2002 Chevy Camaro SS SLP Performance Parts Headers And Exhaust Upgrade - Feel The Flow

As some of you may be able to recall, we dipped into the low 12s with our Project LS1 Trans Am using SLP Performance Parts' Tuned Length Headers, Y-pipe and Loud Mouth II exhaust, and little more than a handful of bolt-ons and suspension upgrades. For the 3,800-pound (with driver) coupe, that was quite a feat-and there is no doubt that the great mid-range torque afforded by the Tuned Length Headers played a large role in that, as was its designed purpose. Knowing that some of its customers would be more concerned with top-end power, especially with certain combinations, SLP sought to design a new set of 1.75-inch, long-tube headers for '98-'02 F-bodies to cater to these needs. In addition to creating a set of one-piece, mandrel-bent, long-tube headers (PN 30046, 30047, 30048) with improved power gains at 4500rpm and above, Engineer Hank Daniecki, Jr. says they also improved ground clearance and fitment. The latest generation, Hank said, hangs only 3/4-inch lower than stock and uses the same high quality 409-stainless steel with ceramic coating. When combined with SLP's newly designed 3-inch emissions-compatible Y-pipe with metallic substrate 200-cell/inch high flow cats, LS1 F-bodies need only a high-flowing exhaust system to fully uncork.

Aside from its special edition Firehawk and SS-style exhaust, SLP has come to be known for making one of the loudest and most rambunctious after-cat exhausts for fourth-gen F-bodies. For 2008, SLP has also entered the arena of more docile sounding systems with the same great flow and performance as the Loud Mouth products. The PowerFlo line, previously only available with other applications, uses the Loud Mouth II muffler (in the same location) plus two straight-through, glasspack-style mufflers behind the bumper to reduce interior drone with headers, and sound near-stock with manifolds. As with the previous after-cats, the PowerFlo system is constructed of stainless steel and comes with the same lifetime warranty and selection of dual/dual (PN 31083), 3.5-inch slash-cut (PN 31085), or 4-inch dual-wall tips (PN 31084). Fear not Loud Mouth and Loud Mouth II owners, SLP even offers a PowerFlo Conversion Kit (PN 31086).

To test these two brand new exhaust products we headed to SLP's own top-notch installation facilities in Toms River, NJ. As with our last trip to SLP, lightning fast technician Hank Daniecki, Sr. would be doing the wrenching on a customer's painfully bone stock 6-speed '02 Camaro SS that didn't even have factory SLP options. Post install and test, SLP informed me that the owner planned to add its Cold Air Package as well. But first we would need to get some solid dyno numbers from SLP's SuperFlow chassis dyno and a little auditory evaluation. Follow along to see how these new tubes compared to the stock SS exhaust system.

SLP's 1.75-inch Long Tube...        read full caption SLP's 1.75-inch Long Tube Headers and Y-pipe come in three different versions for the early '98-'99 F-bodies (PN 30046), '00 models (PN 30047) and the 2001-2002s (PN 30048). All cost around $1,500, come with a limited lifetime warranty, and are constructed of ceramic-coated, 409 stainless steel. Unlike the Tuned Length Headers, this new design has longer primaries for greater gains from 4800-6200rpm. It also boasts a high-flow, four-into-one collector, a new 3-inch Y-pipe with high flow cats, and fantastic ground clearance.	At the time of publication...        read full caption At the time of publication three different polished exhaust tips were available with the PowerFlo exhaust: the 4-inch Double Wall, Dual/Dual, and 3.5-inch Slash Cut (in that order). The fourth one (on the end) is a new rectangular version that SLP just developed, and is similar to what is available for some other applications in its lineup.	SLP's new PowerFlo Exhaust...        read full caption SLP's new PowerFlo Exhaust for '98 to '02 LS1 F-bodies lists at just under $700, and is the company's quietest version yet. Much like the previous generation of Loud Mouth and Loud Mouth II systems, it is a modular design constructed of stainless steel. Unlike the other systems, though, the PowerFlo has two larger straight-through mufflers with a perforated core surrounded by packing material mounted just behind the rear bumper, in addition to a Loud Mouth II muffler mounted in the traditional position.
Part of the reason ground...        read full caption Part of the reason ground clearance manages to be only 3/4-inch lower than stock is this piece of squared tubing (not pictured in the previous product shot), which is part of the Y-pipe. It hugs the floorpan quite well with minimal cost to flow.	Hank Daniecki, Sr. starts...        read full caption Hank Daniecki, Sr. starts things off by cutting the stock intermediate pipe with a Sawzall.	A 13mm socket is needed to...        read full caption A 13mm socket is needed to remove the stock muffler and tailpipes from the hanger.
Since this is a 2002 SS,....        read full caption Since this is a 2002 SS,...	...the Y-pipe can be removed...        read full caption ...the Y-pipe can be removed from the cats with a 15mm socket.	The stock cats also unbolt...        read full caption The stock cats also unbolt with a 15mm socket. A long extension and a swivel come in handy.