I want to install some headers in to my 89 Formula 350. How much trouble is it to do it yourself? Also what brands are good?

What would the difference in sound be, between stock manifolds and headers on an L98 350 TPI? I'm know there is a difference, but will it be drastic?
Thanks a lot guys!!!

 

Most people will say SLP shorties are the best and those who don't say it's because of fitment issues or they want a 2.5in y to 3in collector. I can't argue about the y-pipe but my 1 3/4 SLPs have no fitment issues to speak of, most of which being steering shaft rubbing. Headers rate pretty high on my PITA scale, lots of frozen bolts, 1/4 turns, and busted knuckles. I'm running an open ypipe right now because my catback hasn't come yet and it isn't driveable unless you live in the country with no neighbors.

 

How hard are headers? A girl friend hit me over the head with one once, knock the snot out my head, I'd say their pretty hard....Oh you mean installing, sorry haven't tried YET on a third gen. Looking under the hood the cast iron manifolds would be a PITA.
Tilting the motor seems to help alot from what I have read on this subject.
Everyone has a different pain tolerance (running into problems). If you work on cars all day everyday your tolerance is higher (through knowledge). If you have a briefcase tool box and this will be the first thing you've touched under a hood...ouch!!!
You can do it, take a whole weekend who cares, just remember thousands of people have done it...add your name to the list.

 

Took my brother and I 6 hrs to install mine. AC was already off teh car though. Longest part is taking things off to get out the way.

 

Theoretically they are tedious, but not terribly hard.

Realistically you are dealing with a 10 to 20 year old car, and chances are high that somthing will break in the process.

IMHO, headers are a must if you want all out performance, but if you just want to do the standard bolt-ons, I think they are over rated, esp. considering cost and installation.
In short, I wished I'd never installed them on mine.
I did not notice any changes, other than a loader and more vibrating car.

 

It ook me two days to mine. I was by my self but I did have a lift. I think it was worth it. Now I just have to install a complete 3" all the way back. It is going to cost me $340. I installed hooker super comps. I will try to get pics on here soon. PITA but I would do it again. Just do a search about the bolts and make sure you have every part you will need before you start. ie cat, reducers, flanges. that will help alot.

 

OK I agree with the first part... but about being overrated, what!? I picked up .6 in the 1/4 miles and a huge SOTP power gain! Plus it sounds twice as good as it did before! Didn't pick up any extra vibration either. Well worth the time effort and $$.

 

headers will give you a good sound and some extra power, but can be a bare to install, but its not too bad to do yourself. you will have to dislocate the steering shaft in the engine compartment, at the fire wall to get the one on the driver side and its pretty much just getting everything out of the way on the motor. the only reason i took mine off to put manifolds back on is that the headers run really hot and they melt wires and wire looms and anything that gets close to them. just make sure you get any wires and loom away from them or they will melt.