I've been looking to get new headers for a while since I put on a hooker cat back and custom replacement straight pipe instead of the cat. I was looking at the Pace Setter nikel plated, SLP, or Edelbrock TES chrome. I was wondering what the best was for the price. Any info would help. Thanks,

-Berlinetta00

 

Hooker 2055s.

 

I wouldn't recommend chrome plated headers. Some corrosion protection, but they will blue with heat, don't provide any heat insulation, and chrome isn't known for being particularly long-lasting on headers. Ceramic coating is much better in all those respects.

I thought Pace Setters were offered in ceramic coated versions, not chrome. But, they have small primaries (1-1/2"), and although testimonials on them don't abound, haven't been known for the highest quality. But, they are cheap.

SLP is generally accepted as the best for quality and performance, but you do pay for that. Ceramic coating is still a plus on them, even though they are made from stainless steel, for heat insulation properties and long-term appearance.

A bunch of people have TES. But, they have a mixed reputation with regard to quality, fit, and performance. They are relatively inexpensive.

Mark mentioned the Hookers. High quality, good performance, middle-ground for expense. I didn't particularly like the small opening they had at the collector ball flange to y-pipe, but that was also relatively easy to remedy. Coating will add about 50% to the cost, wish I had done it (just did high temp paint). But the y-pipe they provide is arguably better than anybody's with possible exception of SLP (but just as good as theirs), and doesn't require any "install kit" like SLP does.

Hedman offers the choice of A.I.R. or no A.I.R., which is nice. Mixed reviews on their y-pipe, but certainly if you don't want A.I.R., they offer the least expensive choice for headers and y-pipe. About the same price as TES w/A.I.R., and probably higher quality than TES.

Dynomax and Flowtech seem to fit in the same niche as Pace Setter.

So, that's what you've got to choose from. Nobody can answer the "best for price" question directly - you have to choose between the pros and cons yourself.

 

To add to it, I had the Edelbrocks uncoated. For one I didn't like the design, at least compared to my bro's Flowtechs, the piping on his made a tune up so much easier.

Also, wish I had gotten ceramic coating, which I will this time when I get new headers.

 

My mistake, I meant ceramic, but said chrome. I like chrome, shiny, nice... Any ways, thanks for the info, I think I'll go with the ceramic/nikel plated TES headers all the same. It has the 1 5/8" primaries, I'm not sure about the AIR tubes. The model number I got was 6871-1, and no one seems to have a photo. I can always cut them off and plug them, if needed. As far is price is concearned, I have a deal with the local shuck's and got 'em for $395 which seemed fairly good, as the slp basic models start at more, and the pace setter from JC whitney with the ceramic coating were the same. I don't want full size, as they need more exaust parts than I want to deal with now. The back pressure ought to be perfect for the LG4 its running right now. Thanks a lot,

-Berlinetta00

 

DOH! Theres that word again.......anybody see what I'm talking about?

 

backpressure?!?!?!?!? You can get those chrome TES for less than 350$ from jegs. Im still tore between header choices. Thinking about just getting a set of SLP headers and being done with it but I havent decided yet.

 

yup, i just saw that, to the original poster, backpressure is bad , you don't want any backpressure.