im planning on getting some headers for my ls1 camaro. wanted to know what size headers would be the best ones to get. 1 3/4 or 1 7/8. or i heard that 1 3/4 stepped to 1 7/8 was better. and does brand really matter. im looking to spend around 600-500 bucks. Thanks

 

If you plan on building the motor in the future then go with a 1 7/8 header. If not and you are just going to do the basic bolt ons, then the 1 3/4 are just fine. The Kooks and American Racing are two of the best brands avail. Best bang for the buck would be some ceramic coated Pacesetters. I picked my Pacesetters up from Texas Speed for roughly $550 w/ the Y-Pipe.

 

ARH. save up and get the best.

 

With That budget. i would look at the Texas speed 1 7/8 headers. Fit fine with poly mounts installed

 

Pasesetters are the best bang for the buck headers out. I had them on both my F-bodies.. They fit good, are real reasonably priced, and provide a nice power gain.

 

I will have to vouch for pacesetters. Outstanding for the price and they fit right. I got the ceramic coated ones about 5 years ago for absolutely dirt cheap (~$350 with a y-pipe). They are just now starting to rust on the driver side collector. Can't beat that.

 

I like my pacesetters

 

Love my Ebay header Stainless steel and only 190 shipped to my door

 

You've got quite a few options in the price range your looking at. So ill give you 1 more, you can get ceramic coated BBK longtubes & Off-Road Y pipe for $499 shipped from LMPerformance.com or you can go the cheaper route and get the Chrome finished ones.

They fit great, good ground clearance with the y pipe and before anyone mentions it. Yes, the Y-Pipe BBK offers is 2.5" then merges to 3". I really doubt it'll make much of a difference if it was all 3". Unless your concerned with HP numbers.

 

Hey:

Buy some LPPs or LSXtreme, check out ebay for some good prices on these.

Dub

 

Pacesetters! Shipped 430 bucks and coated. If your looking to spend 600 bucks buy some pacesetters and you'll have enough for plugs n' wires and motor mounts to install along with your headers.

 

What are your realistic plans for the car? 1 3/4 is fine for most street applications. I'd go with the 7/8 if you're going to be making a good amount of power down the road.

 

couple things to look for.

First get under you car and check out how your current exhaust is put together. Mine is welded from the stock manifold flange all the way back. Everything from the I-pipe to my LM1 resonators. This means I'd have to look at removing the entire system out to the tips (luckily I am doing true duals so it was going anyways). This will add to your build if you have to replace your current I pipe backwards as well as just the headers and new Y.

As others have said, 1 3/4" is good for bolt-ons. When you get around 450hp it may do well to step up to 1 7/8" (or start there if you plan on putting a lot of money into your build), and over 500hp move on to 2".

Then remember to factor in o2 sensor extensions. Mine for some reason already had one on the driver side.

You may as well needs to replace your gasket. Some have luck re-using, others not so much.

Depending on who you buy from, you may as wellhave to factor in clamps into your build as well.

 

eBay is a great idea. I would also save my money for the best one. It will be worth it in the end. I am a big fan of LSXtreme, so I would look online for what would be best for you in the long run.

 

Do yourself a favor and dont buy pace setter. You will be replacing them down the road. Do it right the first time. Realistically, a good stainless header isnt that far off. 1-7/8" would also be my choice, especially if plan on any power down the road.

 

well thanks alot guys...i am planning on putting on some heads and cam later down the road. so im prob gonna save a little more money and go for the 1-7/8 headers.

 

if you havent purchased headers yet, i would highly consider TSP 1 7/8 headers.. i think they are about 600 bucks.

 

Mine were 530 shipped

 

i vote for pacesetters as well. install wasnt hard. the hardest part was the exhaust manifolds coming off. mostly breaking the bolts holding them in