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Long Tubes: FlowTech vs. Pacesetter vs. Edelbrock

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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 06:10 AM
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Default Long Tubes: FlowTech vs. Pacesetter vs. Edelbrock

OK, the question to end all questions

Which set of "budget" long tubes would be best for my set up?

I plan on doing full bolt ons and a mild-aggressive cam (T1 or such), but the car will be driven almost exclusively on the street on a daily basis.

The Flowtechs have the same basic design as the hookers/jet-hots so I'd expect to see the same amount of gains with those, and they are the least expensive at $270. I'm not sure about quality on these yet though. And what type of gains are typical, 20 - 25 HP/TQ accross the board?

The Pace Setters are in the same price range at about $275 but do they produce as much power or more typically?

The edelbrocks are a stepped header with merge collectors so I'm sure that they would out perform either of the other 2, but would that be too much header for a bolt-on/mild-cam daily driven 346? And would the power gains be worth the extra $100 or so bucks (I know some people measure worth differently, but in general) i.e. I consider $10 per extra HP to be "worth it".

Any comments are welcome as well as other suggestions to take into consideration. I'm on a some what strict budget so that's something I will need to keep in mind.

Also I plan on building my own Y-pipe, so that won't be a factor in my decision.

Thanks for the input,
Ryan B
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 07:09 AM
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you'll gain the same with any of thoses headers. your decision should be based on fit, finish, and quality.

you get what you pay for, keep that in mind. if i had to chose one of the above i'd go with the pacesetters. they've supposedly fixed all the problems with the new redesign. but honestly i'd save up a bit more money and just get some hookers/jet hots, or even more money and get some kooks/qtp.

going the extreme cheap on usually costs you more in the long run in one way or another.
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by 99_1LE_Z
OK, the question to end all questions
oh, and . i bet my new forged 347 we'll have this same questions next from someone who "searched".
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 07:33 AM
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I run the Pacesetters on my 99Z28 & I love them.. There were no fitment issues, I didnt have to knotch or cut or bend anything to get them to fit... So far its been about 4months.. & I still havent had anyproblems..
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 08:55 AM
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The Edelbrock stepped header is a quality piece and installs easily. The merge collector is great for scavenging the exhaust gases. You can order their Y-pipe or go true duals, but all the components fit together well and they do not hang low.
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 09:41 AM
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If you are building your own ypipe, the pacesetters are a good choice. My pacesetters went in with no problem, no steering removal, no k member notching and no nasty primary dent(which the flowtechs have). Also the pacesetter flanges are thicker from what I hear.

i can't comment on the edelbrock setup.

I was impressed with the quality of my pacesetters.

The ypipe however, still sucks........

DEE
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 10:34 AM
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Definantly the Pacesetters over the Flowtechs because of the quality of the welds and flanges. I personally wouldn't run a stepped header unless I had a big f-ing cam or more serious work. You'll end up not gaining with those stepped headers and your set up ,so don't go with the Edelbrocks.
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 11:56 AM
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I would definately install Pacesetters over Flowtech headers. We stopped carrying Flowtech headers because the quality was so bad! The Pacesetters are on specials so I would probably go with those, but we stock the Edelbrock headers also

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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 02:33 PM
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i love my pacesetters, just make sure you grind a bit of the k-member off.
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 03:08 PM
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So It sounds like it's between the Pacesetters and the edelbrocks right now. Do you think I would see enough gain from the stepped tubes and merge collector of the edelbrocks to make it worth while with my mild setup or would it be better to spend the money elsewhere?
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Old Jun 11, 2004 | 04:53 PM
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youd be better off spending the extra money on the coated pacesetters
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 02:19 PM
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Pacesetter Wins!!!
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 04:23 PM
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Would the Coating be worth the extra $95 bucks??? Are the Pacesetters coated inside and out or just on the outside?

Jason> how much would shipping to 75093 be on the Pacesetters?

Also what is the price on the headers when they're not on special, because it may be a few months till I order them.
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 06:53 PM
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I say get the Edelbrocks! It took me about 15-20 min to slide them both up in there and have them bolted! Good ground clearance, steeped header, merge collector, and comes with the optional egr/air stuff, O2 extensions, and gaskets.

Jason
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason 98 TA
I would definately install Pacesetters over Flowtech headers. We stopped carrying Flowtech headers because the quality was so bad!
Jason
really. i've yet to see the in person and have only seen them in pics and the quality doesnt seem that great. but are they that bad you stop carrying them?

99 1le: get the coating.
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 03:16 PM
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Question

Originally Posted by 11secproject
I say get the Edelbrocks! It took me about 15-20 min to slide them both up in there and have them bolted! Good ground clearance, steeped header, merge collector, and comes with the optional egr/air stuff, O2 extensions, and gaskets.
I saw a picture recently and it didn't look like they had an O2 bung welded into them, do they have that or do they have to be drilled/welded or put in the Y-pipe?
I do like that merge collector that they have though.
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 04:30 PM
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My friend installed pacesetters and they are great quality for the price. They are no kooks or qtp but they are still a good header. Also the word is with the new design you dont have to knotch the k-member to get them in so thats a plus. I say go with the pacesetters and save the extra money that you would spend on kooks or qtps and get your cam.
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 05:22 PM
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you have to get the bungs welded on the edelbrocks, of all the header installs i've done, they were by far the easiest to put in, they come with the o2 bungs, new gaskets, bolts, all air/egr fittings, 02 extensions, the merge collectors, extensions, the whole works. not a bad deal at all for 350 bucks i'd say.
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 10:21 PM
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The Edelbrock stepped header is the best engineered product with a true merge collector, stepped design, all the components to eliminate or keep emissions equipment, and no installation issues.
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 10:25 PM
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https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/182061-flowtech-headers-ory-pipe-installed.html No complaints...so far.
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