Exhaust Combinations -- Need Advice
 

Hello,

I am trying to make a plan for what exhaust system I want to install on my 2002 z28. I am going to be trying to do this on a budget, so here is what I have it narrowed down to:

Option 1:

BBK LT's w/2.5" Y-pipe Package $404 + TSP Rumbler Catback $250 = $654

Option 2:

Pacesetter LT's $300 + TSP 3" Y-pipe $140 + TSP Rumbler Catback $250 = $690


So, 36 dollar difference between option 1 and 2. Does anyone see any difference in gains between the two or any problems with either set up, or any additional components that will be needed?

THANKS!

Also, does anyone have suggestions on a better exhaust system (headers, y-pipe, catback) that is under $700?

Texas Speed & Performance 1-3/4" Long Tube Stainless Steel Headers are on sale right now for $380 but they are out of stock it seems.

Keep your eyes open for this if they come back or contact them directly.

Their Stainless Y pipe (no cats) is $150

This would be total of $530. You wouldn't regret going with stainless headers at all.
Headers is something you only wana do once and right.

As far as catback exhaust goes , buy one used from the classifieds here or locally on craigslist.

Yeah, the TSP y-pipe is within my "option 2" set up for $140 if you look above. Would you go with option 1 or option 2?

I would go with option #2 if I had to pick between them, but I have to agree with bad_408_vert in saying that you should wait until the TSP headers come back in stock. The little bit extra you pay will be worth it.

Header installs suck, do it right once and be done with it.

Thanks for the vote. Are you guys saying to get the TSP headers (which ive had my eye on for a LONG time) only because they are stainless or do you see other reasons?

They're just a much higher quality part. I had run Pacesetters for a few years, they rusted and looked like crap, and lots of guys have had the AIR/EGR ports on the headers blow off and need to be repaired. The TSP headers don't have any of those issues.

Pacesetters are like a tshirt at dollar store,
( I have pacesetters).

Texas speed ones are like t shirts in old navy

Kooks or ARH are like shirts at Macy's :jest:

How about Speed Engineering 1 7/8?

I've heard a lot of good things about the pacesetters on this forum. Many people really like them, especially for the cost, but I suppose 80 more bucks would be worth it for the reassurance you get. Also, I wouldn't be driving in rain or snow or any type of bad weather and I don't live by the ocean, so I don't forsee rust being an issue.

I would put BIG money on Old Navy shirts outlasting any shirt from Macy's. I might even put money down that dollar store shirts last longer than macy's shirts. :)

I don't believe I need 1 7/8 for just a simple bolt-on Z28. Why do you reccomend these? Would you select my option 1 or option 2?

My guess is because Speed Engineering headers and about the same quality as TSP headers but are cheaper ($390 for stainless steel headers and ORY) and 1 7/8's because it's been proven that there are no loses in low end torque and some minor gains at high RPM's. Also it's a good way to future proof you car, lost's of people say they're only going to do bolt on's but end up adding heads and cam or a ProCharger. At that point 1 3/4 headers will be holding you back and 1 7/8's will be worth more hp.

I'd get this cat back to go with the headers, looks to be that same as the TSP Rumbler only cheaper and made of stainless steel.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/98-02-Camaro-Trans-Am-Catback-Stainless-Exhaust-LS1-V8-SS-Z28-Firehawk-Bolt-On-/160946599643?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25792a36dbThat less than $600 for a all stainless steel exhaust, you can use the money you save on some nice looking exhaust tips.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Long-Angled-Cut-Muffler-Pair-Stainless-Steel-Universal-Exhaust-Tips-/111502914999?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2000%7CMake%3AChevrolet%7CModel%3ACamaro&hash=item19f61775b7&vxp=mtrhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/2-STAINLESS-STEEL-DUAL-EXHAUST-TIPS-PAIR-2-5-4-0-Camaro-Trans-Am-2-5-4-0-BMW-/350847865063?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2000%7CMake%3AChevrolet%7CModel%3ACamaro&hash=item51b02990e7&vxp=mtr
Almost forgot one more thing this will save you money by not having to buy O2 sensor extensions or the long Corvette O2 sensors.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...vette-o2s.html

1 7/8 why not? Gains up top and if you mod further you'll be prepared!

Wow, that catback looks sweet! that price is unbelievable, too. Would you trust this catback from this seller? I sure want to.

I would, a quick look at the sellers feed back shows 1 person complaining that it took extra work to get the exhaust tips centered in a Trans Am's bumper cut outs. That could easily be installer error, but even if it's not it wouldn't be an issue on a Camaro.

These exhausts are are carbon copies of other exhausts.

Even if they weren't , fobodies been around forever so it can't be horrible.

If you don't want to spend the money twice, or you plan on keeping the car for a while save until you can afford stainless steel. I can't remember the name of the first brand that I bought. They were mild steel coated, the coating lasted a year and they started to leak the second year.

Non stainless will 100% definitely rust. I had a kooks y-pipe before they went to stainless on my car for 5 years. My car is garage kept, heated, only driven on nice days and I park the car on carpet. When I switched over to kooks TDs the y- pipe was completely surfaced rusted. There were no holes but its only a matter of time.

Thats why every part I listed is 100% stainless. With the prices stainless exhaust parts can be bought for there is no reason not to.