Pacesetter headers

[metooo]

Rugged ridge makes one and i think borla does as well. The pacesetter guy had no idea what he was talking about. The 99 didn't have any precats.

Also, if you have precats you have a 00-01... which does not have the pinched down pipe. Have you looked at your down pipe?

Yep, I took a look about 30 minutes ago,...no pinch. You are correct. I have a 2001 XJ.

I looked at Rugged's website and only saw Wrangler headers. Also, I've seen several headers that look similar to the one they picture for the Wrangler. After the 6 runs collect, I assume it connects to the OEM pinched pipe since it doesn't seem to come with any additional piping. Borla's is more complete, but pricey. What ever header I end up with has to come with piping to at least reach the main cat. I appreciate the suggestions though.

 

[Talyn]

You can't just remove the precats and hope it works. 1) You have two pre cat O2 sensors that the PCM uses to adjust the fuel. 2) you have two after cat sensors that the check the condition of the cat converters 3) no company makes what you want for your vehicle 4) its illegal 5) no company makes a header with down pipe for the 00-01 with precats.

 

[metooo]

You can't just remove the precats and hope it works. 1) You have two pre cat O2 sensors that the PCM uses to adjust the fuel. 2) you have two after cat sensors that the check the condition of the cat converters 3) no company makes what you want for your vehicle 4) its illegal 5) no company makes a header with down pipe for the 00-01 with precats.

It's not illegal for "offroad only" use. But, I've been noticing companies hardly making much of anything for 00-01. You just gotta set what fits from other model years.

I'll have to look into the whole PCM/sensor thing. I remember a simple resistor fixing that issue when the downpipe cat was removed from a 2002 Subaru WRX. Maybe it's not that simple with the Jeep, but I'll find out.

Thanks

 

[ChevelleSSLS6]

o2 simulators are great!

Just don't let the eco nazis catch you, and make sure you run at least a normal functional cat. I'm not a fan of the multiple cats idea on the later XJs, but by keeping the main one in place it'll clean things up a lot and is just more responsible.

 

[O-Gauge Steamer]

RANT ON!!!

I tried a set of medium tube headers from these people as part of a complete exhaust swap. As I dry fit everything before I take a vehicle apart, the first thing I found was that the two into one pipe that "slip fits" (thier statement) was off by nearly .25". I called Pacesteer and eventually spoke to a "manager" named Joe (extension 208) His take on it was...

"Well we weld them on jigs and no two are exactly the same. Just take a strap wrench or maybe a come-along and pull the header outlets closer."

I informed him that the Y connectors on the header were touching and it would be impossible to get the metal to move. He responded...

"I have a header in my had and can move the tubes quite a bit".

Really? Is your middle name Samson? I then asked about the Quality Assurance Department's check on these parts. Do they, I asked, actually test fit the pieces to see if the will go together? His response...

"No, we mass produce these parts on two separate lines and at no time are they checked to see if they will fit together".

At this point I told him I would be returning the headers to my Vendor. He stated...

"I could, I guess, pull several from stock and find a set that goes together to swap out for yours".

Are you kidding me, I asked.

I reurned the headers to my vendor and told them to check the fit. I also told them that this box of scrap steel should not get sold, it should be sent back to Pacesetter. They agreed. Oh, by the way, my Vendor paid the return shipping.

RANT OFF!!!

Just for the record, I am a (retired) Mechanical Process Engineer. I controlled a process that was responsible for drilling millions of holes everyday to a position tolerance of +/-0.001". I also ran the profiling department where we had to hold +/-0.005" overall dimension tolerance. It seems to me that they were making thier poor production results my problem. The first individual I spoke with (prior to Joe) told me "Well we do say that some fabrication may be required". Yah, to the vehicle not your parts. I mean, really? Have to rewprk a Manufacturers parts to get them to fit themselves?

STAY AWAY.

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

"Well we weld them on jigs and no two are exactly the same

I have a problem with this statement. That is what the friggin' jig is for.

 

[O-Gauge Steamer]

Wolf,
Exactly the point I made to them. I even offered to go to the factory and show them how to build and USE a simple Go/No Go check to ensure the parts would fit.:sunshine: You know a simple steel plate with holes for the two pipes on the header portion and a pair of steel rods properly spaced for the Y-Pipe. Oh wait, isn't that sort of a jig?

They declined...

 

[ChevelleSSLS6]

Hmmm, seems that pacesetter needs to get the helium between the ears replaced with some actual brains. Or else their business is doomed.

 

[xj9140]

I know allot of people don't like these headers, but I think it will work just fine for me. Where can I find the cheapest price??

 

[O-Gauge Steamer]

I bought them thru J.C.Whitney. Only a few dollars more but, they have a no questions asked return policy. They gladly took them back!

 

[hubs97xj]

Summit Racing is also a Pacesetter retailer. I put their header and catback on my RX7, maybe 10 or 12 years ago- nothing fit well, the hangers didn't line up (had to use stainless zip ties to hold it on the OE hooks/donuts) the finish was crap, and it looked ancient after just a few years. There's a reason they are cheap.

 

[Gold Cobra]

I ran the Pacesetter in my 87 MJ. I had zero issue's with it and would definitely buy it again.

 

[metooo]

Anyone have pics of them on an '00-'01 XJ?

 

[Talyn]

The general consense is that they are crap. Why waste your time?

 

[noel86]

i have had one installed for three years now and since day one it has been a pain.

every time i would go wheel'en the thing would wiggle loose from the exhaust clamps
so i welded it so now it is a one piece header.

the o2 sensor is also relocated to a terrible location left me stranded do to the header
melting isolation off the wire.

so with that being said next time i going to buy a BANK's header!

 

[js_customs]

I'd recommend the clifford. You'll have to do a custom downpipe, but I haven't had any problems with mine other than replacing the collector gaskets twice. It's been on for 3 years or so. Like everyone else said, pace setter is junk.

 

[aparke4]

APN seems to be the best for the $$ - I have heard nothing but poor performances with pacesetter even in the Tj/ WJ/ CJ world... I have a banks on my 99 but only got it becuase I did not pay full price... about to put a banks on my 4 banger TJ - I have had xero problems with banks. All headers have been installed with MORE motor mounts and have a flex pipe before cat.