Headers

[UAEdunes]

Hi,

Just seeing if anyone has the ARH Headers? https://americanracingheaders.com/collections/gm-truck/products/gm-truck-5-3l-2019-2020-long-system

Do they fit perfectly? The page says 19-21 but the link address says 19-20. I haven’t got a definitive response from ARH. Stainless Works says theirs only fit up to 2020 and they’re working on a 2021 version.

But I like the ARH because they offer 1-3/4 which should be better for low down/daily driver than 1-7/8.

If anyone has any idea on these all info greatly appreciated!

Thank you

 

[swathdiver]

Hi,

Just seeing if anyone has the ARH Headers? https://americanracingheaders.com/collections/gm-truck/products/gm-truck-5-3l-2019-2020-long-system

Do they fit perfectly? The page says 19-21 but the link address says 19-20. I haven’t got a definitive response from ARH. Stainless Works says theirs only fit up to 2020 and they’re working on a 2021 version.

But I like the ARH because they offer 1-3/4 which should be better for low down/daily driver than 1-7/8.

If anyone has any idea on these all info greatly appreciated!

Thank you

Can't answer your question but enjoyed watching you guys play on those awesome dunes over there! How do you get all the sand out afterwards or does it stay?

 

[UAEdunes]

Can't answer your question but enjoyed watching you guys play on those awesome dunes over there! How do you get all the sand out afterwards or does it stay?

Thanks, will post some videos of the car and dune bashing once I’ve got my intake, exhaust, suspension and wheels all set up!

 

[bradbunce]

Hi,

Just seeing if anyone has the ARH Headers? https://americanracingheaders.com/collections/gm-truck/products/gm-truck-5-3l-2019-2020-long-system

Do they fit perfectly? The page says 19-21 but the link address says 19-20. I haven’t got a definitive response from ARH. Stainless Works says theirs only fit up to 2020 and they’re working on a 2021 version.

But I like the ARH because they offer 1-3/4 which should be better for low down/daily driver than 1-7/8.

If anyone has any idea on these all info greatly appreciated!

Thank you

I talked to ARH and to another performance shop and they said that these will fit the 2021 Tahoe 5.3L: https://americanracingheaders.com/collections/gm-truck/products/gm-truck-5-3l-2019-2020-long-system

I ordered them 2 weeks ago and I'm having a shop install them. That being said, I just got a phone call this morning to tell me that the 2021 Tahoe I have has the same new ECU that the new Corvette has... and that the HP Tuners don't work yet. Apparently these new ECUs only allow for over-the-air (wireless) programming and it sounds like any custom tunes get reset when they are detected remotely by GM. Speed shop also said they have seen "problems" with ARH headers... they didn't give me any specifics, but I'm not sure what the problems would be. In any case, if these headers don't fit on without mods they won't be installed and I'll be sending them back. I ordered this version to match up with the Corsa cat back and air box (already installed, holy crap what a difference): 150380. This 2021 Z71 is my daily driver so I got the ones with the cats so I don't fail emmissions. If all goes well, I'll update my profile with pictues of the Tahoe

 

[UAEdunes]

Looking forward to your update! Thanks for sharing

 

[bradbunce]

I meant to update folks on this topic. I stopped the order on the headers and the supercharger. After talking with the shop that was going to do the dyno tune they informed me that they can’t tune the new Tahoe models because GM put the locked ECU in them. So until there is a way for the aftermarket to tune, there’s no benefit to doing these additional mods. Many other newer GM and Ford vehicles apparently have new encrypted/locked ECUs

I talked to ARH and to another performance shop and they said that these will fit the 2021 Tahoe 5.3L: https://americanracingheaders.com/collections/gm-truck/products/gm-truck-5-3l-2019-2020-long-system

