Monaro LS1 headers from Oz

[mjf93]

I'm looking into options for header upgrades, with sports cats. My car is a 2004 5.7 VXR, so it has 1"1/2 tubular manifolds as standard, as I understand.
I want to upgrade to some 1"3/4 or 1"7/8 headers with sports cats to get a little more noise, and maybe some mid range torque.
From reviewing the prices here in the UK vs Australia,they seem a lot cheaper in Australia. Has anyone had any previous experience with importing them, or can recommend a company that they have used in the past? Or is it simply not worth doing?
Thanks in advance.

[L2VXR]

I used vpw.com.au and couldn't fault there service, 1 7/8 longtubes but had to fabricate my own cat pipes so workout the extra cost for that though it's a lot cheaper with decat pipes.
Payment had to be bank transfer and they turned up at my door in about 7 days

[stevieturbo]

Unless you're making over 6-700hp n/a then 1 7/8" would be overkill.

If boosted, 1 3/4" will easily take you well beyond 700hp, and then some.

[mjf93]

stevieturbo said:

Unless you're making over 6-700hp n/a then 1 7/8" would be overkill.

If boosted, 1 3/4" will easily take you well beyond 700hp, and then some.

Thanks for the info, the car is pretty much standard so I would imagine 1"7/8 would be overkill then. I am potentially looking to upgrade the cam at a later date, so as long as it would facilitate that then 1"3/4 seems like my best bet.

[mjf93]

L2VXR said:

I used vpw.com.au and couldn't fault there service, 1 7/8 longtubes but had to fabricate my own cat pipes so workout the extra cost for that though it's a lot cheaper with decat pipes.
Payment had to be bank transfer and they turned up at my door in about 7 days

Thank you for that, I will drop them a line.

[MedwayMonaro]

I was part of the group buy that ringram organised about 18 months ago - they are Pacemaker items with hi flow cats and I've also attached that to a Wortec cat back. I see you've got an LS1 VXR, same as me, so I *think* if you get the same parts as I did they will bolt right up to the Wortec (if that's what you've got).

I got 1 7/8 headers on mine, as they were the same price as the 1 3/4.

They make a tremendous noise even with the centre silencers in - you have been warned!

Pacemaker also offer a ceramic type finish which I didn't get but others did (jameshsv has this) - I would go for this next time.

[mjf93]

MedwayMonaro said:

I was part of the group buy that ringram organised about 18 months ago - they are Pacemaker items with hi flow cats and I've also attached that to a Wortec cat back. I see you've got an LS1 VXR, same as me, so I *think* if you get the same parts as I did they will bolt right up to the Wortec (if that's what you've got).

I got 1 7/8 headers on mine, as they were the same price as the 1 3/4.

They make a tremendous noise even with the centre silencers in - you have been warned!

Pacemaker also offer a ceramic type finish which I didn't get but others did (jameshsv has this) - I would go for this next time.

I do have an LS1 VXR with a Wortec cat back, so my system should be the same. Have you got a link to what you purchased? Are they stainless steel items, or mild steel? Was the group buy through the same company as above?
I run my Wortec without the centre silencers in, but it is not a daily drive so I'm not too fussed on it being too loud.
Also, did you go for long tube or medium length headers?

[MedwayMonaro]

They are deffo long tube, at 1 7/8 they are a very tight fit. The group buy was organised through ringram but he liaised with Pacemaker. Part numbers I got were PH 5363L and PH5363R with CAT5361-100L and CAT5361-100R. Use the GM OE exhaust manifolds. I'll try and get some pics under the car but won't be until the weekend at the earliest and won't be until the weather is better. I use mine everyday with no silencers and the headers, it gets you noticed! Just be sure that it'll all match up, I thought it wouldn't so bought the Pacemaker exhaust cat back and didn't need it, was very quiet for what I wanted so sold it to another member on here. Think they are stainless but others can probably tell you. I didn't need O2 sensor extension wires either. Use the GM OE manifold gaskets, the pacemaker ones on mine didn't last long.