[Spaceman]

TLDR Version; If you have installed long tube headers and regularly attend HPDE events or track your car, have you had to deal with any unforeseen issues related to engine temperatures or issues within your engine bay?

I own a '23 SS 1LE, have completed a couple of HPDE weekends, and have experienced 0 issues with the car. In the coming months I intend to make some upgrades to the car to enhance my on-track performance. One of those being long tube headers.

After doing a lot of research, I decided to purchase American Racing Headers 1-7/8” long system, with cats, and retain the factory NPP muffler. I placed the order a couple days ago, and hopefully I will receive all the parts in 6-8 weeks.

I intend to do the installation myself with the help of either friends or relatives, so I started researching more about the installation process. Eventually, I came across posts and videos about ceramic coating and wrapping long tube headers, which led me down the rabbit hole of long tube headers adding more heat to the engine bay.

My question is, should I consider adding additional upgrades to my long tube headers or within engine bay if I plan to attend HPDE events?

Ceramic coating or titanium/Kevlar wraps seem to be common upgrades to reduce heat. My only concern with ceramic coat is that it may void the warranty through ARH. I will call them later this week to confirm if that is the case, but some minimal research has shown that they have voided warranties in the past.

I know that when you track a car you’re already causing a ton of heat issues, especially in regard to engine temps. I’m also aware that spark plug wires are the most vulnerable after installing long tubes. I intend to purchase DEI titanium spark plug wire boots, and I’m also researching which spark plug wires I should upgrade to. So far, Granatelli and Katech seem to have the best reviews.

I also know that once I install the headers I will need a tune. I intend to schedule an appointment with a reputable shop once the headers ship. That way I can pick a weekend far enough out to give me time to install them.

For my first HPDE event I took the car out completely stock other than using Motul RBF 660 brake fluid, and the car handled like champ. For this last event, I upgraded to Goodridge stainless steel brake lines, installed Hawk DTC-70 (front) and 60 (rear) pads, Girodisc rotors, and added the CT5-V BW front brake air deflectors, and got a track alignment. The upgrades felt great, and I felt like I was able to push the car more.

My main concern is I don’t want to spend all this time and effort installing long tube headers and then miss sessions because I didn’t take certain precautions.

Any helpful advice or comments is greatly appreciated!

[AZIROC]

I have Kooks 1 7/8 ceramic coated (Jet-hot) headers. Through kooks its a option so I wasn't worried about warranty. I cant speak for the other brands.

I feel I went alittle overkill but I did use DEI/sleeves for my spark plug wires as well as wiring harness and whatever else was near the headers. Needed....no. but i figured it couldn't hurt and was cheap insurance.

[GreenZLE]

I coated and wrapped my CSP by STainless Works even though some say its a bad idea. I havent installed them yet so I'll see how it goes next year.

[m6-lt1]

The main issue you’ll potentially run into is decibel limits. Not sure if your local track has them but some tracks across the country do.

[AZIROC]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

The main issue you’ll potentially run into is decibel limits. Not sure if your local track has them but some tracks across the country do.

Agreed, Dbs skyrocket when you add headers. The track closest to me i couldn't even pass stock, and of course the others tracks dont have sound so it didnt matter.

but for example, stock i was between 99-101 Db (a10) and after headers, no cats and borla s-types im around 120-122Db

[N Camarolina]

Welcome to the forum and to tracking your 1LE! I'm sure your LTHs are gonna sound great, as many who've come before you will attest. You made a comment in your original post that implied you wish to keep your warranty, so thought I'd advise you of the following:

The consensus on here over the years is that if you add LTH, you void the warranty because it alters the normal operation of the engine and exhaust process as far as GM is concerned. If you change the tune from OEM, as will undboubtedly be required once you have LTH, the tune will immediately void the warranty, as the engine is now operating outside of original parameters. Other owners have posted actual loss of warranty by GM when they sought engine repairs following mods.

Secondly, as you seem relatively new to tracking, I'd suggest you focus on improving and getting maximum performance out the driver (it takes quite a while to learn how to drive well on track) before doing mods to the car. Besides, good brake fluid, it doesn't need anything else to perform well, and you'll save money for the time being.

[AZIROC]

Very well said! I did the same as you OP and just changed out brakes/fluid and did a whole season before I even modified my car. **it was still under warranty so I didnt want to void it. But once the warranty was over I started modifying it

[Spaceman]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

The main issue you’ll potentially run into is decibel limits. Not sure if your local track has them but some tracks across the country do.

I doubt this will be the case. I plan to stick to the tracks that are local around me in Texas which are Eagles Canyon Raceway, Cresson Motorsport Ranch, and Houston MSR. No decibel levels are implemented there (yet). In fact hearing other, MUCH LOUDER cars on track is part of the reason why I wanted LTHs so bad .

