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Best headers for my budget
Best headers for my budget Hey guys. I'm looking for some new headers as my car really needs supporting mods to make 400+rwhp like it did before I owned it. I've already purchased a lid and Loudmouth 2. The car also has a LS6 cam and ported 241 heads. I'm looking into BBK full length not only for the price, but because I've also heard they tuck better than other budget headers. My car is super low, as you can see in my profile. I'm also looking at TSP 1 3/4 or 1 7/8, and pacesetter coated. I'm probably not going for any more than 450 or so hp in the next 5 years, so I don't think 1 7/8 will make any difference for me. I want to spend $800-1000 including installation. RPM quoted me $450 for header, y, and motor mount install. If the clearance thing is true, I think I'm leaning mostly toward BBK. I just don't have the funds for Kooks headers and true duals right now (which is what I really want). Maybe in 5 years or so when I'll finally be fully out of school and the car will no longer be my DD. Any input on the header choices that I have in mind? Also, does the install price seem fair? I don't think I'm up to doing it by myself this time around. I'm a computer engineer, not a mechanic =p
P.S. This is the most active part of the forum imo, and if you guys have a minute, could you venture on over to the manual transmission thread and help me figure none of the 3 shifters I've tried will center?
P.S. This is the most active part of the forum imo, and if you guys have a minute, could you venture on over to the manual transmission thread and help me figure none of the 3 shifters I've tried will center?
Last edited by Beastmode89; Apr 12, 2012 at 11:37 PM.
I have the BBK LT's with catless Y pipe. Fitment and installation was easy with the o2 extension i bought with them from Coloradospeed. The Y pipe tucks up just like the factory one seeing as how (i think) its 2 1/2" instead of the normal 3". Ive had them on for around 2k miles and it sits quite a bit as how im deployed but they still look awesome.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-291-tex...e-headers.aspx
without a doubt I would go with those. They offered these literally a month after I got my pacesetters, and although the pacesetters fit well and i have no issues, they weren't coated and literally looked terrible a week after owning them and driving the car. For my next motor, those are the headers I will be running since they are stainless and a great price
and just get dirty and do it yourself. there is enough forums on here to give you step by step help. It took me a weekend of work (roughly 10 hours) to get them in and out and that was having a few beers with my friends. this will save you sooooo much money and you will cherish the work you did 10x more.
without a doubt I would go with those. They offered these literally a month after I got my pacesetters, and although the pacesetters fit well and i have no issues, they weren't coated and literally looked terrible a week after owning them and driving the car. For my next motor, those are the headers I will be running since they are stainless and a great price
and just get dirty and do it yourself. there is enough forums on here to give you step by step help. It took me a weekend of work (roughly 10 hours) to get them in and out and that was having a few beers with my friends. this will save you sooooo much money and you will cherish the work you did 10x more.
Your shifter thread blows my mind. I didn't even bother posting in it b/c I'm clueless.
I'd get the TSP 1 7/8" and the stainless matching Y. 450 is a realistic goal. People will argue about 1 3/4 vs 1 7/8, but the graphs have been shown. It's been proven. The 7/8"s make more power. 499 for a ******* stainless steel, 1 7/8" primary. You CANNOT beat that.
And I sure as hell wouldn't run a 2.5" Y pipe.
I'd get the TSP 1 7/8" and the stainless matching Y. 450 is a realistic goal. People will argue about 1 3/4 vs 1 7/8, but the graphs have been shown. It's been proven. The 7/8"s make more power. 499 for a ******* stainless steel, 1 7/8" primary. You CANNOT beat that.
And I sure as hell wouldn't run a 2.5" Y pipe.
TECH Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: California
Majority of the people that will respond most likely will blindly recommend what they have on their car.
I just had the BBK's done this past weekend and they do fit extremely well and dyno numbers were impressive as well. See my thread i just wrote up.
However i would give the TSP stainless strong consideration. Simply because they are stainless and they are not much more than the BBKs.
I just had the BBK's done this past weekend and they do fit extremely well and dyno numbers were impressive as well. See my thread i just wrote up.
However i would give the TSP stainless strong consideration. Simply because they are stainless and they are not much more than the BBKs.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Regular
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From: California
Last edited by jthunderz28; Apr 13, 2012 at 06:18 PM.
I say TSP 1 7/8" too only cause the Doc said so and I still have that stupid grin on my face from my first burnout AFTER I installed mine 
which was night and day better than before I installed them. And to go one further, I bought the BBK's! And sold them for the TSP's....Yes, the BBK's are good but I went for the the SS TSP's and do NOT regret it one bit.
which was night and day better than before I installed them. And to go one further, I bought the BBK's! And sold them for the TSP's....Yes, the BBK's are good but I went for the the SS TSP's and do NOT regret it one bit. 
I vote TSP Stainless 1 7/8. They've been proven on here to make great power and look good doing it. I'm swapping out my hookers for those when I change my motor mounts because they are such a great deal. To be honest though, the only reason I'm changing my headers is because I like shiny things, otherwise my hookers have been great as well.
TSP 1 7/8" so there won't be any chance of buyers remorse later. I wished they were out when I bought my Pacesetters. FWIW I have the 1 3/4" coated Pacestters. They were lightly used when I got them and I have had them on for 5 years and they still look virtually new. I keep them clean, not driven in salt, etc.
I would not be affraid to go with Pacesetter, BBK (just not a fan of the 2.5" y pipe, personal issue), TSP or even OBX.
I do know for a fact though, that the headers I get for the G8 will be Stainless.
I would not be affraid to go with Pacesetter, BBK (just not a fan of the 2.5" y pipe, personal issue), TSP or even OBX.
I do know for a fact though, that the headers I get for the G8 will be Stainless.
My car is so low that I'm actually worried about the clearance difference in the tsp 1 7/8 vs the bbk. From a standpoint of clearance only, what difference should I expect in the tsp vs bbk with much smaller tubing. Also, tsp and bbk vs stock manifolds and midpipe clearance. 1" of clearance is a huge amount with my car. I'm not as concerned with the power gains since I'm only going 450rwhp max. The size difference should make maybe 5rwhp I would think. A good tune for the mods should remedy that.
Only header that I know of with a clearance issue are the SLP's. Remember that all of the headers that you are considering all have 3" collectors. As far as I know, clearance will be about the same with all of them that you are considering with the benefit of the TSP having the larger primaries, but still having a 3" collector.
The style of y-pipe is where some people get into clearance issues.
The style of y-pipe is where some people get into clearance issues.
Does anybody have pics of the clearance on bbk and tsp headers and y. I'll probably go with whatever seems to tuck the best. I've got maybe 2-3 inches from my midpipe to the ground. I can't even go through an automatic car wash right now lol. I'll get up a pic tomorrow of the clearance I currently have.
