How important are headers?
I have the lid/flopac, I probably wont buy a FAST, cuz thats just really expensive, so I will be keeping the ls1 intake manifold i think (unless that just screws me).
I was looking at some long tubes. Ive done the install on a 4.6 mustang (and let me tell u, there is no harder header install
) so Im not too worried about that, but time and money.... can I get away with the stock manifolds and just go right ahead to a nice cam (ms3 or so. dont want to lose my idle completely, but I want something that will give some serious power) or will I just be pissing in the wind unless I open up the airflow a little more.thanks

whatabout the intake manifold. any 98s out there running cams with the stock intake manifold? how much difference will that make?
whatabout the intake manifold. any 98s out there running cams with the stock intake manifold? how much difference will that make?
Trending Topics
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Cams have been installed without headers, but they are all about compromise...and won't give nearly the optimal performance.
You want the engine to b-r-e-a-t-h-e, intake and exhaust mods really open up the tq characterisics of ls1s. Adding a cam afterwards makes for that much more gain. Unless you have a compelling reason NOT to do headers (like you live in ca and want to stay 100% smog legal) first do headers.
but now I'm going to add headers (with cats) and probably go a little bigger cam wise.If you do a cam without headers, the cam size is limited and you'll need a lot of extra exhaust duration. You can get a nice gain from the cam, but you won't be installing something like a MS3.
Shorties might net you as much as 5-10 hp since you have 98 manifolds. with 2000+ manifolds, 5 HP is about it. Either way, shorties aren't going to support a MS3, TRex, etc.


