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Do Pace Setters FIT?

Mr D

Mr D

New member
03 GTP

I've read countless times that Pace Setters have issues with leaking. But do they fit (WITHOUT MODIFICATION/WELDING)?

I've seen a post stating they might hit the transmission case, requiring it to be ground--is that likely?

Does tunnel need to be pounded out?

Any fan clearance issues (I have motor and Tran mount spacers, currently)?

Does EGR work?

Many people say Pace Setters are big PITA, hoping to learn in what way--ASIDE FROM KNOWN ISSUES W/ LEAKS.

Any 1st-hand install experience is greatly appreciated! Thanks
 


Hit and Miss on Pacesetters. Some fit find without modifications, some had to be cut and welded and such.

If you want a good set of cheap headers we recommend one of the following depending on who has stock at the time. SSAC or Speed Daddy. Both 99.999% of the time fit without issue, the only problem is the flex pipe is cheap and could use a replacement double wall installed in its place, but that's up to you... and the clamps suck something fierce, buy better ones. Otherwise its easy peasy and a simple install.
When I installed mine, I needed a 02 extension harness, I just used wire and soldered in place and extended it myself. No problems.

Pontiac Performance Racing Products for International Sales from SSAutochrome Inc.

Stainless SS Racing Manifold Header Exhaust Grand Prix GTP Regal Impala 3 8L V6 | eBay
 
/\ False. Pace setters all fit, and almost all leak.

BUT pace setters also inspired some knockoffs that are styled after them, those were the ones that had issues with fitament, most notably running into the transmission and being too short at the rear y pipe.
 
Pacesetters are decent headers for the price and fit fine. If you are worried about them leaking then, buy Fel-Pro manifold gaskets and get exhaust clamps from Intense-Racing. No more leaks. Simple & cheap fix.
 
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Or you could just get SD that I've heard of maybe one person having fitment issues and save yourself the hassle.
 


I had pacesetters for awhile. Good for making power, but had lots of problems with getting the y-pipe to seal. Not sure how many times it fell off.
 
Pacesetters are good if you get the Y pipe welded. Then no leaks. Some of the largest primaries out there in headers.
 
Hmmmm...

I installed my Pacesetters almost a year now and no leaks at the Y and I used all stainless step clamps. I've crawled under there to check from time to time, retightened the clamps and no problems. They fit and installed REAL easy. I worried too because of all that I read about them. Don't believe it all. No firewall pounding needed, no tranny dipstick needing to be moved, only thing I did do was grind down one of the bumps on the top of the tranny cause it was real close to the crossover, preventative Maintenance so to say. This was before I even fired them up.
 
Thanks guys!

I've read threads. I'd love to just drop ~$225 & get SD or SSAC and put the rest of my $ towards a pulley drop, but I just can't get over how low they hang, I seriously think it would be a serious problem for my DD on my roads (speed humps, speed bumps, ridiculous pot holes, et al). I don't weld, & taking new headers to shop & paying to have them 'customized' really doesn't make sense to me.

Anyone running Pacesetters w/ EGR?

More comments, opinions, experiences welcome!
 
I too had no issues with my cer coated headers. I used torca exhaust clamps for the collector and a little high temp rtv and never had a leaking issue. They have been on and off the car probably a dozen times too.

I welded the egr shut on my set :)
 


Had to look back to remember how pace setters sat under the car.

FYI: this is a Riviera, not a GP pictured ehre.
IMG_2341.jpg
 
Pacesetters are ok ive had them on my car for a little over 3 years, they leak a little, i used rtv oh and the bolts it comes with are pointless cuz they dont fit, a couple of trips to the hardware store and lots of copper rtv and proper band clamps. You might wanna get a prebent trans dipstick tube as well, made the install wayyy easier
 
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Ok... The Pacesetters, high flow cat and flex as delivered. Got them from ZZP only cause it was convenient at the time, got the O2 extension cable at the same time too, band clamps I got elsewhere.

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The most ridiculous piece of engineering in the world... The infamous U-Bend...

Front, Rear and Crossover...

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Crossover... You can see the two little nibs on the Tranny top that are real close to the crossover. I ground those down to give more space! This is the ONLY spot that had any interference, the tranny dipstick tube was fine, the O2/Firewall clearance was fine.

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Just some pics to help you see... It's an easy install really...
 
Thanx for the replies, esp pics!

I'm really leaning towards taking a chance w/ pacesetters. Getting the funds together.
 


why take a chance? how low are you? always look for the SLP knockoffs. ebay has the DNA motortunung ones and the only problem you might have is getting the rear header in can be a tight fit, but they will still go in and fit without you beating anything. i have the DNAs with an eibach drop and ive only found one speed bump that will hit the u-bend
 
Because if you weld them, they are great headers.

Just like other things on this platform, sometimes the cheapest route isn't the only way...even though it's the most common.
 
Thanks again guys. Putting together my wish list, hoping I can get a little help. Simple question, pacesetters advertise a 3" downpipe, that tapers to 2 1/2" to bolt to stock catback.

I have stock 2 1/2" catback, and plan to keep it (for now).

I'm looking for a cat, Magnaflow seems pretty standard, plan to take it to shop and have it welded before I install headers. I assume I would get 3" cat, then step it down to 2 1/2" downstream of cat.

Can anyone confirm.

What are the inlet/outlet sizes of the last piece of piping that comes w/ pacesetters (where the rear 02 bung is)? It would be awesome if someone had a magnaflow cat part # that would fit pacesetters?
 
IMAG1509.jpg


Ok notice the picture above, the very bottom piece to the right. That is the very end piece^^^^, CAT is to be welded there 3" - 3", then tapers down as you can see, and has the flange. At the top by the flange is the 02 bung, you can see it, it will hang out to the side, right by the hangers.
 
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