Headers? Yes or No?
#1
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Location: Western North Carolina
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Headers? Yes or No?
Since my 97 Z28 is getting a new engine in a few weeks, I was thinking about having headers installed, what better time right! The main reason is I hear it's easier to replace the plugs. My car is stock and I plan on keeping it that way. The new motor will be around 300hp which is enough for me. So, are there any others positives to install headers on a stock z28? If so, what brand and size (short, med, long), should I look at? I would like ceramic if at all possible. Guess I could always buy them and put ceramic on my self. Thanks
#2
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (15)
It all comes down to what your budget is and how strict your state is on emissions. You can spend $200 on headers, or $1500 on headers, and anywhere in between.
Shorties
Pros:
Looks
Potential marginal increase in performance
Ease of maintenance
Usually emissions legal
No aftermarket Y-pipe needed
Easier to install
Cons:
Lowest power increase (if any)
Long tubes
Pros:
By far largest power/torque gain
Biggest improvement in sound
Looks
Ease of maintenance (spark plugs)
Cons:
Ground clearance
Needs aftermarket Y-pipe
More difficult to install
Not emissions legal in most cases
Mids kind of fall in between those two.
As far as material, if you plan on keeping the car a long time at a minimum get ceramic coated steel, if not fully stainless steel.
But if we all get a vote, mine is that any kind of header is better than the stock manifold junk. Personally I'm doing stainless longtubes with a catted y-pipe (pretty much the most expensive configuration).
Shorties
Pros:
Looks
Potential marginal increase in performance
Ease of maintenance
Usually emissions legal
No aftermarket Y-pipe needed
Easier to install
Cons:
Lowest power increase (if any)
Long tubes
Pros:
By far largest power/torque gain
Biggest improvement in sound
Looks
Ease of maintenance (spark plugs)
Cons:
Ground clearance
Needs aftermarket Y-pipe
More difficult to install
Not emissions legal in most cases
Mids kind of fall in between those two.
As far as material, if you plan on keeping the car a long time at a minimum get ceramic coated steel, if not fully stainless steel.
But if we all get a vote, mine is that any kind of header is better than the stock manifold junk. Personally I'm doing stainless longtubes with a catted y-pipe (pretty much the most expensive configuration).
#3
TECH Enthusiast
full stainless longtubes is the way to go and a matching y pipe. while your at it get new mounts. save you a headache. there are several brands stainless works and kooks will cost you the most. pacesetters are good among others. just look through some threads to see what brands fit the best
#5
I bought a pair of pace setter long tubes, sandblasted off the black paint, and coated the babies in a ceramic coating. The ceramic put me back only 50$ a much better deal then buying armor coated if you ask me. The answer is yes, headers are worth it no matter what kind you get.
#6
I installed a set of LT Pacesetter headers with a new y-pipe car sounds awesome, no problems with clearance and they are not rusting but with that being said my car is always garage stored when not driven. I would go with LT's by the way they can be a pain to install.
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#9
My 95 with full exhaut/CAI and tune made 311/346. Don't waste your time and effort on shorty headers.
Buy PS headers with a matching catless midpipe and have them blasted then coated. I can't see paying $1500 for SW or Kooks on a car that is worth maybe $5000.
Buy PS headers with a matching catless midpipe and have them blasted then coated. I can't see paying $1500 for SW or Kooks on a car that is worth maybe $5000.