Long Tube Headers

[Jeff_]

I'm strongly considering adding some long tube headers to my Tahoe. For better sound and I know I'll see a little better fuel economy on the highway.

Help me out here.

How many of you have long tubes on this platform?

What brand is the best in your experience?
I know you can go expensive like Kooks (I run these on my Camaro), more affordable versions like Texas Speed (Silverado/Sierra long tubes but should still fit?), and then dirt cheap ones like speed engineering that'll probably have fitment issues or quality issues.

How easy was the install? Did you have to modify anything like the steering shaft or take a hammer to part of the header to dent it just right to fit? etc

Would love some insight from those of you who have done it.

 

[Fless]

Quite a few members run headers and should be chiming in.

 

[Trey Hardy]

I'm strongly considering adding some long tube headers to my Tahoe. For better sound and I know I'll see a little better fuel economy on the highway.

Help me out here.

How many of you have long tubes on this platform?

What brand is the best in your experience?
I know you can go expensive like Kooks (I run these on my Camaro), more affordable versions like Texas Speed (Silverado/Sierra long tubes but should still fit?), and then dirt cheap ones like speed engineering that'll probably have fitment issues or quality issues.

How easy was the install? Did you have to modify anything like the steering shaft or take a hammer to part of the header to dent it just right to fit? etc

Would love some insight from those of you who have done it.

I actually have speed engineering Longtubes and x pipe kit on my truck and Tahoe and love it the fitment is perfect price is right I’ve ran 6 sets over the years and all my buddy’s have too and never have had any issues

 

[Trey Hardy]

I'm strongly considering adding some long tube headers to my Tahoe. For better sound and I know I'll see a little better fuel economy on the highway.

Help me out here.

How many of you have long tubes on this platform?

What brand is the best in your experience?
I know you can go expensive like Kooks (I run these on my Camaro), more affordable versions like Texas Speed (Silverado/Sierra long tubes but should still fit?), and then dirt cheap ones like speed engineering that'll probably have fitment issues or quality issues.

How easy was the install? Did you have to modify anything like the steering shaft or take a hammer to part of the header to dent it just right to fit? etc

Would love some insight from those of you who have done it.

I never had to hammer anything for fitment I remember the passenger side was a pain but it’ll eventually slip in like a glove.

On my Tahoe I have
1 7/8” speed engineering Longtubes
Speed engineering true duel x pipe kit 3”
3” exhaust
Corsa pro 3” resonators
Going to 7x18” axle dumps where the spare tire is

 

[homesick]

I never had to hammer anything for fitment I remember the passenger side was a pain but it’ll eventually slip in like a glove.

On my Tahoe I have
1 7/8” speed engineering Longtubes
Speed engineering true duck x pipe kit 3”
3” exhaust
Corsa pro 3” resonators
Going to 7x18” axle dumps where the spare tire is

Is there a reason you chose 17/8 over 1 3/4?

joe

 

[Trey Hardy]

Is there a reason you chose 17/8 over 1 3/4?

joe

I eventually wanted to 6.2 swap or run boost down the road.
That was the biggest exhaust I could find for the money

 

[homesick]

I eventually wanted to 6.2 swap or run boost down the road.
That was the biggest exhaust I could find for the money

OK, thanks.

joe

 

[k_arnold72]

I'm running Texas Speed silverado 1⅞" headers with cats and 3" y pipe out the back. It was my first time doing headers but I got it done in a weekend.

*Remember the o² extensions
*Personally, I needed to find a piece from a Silverado steering shaft for my headers to fit without rubbing. He's a pic of the one from my 2018 Tahoe vs the one I found from a junkyard Silverado...

Watch lots of videos on YouTube and search this forum because there's a lot of good info out there already.

 

[Jeff_]

I'm running Texas Speed silverado 1⅞" headers with cats and 3" y pipe out the back. It was my first time doing headers but I got it done in a weekend.

*Remember the o² extensions
*Personally, I needed to find a piece from a Silverado steering shaft for my headers to fit without rubbing. He's a pic of the one from my 2018 Tahoe vs the one I found from a junkyard Silverado...

Watch lots of videos on YouTube and search this forum because there's a lot of good info out there already.

Appreciate this information and thank you @Trey Hardy as well.
I know there's a lot of information out there, but it can get confusing when different posts on here contradict other posts. And most the videos on YouTube leave a lot to be desired.

But sounds like I have some good direction here, and it'll be something I can tackle in a weekend in my driveway on some ramps.

 

[homesick]

Appreciate this information and thank you @Trey Hardy as well.
I know there's a lot of information out there, but it can get confusing when different posts on here contradict other posts. And most the videos on YouTube leave a lot to be desired.

But sounds like I have some good direction here, and it'll be something I can tackle in a weekend in my driveway on some ramps.

LOL, then it'll be your turn to muddy the water with your experience.

joe

 

[k_arnold72]

Oh yeah, the higher you can get it off the ground, the better. You want at least 2ft of clearance between the ground and undercarriage. Bare minimum. And even that will be a struggle. This was my setup when I dropped my Durango's cat back. Same ramps I used on the Tahoe, I just didn't take pictures this time around.

Appreciate this information and thank you @Trey Hardy as well.
I know there's a lot of information out there, but it can get confusing when different posts on here contradict other posts. And most the videos on YouTube leave a lot to be desired.

But sounds like I have some good direction here, and it'll be something I can tackle in a weekend in my driveway on some ramps.

 

[Trey Hardy]

Appreciate this information and thank you @Trey Hardy as well.
I know there's a lot of information out there, but it can get confusing when different posts on here contradict other posts. And most the videos on YouTube leave a lot to be desired.

But sounds like I have some good direction here, and it'll be something I can tackle in a weekend in my driveway on some ramps.

I will say get header studs I’ve cheaped out and got arp bolts multiple times and every time I say to myself “damn I wish I would’ve just got studs”
I feel like it would make the install easier vs trying to line up all the bolts

 

[Trey Hardy]

Also don’t use speed engineering’s header gasket reuse your old one or get a new set of MLS header gaskets

 

[MattM45]

Hi - I’ve got a 2020 Tahoe RST and I’m looking to run the Stainless Works 1 7/8 long tube header kit. Does anyone know if this will work with the Borla Exhaust upgrade that was offered on the 2020 RST?

Thanks very much for any insight on this.

Exhaust - Borla 2.25" Dual Right Side Cat Back Exhaust Touring Series - https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm-muffler-pkg-exh-black-insta-19370086.html