Mac Mid VS. LT's
 

I have the choice to buy MAC True Fit header system without catalytic converters for all 1998-2000 LS1 Camaro and Firebirds. High quality tru-fit system is made from 16 gauge aluminized HTS coated tubing. LS1 headers have 1 3/4" primaries,the Y pipe is 2 1/2" and the collectors are 3" The headers have laser cut flanges for a leak proof seal. Quality, performance and sound is unmatched by the competition Part number TF4398 I could also buy a e-cutout to maybe help boost the power over LT's.

OR.

Should I buy pacesetter LT's? IM going to be doing a MS3 cam. I dont have any restrictions on exhaust emissions or ride height. I would like to do this kit because I can get it for $468 shipped. How much would LT's Flow better than this? THanks, BRian Kaiser

Macs are great, but I would only take them over long tubes if I already had them, was getting them for free or they were MUCH cheaper than any available long tube.
I recommend the Pacesetters, but I would maybe consider a custom Y pipe or one from another supplier.

The edelbrock longtubes, you can get for about 450-500 they arent coated, but they will OUTPERFORM either of those headers. You get a stepped header with a merge collector for under 500 bucks. That will make your cam shine. Get the edelbrocks.

I sold my mac mids to buy the edelbrocks, and the SOTP is huge :)

Personally, I got the Mac's, because they were cheap ($290 without the y-pipe), and because I wanted the ground clearance because I'm going to be getting Eibach Pro-Kit or Sportline springs. The Edelbrocks were a consideration as well and if I were to go with LT's, I would get those. However in my situation with price and ground clearance being issues I chose the Mac's and I don't regret it at all. Good luck...let me know what you end up with.

check the exhaust sticky. macs can support plenty of power but LT's are still the way to go :)

if you do get the macs junk the cats as there shit, port the primaries, and cut off the ball flanges.

Be ready for rasp if you do happen to dump cats regardless of your header choice. It's worse on catbacks than on cut-outs and I think true duals or dual cut-outs are the best sounding IMO. Some like the rasp though and I don't think it sounds bad really.

I have no rasp with my edelbrocks ORY and hooker catback...

I have Macs Headers and love them, like Bull99ls1 said if u plan on putting spring and such on ur car u may want to consider LT's. But honestly they sound all the same...

Goood Luucckk

Macs are cheap and fit well.. The y-pipe has alot to be reckoned with but overall the install isnt hard and the MACS make it very easy to change spark plugs. Easier than LT's most say. The rasp is deadly in the 2200-2500 range but full throttle you dont hear that. Some say to get a Flowmaster y-collector to get rid of the rasp, but i didnt do that. True duals on the macs supposedly have no rasp at all (but would ahve to be a custom job because no one makes them besides LANE I think). MACs flow fine and are space sufficient. a little more gain would be seen with LT's though. I get alot of compliments on my exhaust but I try to stay out of the rasp range unless I'm trying for someone to hear me. My exhaust is very free flowing with ORY and a dynomax 3" race bullet the only thing for any restriction.

Not to sound dumb, but what exactly does porting the primaries entail? Thanks.

macs are welded on the inside of the primary on each port - so what he is saying is weld the primaries on the ouside and port out the weld on the inside.

I would go with LT headers. It will sound a lot nicer and flow better.

Thank you for the enlightenment.

has anyone had any problems with the pacesetters rusting?

there have been several people who've had rusting issues w/ there pacesetters. its not limited to them though, just about every cermamic coated header has had a case of rusting. get stainless steel if thats an issue for you.

Sounds like a plan....an expensive one...but a good one none the less. thanks jrp

stainless will also rust with time.

if your car is low go with macs my ws6 had hookers and i had to many clearence problems so i ended up going with macs