Mac Headers
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From: Skippack, PA
Mac Headers Im trying to decide what headers to put on my formula. I dont want shortys or longtubes so I guess Mac Midlengths are the way to go. Does anyone here have mac midlengths because I would like some feedback if their a good quality product or not. Also, do they make a noticible change in sound? Thanks.
BTW: do headers, y pipe, and a high flow cat really make it sound more louder with catback exhaust than just the catback?
BTW: do headers, y pipe, and a high flow cat really make it sound more louder with catback exhaust than just the catback?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: I-L-L-I-N-O-I-S
I have the single cat MAC mid-length headers on my '95 Z28 and I'm very impressed by them. The install isn't too bad and the plug access is great (probably the best of all the aftermarket LT1 headers). I've also had no leaks with them either as I used Mr. Gasket gaskets to make extra sure. And the Jet Hot Ceramic coating still looks exactly like new since they were put on two months ago...
Seat of the pants tells me the car revs faster and pulls harder from 3 grand and up (but without an actual dyno, it's hard to say for sure). But typically, bolt-on LT1's (like mine) gain anywhere from 15 to as much as 30 rear wheel horsepower with them depending upon the car and whether a cat is used or not. I run a 3" Random Tech highflow cat BTW. Sound through my GMMG cat-back is very similar to stock manifolds/cat at idle (actually, a bit quieter now) and down low, but louder, deeper, & meaner when you get on it.
Overall, great header for the money IMO and they've been proven to more than hold their own against the best longtubes up to about 400rwhp...
Seat of the pants tells me the car revs faster and pulls harder from 3 grand and up (but without an actual dyno, it's hard to say for sure). But typically, bolt-on LT1's (like mine) gain anywhere from 15 to as much as 30 rear wheel horsepower with them depending upon the car and whether a cat is used or not. I run a 3" Random Tech highflow cat BTW. Sound through my GMMG cat-back is very similar to stock manifolds/cat at idle (actually, a bit quieter now) and down low, but louder, deeper, & meaner when you get on it.
Overall, great header for the money IMO and they've been proven to more than hold their own against the best longtubes up to about 400rwhp...
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 95
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From: Birmingham, AL
I'll have to echo the statements in the above post. I've got Macs on my car and they are the best alternative to long tubes. Getting those stock, cast iron manifolds off the car and putting on some quality headers really wakes up the ole LT1.
Go for it!
Go for it!
How do they compare to the AS&M's that have the 1-3/4" primaries? I'm really considering getting rid of these dual cat slp's for either mac's or as&m's but the price difference scares me and i like the plug accesss of the macs.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: I-L-L-I-N-O-I-S
Originally Posted by Evaporate
How do they compare to the AS&M's that have the 1-3/4" primaries? I'm really considering getting rid of these dual cat slp's for either mac's or as&m's but the price difference scares me and i like the plug accesss of the macs.
Again, I think the MAC mids are great for bolt-on, cam, or h/c cars up to 400rwhp or so (although they'll still do fine well above that; you'd just be giving up some power to larger primary headers or longtube designs). Plus, the sound is very good and the plug access is great!
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No matter what headers you get you are going to see an improvement over stock. I am not putting down MAC's at all, actually I was going to purchase a set about 6 months ago, but instead bought a new gun. If you plan on staying bolt on or maybe a mild H/C combo, the MAC's are the way to go. I planned on a 383 in the future so I am going to go ahead and get longtubes. And when you can pick up some Pacesetters for around 400 coated I would rather go that route.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 98
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From: Orlando (UCF), Florida
You can't beat the price and ease of install of the Mac's. I gained .4 and 3 mph in the 1/4 by adding these, and have dyno'ed 275hp with bolt ons and A4 with my MACs. After 2 years, the Jet-Hot coating still looks great too, and I just pulled all my spark plugs in 15 minutes today 
.
Ryan
.Ryan
I went in to put mine on about a month ago and had three little broken off suprises in the heads, but i also had to have the little pipe bent at an exhaust shop to get it to fit on my 93, other than that they sound good and add a little bit of rumble to the car which is nice
I put them on my car back in 2004 and I remember the difference being very dramatic. The car will be a little louder yes, but it will sound better. It takes on a more serious sound.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
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From: Skippack, PA
why are people still commenting in this 3 year old thread?? this was a question I asked 3 years ago for my old car and in my sig you can see a car that has Long Tubes listed in its mods.