Header Advise Needed?
Header Advise Needed? Ok guys, don't lash out at me for this thread as I know it's been discussed over and over again and I think I've read about every thread on this forum and others about this topic. However, I wanted to address some questions I have and focus them in one thread with your opinions/personal experiences. Here goes:
I currently have JBA mids on my 383 and they have served me well for a long time and are very good headers, but I am constantly battling burned wires, very very poor plug access and leaking. I have addressed the leaking with Percy's and that is pretty much solved, and I have gone to a coil over setup and routed the wires over the VCs to keep them away from the primaries but over time they still have had issues and even with protective boots and wire wrap. I have toyed with the idea of going with long tubes as my motor would def. benefit from the larger primaries and better breathing as well as better plug access and more room for wires. Here are my questions/concerns:
Headers I have found would work - LPP (of course), PaceSetters, Hooker (maybe not with the flange y connector - ground clearance), Jet Hot's, and for MIDs the only one's I've seen that look good are the ASM's.
1) Ground clearance - I have the Eibach pro kit (I know its not the lowest, but it's still low) and don't wanna always drag.
2) Plug access
3) Straight install and minimal fitment issues - really like the LPP's but have seen all the issues with the kmember and primary 8 people are having. I have prothane motor mounts so this might help.
4) Wire boot clearance from the primary
5) I know it sounds weird but I would like to have CATS in the headers or Y (NO egr or AIR - don't care about removing this stuff) as I do run rich with this cam and don't want to smell it even more.
6) I have a canton pan and would like to keep the oil level sensor and have good access to the filter - is this even possible with any LT out there?
With all this said, are LT's really the way to go or is there a good set of MIDS out there that breathe almost as good and will offer me all I want? I've been on here a long time and just want to compile a lot of input. Let me know what you think?
BTW - Probably won't be doing this for atleast 6 months as I gotta talk the wife into it and save up the $$$.
I currently have JBA mids on my 383 and they have served me well for a long time and are very good headers, but I am constantly battling burned wires, very very poor plug access and leaking. I have addressed the leaking with Percy's and that is pretty much solved, and I have gone to a coil over setup and routed the wires over the VCs to keep them away from the primaries but over time they still have had issues and even with protective boots and wire wrap. I have toyed with the idea of going with long tubes as my motor would def. benefit from the larger primaries and better breathing as well as better plug access and more room for wires. Here are my questions/concerns:
Headers I have found would work - LPP (of course), PaceSetters, Hooker (maybe not with the flange y connector - ground clearance), Jet Hot's, and for MIDs the only one's I've seen that look good are the ASM's.
1) Ground clearance - I have the Eibach pro kit (I know its not the lowest, but it's still low) and don't wanna always drag.
2) Plug access
3) Straight install and minimal fitment issues - really like the LPP's but have seen all the issues with the kmember and primary 8 people are having. I have prothane motor mounts so this might help.
4) Wire boot clearance from the primary
5) I know it sounds weird but I would like to have CATS in the headers or Y (NO egr or AIR - don't care about removing this stuff) as I do run rich with this cam and don't want to smell it even more.
6) I have a canton pan and would like to keep the oil level sensor and have good access to the filter - is this even possible with any LT out there?
With all this said, are LT's really the way to go or is there a good set of MIDS out there that breathe almost as good and will offer me all I want? I've been on here a long time and just want to compile a lot of input. Let me know what you think?
BTW - Probably won't be doing this for atleast 6 months as I gotta talk the wife into it and save up the $$$.
IMO, the pros of the LPPs in the long run FAR outweigh any install snafus you might run into. You might get lucky too - my batch dropped right in with no problems.
Plug access is terrific. Even with my wires routed in the stock locations, they don't burn, no fire sleeves or anything. Just a few zip-ties.
If you want a cat, I would use the LPP y-pipe and have a cat welded after the junction.
I can't speak for any other header brand with the 242T, but my low oil sensor had to be deleted (I also have the 242). Some people have relocated it by welding a new bung in the pan where clearance isn't a problem.
Plug access is terrific. Even with my wires routed in the stock locations, they don't burn, no fire sleeves or anything. Just a few zip-ties.
If you want a cat, I would use the LPP y-pipe and have a cat welded after the junction.
I can't speak for any other header brand with the 242T, but my low oil sensor had to be deleted (I also have the 242). Some people have relocated it by welding a new bung in the pan where clearance isn't a problem.
I may get burned at the stake for this but believe it or not I am a big fan of pacesetter headers for these cars. I too have a canton 242t and the oil level sensor was fine, oil filter and plug access is good. The flanges are not perfectly flat but a thick header gasket ( I use the Mr. Gasket Ultra Seal ) and no leaks. I also v banded the collectors and welded the slip joint in the y and I could not be happier. They fit well, sound good, work well, and they are well priced. If I could be certain that the ebay stainless knock offs were perfect pacesetter replicas I would buy them in a heartbeat. Maybe 2 sets
Thanks guys, after some research I am starting to lean towards the AS&M headers. I know they are not true longtubes and are pretty much a mid, but they do have large primaries at 1-3/4" and will give me much better ground clearance. I know a guy over on cz28.com that is pushing 800 RWHP with these headers so they will flow and will be a world of difference from my current JBA's. Does anyone have any opinions on these headers and how they fit? I am running the canton pan and wanna make sure the ypipe will fit so if anyone has any pics that would be great? Still not sold just yet and I have sent an email to their support but no word back just yet. I might still go with LPP or bite the bullett and get some Kooks - but GOD are they expensive.
