[Forbaken]

I've replaced my stock headers with ARH long tube headers (coated). Aside from the absolute PITA install to get them in (they won't drop from the bottom, had to remove valve covers), they seemed to work fine. However, they sit incredibly close to the starter, which eventually started failing.


In order to correct the starter problem, I saw a couple of recommendations:

• Ground Harness: https://www.gen5diy.com/products/16-...cb942682&_ss=r
• Power Master 9509: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...1pdBUGTzEAMpsy

Additionally I ordered an aftermarket heat shield, shroud, etc.


After days of fighting with the car for a simple starter replacement, I realized the headers were the problem. ARH seems to be a pretty reputable brand, but I can't imagine what went into their design for clearance on this. They sit almost directly on the stock starter, so much that the heat shield makes direct contact. They also sit on (what appears to be) the abs line.


I ended up ditching the ARH headers to go with CSPRacing. Here is the difference.


Has anyone else went with long tube headers and experienced problems like this?

[Dynamical]

How long did you have the ARH installed?

When I first bought my car I was gung ho about doing mods, headers was going to be the first but I learned I'm not dealing with another 4th gen and the reason I don't have headers yet is because of seeing/hearing about the issues you are having, also hearing about burnt wires ect. Yes, I know it's not everyone who has these issues but it does seem like "a thing"

Sorry you're having issues man. It's tough to see, do you have much more clearance of the starter with the CSP?

[Forbaken]

Originally Posted by Dynamical

How long did you have the ARH installed?

When I first bought my car I was gung ho about doing mods, headers was going to be the first but I learned I'm not dealing with another 4th gen and the reason I don't have headers yet is because of seeing/hearing about the issues you are having, also hearing about burnt wires ect. Yes, I know it's not everyone who has these issues but it does seem like "a thing"

Sorry you're having issues man. It's tough to see, do you have much more clearance of the starter with the CSP?

It was probably 3-5k daily driving miles on those headers.

The wires and coolant pipes are at least wrapped in heat tape, which should help with radiant heat, but it is insanely tight if you're changing over to long tube headers.



The middle picture is the ARH. I'm guessing it was about half an inch from this after market heat shield. The battery cable is sitting right on the headers, which is when I decided these headers are a no go.

The CSP headers looks to be much shorter, allowing 1.5-2 inches from that battery cable. I'm guessing it's a little over an inch from the starter. Still not ideal, but there's no more room to work with. Also, the CSP headers were a breeze to install compared to ARH.


I'm not sure about the lt1, but the lt4 has serious heat issues. My blower intake temps were at 170 deg (200 when sitting). I eventually installed a stage 2 FI interchiller to get the temps down. Even with below 0 deg coolant temps, I stay around 100 deg. I felt like I needed headers with a cam; it really depends on the route you want to take with the mods.

[Dynamical]

Just curious, what is your whole exhaust setup? I was looking into the CSP headers too for ease of install and fitment. I talked to them one time to ask how well the headers would mate up to the popular aftermarket catbacks but they had no info. They only told me their headers are meant for the stock system which I knew, but I don't want to keep any of the stock system.

[Forbaken]

I decided not to touch the axle back. I just did catless headers and I get great lope sound at idle with my cam. The exhaust screams while ripping through the A10. It nails the muscle car sound with the stock muffler and I feel like Chevy outdid themselves with that. I wouldn't touch the muffler, especially if you do plenty of highway driving.



There is the crowd who hates the bend in the exhaust though.

[Dynamical]

Did you re-route any wires like everyone talks about here in the forum?
Ok so you just used all the stock piping with the CSP headers.
What piping did you use with the ARH after the header?
Wish we knew for sure if the headers were the actual cause of starters burning out. I’d love to install headers but not at the expense of having to replace starters. Were the ARH new and ordered by you? Would they happen to be of an older design by any chance?

[DeuceCam]

Great pics showing the clearance difference between the two. As someone who is considering ARH, this is great info. (I say "considering" because of the pita factor of installing/running aftermarket LTH on these cars.)

Are your ARH 2"? (Not that an 1/8" is going to make much of a clearance difference.)

[Forbaken]

Originally Posted by Dynamical

Did you re-route any wires like everyone talks about here in the forum?
Ok so you just used all the stock piping with the CSP headers.
What piping did you use with the ARH after the header?
Wish we knew for sure if the headers were the actual cause of starters burning out. I’d love to install headers but not at the expense of having to replace starters. Were the ARH new and ordered by you? Would they happen to be of an older design by any chance?

I'm just now getting around to installing the CSP headers. It took a while to get them coated and then I got lazy lol. I'm having to get a custom mid pipe since the ARH required me to cut into the stock.


The spark plugs should be fine with the headers. I ended up re-routing the battery cable to the starter, only because I installed an aftermarket starter. If you're running stock, you should be fine. It wouldn't hurt to had a heat sleeve to the coolant lines that run on the passenger side. I'm not sure that the CSP headers would burn the starter.



The ARH were brand new. They were in the middle of changing factories when I ordered them and had to wait a while to receive them. They took so long and I was about to cancel until the CEO got on the phone and convinced me otherwise.

[Forbaken]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

Great pics showing the clearance difference between the two. As someone who is considering ARH, this is great info. (I say "considering" because of the pita factor of installing/running aftermarket LTH on these cars.)

Are your ARH 2"? (Not that an 1/8" is going to make much of a clearance difference.)

The install for the CSP headers seems to be much easier. I've seen videos of people installing them from the bottom of the engine bay. The ARH requires you to install from the top, which means taking out the coolant tank and valve cover for clearance. Even then, it's close.



I did end up running the 2" with ARH.