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What headers have the best ground clearance??

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Old 08-02-2008, 10:16 PM
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Default What headers have the best ground clearance??

I am kinda torn between headers at the moment. I would like to have long tube headers in my car for the simple fact that it will yield the most power but I am worried about scraping them all the time. My car seems to sit a little lower than my brother's Camaro, but I myself have done modded the suspension. I am also thinking of getting a custom-made y-pipe to have high-flow cats welded in. I am considering mid-length headers but have heard that they don't clear much more than LT's. Anybody have any ideas?
Old 08-02-2008, 10:44 PM
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i just got done installing qtp longtubes and catted y-pipe on my 01 tonight and its lowered with bmr springs and the clearance is just fine...
Old 08-02-2008, 10:47 PM
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if your going headers put in longtubes either qtp or i would definitely consider pacesetter they have good ground clearance,easier installation, and good price.
Old 08-02-2008, 10:49 PM
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You will probably be fine with any header. The only ones that I heard had bad clearance were the older design of SLP.
Old 08-03-2008, 02:48 AM
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You're going to get alot of different answers since everybody is probably running different springs.
Old 08-03-2008, 06:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 94'BLKBRD
You're going to get alot of different answers since everybody is probably running different springs.
Well, to my knowledge, my SS still has the factory Bilstein suspension.
Old 08-03-2008, 06:40 AM
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The ground clearance is only an issue with the old style SLP's. Every other header is fine for ground clearance at the header collector. Typically, the clearance issues people have is on the driver's side of the ypipe due to the floor shape.
Old 08-03-2008, 08:45 AM
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ARH all the way!!! On pro-kit, no problem, dont even hit speedbumps, I have some pics of install, let me know if you want me to post few
Old 08-03-2008, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by LS1 Freak
ARH all the way!!! On pro-kit, no problem, dont even hit speedbumps, I have some pics of install, let me know if you want me to post few
X2.

Did have to flatten the driver side Y a little bit to keep it from hitting the floorboard at WOT though. No biggie
Old 08-03-2008, 11:05 AM
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pacesetters here never scrap and the fittment was great. best bang for the buck by far my 2cents
Old 08-03-2008, 01:16 PM
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i believe ground clearance is fine with all headers except SLP's, plus it all depends on the Y-pipe mostly some tend to hand low.
Old 08-03-2008, 01:36 PM
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^ SLP has said they have fixed this problem.....we'll see

I have Hooker 1 3/4s and they are fine as far as clearance, but I'm still 4x4'n too so...but even lowered they should be fine
Old 08-03-2008, 01:38 PM
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Agreed on any header but SLP.
Old 08-03-2008, 03:47 PM
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It's the Y Pipe that's the issue with ground clearance. I dont have LT's on my car, but do have a custom 3" catted Y Pipe and it's hitting the speedbumps. Since you wanna go custom y, just get them to flatten the driver side of the y pipe a bit and make sure they have it straight. Mines a lil bent at a certain part, well looks to be bent downward. which is why i think i have most of my ground clearance issue.
Old 08-03-2008, 03:52 PM
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arh x3. superb fit. way better clearance thank stock y
Old 08-03-2008, 06:47 PM
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ARH X4. I have lots of ground clearance.
Old 08-03-2008, 09:05 PM
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I have the SLP tuned (first design) LT headers, high flow cats and Y-pipe on mine at stock height / factory springs and have no issues but I could see how easily it could become an issue with lowered cars. I do believe the new design has taken care of this as it is a long tube design and not a tuned design. Which means each primary takes the shortest route to the collector and not all primary tubes are the same lenght (which is why the tuned headers look like they wrap around each other to maintain equal lenghts)
Either set of the SLP headers are great quality parts. Also take into consideration that these are stainless steel headers with a ceramic coating and the tuned set comes with the y-pipe. The new set comes with the y-pipe and high flow cats. That is the reason you are paying more.
Old 08-03-2008, 09:07 PM
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I wouldn't even try the new SLP's....


I had the old ones. Scraped them fairly often at the stock ride height.
On the ProKit with Kooks, and now with Kooks and Strano springs, I have not hit them once.
Old 08-03-2008, 10:01 PM
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Just stay away from the tuned length SLPs.

I installed my ARHs on my car last weekend and GAINED ground clearence from my shorty header/stock cats/SLP Y setup/ They tuck up real nice!
Old 08-04-2008, 11:35 AM
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Just call up Nick at American Racing and be done with it!!! You wont regret it, I promise you, if u got the $, go for it


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