1-7/8 Ceramic Coated Long Tube Headers for 1988-1998 2WD Truck LS Engines
Swapping a Gen III LS into a 1988 to 1998 two wheel drive pickup often hinges on headers that clear the frame rails and maintain true one and seven eighths inch primary tubes. These long tube headers feature a silver ceramic finish that shields adjacent engine components from excessive heat and resists corrosion under sustained exposure. Each tube undergoes laser verification to preserve consistent internal diameter, which produces balanced exhaust pulses and improves torque delivery across the power band. With machined three eighth inch thick flanges and an integrated V band collector, the design ensures a leak free seal to the head and speeds up connection to downstream components without trimming or custom modification.
Advanced Ceramic Coating for Under Hood Heat Management
The silver ceramic finish forms a thin yet durable layer over each primary tube, reflecting radiant heat away from nearby components such as wiring harnesses, fuel lines and intake tracts. By resisting high temperature corrosion and flaking, this coating maintains its protective qualities over thousands of thermal cycles and helps keep under hood temperatures lower. Lower enclosure heat not only preserves sensor and hose life but also reduces heat soak into the intake, preserving horsepower during extended driving or towing. This thermal control is especially important in tight engine bays found in late model two wheel drive trucks.
Precision Laser Verified 1-7/8 Inch Tubes
Each primary tube is measured with laser accuracy to guarantee a true 1-7/8 inch internal diameter along its entire length, eliminating inconsistencies that can disrupt exhaust timing. Uniform bore size allows exhaust pulses to converge predictably at the collector, sharpening throttle response and boosting midrange torque. The smooth transition through the header also reduces backpressure, enabling the engine to breathe more freely at high rpm. Such precision flow tuning is critical for LS engines swapped into pickups where both daily driving and towing demand a broad, usable torque band.
Durable Steel Construction and Flange Integrity
Fabricated from premium mild steel, these headers balance toughness with flexibility to withstand repeated expansion and contraction under high exhaust temperatures. The machined 3/8 inch thick flanges remain perfectly flat against the cylinder head, preventing leaks that can sap performance and fuel economy. Expertly executed weld joints hold up under extreme exhaust velocities without cracking or warping, ensuring consistent sealing over extended use. Additionally, the straightforward steel fabrication makes future repairs or custom modifications quick and economical.
V Band Collector for Streamlined Exhaust Assembly
The integrated V band collector employs a single clamp and precision machined flanges to establish a concentric, leak free connection with downstream pipes or catalytic converters. This design speeds installation by eliminating multiple fasteners and simplifies alignment, ensuring a tight seal with minimal effort. When service or inspection is required, the clamp can be released in seconds without loss of clamp tension or seal integrity. The V band system also tolerates slight chassis flex, maintaining exhaust tightness under real world driving conditions.
Built to precise standards and robust enough for daily use or towing, these headers ensure reliable performance for your LS swap.