The ARH headers I ordered come with catalytic convertors so they shouldn't be stupid loud. I'll also retain the NPP muffler, so I should be able to keep it quiet if I need to.

[Spaceman]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

:

The consensus on here over the years is that if you add LTH, you void the warranty because it alters the normal operation of the engine and exhaust process as far as GM is concerned. If you change the tune from OEM, as will undboubtedly be required once you have LTH, the tune will immediately void the warranty, as the engine is now operating outside of original parameters. Other owners have posted actual loss of warranty by GM when they sought engine repairs following mods.

If you re-read my OP, I was referring to the warranty through American Racing Headers if I were to ceramic coat the exhaust, not the GM Powertrain warranty.


I'm aware that if I add this exhaust upgrade and get a tune I'm voiding the GM warranty, which admittedly scares me a bit. However, what gives me confidence is that plenty before me have done this modification, and as long as I install everything correctly and go to a reputable tuner, I shouldn't have any issues ("shouldn't" being the key word there).


As the saying goes "Shit happens," would be nice if it does happen that I have a warranty. However, we're here for a good time, not a long time, and waiting for the powertrain warranty to tick down so I can add some horsepower and growl to my car seems too far away.
(that's pointed at myself)

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

:

Secondly, as you seem relatively new to tracking, I'd suggest you focus on improving and getting maximum performance out the driver (it takes quite a while to learn how to drive well on track) before doing mods to the car. Besides, good brake fluid, it doesn't need anything else to perform well, and you'll save money for the time being.

While my funds aren't abundant, I plan to book 2 HPDE events next year. Could I do more if I saved the money I spent on headers, and used that for the HPDE fees/pads/tires etc...? Yup.


However, this is the first sports car I've ever owned, and in my humble opinion, part of the sports car ownership experience is taking a wrench to the car and learning about how it works by adding upgrades (and making some mistakes along the way).


I do all the maintenance on the car and even upgraded the SS brake lines, pads, and rotors myself. So while I'm sure I will be cussing like a sailor during the install, I'm actually looking forward to getting under the car.


Also, and please DO NOT interpret this as "I know everything already and I have nothing else to learn." I know I have a lot of learning ahead of me. However, prior to my first track day I spent countless hours in a my own sim rig (GT Sport, GT7, and iRacing) and made frequent trips to karting tracks. So while I have many aspects of my driving to improve upon, I did have some fundamentals to build off of going in.


Again, I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I'm competent enough on track to start making upgrades to improve my on track experience. In fact the next upgrade after headers is harness bar, race seats, harnesses, and Hans. That came as a suggestion from my instructor who said both he and I were working too hard to stay in our seats.



^Here is a clip of from my most recent HPDE. This wasn't my fastest lap but one that felt good (I've been to lazy to upload my fastest). In the later sessions my instructor and I worked on being less aggressive on the brakes and trying to carry more speed through the corners and I managed to improve by a few tenths. I'm hoping next time out, with some better technique, to trim off another second.

[ZL1_1LE]

Originally Posted by Spaceman

I doubt this will be the case. I plan to stick to the tracks that are local around me in Texas which are Eagles Canyon Raceway, Cresson Motorsport Ranch, and Houston MSR. No decibel levels are implemented there (yet). In fact hearing other, MUCH LOUDER cars on track is part of the reason why I wanted LTHs so bad .

The ARH headers I ordered come with catalytic convertors so they shouldn't be stupid loud. I'll also retain the NPP muffler, so I should be able to keep it quiet if I need to.

Where in Texas are you located, you could hear mine if you're close.

[vince3]

It's going to be hot. Turn the fans on sooner, wrap the headers, or get coating. I've read mixed reviews on the coating, and if I had to do it over again, I would have wrapped my headers before install. RELOCATE THE HARNESS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. With cats the NPP wont be too loud.

[ZL1_1LE]

I will also add, if you're looking for more power headers don't do for these cars what they used to do in the early 2000s on LS1s. I'm not familiar with the SS platform so I may be wrong. What is your end goal with going LTHs? Are you just looking for the sound or a boost in horsepower? If it's HP there are a lot of other ways to achieve that goal without sacrificing more heat in the engine bay and other such things.

[AZIROC]

Originally Posted by ZL1_1LE

what they used to do in the early 2000s on LS1s.

You can say that again. I remember Lt's for 4th gens got around 30 hp gains. Closer to 50 if you went true duals on top of it. I think I gained like 20ish?? I know i gained more from the tune than I did the parts

[kropscamaro16]

had afe power tri y long tubes on my ss for years and never had any issues but gotta make sure you are tuned for them always got told my car was one of the best sounding cars at the track !