I was under the impression that you had to lift the engine to install headers, but it looks like others have installed them without doing so.

I have the 305 TPI engine. Is it possible for me to install headers without lifting the engine? I have A/C... don't really want it though.

I was thinking about getting those Flowtechs or something, I don't need million-dollar headers, but I just got my Hooker cat-back and I thought that it would make more sense to install headers while I'm at it as opposed to using a reducer to put my 3" exhaust on. (Or a new Y-pipe, or whatever the heck it is you're supposed to do.)

Excuse my ignorance, but I've never done this stuff before. Only way I'm gonna learn is to ask, right?

 

well since you have a hooker cat back you might as well get their headers.. run a search their is plenty of info on here already..

 

Flowtechs aren't the best, but if you only plan to stick with the 305, then they should be fine.

I believe they have 1.5'' primaries.

You dont have to lift the engine.

 

ya i got headers and installed them without lifting the engine...just go up through the bottom.

 

ive got hooker headers in from the top without lifting the engine. You dont have to lift them to put in shorties...Longtubes might be another story im not sure tho.

 

Cool deal on not having to lift the engine. What about the A/C stuff, will that get in the way?

Quote:

Flowtechs aren't the best, but if you only plan to stick with the 305, then they should be fine.

That's what I figured... but I would like to swap out eventually to a 350 or something, I just don't know when. Can't really beat the price though.... plus anything's better than the stock manifold, right?

TBI305Camaro, you've got Hooker headers for sale, would those work for my application? How much are you asking?

 

If that's the case, then I would suggest saving for some better headers like Hooker or something, you'll thank yourself later on.

 

No you probably don't have to lift the motor, but it sure makes it a lot easier. I think it varies from car to car too, probably according to the age of your motor/tranny mounts and how much they've compressed, and the shape of the headers themselves.

 

Alright you guys I need help deciding which headers to get.

I need inexpensive (bang for buck) headers. I'm on a tight budget.

What are the best shorty headers I can get that come with a Y-pipe that will connect to my 3" Hooker cat-back I'm about to install?

These Flowtechs say they only work for up to a '90 'bird???

These Hedmans say "Must modify rotary A/C bracket".... what exactly does that mean? Also says nothing about a Y-pipe... would I have to buy that seperately or have it made?

These Hooker Super Comp Shorties say they come with a high-flow Y-pipe and all that and look nice, a little more expensive though, it says only 86-90 though, why??

 

These Hedmans sound perfect... what do you all think? Will it work with my 3" exhaust though....?

 

Do you have dual cats? If so, that's why Hooker doesn't include you in their listing. If not, they will fit (they only include those applications where their headers are a direct fit).

I haven't seen the Hedmans personally, but from what I've heard, they scrimp a bit on the y-pipe to cat - go from 2-1/2" expanded to 3" to fit the cat. The Hookers, however, are 3" from the point the two sides come together.

You have to modify the AC bracket for the Hookers, too. It's just a matter of cutting off one leg so it can be bolted back to the engine using an exhaust mount bolt.

 

i did have to lift the engine to get my in from the top, they wouldn't go in from the bottom, but all I did was unbolt the motor mounts and jack it up, nothing to it.

 

i would strongly suggest not getting the flow tech's. i made the mistake of installing a set on a friend's car and ran into a couple of problems.the first thing i noticed when i took them out of the box was that the instructions said it would fit grand prix's,monte's,and a couple of other gm v-8 powered cars that use a y-pipe. second thing is on the passenger side manifold the exhaust port bolt pattern where the manifold is bolted to the head is wider than all of the other ports. the flowtech headers don't have a provision for this , therefore the primary tube lines up with the port but the furthest back bolt does not line up, it's not even close i had to copper permatex the heck out of the gasket to get it to shut up.which by the way if the headers you get come with paper gaskets throw them right in the trash and get a set of dead soft metal gaskets.then there was a lot of bs like the dipstick tube flapping in the wind i couldn't get it to bolt up around a primary tube.however if you decide to get the flowtech's the end results were not all that bad. the d-side is pretty straight forward it goes in from the top.the p-side you have to remove the diverter valve and hoses,take the starter out
i unplugged the knock sensor,fan switch and starter wires and pulled them up by the throttle body to get them out of the way.
then that side has to go up through the bottom.no motor jacking o accesory removal required all though you will lose a bracket for
your a/c compressor and alternator. the car this was done to was
a 92 formula single cat automatic with a 305 tpi.i hope this clears up your flowtech question.

 

I have a single cat.

Actually right now I have no cat. Passed e-check w/out it so it will probably stay that way.

 

For the Hedmans you don't really have to modify anything, at least not on mine.

There is a support bracket for the A/C compressor (On the later models at least) that did connect to a weird bolt attached to the manifold. This can be reinstalled if you want, we just didn't bother on mine and its been fine. I rarely ever use teh A/C anyway.

T-Tops > A/C

 

Hehe, dangit, I have a hardtop.

 

I installed a set of heddmans on a 88 Trans Am over the summer. They aren't a bad set of hedders. My only complaint was the y-pipe was too small.. Other than that, they aint bad.

Kat

 

Sweet... thanks for letting me know!