I ordered them 2 weeks ago and I'm having a shop install them. That being said, I just got a phone call this morning to tell me that the 2021 Tahoe I have has the same new ECU that the new Corvette has... and that the HP Tuners don't work yet. Apparently these new ECUs only allow for over-the-air (wireless) programming and it sounds like any custom tunes get reset when they are detected remotely by GM. Speed shop also said they have seen "problems" with ARH headers... they didn't give me any specifics, but I'm not sure what the problems would be. In any case, if these headers don't fit on without mods they won't be installed and I'll be sending them back. I ordered this version to match up with the Corsa cat back and air box (already installed, holy crap what a difference): 150380. This 2021 Z71 is my daily driver so I got the ones with the cats so I don't fail emmissions. If all goes well, I'll update my profile with pictues of the

 

[UAEdunes]

Anyone else put headers on? I’m looking to put a set of 1-3/4 with Gen 2 Gesi Cats and hopefully will be fine without a tune. Otherwise will fork out the $800 to HP Tuners

 

[UAEdunes]

Here’s a pic of the headers I’m looking to put on but will add a GESI 50230 or 50200 each side between the sensor bungs. Hopefully will work well without CEL.

My question is, anyone know the stock exhaust port size? These pictured headers have 1-7/8” primaries but I’m wondering if I’m better off getting 1-3/4” or even 1-5/8”? Not looking for outright power/numbers, I want good drivability around the city and sand dunes and ok economy when on cruise control.

I’ll probably get the same company to continue the piping all the way back with a high flow quiet resonator they have. This one pictured has a 2-3/4” exit to mate up to the stock catback but if they do the whole system then a single 3” all the way should be good? Or stick to 2-3/4”?

Any comments on these headers/workmanship, primaries size or otherwise welcome.

Thank you!

 

[UAEdunes]

Just reviving this thread.

From what I see shorty headers don’t do anything and only long tube is the way to go. Then the smaller the primaries, the lower down the curve is where the torque and power is made. All the off the shelf headers for our SUV’s are either 1-3/4 or 1-7/8. Wouldn’t 1-5/8 be better for daily driving? Or stick with 1-3/4?

Anyone with experience on this?

Thanks

 

[jerry455]

Until you can get the vehicle tuned, I don't think it would be a good idea to start modding this generation truck. I don't know what the reduction of back pressure and the increaesd flow will do to the ECM. It might not be able to compensate and then throw a code and turn on the check engine light. It has done it to some cold air intake systems and they are not nearly the improvement the exhaust is.

 

[rlhmarines]

Contact Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and they’ll probably be able to guide you in the right direction since they specialize in GM performance upgrades.

 

[Marky Dissod]

From what I see shorty headers don’t do anything and only long tube is the way to go.

This was pretty much the case even for the previous Chevy Small Block too, shorty headers were hardly ever worth it in terms of bang-for-the-buck.

All the off the shelf headers for our SUVs are either 1-3/4" or 1-7/8". Wouldn’t 1-5/8" be better for daily driving? Or stick with 1-3/4?

That used to be the case with the Chevy Small Block. 3- & 4-speed transmissions also made the loss of low-RpM power more obvious.
GM Gen4 & Gen5 small blocks have better transmissions with more and better forward gearing, and VVT to minimize the effect of the low RpM loss.
More importantly, they make enough peak power compared to the Chevy Small Block,
that anyone who buys 1-5/8" headers just for the 'sound' is wasting money and labor because they won't make much more power than the GM OE manifolds.

 

[UAEdunes]

This was pretty much the case even for the previous Chevy Small Block too, shorty headers were hardly ever worth it in terms of bang-for-the-buck.

That used to be the case with the Chevy Small Block. 3- & 4-speed transmissions also made the loss of low-RpM power more obvious.
GM Gen4 & Gen5 small blocks have better transmissions with more and better forward gearing, and VVT to minimize the effect of the low RpM loss.
More importantly, they make enough peak power compared to the Chevy Small Block,
that anyone who buys 1-5/8" headers just for the 'sound' is wasting money and labor because they won't make much more power than the GM OE manifolds.

So are you recommending 1-3/4 or 1-7/8 then? Thanks

 

[Marky Dissod]

So are you recommending 1&3/4"? or 1&7/8"?

5.3L = 1&3/4" no question.
6.2L = either one, especially if you've an 8L90 or 10L80; depends on how you drive it.