summit racing has stepped (1 1/2 to 1 5/8) shortie headers for $200. are these any good?
do they come with a Y pipe at all?

I'm thinking of upgrading from my 1 1/2" dyomaxes.... is this wise?

my engine doesnt seem to pull like it should above 4500rpm, but it has awesome torque, would these heddmans be the answer or are they crap?

 

Judging from your signature, this is for the 82 with the 350 rather than the 85 with 305. For a 350 I'd say you'd be better off with at least 1 5/8" rather than the headers that start out at 1 1/2" I never was a real big fan of stepped headers for a street car. With a race engine that has an rpm range of 1000 - 6000+ I might see where the stepped headers would work. With a street engine, most of you rpm is between idle - 3000 rpm. You may occasionally go to 6000 rpm but honestly how often. If you spend more time between 3000 - 6000 then you might think about 1 3/4". Personally, I have 1 5/8" Hedman shorties on my 350 with the XE262 cam. I like it. Sure the 1 3/4 may make more hp at a higher rpm, but I'm not at that higher rpm as much and don't want to sacrifice the lower rpm torque for the few added hp.

 

I have Hedmans on my 350. They are not stepped though. They are standard 1 5/8" and included a y-pipe. Stay away from anything smaller than 1 5/8". All taht will do is ADD torque. If horsepower is your ultimate goal, go with a set of 1 3/4" headers. They will awaken the sleeping giant within your motor. Only one problem though, $$$, that is the only reason have yet to get some. I will be defintely dropping the $500+ for SLP's when I get my 383 built.