am getting tire squeal now when the converter hits its stall speed

 

BTW all my views here are unsolicited; I love these pipes, I just wish they got a couple of the details right but I think my truck is one of the first couple AWD SSS to have these installed and technically ARH tells you that installing them on a pre-2008 truck is not supported, they are advertised and sold as a 2008+ header.

 

Mr. P.

 

PS - lemme add one more thing, I love where ARH chose to place the O2 sensors as well as the collector design, EASILY serviceable. Changing O2's is a breeze, taking the exhaust down except for the one slip joint behind the transmission is a joy - blows the serviceability of the stock exhaust out of the water and I have seen NOTHING on the market even close to the ease of serviceability the ARH product has designed into it.

Edited July 17, 2009 by Mr. P. (see edit history)

[black00chev]

I wonder if the 1 3/4" primaries would be a little better off... you can get 3" collectors with those right?

[kelleyperformance]

im reading the catalog for the ARH GM trucks... at the bottom real big it says "EXTENSIONS INCLUDED". think they forgot yours and your instructions lol

[mike1booth]

great write up, those are some BA looking headers

[black00chev]

im reading the catalog for the ARH GM trucks... at the bottom real big it says "EXTENSIONS INCLUDED". think they forgot yours and your instructions lol

 

 

Someone else on here just bought some and say they didnt have any either... Wonder if ARH slipped up when making their first batch of these

[NolletSSS]

To bring up a semi old topic, I purchased the ARH 1-3/4" long tube headers with HF cats. When I ordered I called and talked to a guy named Nick (Project Manager of ARH) who told me that this system was designed and tested on an AWD 04 Silverado SS just like mine and that I wouldn't be disappointed.

I had no problems at all installing these headers. I put the front end of the truck on ramps as that's all I have and the passenger side slipped in easily from the top. The drivers side I had to go in from the bottom and I did not have to take off anything as they slipped right in also. Both me and my buddy were surprised on how easy these things went in. I guess that my only complaint with these is that just like you Mr.P mine did not come with O2 extensions and I would of liked to see them come with some header bolts. I re-used my stock gaskets and bolts.

The clearance of these headers is great all around. Everything bolted up without a hassle to my existing exhaust and overall I am greatly pleased with this system.

I had no problems on installing these as mentioned in previous posts but then again I purchased the 1-3/4" system not the 1-7/8". I did not have to modify anything on my truck to fit these headers.

[black00chev]

Is that with 3" pipe from the colectors back? If thats the case then Ill be just fine with what i need.

[IndyC3]

My 1 7/8 American racing headers went right in. I didnt have to modify the truck or the trans to exhaust mount. I didnt need any extensions either. The only thing i had to do was tweek one hanger a little in a vise to get them parallel. My tail pipes both ended at 3in straight tubing to mate to a custom exhaust. All in all it went smoother than expected. I helped my brother install some in his Jeep srt8 this weekend-Now that was a major PITA!!!!!

[slammedbowtie]

nice write up. did you get them direct or from another company?

[mcmahan]

nice write up steve. thanks for the heads up brother

[misterp]

... Wonder if ARH slipped up when making their first batch of these

ARH does not make headers in batches - each order is custom made, mine took a couple weeks to get delivered.

 

Is that with 3" pipe from the colectors back? If thats the case then Ill be just fine with what i need.

Yes, 3" from the collectors back.

 

I did some datalogging w/ EFILive, the engine is processing significantly more air now; the MAP reading at WOT went from 98 to 100 (!) and the maximum charge density went from 265 grams/sec at WOT to 290 Lots more tuning to do.

 

Mr. P.

[black00chev]

Sounds awesome! Pretty good gains Id say... Looks like ill just get the set (at some point) and just ask about extensions before i order them.

 

Would 1 3/4" primaries be too small if say i was going to put a tvs1900 on this 5.3?

[misterp]

Would 1 3/4" primaries be too small if say i was going to put a tvs1900 on this 5.3?

Hmmm hard decision, the 1-3/4" with 3" collectors would work fine, but personally on a large FI application I would get the larger primaries.

 

Mr. P.